What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Isopropyl Palmitate
Emollient
Ethylhexyl Stearate
Emollient
C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate
AntimicrobialOctocrylene
UV Absorber
Homosalate
Skin Conditioning
Ethylhexyl Salicylate
UV Absorber
Dicaprylyl Carbonate
EmollientButyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane
UV Absorber
Bis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine
Skin Conditioning
Silica Dimethyl Silylate
EmollientAlcohol Denat.
Antimicrobial
Glycine Soja Oil
Emollient
Acetyl Hexapeptide-1
Skin Conditioning
Water
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
Humectant
Benzyl Benzoate
Antimicrobial
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Benzyl Alcohol
Perfuming
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Parfum
Masking
Isopropyl Palmitate, Ethylhexyl Stearate, C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate, Octocrylene, Homosalate, Ethylhexyl Salicylate, Dicaprylyl Carbonate, Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane, Bis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine, Silica Dimethyl Silylate, Alcohol Denat., Glycine Soja Oil, Acetyl Hexapeptide-1, Water, Butylene Glycol, Benzyl Benzoate, Tocopheryl Acetate, Tocopherol, Benzyl Alcohol, Phenoxyethanol, Parfum
Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane 3%
UV Absorber
Homosalate 7.3%
Skin Conditioning
Octocrylene 7.5%
UV Absorber
Ethylhexyl Salicylate 5%
UV Absorber
Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice
Skin Conditioning
Ascorbic Acid
Antioxidant
Bisabolol
Masking
Butyloctyl Salicylate
Skin Conditioning
C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate
AntimicrobialC18-21 Alkane
SolventCamellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
Antimicrobial
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Capryloyl Glycerin/Sebacic Acid Copolymer
Skin ConditioningCentella Asiatica Leaf Extract
Skin Conditioning
Chamomilla Recutita Flower Extract
Masking
Citric Acid
Buffering
Daucus Carota Sativa Seed Extract
Emollient
Dihydroxyacetone
Skin ConditioningDimethicone/Bis-Isobutyl PPG-20 Crosspolymer
Emollient
Dodecane
Perfuming
Ethyl Vanillin
MaskingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
Humectant
Glyceryl Stearate Citrate
Emollient
Glyceryl Stearate Se
Emulsifying
Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract
Bleaching
Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil
Emollient
Isododecane
EmollientLactobacillus Ferment
Skin Conditioning
Lycium Barbarum Fruit Extract
Astringent
Magnesium Aluminum Silicate
AbsorbentOctyldodecyl Neopentanoate
EmollientPhenoxyethanol
Preservative
Polysorbate 20
Emulsifying
Potassium Cetyl Phosphate
EmulsifyingPropanediol
Solvent
Punica Granatum Fruit Extract
Antioxidant
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Sodium Metabisulfite
Antioxidant
Sodium Stearoyl Glutamate
CleansingTocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Vaccinium Angustifolium Fruit Extract
Skin Protecting
Vitis Vinifera Seed Oil
Emollient
Water
Skin ConditioningXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingButyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane 3%, Homosalate 7.3%, Octocrylene 7.5%, Ethylhexyl Salicylate 5%, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Ascorbic Acid, Bisabolol, Butyloctyl Salicylate, C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate, C18-21 Alkane, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Capryloyl Glycerin/Sebacic Acid Copolymer, Centella Asiatica Leaf Extract, Chamomilla Recutita Flower Extract, Citric Acid, Daucus Carota Sativa Seed Extract, Dihydroxyacetone, Dimethicone/Bis-Isobutyl PPG-20 Crosspolymer, Dodecane, Ethyl Vanillin, Ethylhexylglycerin, Glycerin, Glyceryl Stearate Citrate, Glyceryl Stearate Se, Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Isododecane, Lactobacillus Ferment, Lycium Barbarum Fruit Extract, Magnesium Aluminum Silicate, Octyldodecyl Neopentanoate, Phenoxyethanol, Polysorbate 20, Potassium Cetyl Phosphate, Propanediol, Punica Granatum Fruit Extract, Sodium Hyaluronate, Sodium Metabisulfite, Sodium Stearoyl Glutamate, Tocopheryl Acetate, Vaccinium Angustifolium Fruit Extract, Vitis Vinifera Seed Oil, Water, Xanthan Gum
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 MethoxydibenzoylmethaneC12-15 Alkyl Benzoate is made up of Benzoic Acid and long chain alcohols. It has a low molecular weight.
C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate is an emollient and texture enhancer. Due to its solubility, it is often used in sunscreens to help evenly distribute active ingredients.
As an emollient, C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate helps soften and hydrate your skin. Emollients create a film on your skin that traps moisture within.
This ingredient has been reported to cause eye irritation.
Learn more about C12-15 Alkyl BenzoateEthylhexyl 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 SalicylateHomosalate 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 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.
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. Stay hydrated!
Learn more about Water
