What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane 3%
UV AbsorberHomosalate 15%
Skin ConditioningEthylhexyl Salicylate 5%
UV AbsorberOctocrylene 10%
UV AbsorberWater
Skin ConditioningButyloctyl Salicylate
Skin ConditioningCoconut Alkanes
EmollientGlycerin
HumectantAloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice
Skin ConditioningGlyceryl Stearate
EmollientGlyceryl Stearate Citrate
EmollientSodium Stearoyl Glutamate
CleansingOryza Sativa Starch
AbsorbentPolyglyceryl-4 Isostearate
EmulsifyingCamellia Japonica Seed Oil
EmollientPotassium Sorbate
PreservativeAcetic Acid
BufferingBiosaccharide Gum-1
HumectantHydrolyzed Jojoba Esters
Skin ConditioningLysolecithin
EmulsifyingSclerotium Gum
Emulsion StabilisingCoco-Caprylate/Caprate
EmollientPullulan
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingFragaria Ananassa Seed Oil
AntioxidantNiacinamide
SmoothingTocopherol
AntioxidantSaccharomyces/Xylinum/Black Tea Ferment
Skin ConditioningOryza Sativa Extract
AbsorbentLeuconostoc/Radish Root Ferment Filtrate
AntimicrobialPalmitoyl Tripeptide-5
Skin ConditioningPassiflora Incarnata Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningVanilla Planifolia Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningAcetyl Hexapeptide-8
HumectantSh-Polypeptide-50
Skin ConditioningCaprooyl Tetrapeptide-3
Skin ProtectingTrifluoroacetyl Tripeptide-2
Skin ConditioningDaucus Carota Sativa Seed Oil
EmollientSaccharomyces/Malus Pumila Fruit Ferment Filtrate
EmollientRosa Canina Fruit Oil
EmollientLeontopodium Alpinum Flower/Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningPhaseolus Angularis Seed Extract
AntioxidantPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningCitric Acid
BufferingPaeonia Albiflora Root Extract
Skin ConditioningDextran
Ectoin
Skin ConditioningMyristyl Nicotinate
Skin ConditioningParfum
MaskingButyl 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 2%
UV AbsorberEthylhexyl Methoxycinnamate 7.5%
UV AbsorberEthylhexyl Salicylate 5%
UV AbsorberOctocrylene 2%
UV AbsorberWater
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantSilica
AbrasiveDimethicone
EmollientTocopherol
AntioxidantChamomilla Recutita Flower Extract
MaskingVitis Vinifera Seed Extract
AntimicrobialCamellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialCamellia Oleifera Leaf Extract
AstringentPeucedanum Graveolens Extract
TonicSambucus Nigra Fruit Extract
AstringentAvena Sativa Bran Extract
AbrasivePunica Granatum Extract
AstringentLycium Barbarum Fruit Extract
AstringentHydrogenated Lecithin
EmulsifyingTitanium Dioxide
Cosmetic ColorantDimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer
Skin ConditioningDiethylhexyl Syringylidenemalonate
Skin ProtectingHydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingSodium Carbomer
Emulsion StabilisingBenzyl Alcohol
PerfumingSodium Benzoate
MaskingPotassium Sorbate
PreservativePhenoxyethanol
PreservativeButyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane 2%, Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate 7.5%, Ethylhexyl Salicylate 5%, Octocrylene 2%, Water, Glycerin, Silica, Dimethicone, Tocopherol, Chamomilla Recutita Flower Extract, Vitis Vinifera Seed Extract, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Camellia Oleifera Leaf Extract, Peucedanum Graveolens Extract, Sambucus Nigra Fruit Extract, Avena Sativa Bran Extract, Punica Granatum Extract, Lycium Barbarum Fruit Extract, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Titanium Dioxide, Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Diethylhexyl Syringylidenemalonate, Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Xanthan Gum, Sodium Carbomer, Benzyl Alcohol, Sodium Benzoate, Potassium Sorbate, Phenoxyethanol
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 SalicylateGlycerin is already naturally found in your skin. It helps moisturize and protect your skin.
A study from 2016 found glycerin to be more effective as a humectant than AHAs and hyaluronic acid.
As a humectant, it helps the skin stay hydrated by pulling moisture to your skin. The low molecular weight of glycerin allows it to pull moisture into the deeper layers of your skin.
Hydrated skin improves your skin barrier; Your skin barrier helps protect against irritants and bacteria.
Glycerin has also been found to have antimicrobial and antiviral properties. Due to these properties, glycerin is often used in wound and burn treatments.
In cosmetics, glycerin is usually derived from plants such as soybean or palm. However, it can also be sourced from animals, such as tallow or animal fat.
This ingredient is organic, colorless, odorless, and non-toxic.
Glycerin is the name for this ingredient in American English. British English uses Glycerol/Glycerine.
Learn more about GlycerinOctocrylene 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.
Potassium Sorbate is a preservative used to prevent yeast and mold in products. It is commonly found in both cosmetic and food products.
This ingredient comes from potassium salt derived from sorbic acid. Sorbic acid is a natural antibiotic and effective against fungus.
Both potassium sorbate and sorbic acid can be found in baked goods, cheeses, dried meats, dried fruit, ice cream, pickles, wine, yogurt, and more.
You'll often find this ingredient used with other preservatives.
Learn more about Potassium SorbateTocopherol (also known as Vitamin E) is a common antioxidant used to help protect the skin from free-radicals and strengthen the skin barrier. It's also fat soluble - this means our skin is great at absorbing it.
Vitamin E also helps keep your natural skin lipids healthy. Your lipid skin barrier naturally consists of lipids, ceramides, and fatty acids. Vitamin E offers extra protection for your skin’s lipid barrier, keeping your skin healthy and nourished.
Another benefit is a bit of UV protection. Vitamin E helps reduce the damage caused by UVB rays. (It should not replace your sunscreen). Combining it with Vitamin C can decrease sunburned cells and hyperpigmentation after UV exposure.
You might have noticed Vitamin E + C often paired together. This is because it is great at stabilizing Vitamin C. Using the two together helps increase the effectiveness of both ingredients.
There are often claims that Vitamin E can reduce/prevent scarring, but these claims haven't been confirmed by scientific research.
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. Stay hydrated!
Learn more about WaterXanthan gum is used as a stabilizer and thickener within cosmetic products. It helps give products a sticky, thick feeling - preventing them from being too runny.
On the technical side of things, xanthan gum is a polysaccharide - a combination consisting of multiple sugar molecules bonded together.
Xanthan gum is a pretty common and great ingredient. It is a natural, non-toxic, non-irritating ingredient that is also commonly used in food products.
Learn more about Xanthan Gum