What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane 3%
UV Absorber
Homosalate 15%
Skin Conditioning
Ethylhexyl Salicylate 5%
UV Absorber
Octocrylene 10%
UV Absorber
Water
Skin ConditioningButyloctyl Salicylate
Skin Conditioning
Coconut Alkanes
Emollient
Glycerin
Humectant
Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice
Skin Conditioning
Glyceryl Stearate
Emollient
Glyceryl Stearate Citrate
Emollient
Sodium Stearoyl Glutamate
CleansingOryza Sativa Starch
AbsorbentPolyglyceryl-4 Isostearate
Emulsifying
Camellia Japonica Seed Oil
Emollient
Potassium Sorbate
Preservative
Acetic Acid
BufferingBiosaccharide Gum-1
Humectant
Hydrolyzed Jojoba Esters
Skin Conditioning
Lysolecithin
EmulsifyingSclerotium Gum
Emulsion StabilisingCoco-Caprylate/Caprate
Emollient
Pullulan
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingFragaria Ananassa Seed Oil
Antioxidant
Niacinamide
Smoothing
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Saccharomyces/Xylinum/Black Tea Ferment
Skin Conditioning
Oryza Sativa Extract
Absorbent
Leuconostoc/Radish Root Ferment Filtrate
Antimicrobial
Palmitoyl Tripeptide-5
Skin Conditioning
Passiflora Incarnata Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningVanilla Planifolia Fruit Extract
Skin Conditioning
Acetyl Hexapeptide-8
Humectant
Sh-Polypeptide-50
Skin Conditioning
Caprooyl Tetrapeptide-3
Skin Protecting
Trifluoroacetyl Tripeptide-2
Skin Conditioning
Daucus Carota Sativa Seed Oil
Emollient
Saccharomyces/Malus Pumila Fruit Ferment Filtrate
Emollient
Rosa Canina Fruit Oil
Emollient
Leontopodium Alpinum Flower/Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningPhaseolus Angularis Seed Extract
Antioxidant
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningCitric Acid
Buffering
Paeonia Albiflora Root Extract
Skin ConditioningDextran
Ectoin
Skin Conditioning
Myristyl Nicotinate
Skin ConditioningParfum
Masking
Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane 3%, Homosalate 15%, Ethylhexyl Salicylate 5%, Octocrylene 10%, Water, Butyloctyl Salicylate, Coconut Alkanes, Glycerin, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Glyceryl Stearate, Glyceryl Stearate Citrate, Sodium Stearoyl Glutamate, Oryza Sativa Starch, Polyglyceryl-4 Isostearate, Camellia Japonica Seed Oil, Potassium Sorbate, Acetic Acid, Biosaccharide Gum-1, Hydrolyzed Jojoba Esters, Lysolecithin, Sclerotium Gum, Coco-Caprylate/Caprate, Pullulan, Xanthan Gum, Fragaria Ananassa Seed Oil, Niacinamide, Tocopherol, Saccharomyces/Xylinum/Black Tea Ferment, Oryza Sativa Extract, Leuconostoc/Radish Root Ferment Filtrate, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-5, Passiflora Incarnata Flower Extract, Vanilla Planifolia Fruit Extract, Acetyl Hexapeptide-8, Sh-Polypeptide-50, Caprooyl Tetrapeptide-3, Trifluoroacetyl Tripeptide-2, Daucus Carota Sativa Seed Oil, Saccharomyces/Malus Pumila Fruit Ferment Filtrate, Rosa Canina Fruit Oil, Leontopodium Alpinum Flower/Leaf Extract, Phaseolus Angularis Seed Extract, Phenoxyethanol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Citric Acid, Paeonia Albiflora Root Extract, Dextran, Ectoin, Myristyl Nicotinate, Parfum
Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane 3%
UV Absorber
Homosalate 5%
Skin Conditioning
Ethylhexyl Salicylate 3%
UV Absorber
Octocrylene 7%
UV Absorber
Water
Skin ConditioningCarthamus Tinctorius Oleosomes
Emollient
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Dimethicone
Emollient
C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate
AntimicrobialPropanediol
Solvent
Polysorbate 80
Emulsifying
Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7
Skin Conditioning
Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate
Humectant
Aniba Rosodora Wood Oil
Astringent
Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
Antimicrobial
Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil
Emollient
Pelargonium Graveolens Flower Oil
Masking
Eugenia Caryophyllus Leaf Oil
Masking
Saccharomyces Cerevisiae Extract
Skin Conditioning
Laminaria Digitata Extract
Skin Protecting
Rosa Damascena Flower Oil
Masking
Eugenia Caryophyllus Bud Oil
Masking
Citrus Limon Peel Oil
Masking
Cymbopogon Schoenanthus Oil
Masking
Cymbopogon Martini Oil
Masking
Cupressus Sempervirens Leaf Oil
Masking
Citrus Limon Peel Extract
EmollientEucalyptus Globulus Leaf Oil
Perfuming
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Squalane
Emollient
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Carnosine
Skin Conditioning
Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingLecithin
Emollient
Urea
Buffering
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Glycerin
Humectant
Pentylene Glycol
Skin Conditioning
Bisabolol
Antioxidant
Glucosamine Hcl
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin Conditioning1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Gluconolactone
Skin Conditioning
Polysorbate 60
Emulsifying
Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate
Sorbitan Isostearate
Emulsifying
Decyl Glucoside
Cleansing
Aminomethyl Propanol
BufferingHydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingPolysilicone-11
Sodium Acrylates Copolymer
Phenethyl Alcohol
MaskingSodium Benzoate
Masking
Linalool
Perfuming
Eugenol
Perfuming
Limonene
Perfuming
Citronellol
Perfuming
Geraniol
Perfuming
Benzyl Benzoate
Antimicrobial
Citral
Perfuming
CI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantButyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane 3%, Homosalate 5%, Ethylhexyl Salicylate 3%, Octocrylene 7%, Water, Carthamus Tinctorius Oleosomes, Butylene Glycol, Dimethicone, C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate, Propanediol, Polysorbate 80, Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7, Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate, Aniba Rosodora Wood Oil, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Pelargonium Graveolens Flower Oil, Eugenia Caryophyllus Leaf Oil, Saccharomyces Cerevisiae Extract, Laminaria Digitata Extract, Rosa Damascena Flower Oil, Eugenia Caryophyllus Bud Oil, Citrus Limon Peel Oil, Cymbopogon Schoenanthus Oil, Cymbopogon Martini Oil, Cupressus Sempervirens Leaf Oil, Citrus Limon Peel Extract, Eucalyptus Globulus Leaf Oil, Tocopherol, Squalane, Caprylyl Glycol, Carnosine, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Lecithin, Urea, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Glycerin, Pentylene Glycol, Bisabolol, Glucosamine Hcl, Ethylhexylglycerin, 1,2-Hexanediol, Gluconolactone, Polysorbate 60, Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate, Sorbitan Isostearate, Decyl Glucoside, Aminomethyl Propanol, Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Polysilicone-11, Sodium Acrylates Copolymer, Phenethyl Alcohol, Sodium Benzoate, Linalool, Eugenol, Limonene, Citronellol, Geraniol, Benzyl Benzoate, Citral, CI 77891
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 MethoxydibenzoylmethaneEthylhexyl Salicylate is an organic compound used to block UV rays. It primarily absorbs UVB rays but offers a small amount of UVA protection as well.
Commonly found in sunscreens, Ethylhexyl Salicylate is created from salicylic acid and 2-ethylhexanol. You might know salicylic acid as the effective acne fighter ingredient and BHA.
The ethylhexanol in this ingredient is a fatty alcohol and helps hydrate your skin, similar to oils. It is an emollient, which means it traps moisture into the skin.
According to manufacturers, Ethylhexyl Salicylate absorbs UV wavelength of 295-315 nm, with a peak absorption at 307-310 nm. UVA rays are linked to long term skin damage, such as hyperpigmentation. UVB rays emit more energy and are capable of damaging our DNA. UVB rays cause sunburn.
Learn more about Ethylhexyl SalicylateEthylhexylglycerin is created from glycerin. It is a multitasker ingredient that:
The CIR Expert Panel found minimal skin absorption or sensitization of any kind in a safety assessment. Though this ingredient is considered well-tolerated, a small number of cases of allergic dermatitis have been published since 2002. Just be sure to patch test if you are unsure.
Industry-reported use ranges from 8% in rinse-off products and 2% in leave-on formulations.
Learn more about EthylhexylglycerinGlycerin (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 GlycerinHomosalate is a chemical sunscreen filter that provides protection in the UV-B range (280nm - 320 nm), with a peak protection at 306 nm. It is internationally approved for use in sunscreens.
Homosalate is not photo-stable, meaning it's strength as a UV filter degrades over time with exposure to the sun. Because of this, it's often used in combination with other chemical sunscreen filters as avobenzone (which protects from the UV-A range). Homosalate also helps act as a solvent for harder-to-dissolve UV filters.
(Part of the reason that sunscreens need to be frequently re-applied is due to the photo instability of many chemical sunscreen filters)
Currently, homosalate is approved in concentrations up to 10% in the EU and 15% in the US. The FDA is currently doing further research on the effects of homosalate, and it is possible that these approved concentrations will change in the future.
Learn more about HomosalateOctocrylene 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 OctocryleneTocopherol is a fat-soluble antioxidant known as Vitamin E.
You'll find this ingredient in the vast majority of skincare (for good reason). It works to neutralize free radicals, or unstable molecules generated by UV exposure, pollution, and other environmental stressors, before they can cause oxidative damage to your skin cells.
Topically applied tocopherol has been shown to protect against UV damage by ramping up the skin's own natural defense enzymes.
It also acts as a skin conditioning agent; some studies show that regular topical use can improve the skin's water-binding capacity over 2-4 weeks.
This ingredient is especially loved for being a team player. When combined with Vitamin C, the photoprotective effect of both ingredients roughly doubles and the combo also helps reduce UV-induced DNA damage.
This ingredient has some brightening potential but it's more of a prevention ingredient than spot-fader. Cell studies show it can slow down melanin production but it's worth noting that it's not the most powerful brightener out there.
In formulations, it also serves as a stabilizer that helps protect other oxidation-prone ingredients from degrading.
Concentrations usually range from 0.1-1% in most leave-on products.
Learn more about TocopherolWater. 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
