What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Dibutyl Adipate
EmollientSynthetic Wax
AbrasiveCoco-Caprylate/Caprate
EmollientIsopropyl Myristate
EmollientVinyl Dimethicone/Methicone Silsesquioxane Crosspolymer
Silica
AbrasiveCaprylyl Methicone
Skin ConditioningDiisopropyl Sebacate
EmollientButyloctyl Salicylate
Skin ConditioningDiethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl Benzoate
UV FilterPentaerythrityl Tetraethylhexanoate
EmollientBis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine
Skin ConditioningEthylhexyl Triazone
UV AbsorberMicrocrystalline Wax
Emulsion StabilisingPolysilicone-15
UV FilterOenanthe Javanica Extract
AntimicrobialAloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract
EmollientAllantoin
Skin ConditioningPolyglyceryl-4 Diisostearate/Polyhydroxystearate/Sebacate
EmulsifyingCaprylyl Glycol
Emollient1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningGlycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract
BleachingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningAdenosine
Skin ConditioningPropanediol
SolventWater
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
HumectantBioflavonoids
Skin ConditioningBrassica Oleracea Italica Extract
AstringentDibutyl Adipate, Synthetic Wax, Coco-Caprylate/Caprate, Isopropyl Myristate, Vinyl Dimethicone/Methicone Silsesquioxane Crosspolymer, Silica, Caprylyl Methicone, Diisopropyl Sebacate, Butyloctyl Salicylate, Diethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl Benzoate, Pentaerythrityl Tetraethylhexanoate, Bis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine, Ethylhexyl Triazone, Microcrystalline Wax, Polysilicone-15, Oenanthe Javanica Extract, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract, Allantoin, Polyglyceryl-4 Diisostearate/Polyhydroxystearate/Sebacate, Caprylyl Glycol, 1,2-Hexanediol, Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract, Ethylhexylglycerin, Adenosine, Propanediol, Water, Butylene Glycol, Bioflavonoids, Brassica Oleracea Italica Extract
Methyl Methacrylate Crosspolymer
Polyethylene
AbrasiveCaprylyl Methicone
Skin ConditioningCoco-Caprylate/Caprate
EmollientEthylhexyl Palmitate
EmollientIsopropyl Palmitate
EmollientDicaprylyl Carbonate
EmollientSynthetic Fluorphlogopite
Dibutyl Adipate
EmollientOzokerite
Emulsion StabilisingDiethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl Benzoate
UV FilterVinyl Dimethicone/Methicone Silsesquioxane Crosspolymer
Ethylhexyl Triazone
UV AbsorberVinyldimethicone
Polysilicone-15
UV FilterBis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine
Skin ConditioningParfum
MaskingGlyceryl Caprylate
EmollientPolyglyceryl-4 Diisostearate/Polyhydroxystearate/Sebacate
EmulsifyingTriethoxycaprylylsilane
Tocopherol
AntioxidantZinc Oxide
Cosmetic ColorantWater
Skin ConditioningMadecassic Acid
Skin ConditioningAsiaticoside
AntioxidantAsiatic Acid
Skin Conditioning1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningCI 77491
Cosmetic ColorantCentella Asiatica Extract
CleansingMethyl Methacrylate Crosspolymer, Polyethylene, Caprylyl Methicone, Coco-Caprylate/Caprate, Ethylhexyl Palmitate, Isopropyl Palmitate, Dicaprylyl Carbonate, Synthetic Fluorphlogopite, Dibutyl Adipate, Ozokerite, Diethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl Benzoate, Vinyl Dimethicone/Methicone Silsesquioxane Crosspolymer, Ethylhexyl Triazone, Vinyldimethicone, Polysilicone-15, Bis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine, Parfum, Glyceryl Caprylate, Polyglyceryl-4 Diisostearate/Polyhydroxystearate/Sebacate, Triethoxycaprylylsilane, Tocopherol, Zinc Oxide, Water, Madecassic Acid, Asiaticoside, Asiatic Acid, 1,2-Hexanediol, CI 77491, Centella Asiatica Extract
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
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
This ingredient is better known as bemotrizinol or Tinosorb S and is one of the best broad-spectrum UV filters in modern sunscreen.
It works by absorbing UV light across a whole range (280-400 nm) with peaks around 310 nm (UVB) and 340-345 nm (UVA). This means it covers UVB plus the deeper UVA wavelengths that drive photoaging and pigmentation.
Another pro?
It's exceptionally photostable, barely degrades in sunlight, and acts as a "bodyguard" for less stable filters.
That's why you'll see it paired with avobenzone or octinoxate; this team up ensures they keep working through sun exposure.
Safety reviews have been reassuring across the board. This ingredient shows low absorption through the skin, rarely irritates, and lab studies found it doesn't act like a hormone in the body (a concern that's been raised about some older sunscreen filters).
On maximum concentrations:
In 2026, the US F.D.A finally added it as an OTC sunscreen ingredient at concentrations up to 6% for adults / children 6 months and older
Learn more about Bis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl TriazineCaprylyl Methicone is a synthetic and lightweight silicone fluid. It gives products a silky, dry-touch finish without the heaviness of pure oils.
Though the EU CosIng Database lists this ingredient as a skin conditioner, it is also used for sensory reasons. It spreads easily, cuts greasiness, and reduces tackiness.
This ingredient is volatile which means it will mostly evaporate (but it evaporates slower than older cyclomethicones, like Cyclotetrasiloxane).
Typical concentration ranges from 1-30% depending on if it's being used to tweak the feel of a product or acting as the main emollient.
Learn more about Caprylyl MethiconeCoco-Caprylate/Caprate is a lightweight ester created from coconut oil fatty acids, caprylic acid, and capric acid.
It is an emollient that helps soften skin and reduce transepidermal water loss (TEWL). What sets it apart from heavier emollients is its ultralight, non-greasy feel.
Once applied, this ingredient dries down quickly and leaves a dry, silky finish behind. This also helps improve spreadability and texture.
This ingredient has an excellent safety-record and is non-irritating.
Typical concentrations for cosmetics range from 0.5-62%.
Research on Malassezia growth found no growth on fatty acid esters with chain lengths shorter than 12 carbons (it prefers C11-24).
Since Coco-Caprylate/Caprate is built on C8 and C10 fatty acids, it is out of the range that Malassezia metabolizes, and therefore safe for fungal acne.
Learn more about Coco-Caprylate/CaprateDibutyl Adipate is a lightweight, oil-soluble ester that acts as an emollient and solvent. It helps products spread more easily and leaves a soft, silky, dry-touch finish without being greasy.
You'll likely see this ingredient in sunscreens because it does a nice job dissolving UV filters and keeping them evenly distributed.
This ingredient has been found to be safe as used in cosmetics, wasn't a skin or eye irritant in clinical patch testing, and wasn't phototoxic.
In a clinical comedogenicity test, this ingredient tested negative so it isn't likely to clog pores.
Typical use levels are about 5-8% for sunscreens + nail products, but can range from 0.005%-8% depending on the product.
Learn more about Dibutyl AdipateDiethylamino 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 BenzoateEthylhexyl Triazone (aka Octyl Triazone) is an oil-soluble organic UVB filter. It has peak absorption around 314 nm, right in the middle of the UVB range.
This ingredient is described as one of the most effective UVB filters available and small concentrations are enough to deliver a high SPF thanks to its strong UV absorbing power.
Formulators love it for its stability; its ability to filter UV stays practically unchanged even under intense radiation and it can also help boost the photostability of less stable filters like avobenzone.
It's also a great pick for water resistant products because it's insoluble in water and has a good affinity for keratin.
Because it's a big, heavy molecule, the European Scientific Committee has found to to have very low dermal penetration and negative results for allergenicity.
In vitro testing also showed a low absorption rate and clean results on irritation.
Typical use levels are 1-5% with 5% being the maximum in the EU, Japan, and other markets that allow it. However, this ingredient is not approved yet in the US or Canada.
Learn more about Ethylhexyl TriazoneThis ingredient is a water-in-oil emulsifier and is sometimes known by its trade name, Isolan GPS. It helps create stable emulsions by bridging oil and water phases without adding a greasy feel.
Common usage levels sit between 2-5% for this ingredient.
Polysilicone-15 (trade name: Parsol SLX) is a silicone-based UVB filter that soaks up UVB light (~280-320nm) with a peak around 310nm.
It's a fairly modest sunscreen filter so formulators mostly use it as an SPF booster and "light stabilizer". This just means it helps keep other light-sensitive ingredients from breaking down in sunlight.
A 2007 study measured the in-vitro SPF of 18 filters and found Polysilicone-15 contributed an SPF of about 3.64 at its maximum legal concentration (though worth noting its maker points out that in-vitro tests tend to underestimate its real performance because of its large polymeric structure).
Usage levels vary; it's approved up to 10% as a UV filter in the EU, China, Japan, Australia, ASEAN, and Mercosur countries. In the US, it's only permitted up to 1% as a light stabilizer because the FDA hasn't reviewed it as a sunscreen active.
Typical use levels range from 1-3%.
The EU's scientific committee concluded that this ingredient is safe for use as a UV absorber up to 10%, and tests came back negative for irritation, phototoxicity, and photoallergy.
There is one case of allergic lip inflammation from a lip balm with this ingredient, though this is rare.
Learn more about Polysilicone-15This ingredient is used in makeup and skincare to thicken formulas, reduce shine, and give skin a silky-smooth feel.
It’s a white silicone powder that sits in fine lines and pores to blur their appearance though its effectiveness depends on the particle size.
You'll typically find this ingredient in amounts between 0.1-20%.
Learn more about Vinyl Dimethicone/Methicone Silsesquioxane CrosspolymerWater. 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. Remember to stay hydrated!
Learn more about Water