What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane 3%
UV Absorber
Homosalate 3%
Skin Conditioning
Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate 7.5%
UV Absorber
Ethylhexyl Salicylate 4%
UV Absorber
Water
Skin ConditioningC12-15 Alkyl Ethylhexanoate
EmollientCyclopentasiloxane
Emollient
Hydrogenated Starch Hydrolysate
HumectantCetearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Polyglyceryl-3 Methylglucose Distearate
Emulsifying
Boron Nitride
Absorbent
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Glycerin
Humectant
Glyceryl Stearate
Emollient
PEG-100 Stearate
Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate
Antioxidant
Yeast Extract
Skin ConditioningFaex
Skin ConditioningCamellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
Antimicrobial
Epigallocatechin Gallate
Antioxidant
Betula Alba Bark Extract
Masking
Biosaccharide Gum-1
Humectant
Ubiquinone
Antioxidant
Cetyl Dimethicone
Emollient
Palmitoyl Tripeptide-5
Skin Conditioning
Squalane
Emollient
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Palmitoyl Dipeptide-5 Diaminobutyroyl Hydroxythreonine
Skin Conditioning
Punica Granatum Extract
AstringentPlankton Extract
Skin ConditioningSteareth-20
CleansingTocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Allantoin
Skin Conditioning
Lecithin
Emollient
Tetradecyl Aminobutyroylvalylaminobutyric Urea Trifluoroacetate
Skin ConditioningGlyceryl Caprylate
EmollientCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingLeuconostoc/Radish Root Ferment Filtrate
Antimicrobial
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Steareth-10
Emulsifying
Simmondsia Chinensis Meal Extract
EmollientDisodium EDTA
Magnesium Chloride
Potassium Sorbate
Preservative
Parfum
Masking
Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane 3%, Homosalate 3%, Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate 7.5%, Ethylhexyl Salicylate 4%, Water, C12-15 Alkyl Ethylhexanoate, Cyclopentasiloxane, Hydrogenated Starch Hydrolysate, Cetearyl Alcohol, Polyglyceryl-3 Methylglucose Distearate, Boron Nitride, Butylene Glycol, Glycerin, Glyceryl Stearate, PEG-100 Stearate, Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate, Yeast Extract, Faex, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Epigallocatechin Gallate, Betula Alba Bark Extract, Biosaccharide Gum-1, Ubiquinone, Cetyl Dimethicone, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-5, Squalane, Sodium Hyaluronate, Palmitoyl Dipeptide-5 Diaminobutyroyl Hydroxythreonine, Punica Granatum Extract, Plankton Extract, Steareth-20, Tocopheryl Acetate, Allantoin, Lecithin, Tetradecyl Aminobutyroylvalylaminobutyric Urea Trifluoroacetate, Glyceryl Caprylate, Carbomer, Leuconostoc/Radish Root Ferment Filtrate, Tocopherol, Steareth-10, Simmondsia Chinensis Meal Extract, Disodium EDTA, Magnesium Chloride, Potassium Sorbate, Parfum
Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane 3%
UV Absorber
Homosalate 15%
Skin Conditioning
Ethylhexyl Salicylate 5%
UV Absorber
Octocrylene 10%
UV Absorber
Water
Skin ConditioningDimethicone
Emollient
Alcohol Denat.
Antimicrobial
Silica
Abrasive
Styrene/Acrylates Copolymer
Butyloctyl Salicylate
Skin Conditioning
PEG-30 Dipolyhydroxystearate
Emulsifying
Polymethylsilsesquioxane
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
PEG-8 Laurate
Emulsifying
Lauryl PEG/PPG-18/18 Methicone
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Chloride
MaskingCaprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Isostearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Poly C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate
Emulsion StabilisingP-Anisic Acid
Masking
Pentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate
Antioxidant
Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate
Sodium Dodecylbenzenesulfonate
CleansingButyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane 3%, Homosalate 15%, Ethylhexyl Salicylate 5%, Octocrylene 10%, Water, Dimethicone, Alcohol Denat., Silica, Styrene/Acrylates Copolymer, Butyloctyl Salicylate, PEG-30 Dipolyhydroxystearate, Polymethylsilsesquioxane, Tocopherol, Phenoxyethanol, PEG-8 Laurate, Lauryl PEG/PPG-18/18 Methicone, Sodium Chloride, Caprylyl Glycol, Isostearyl Alcohol, Poly C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate, P-Anisic Acid, Pentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate, Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate, Sodium Dodecylbenzenesulfonate
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 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 HomosalateTocopherol 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 TocopherolWater. 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
