What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane 3%
UV AbsorberHomosalate 5%
Skin ConditioningEthylhexyl Salicylate 4.5%
UV AbsorberOctocrylene 2.8%
UV AbsorberWater
Skin ConditioningButyloctyl Salicylate
Skin ConditioningNylon-12
Octyldodecyl Neopentanoate
EmollientBehenyl Alcohol
EmollientMyristyl Myristate
EmollientDimethicone
EmollientCetyl Esters
EmollientPolyethylene
AbrasiveButylene Glycol
HumectantAmmonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer
Glycerin
HumectantRosa Damascena Flower Oil
MaskingLavandula Angustifolia Oil
MaskingPelargonium Graveolens Flower Oil
MaskingIllicium Verum Fruit/Seed Oil
MaskingCitrus Aurantium Bergamia Fruit Oil
MaskingCarthamus Tinctorius Seed Oil
MaskingMyristica Fragrans Kernel Oil
MaskingCitrus Aurantium Dulcis Peel Oil
MaskingCitrus Nobilis Peel Oil
MaskingCitrus Limon Peel Oil
MaskingLitsea Cubeba Fruit Oil
MaskingHibiscus Abelmoschus Extract
MaskingGeraniol
PerfumingLinalool
PerfumingCitronellol
PerfumingLimonene
PerfumingCitral
PerfumingCoffea Arabica Seed Extract
MaskingSigesbeckia Orientalis Extract
Skin ConditioningPeucedanum Graveolens Extract
TonicHordeum Vulgare Extract
EmollientPisum Sativum Extract
Skin ConditioningCholesterol
EmollientMicrococcus Lysate
Skin ConditioningBambusa Vulgaris Extract
Skin ConditioningGlyceryl Stearate
EmollientTriticum Vulgare Germ Extract
Skin ConditioningCrithmum Maritimum Extract
Skin ConditioningAnogeissus Leiocarpus Bark Extract
Skin ProtectingRosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialCaffeine
Skin ConditioningCentaurium Erythraea Extract
Skin ConditioningRubus Idaeus Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningCassia Alata Leaf Extract
AstringentPhytosphingosine
Skin ConditioningTrisiloxane
Skin ConditioningLaminaria Digitata Extract
Skin ProtectingAcetyl Hexapeptide-8
HumectantHydrolyzed Algin
Glucosamine Hcl
PEG-100 Stearate
Sodium Hyaluronate
HumectantPEG-6
HumectantDi-PPG-2 Myreth-10 Adipate
EmollientSteareth-21
CleansingTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningSqualane
EmollientLinoleic Acid
CleansingTrehalose
HumectantTetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate
AntioxidantCitric Acid
BufferingSodium PCA
HumectantLecithin
EmollientMaltodextrin
AbsorbentHexylene Glycol
EmulsifyingSodium Dehydroacetate
PreservativeDisodium EDTA
Phenoxyethanol
PreservativeMica
Cosmetic ColorantEssential Oils
Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane 3%, Homosalate 5%, Ethylhexyl Salicylate 4.5%, Octocrylene 2.8%, Water, Butyloctyl Salicylate, Nylon-12, Octyldodecyl Neopentanoate, Behenyl Alcohol, Myristyl Myristate, Dimethicone, Cetyl Esters, Polyethylene, Butylene Glycol, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer, Glycerin, Rosa Damascena Flower Oil, Lavandula Angustifolia Oil, Pelargonium Graveolens Flower Oil, Illicium Verum Fruit/Seed Oil, Citrus Aurantium Bergamia Fruit Oil, Carthamus Tinctorius Seed Oil, Myristica Fragrans Kernel Oil, Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Peel Oil, Citrus Nobilis Peel Oil, Citrus Limon Peel Oil, Litsea Cubeba Fruit Oil, Hibiscus Abelmoschus Extract, Geraniol, Linalool, Citronellol, Limonene, Citral, Coffea Arabica Seed Extract, Sigesbeckia Orientalis Extract, Peucedanum Graveolens Extract, Hordeum Vulgare Extract, Pisum Sativum Extract, Cholesterol, Micrococcus Lysate, Bambusa Vulgaris Extract, Glyceryl Stearate, Triticum Vulgare Germ Extract, Crithmum Maritimum Extract, Anogeissus Leiocarpus Bark Extract, Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract, Caffeine, Centaurium Erythraea Extract, Rubus Idaeus Leaf Extract, Cassia Alata Leaf Extract, Phytosphingosine, Trisiloxane, Laminaria Digitata Extract, Acetyl Hexapeptide-8, Hydrolyzed Algin, Glucosamine Hcl, PEG-100 Stearate, Sodium Hyaluronate, PEG-6, Di-PPG-2 Myreth-10 Adipate, Steareth-21, Tocopheryl Acetate, Caprylyl Glycol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Squalane, Linoleic Acid, Trehalose, Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate, Citric Acid, Sodium PCA, Lecithin, Maltodextrin, Hexylene Glycol, Sodium Dehydroacetate, Disodium EDTA, Phenoxyethanol, Mica, Essential Oils
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingGlyceryl Stearate Se
EmulsifyingIsononyl Isononanoate
EmollientDicaprylyl Carbonate
EmollientDimethicone
EmollientButyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane
UV AbsorberEthylhexyl Methoxycinnamate
UV AbsorberPhenoxyethanol
PreservativePolyacrylate-13
Butylene Glycol
HumectantCetyl Alcohol
EmollientHydroxyacetophenone
AntioxidantOctocrylene
UV AbsorberStearic Acid
CleansingTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantCoco-Caprylate
EmollientXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingChlorphenesin
AntimicrobialPolyisobutene
Parfum
MaskingDisodium EDTA
Lecithin
EmollientTocopherol
AntioxidantButyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin ConditioningCitric Acid
BufferingDaucus Carota Sativa Root Extract
Skin ConditioningTriticum Vulgare Germ Oil
EmollientChlorella Vulgaris Extract
Skin ConditioningGlyceryl Polyacrylate
Benzyl Benzoate
AntimicrobialGlyceryl Acrylate/Acrylic Acid Copolymer
HumectantPadina Pavonica Thallus Extract
Skin ConditioningSodium Dehydroacetate
PreservativePolysorbate 20
EmulsifyingSorbitan Isostearate
EmulsifyingGinkgo Biloba Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningPorphyridium Cruentum Extract
Skin ConditioningDipropylene Glycol
HumectantCitronellol
PerfumingGeraniol
PerfumingHydroxycitronellal
PerfumingCitrus Limon Peel Oil
MaskingLimonene
PerfumingPotassium Sorbate
PreservativeSodium Benzoate
MaskingCitrus Aurantium Amara Peel Oil
Skin ConditioningWater, Glycerin, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Glyceryl Stearate Se, Isononyl Isononanoate, Dicaprylyl Carbonate, Dimethicone, Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane, Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate, Phenoxyethanol, Polyacrylate-13, Butylene Glycol, Cetyl Alcohol, Hydroxyacetophenone, Octocrylene, Stearic Acid, Tocopheryl Acetate, Coco-Caprylate, Xanthan Gum, Chlorphenesin, Polyisobutene, Parfum, Disodium EDTA, Lecithin, Tocopherol, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Citric Acid, Daucus Carota Sativa Root Extract, Triticum Vulgare Germ Oil, Chlorella Vulgaris Extract, Glyceryl Polyacrylate, Benzyl Benzoate, Glyceryl Acrylate/Acrylic Acid Copolymer, Padina Pavonica Thallus Extract, Sodium Dehydroacetate, Polysorbate 20, Sorbitan Isostearate, Ginkgo Biloba Leaf Extract, Porphyridium Cruentum Extract, Dipropylene Glycol, Citronellol, Geraniol, Hydroxycitronellal, Citrus Limon Peel Oil, Limonene, Potassium Sorbate, Sodium Benzoate, Citrus Aurantium Amara Peel Oil
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Also known as Avobenzone, this ingredient is a chemical sunscreen filter that provides protection in the UV-A range.
Avobenzone is globally approved and is the most commonly used UV-A filter in the world.
Studies have found that avobenzone becomes ineffective when exposed to UV light (it is not photostable; meaning that it breaks down in sunlight). Because of this, formulations that include avobenzone will usually contain stabilizers such as octocrylene.
However, some modern formulations (looking at you, EU!) are able to stabilize avobenzone by coating the molecules.
Avobenzone does not protect against the UV-B range, so it's important to check that the sunscreen you're using contains other UV filters that do!
The highest concentration of avobenzone permitted is 3% in the US, and 5% in the EU.
Learn more about Butyl MethoxydibenzoylmethaneButylene Glycol (or BG) is used within cosmetic products for a few different reasons:
Overall, Butylene Glycol is a safe and well-rounded ingredient that works well with other ingredients.
Though this ingredient works well with most skin types, some people with sensitive skin may experience a reaction such as allergic rashes, closed comedones, or itchiness.
Learn more about Butylene GlycolCitric Acid is an alpha hydroxy acid (AHA) naturally found in citrus fruits like oranges, lemons, and limes.
Like other AHAs, citric acid can exfoliate skin by breaking down the bonds that hold dead skin cells together. This helps reveal smoother and brighter skin underneath.
However, this exfoliating effect only happens at high concentrations (20%) which can be hard to find in cosmetic products.
Due to this, citric acid is usually included in small amounts as a pH adjuster. This helps keep products slightly more acidic and compatible with skin's natural pH.
In skincare formulas, citric acid can:
While it can provide some skin benefits, research shows lactic acid and glycolic acid are generally more effective and less irritating exfoliants.
Most citric acid used in skincare today is made by fermenting sugars (usually from molasses). This synthetic version is identical to the natural citrus form but easier to stabilize and use in formulations.
Read more about some other popular AHA's here:
Learn more about Citric AcidCitronellol is used to add fragrance/parfum to a product. It is often derived from plants such as roses. In fact, it can be found in many essential oils including geranium, lavender, neroli, and more. The scent of Citronellol is often described as "fresh, grassy, and citrus-like".
Since the Citronellol molecule is already unstable, Citronellol becomes irritating on the skin when exposed to air.
Citronellol is a modified terpene. Terpenes are unsaturated hydrocarbons found in plants. They make up the primary part of essential oils.
Citronellol is not able to be absorbed into deeper layers of the skin. It has low permeability,
Citronellol is also a natural insect repellent.
Learn more about CitronellolCitrus Limon Peel Oil is created from the peels of the lemon. It is used to add a lemon-scent to products. Lemon peel oil also has antibacterial, antifungal, and antioxidant properties. However, it may also cause phototoxicity and sensitize skin.
Lemon peel oil contains limonene, a skin sensitizing ingredient. Another component is furanocoumarin, which induces phototoxicity in skin.
Furanocoumarins bind and destabilize your DNA to increase the rate of sunburn.
Most reputable companies will remove furanocoumarins from their formulations.
Learn more about Citrus Limon Peel OilDimethicone is a type of synthetic silicone created from natural materials such as quartz. It is also known as polydimethylsiloxane.
What it does:
Dimethicone comes in different viscosities:
Depending on the viscosity, dimethicone has different properties.
Ingredients lists don't always show which type is used, so we recommend reaching out to the brand if you have questions about the viscosity.
This ingredient is unlikely to cause irritation because it does not get absorbed into skin. However, people with silicone allergies should be careful about using this ingredient.
Note: Dimethicone may contribute to pilling. This is because it is not oil or water soluble, so pilling may occur when layered with products. When mixed with heavy oils in a formula, the outcome is also quite greasy.
Learn more about DimethiconeDisodium EDTA is a chelating agent. It grabs onto and deactivates metal ions that sneak into your products from water, packaging, or air.
This ingredient mainly works behind the scenes and helps with:
On top of that, this ingredient can counteract the effects of hard water by binding to the minerals in it.
One thing worth knowing is that Disodium EDTA has been shown to be a mild penetration enhancer. It can help other ingredients absorb into skin more effectively which can be a double-edged sword (great for actives, but can also make the active too strong if you have sensitive skin).
Clinical patch testing showed no significant skin irritation at typical use concentrations and minimal dermal absorption.
You'll most likely see this ingredient near the end of an ingredient list. It's typically found in concentrations less than 1%.
Learn more about Disodium EDTAGeraniol is used to add fragrance/parfum to a product. It is the main component of citronellol. It is a monoterpenoid and an alcohol.
Monoterpenes are naturally found in many parts of different plants.
Geraniol can be found in many essential oils including Rose Oil and Citronella Oil. The scent of Geraniol is often described as "rose-like". Many foods also contain Geraniol for fruit flavoring.
Geraniol can irritate the skin when exposed to air. However, irritation depends on the ability of geraniol to penetrate into the skin. In general, geraniol is not able to penetrate skin easily.
Geraniol is colorless and has low water-solubility. However, it is soluble in common organic solvents.
Like citronellol, it is a natural insect repellent.
2,6-Octadien-1-ol, 3,7-dimethyl-, (2E)-
Learn more about GeraniolGlycerin (or glycerol) is a compound naturally found in your skin. It's a powerhouse humectant that pulls water into the stratum corneum.
Topically, glycerin does several things at once:
Your skin makes glycerin on its own (mostly from sebaceous oil breakdown) and shuttles it to your outermost layer of skin, or your epidermis, via aquaporin-3.
Aquaporin-3 is a transporter that is essential for normal skin hydration, elasticity, and repair. Interestingly, mice lacking in AQP3 have dry and less elastic skin that can be fully corrected with glycerin.
This ingredient is non-irritating, plays well with almost every ingredient, and works across all skin types. Typical use is anywhere between 3-10% but can go up to 79% in some leave-on products.
Just know very high concentrations (>40%) can feel tacky in low humidity.
Glycerin is the name for this ingredient in American English. British English uses Glycerol/Glycerine.
Learn more about GlycerinLecithin is a term for a group of substances found in the cell membranes of plants, animals, and humans. They are made up of phospholipids.
Thanks to its amphiphilic structure (water-loving head and oil-loving tail), it is a true multitasker:
It plays well with most ingredients and is typically used at 0.1-1%. However, concentrations up to 50% have been reported in moisturizers.
Depending on the source of this ingredient, lecithin may not be fungal acne safe. This is because some sources of lecithin come from soybean oil, which may feed the malassezia yeast that causes fungal acne.
We recommend reaching out to the brand you are purchasing from to inquire about the source of their lecithin.
Learn more about LecithinLimonene is a fragrance that adds scent and taste to a formulation.
It's found in the peel oil of citrus fruits and other plants such as lavender and eucalyptus. The scent of limonene is generally described as "sweet citrus".
Limonene acts as an antioxidant, meaning it helps neutralize free radicals.
When exposed to air, oxidized limonene may sensitize the skin. Because of this, limonene is often avoided by people with sensitive skin.
The term 'fragrance' is not regulated in many countries. In many cases, it is up to the brand to define this term. For instance, many brands choose to label themselves as "fragrance-free" because they are not using synthetic fragrances. However, their products may still contain ingredients such as essential oils that are considered a fragrance.
Learn more about LimoneneOctocrylene protects skin from sun damage. It absorbs UV-B with peak absorption of 304 nm. It is a common sunscreen ingredient and often paired with avobenzone, a UVA filter. This is because octocrylene stabilizes other sunscreen ingredients by protecting them from degradation when exposed to sunlight. Octocrylene is a photostable ingredient and loses about 10% of SPF in 95 minutes.
Octocrylene also acts as an emollient, meaning it helps skin retain moisture and softens skin. It is oil-soluble and hydrophobic, enhancing water-resistant properties in a product.
Those who are using ketoprofen, a topical anti-inflammatory drug, may experience an allergic reaction when using octocrylene. It is best to speak with a healthcare professional about using sunscreens with octocrylene.
The EU allows a maximum of these concentrations:
Learn more about OctocrylenePhenoxyethanol is a preservative that has germicide, antimicrobial, and aromatic properties. Studies show that phenoxyethanol can prevent microbial growth. By itself, it has a scent that is similar to that of a rose.
It's often used in formulations along with Caprylyl Glycol to preserve the shelf life of products.
This ingredient is a preservative with antimicrobial properties. It is the sodium salt of dehydroacetic acid.
It is especially effective at preventing bacterial and fungal growth in low concentrations.
Tocopheryl Acetate is AKA Vitamin E. It is an antioxidant and protects your skin from free radicals. Free radicals damage the skin by breaking down collagen.
One study found using Tocopheryl Acetate with Vitamin C decreased the number of sunburned cells.
Tocopheryl Acetate is commonly found in both skincare and dietary supplements.
Learn more about Tocopheryl AcetateWater. It's the most common cosmetic ingredient of all. You'll usually see it at the top of ingredient lists, meaning that it makes up the largest part of the product.
So why is it so popular? Water most often acts as a solvent - this means that it helps dissolve other ingredients into the formulation.
You'll also recognize water as that liquid we all need to stay alive. If you see this, drink a glass of water. Remember to stay hydrated!
Learn more about Water