What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane 3%
UV Absorber
Homosalate 5%
Skin Conditioning
Ethylhexyl Salicylate 5%
UV Absorber
Octocrylene 10%
UV Absorber
Water
Skin ConditioningPolymethylsilsesquioxane
Glycerin
Humectant
Dipropylene Glycol
HumectantDimethicone
Emollient
Argania Spinosa Kernel Oil
Emollient
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Yeast Extract
Skin Conditioning
Cyclopentasiloxane
Emollient
Cyclohexasiloxane
Emollient
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Lauryl PEG-9 Polydimethylsiloxyethyl Dimethicone
Skin Conditioning
Isododecane
EmollientDimethicone/PEG-10/15 Crosspolymer
Saccharide Isomerate
Humectant
Methyl Gluceth-20
Humectant
Sodium Chloride
Masking
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Bisabolol
Masking
PEG-15/Lauryl Dimethicone Crosspolymer
Stabilising
Sodium PCA
Humectant
Propylene Glycol
Humectant
Ceteareth-25
CleansingSodium Benzoate
Masking
Potassium Sorbate
Preservative
Sodium Citrate
BufferingCitric Acid
Buffering
Sambucus Nigra Fruit Extract
AstringentCetyl Alcohol
Emollient
Saccharomyces/Magnesium Ferment
Hydrolyzed Silk
Humectant
Behenic Acid
Cleansing
Ceramide NP
Skin Conditioning
Cholesterol
Emollient
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningTocopherol
Antioxidant
Ceramide Ns
Skin Conditioning
Saccharomyces/Iron Ferment
Skin ConditioningSaccharomyces/Copper Ferment
Skin ConditioningSaccharomyces/Silicon Ferment
Skin ConditioningSaccharomyces/Zinc Ferment
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
Humectant
Ceramide AP
Skin Conditioning
Ceramide EOP
Skin Conditioning
Ceramide Eos
Skin Conditioning
Olea Europaea Leaf Extract
Perfuming
Caprooyl Phytosphingosine
Skin Conditioning
Caprooyl Sphingosine
Skin ConditioningDisodium EDTA
Ascorbyl Palmitate
Antioxidant
Mica
Cosmetic Colorant
Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane 3%, Homosalate 5%, Ethylhexyl Salicylate 5%, Octocrylene 10%, Water, Polymethylsilsesquioxane, Glycerin, Dipropylene Glycol, Dimethicone, Argania Spinosa Kernel Oil, Tocopheryl Acetate, Yeast Extract, Cyclopentasiloxane, Cyclohexasiloxane, Phenoxyethanol, Lauryl PEG-9 Polydimethylsiloxyethyl Dimethicone, Isododecane, Dimethicone/PEG-10/15 Crosspolymer, Saccharide Isomerate, Methyl Gluceth-20, Sodium Chloride, Sodium Hyaluronate, Bisabolol, PEG-15/Lauryl Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Sodium PCA, Propylene Glycol, Ceteareth-25, Sodium Benzoate, Potassium Sorbate, Sodium Citrate, Citric Acid, Sambucus Nigra Fruit Extract, Cetyl Alcohol, Saccharomyces/Magnesium Ferment, Hydrolyzed Silk, Behenic Acid, Ceramide NP, Cholesterol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Tocopherol, Ceramide Ns, Saccharomyces/Iron Ferment, Saccharomyces/Copper Ferment, Saccharomyces/Silicon Ferment, Saccharomyces/Zinc Ferment, Butylene Glycol, Ceramide AP, Ceramide EOP, Ceramide Eos, Olea Europaea Leaf Extract, Caprooyl Phytosphingosine, Caprooyl Sphingosine, Disodium EDTA, Ascorbyl Palmitate, Mica
Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane 3%
UV Absorber
Homosalate 9%
Skin Conditioning
Ethylhexyl Salicylate 5%
UV Absorber
Octocrylene 6%
UV Absorber
Water
Skin Conditioning3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid
Skin Conditioning
C13-15 Alkane
SolventGlycerin
Humectant
Polyglyceryl-6 Polyricinoleate
Emulsifying
Polyglyceryl-6 Polyhydroxystearate
Emulsifying
Octyldodecyl Citrate Crosspolymer
HumectantNiacinamide
Smoothing
Phenethyl Benzoate
Emollient
Polyester-25
Skin Protecting
Silica
Abrasive
Terminalia Ferdinandiana Fruit Extract
Antioxidant
Rosa Centifolia Flower Extract
Astringent
Jasminum Officinale Flower Extract
Masking
Bellis Perennis Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningHydrolyzed Sodium Hyaluronate
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Pseudoalteromonas Ferment Extract
Humectant
Glyceryl Caprylate
EmollientDisteardimonium Hectorite
StabilisingXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingPolyglyceryl-2 Isostearate
Emulsifying
Magnesium Sulfate
Sodium Chloride
Masking
Citric Acid
Buffering
Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate
Sodium Citrate
BufferingPentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningPropanediol
Solvent
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningChlorphenesin
Antimicrobial
Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane 3%, Homosalate 9%, Ethylhexyl Salicylate 5%, Octocrylene 6%, Water, 3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid, C13-15 Alkane, Glycerin, Polyglyceryl-6 Polyricinoleate, Polyglyceryl-6 Polyhydroxystearate, Octyldodecyl Citrate Crosspolymer, Niacinamide, Phenethyl Benzoate, Polyester-25, Silica, Terminalia Ferdinandiana Fruit Extract, Rosa Centifolia Flower Extract, Jasminum Officinale Flower Extract, Bellis Perennis Flower Extract, Hydrolyzed Sodium Hyaluronate, Sodium Hyaluronate, Pseudoalteromonas Ferment Extract, Glyceryl Caprylate, Disteardimonium Hectorite, Xanthan Gum, Polyglyceryl-2 Isostearate, Magnesium Sulfate, Sodium Chloride, Citric Acid, Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate, Sodium Citrate, Pentylene Glycol, Propanediol, Caprylyl Glycol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Chlorphenesin
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 MethoxydibenzoylmethaneCitric 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 AcidEthylhexyl 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 (we can't pronounce this either) is commonly used as a preservative and skin softener. It is derived from glyceryl.
You might see Ethylhexylglycerin often paired with other preservatives such as phenoxyethanol. Ethylhexylglycerin has been found to increase the effectiveness of these other preservatives.
Glycerin 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 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 OctocryleneChances are, you eat sodium chloride every day. Sodium Chloride is also known as table salt.
This ingredient has many purposes in skincare: thickener, emulsifier, and exfoliator.
You'll most likely find this ingredient in cleansers where it is used to create a gel-like texture. As an emulsifier, it also prevents ingredients from separating.
There is much debate on whether this ingredient is comedogenic. The short answer - comedogenic ratings don't tell the whole story. Learn more about comegodenic ratings here.
The concensus about this ingredient causing acne seems to be divided. Research is needed to understand if this ingredient does cause acne.
Scrubs may use salt as the primary exfoliating ingredient.
Learn more about Sodium ChlorideSodium Citrate is the sodium salts of citric acid. In skincare, it is used to alter pH levels and acts as a preservative.
Its main functions are to maintain the pH of a product and neutralize metal ions.
The acidity of our skin is maintained by our glands and skin biome; normal pH level of skin is slightly acidic (~4.75-5.5).
Being slightly acidic allows our skin to create an "acid mantle". This acid mantle is a thin barrier that protects our skin from bacteria and contaminants.
Learn more about Sodium CitrateSodium Hyaluronate is hyaluronic acid's salt form. It is commonly derived from the sodium salt of hyaluronic acid.
Like hyaluronic acid, it is great at holding water and acts as a humectant. This makes it a great skin hydrating ingredient.
Sodium Hyaluronate is naturally occurring in our bodies and is mostly found in eye fluid and joints.
These are some other common types of Hyaluronic Acid:
Learn more about Sodium HyaluronateWater. 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 Water
