What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Homosalate 5%
Skin Conditioning
Ethylhexyl Salicylate 5%
UV Absorber
Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane 3%
UV Absorber
Octocrylene 2.5%
UV Absorber
Polybutene
Octyldodecanol
Emollient
Ethylhexyl Palmitate
Emollient
Cera Microcristallina
Emulsion StabilisingPolyethylene
Abrasive
Polyglyceryl-2 Tetraisostearate
EmollientCocos Nucifera Oil
Masking
Aroma
Silica Silylate
Emollient
Adenosine
Skin Conditioning
Retinyl Palmitate
Skin Conditioning
Lecithin
Emollient
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Isononyl Isononanoate
EmollientIsopropyl Titanium Triisostearate
Emollient
Stearalkonium Hectorite
Gel FormingIsopropyl Myristate
Emollient
Propylene Carbonate
SolventPolyhydroxystearic Acid
Emulsifying
Silica
Abrasive
CI 15850
Cosmetic ColorantIron Oxides
Titanium Dioxide
Cosmetic Colorant
Tin Oxide
Abrasive
Mica
Cosmetic ColorantPhenoxyethanol
Preservative
CI 77742
Cosmetic ColorantBlue 1 Lake
Cosmetic ColorantCI 19140
Cosmetic ColorantCI 45380
Cosmetic ColorantCI 45410
Cosmetic ColorantCI 73360
Cosmetic ColorantCI 12085
Cosmetic ColorantCI 16035
Cosmetic ColorantHomosalate 5%, Ethylhexyl Salicylate 5%, Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane 3%, Octocrylene 2.5%, Polybutene, Octyldodecanol, Ethylhexyl Palmitate, Cera Microcristallina, Polyethylene, Polyglyceryl-2 Tetraisostearate, Cocos Nucifera Oil, Aroma, Silica Silylate, Adenosine, Retinyl Palmitate, Lecithin, Tocopherol, Tocopheryl Acetate, Isononyl Isononanoate, Isopropyl Titanium Triisostearate, Stearalkonium Hectorite, Isopropyl Myristate, Propylene Carbonate, Polyhydroxystearic Acid, Silica, CI 15850, Iron Oxides, Titanium Dioxide, Tin Oxide, Mica, Phenoxyethanol, CI 77742, Blue 1 Lake, CI 19140, CI 45380, CI 45410, CI 73360, CI 12085, CI 16035
Water
Skin ConditioningOctocrylene
UV Absorber
Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate
UV Absorber
Benzophenone-3
UV Absorber
Ethylhexyl Salicylate
UV Absorber
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane
UV Absorber
C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate
AntimicrobialGlyceryl Stearate
Emollient
Glycerin
Humectant
PEG-100 Stearate
Surfactant
Octyldodecanol
Emollient
Jojoba Esters
Emollient
Glyceryl Stearate Se
Emulsifying
Propanediol
Solvent
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Helianthus Annuus Seed Wax
Skin Conditioning
Saccharide Isomerate
Humectant
Methyl Methacrylate Crosspolymer
Sodium Stearoyl Glutamate
CleansingTocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Benzyl Alcohol
Perfuming
Bisabolol
Antioxidant
Echium Plantagineum Seed Oil
Skin Conditioning
Lecithin
Emollient
Buddleja Officinalis Flower Extract
UV Filter1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Carbomer
Emulsion StabilisingDisodium EDTA
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Acacia Decurrens Flower Extract
Masking
Polyglycerin-3
Humectant
Parfum
Masking
Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil Unsaponifiables
Emollient
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingBiosaccharide Gum-4
Skin Conditioning
Dehydroacetic Acid
Preservative
Ethylbisiminomethylguaiacol Manganese Chloride
Antioxidant
Cardiospermum Halicacabum Flower/Leaf/Vine Extract
Skin ConditioningCitric Acid
Buffering
Sodium Citrate
BufferingLimonene
Perfuming
Alpha-Isomethyl Ionone
Perfuming
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Citronellol
Perfuming
Water, Octocrylene, Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate, Benzophenone-3, Ethylhexyl Salicylate, Butylene Glycol, Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane, C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate, Glyceryl Stearate, Glycerin, PEG-100 Stearate, Octyldodecanol, Jojoba Esters, Glyceryl Stearate Se, Propanediol, Phenoxyethanol, Helianthus Annuus Seed Wax, Saccharide Isomerate, Methyl Methacrylate Crosspolymer, Sodium Stearoyl Glutamate, Tocopheryl Acetate, Benzyl Alcohol, Bisabolol, Echium Plantagineum Seed Oil, Lecithin, Buddleja Officinalis Flower Extract, 1,2-Hexanediol, Carbomer, Disodium EDTA, Sodium Hyaluronate, Acacia Decurrens Flower Extract, Polyglycerin-3, Parfum, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil Unsaponifiables, Sodium Hydroxide, Biosaccharide Gum-4, Dehydroacetic Acid, Ethylbisiminomethylguaiacol Manganese Chloride, Cardiospermum Halicacabum Flower/Leaf/Vine Extract, Citric Acid, Sodium Citrate, Limonene, Alpha-Isomethyl Ionone, Tocopherol, Citronellol
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 SalicylateLecithin 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 LecithinOctocrylene 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 OctocryleneOctyldodecanol is a fatty alcohol sourced from plant oils like coconut or palm (or made synthetically).
It is:
You'll likely see this in many BHA products because this is the go-to solvent for salicylic acid.
This ingredient is typically used at levels between 2-20%.
Regarding fungal acne:
In 2019, this ingredient was tested against multiple Malassezia species (the yeast that causes fungal acne) and showed no growth.
Phenoxyethanol 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.
Tocopherol 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 TocopherolTocopheryl 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 Acetate
