What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane 3%
UV AbsorberHomosalate 3%
Skin ConditioningEthylhexyl Methoxycinnamate 7.5%
UV AbsorberEthylhexyl Salicylate 4%
UV AbsorberWater
Skin ConditioningC12-15 Alkyl Ethylhexanoate
EmollientCyclopentasiloxane
EmollientHydrogenated Starch Hydrolysate
HumectantCetearyl Alcohol
EmollientPolyglyceryl-3 Methylglucose Distearate
EmulsifyingBoron Nitride
AbsorbentButylene Glycol
HumectantGlycerin
HumectantGlyceryl Stearate
EmollientPEG-100 Stearate
Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate
AntioxidantYeast Extract
Skin ConditioningFaex
Skin ConditioningCamellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialEpigallocatechin Gallate
AntioxidantBetula Alba Bark Extract
MaskingBiosaccharide Gum-1
HumectantUbiquinone
AntioxidantCetyl Dimethicone
EmollientPalmitoyl Tripeptide-5
Skin ConditioningSqualane
EmollientSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantPalmitoyl Dipeptide-5 Diaminobutyroyl Hydroxythreonine
Skin ConditioningPunica Granatum Extract
AstringentPlankton Extract
Skin ConditioningSteareth-20
CleansingTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantAllantoin
Skin ConditioningLecithin
EmollientTetradecyl Aminobutyroylvalylaminobutyric Urea Trifluoroacetate
Skin ConditioningGlyceryl Caprylate
EmollientCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingLeuconostoc/Radish Root Ferment Filtrate
AntimicrobialTocopherol
AntioxidantSteareth-10
EmulsifyingSimmondsia Chinensis Meal Extract
EmollientDisodium EDTA
Magnesium Chloride
Potassium Sorbate
PreservativeParfum
MaskingButyl 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
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantHomosalate
Skin ConditioningOctocrylene
UV AbsorberEthylhexyl Salicylate
UV AbsorberC15-19 Alkane
SolventPropanediol
SolventButyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane
UV AbsorberC12-22 Alkyl Acrylate/Hydroxyethylacrylate Copolymer
StabilisingTocopherol
AntioxidantAcetyl Hexapeptide-8
HumectantAscorbyl Glucoside
AntioxidantButylene Glycol
HumectantCapryloyl Salicylic Acid
ExfoliatingCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientCetearyl Alcohol
EmollientCitric Acid
BufferingGlyceryl Stearate
EmollientHelianthus Annuus Seed Cera
EmollientHydroxyacetophenone
AntioxidantHydroxypropyl Starch Phosphate
Jojoba Esters
EmollientPolyglycerin-3
HumectantSclerotium Gum
Emulsion StabilisingSodium Benzoate
MaskingSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantSodium Hydroxide
BufferingSodium Starch Octenylsuccinate
AbsorbentSodium Stearoyl Glutamate
CleansingTrisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate
Water, Glycerin, Homosalate, Octocrylene, Ethylhexyl Salicylate, C15-19 Alkane, Propanediol, Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane, C12-22 Alkyl Acrylate/Hydroxyethylacrylate Copolymer, Tocopherol, Acetyl Hexapeptide-8, Ascorbyl Glucoside, Butylene Glycol, Capryloyl Salicylic Acid, Caprylyl Glycol, Cetearyl Alcohol, Citric Acid, Glyceryl Stearate, Helianthus Annuus Seed Cera, Hydroxyacetophenone, Hydroxypropyl Starch Phosphate, Jojoba Esters, Polyglycerin-3, Sclerotium Gum, Sodium Benzoate, Sodium Hyaluronate, Sodium Hydroxide, Sodium Starch Octenylsuccinate, Sodium Stearoyl Glutamate, Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate
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 MethoxydibenzoylmethaneButylene 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 GlycolCetearyl alcohol is a mixture of two fatty alcohols: cetyl alcohol and stearyl alcohol. It is mainly used as an emulsifier. Emulsifiers help prevent the separation of oils and products. Due to its composition, it can also be used to thicken a product or help create foam.
Cetearyl alcohol is an emollient. Emollients help soothe and hydrate the skin by trapping moisture.
Studies show Cetearyl alcohol is non-toxic and non-irritating. The FDA allows products labeled "alcohol-free" to have fatty alcohols.
This ingredient is usually derived from plant oils such as palm, vegetable, or coconut oils. There is debate on whether this ingredient will cause acne.
Due to the fatty acid base, this ingredient may not be Malassezia folliculitis safe.
Learn more about Cetearyl AlcoholEthylhexyl 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 SalicylateGlycerin 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 GlycerinGlyceryl 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 StearateHomosalate 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 HomosalateSodium 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 HyaluronateTocopherol (also known as Vitamin E) is a common antioxidant used to help protect the skin from free-radicals and strengthen the skin barrier. It's also fat soluble - this means our skin is great at absorbing it.
Vitamin E also helps keep your natural skin lipids healthy. Your lipid skin barrier naturally consists of lipids, ceramides, and fatty acids. Vitamin E offers extra protection for your skin’s lipid barrier, keeping your skin healthy and nourished.
Another benefit is a bit of UV protection. Vitamin E helps reduce the damage caused by UVB rays. (It should not replace your sunscreen). Combining it with Vitamin C can decrease sunburned cells and hyperpigmentation after UV exposure.
You might have noticed Vitamin E + C often paired together. This is because it is great at stabilizing Vitamin C. Using the two together helps increase the effectiveness of both ingredients.
There are often claims that Vitamin E can reduce/prevent scarring, but these claims haven't been confirmed by scientific research.
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. Stay hydrated!
Learn more about Water