Water. 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

Butyloctyl Salicylate

Skin Conditioning, Solvent

Butyloctyl Salicylate is similar to octisalate. It a photostabilizer, SPF booster, emollient and solvent. Its main purpose is to evenly spread out ingredients.

This ingredient is a common sunscreen ingredient carrier and photostabilizer. According to a manufacturer, it is suitable for carrying micro Titanium Dioxide, Zinc Oxide, and pigments.

Photostabilizers help stabilize UV-filters and prevents them from degrading quickly.

Due to regulation loopholes, this ingredient is not required to be labeled as an active chemical filter like other UV ingredients. This is why you'll likely find this ingredient in mineral sunscreens from the US.

According to EU regulation, this ingredient can cause harmful effects to aquatic life.

Learn more about Butyloctyl Salicylate

Dibutyl Adipate

Emollient, Skin Conditioning, Solvent

Dibutyl Adipate is an emollient and solvent. It is created from butyl alcohol and adipic acid.

As a solvent, Dibutyl Adipate helps mix and disperse ingredients evenly.

Dibutyl Adipate is soluble in water and organic solvents. It does not absorb UV rays.

Learn more about Dibutyl Adipate

Propanediol

Solvent

Propanediol is an all-star ingredient. It softens, hydrates, and smooths the skin.

It’s often used to:

Propanediol is not likely to cause sensitivity and considered safe to use. It is derived from corn or petroleum with a clear color and no scent.

Learn more about Propanediol

Butylene Glycol

Humectant, Masking, Skin Conditioning

Butylene Glycol (or BG) is used within cosmetic products for a few different reasons:

Overall, Butylene Glycol is a safe and well-rounded ingredient that works well with other ingredients.

Though this ingredient works well with most skin types, some people with sensitive skin may experience a reaction such as allergic rashes, closed comedones, or itchiness.

Learn more about Butylene Glycol

Bis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine

Skin Conditioning, UV Absorber, UV Filter

You might know this ingredient as Tinosorb S or Bemotrizinol. It is a UV filter that covers both UVA and UVB rays.

This ingredient has two peak UV absorption peaks ( 310 and 340 nm) and is able to absorb both UV-A and UV-B rays. This ingredient works by preventing UV rays from reaching and damaging your skin.

On top of that - it is highly photostable and helps prevent the photodegration of other sunscreen ingredients such as avobenzone.

Tinosorb S is allowed in the EU, Australia, and Asia. It is close to being approved by the FDA and we'll hopefully get this ingredient in the U.S. by late 2025.

Fun fact: Tinosorb S is the most effective UV absorber at maximum concentration (measured by SPF) permitted in the EU.

This ingredient is oil-soluble, so your oil-cleansers will take this right off at night.

Learn more about Bis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine

Ethylhexyl Triazone

UV Absorber, UV Filter

Ethylhexyl Triazone is a modern chemical sunscreen that protects from UV-B radiation.

It is the most effective of existing UV-B filters, as it provides the highest level of photo-stable absorption. It protects from the entire UV-B range (280 to 320nm), with it's highest level of protection at 314nm.

Ethylhexyl Triazone is oil soluble, oderless and colorless, which mean it is able to be incorporated into a variety of different formulations.

It is not currently available within the United States due to slow changing FDA regulations. Outside of the US, it is used in formulations at concentrations up to 5%.

Learn more about Ethylhexyl Triazone

Diethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl Benzoate

UV Filter

Diethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl Benzoate (DHHB) is a chemical UV-A absorber. It is formulated for high UVA protection (320-400 nm).

DHHB is well-liked for:

DHHB has been approved by the EU, Japan, Taiwan, and South America for use up to 10%. Unfortunately, it has not been approved for use in the US or Canada due to slow regulatory processes.

This ingredient is soluble in oils, fats, and lipids.

Learn more about Diethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl Benzoate

1,2-Hexanediol

Skin Conditioning, Solvent

1,2-Hexanediol is a synthetic liquid and another multi-functional powerhouse.

It is a:

Humectant, drawing moisture into the skin
Emollient, helping to soften skin
Solvent, dispersing and stabilizing formulas
Preservative booster, enhancing the antimicrobial activity of other preservatives

Centella Asiatica Extract

Cleansing, Skin Conditioning, Smoothing

Centella Asiatica Extract (Centella) is derived from an herb native to Southeast Asia. It is famous for its anti-inflammatory and soothing properties.

Centella is rich in antioxidants and amino acids, such as Madecassic Acid and Asiaticoside.

Studies show the compounds in centella help with:

The combination of all these properties makes centella effective at soothing, hydrating, and protecting the skin.

Other great components of centella include Vitamin A, vitamin C, several B vitamins, and Asiatic Acid.

Fun fact: Centella has been used as a medicine and in food for many centuries. As a medicine, it is used to treat burns, scratches, and wounds.

Learn more about Centella Asiatica Extract

Glyceryl Stearate

Emollient, Emulsifying

Glyceryl Stearate is a mix of glycerin and stearic acid.

It is used to stabilize the mixing of water and oil ingredients. By preventing these ingredients from separating, it can help elongate shelf life. It can also help thicken the product's texture.

As an emollient, it helps soften skin and supports barrier-replenishing ingredients.

In cosmetics, Glyceryl Stearate is often made from vegetable oils or synthetically produced.

This ingredient may not be fungal-acne safe

Fun fact: The human body also creates Glyceryl Stearate naturally.

Learn more about Glyceryl Stearate

Polymethylsilsesquioxane

Polymethylsilsesquioxane is a silicone used as a film forming agent.

When applied to the skin, this ingredient creates an invisible film on the surface. This film still allows oxygen to pass through, but prevents moisture from escaping. This can help condition and hydrate the skin. It also leaves a silky feel when applied.

Polymethylsilsesquioxane has not been shown to clog pores. It has been deemed safe to use up to 55%, but most cosmetics use much less.

If you have concerns about using this ingredient, we recommend speaking with a professional.

Learn more about Polymethylsilsesquioxane

Ethylhexylglycerin

Skin Conditioning

Ethylhexylglycerin (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.

Xanthan Gum

Emulsifying, Emulsion Stabilising, Gel Forming

Xanthan 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

Madecassoside

Antioxidant, Skin Conditioning

Madecassoside comes from the super popular skin-soothing ingredient, Centella asiatica. It is one of four active compounds found in the extract of Centella Asiatica.

Madecassoside has antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and hydrating properties. It contains fatty acids, amino acids, beta-carotene, and phytochemicals.

One study found using Madecassoside with ascorbic acid helped reduce the signs of aging and improved skin hydration.

Learn more about Madecassoside

Ingredient Ratings

Here's what our community thinks of the ingredients in these products.

Daily Go-To Sunscreen SPF50+ PA++++

No.1 Clear Filter Sun Essence SPF50+ PA++++

When to use

PURITO Daily Go-To Sunscreen SPF50+ PA++++ 32 ingredients

Numbuzin No.1 Clear Filter Sun Essence SPF50+ PA++++ 62 ingredients

123 Routines

96% use in am

4% use in pm

96% use every day

When to use See routines that use it ->

683 Routines

98% use in am

2% use in pm

92% use every day

When to use See routines that use it ->

Reviews

Here's what our community thinks

PURITO Daily Go-To Sunscreen SPF50+ PA++++ 32 ingredients

4.0 /5

from 10 ratings

Hydrating (5) Works Well (4) Light (3)

Lapaki

1 year ago

Review

This hybrid sunscreen offers a very shiny, dewy finish, that sometimes can look greasy because of the high shine, but the hydration payoff is great. It contains Cica, is gentle, hypoallergenic, vegan and cruelty-free, but is unfortunately not reef-safe. The texture is similar to that of a midweight lotion, and it blends into the skin without leaving a white cast. You’ll need to give it about four Show more

#hydrating

#light scent

#works well

PURITO

Daily Go-To Sunscreen SPF50+ PA++++

Lakooo

2 years ago

Review

Very nice to wear
A lovely facial SPF. Feels like a regular moisturizer, no sunscreen odor, and keeps my skin hydrated.

PURITO

Daily Go-To Sunscreen SPF50+ PA++++

Numbuzin No.1 Clear Filter Sun Essence SPF50+ PA++++ 62 ingredients

4.4 /5

from 26 ratings

Absorbs Well (15) Light (15) Works Well (14)

AshN.

8 months ago

Review

This was one of the sunscreens I've been meaning to try since using The Round Lab Dokdo Sun Cream. I would say both have preformed similarly in regards to natural finish/ skin-like feel, but I found that this product has a faster absorption time in comparison. Overtime, I also thought it was nice that this sunscreen didn't exacerbate my oiliness or add to it, essentially had a mattifying effect. I Show more

#great value

#hydrating

#light

#absorbs well

Numbuzin

No.1 Clear Filter Sun Essence SPF50+ PA++++

Butter

1 year ago

Review

⋆.ೃ࿔*:･ 🤎

🥥 𝐌𝐲 𝐬𝐤𝐢𝐧 𝐭𝐲𝐩𝐞: 𝐃𝐫𝐲/𝐬𝐞𝐧𝐬𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐯𝐞, 𝐚𝐜𝐧𝐞 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐞𝐜𝐳𝐞𝐦𝐚 𝐩𝐫𝐨𝐧𝐞.

🪴 𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐬:

·˚ ༘₊· ͟͟͞͞꒰➳ 𝐓𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐢𝐬 𝐞𝐚𝐬𝐢𝐥𝐲 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐛𝐞𝐬𝐭 𝐬𝐮𝐧𝐬𝐜𝐫𝐞𝐞𝐧 𝐈'𝐯𝐞 𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐫 𝐭𝐫𝐢𝐞𝐝! 𝐈𝐭 𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐧 𝐭𝐨𝐩𝐬 𝐦𝐲 𝐩𝐫𝐞𝐯𝐢𝐨𝐮𝐬 𝐡𝐨𝐥𝐲𝐠𝐫𝐚𝐢𝐥 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐒𝐤𝐢𝐧𝟏𝟎𝟎𝟒 𝐬𝐮𝐧𝐬𝐜𝐫𝐞𝐞𝐧. 𝐈 𝐡𝐨𝐧𝐞𝐬𝐭𝐥𝐲 𝐡𝐚𝐯𝐞 𝐧𝐨 𝐰𝐨𝐫𝐝𝐬 𝐚𝐛𝐨𝐮𝐭 𝐡𝐨𝐰 𝐦𝐮𝐜𝐡 𝐈 𝐥𝐨𝐯𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐬𝐮𝐧𝐬𝐜𝐫𝐞𝐞𝐧 - 𝐢𝐭'𝐬 𝐣𝐮𝐬𝐭 𝐚𝐦𝐚𝐳𝐢𝐧𝐠! (𝐦𝐚𝐲𝐛𝐞 𝐚 𝐛𝐢𝐭 𝐝𝐫𝐚𝐦𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐜 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐚 𝐬𝐮𝐧𝐬𝐜𝐫𝐞𝐞𝐧 𝐥𝐦𝐚𝐨 𝐛𝐮𝐭 𝐬𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐨𝐮𝐬𝐥𝐲 𝐢𝐭'𝐬 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐛𝐞𝐬𝐭). 𝐈𝐭'𝐬 𝐢𝐧𝐜𝐫𝐞𝐝𝐢𝐛𝐥𝐲 𝐥𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭𝐰𝐞𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐢𝐬 Show more

#great value

#hydrating

#light

#absorbs well

Numbuzin

No.1 Clear Filter Sun Essence SPF50+ PA++++