What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningHomosalate
Skin ConditioningEthylhexyl Dimethyl Paba
UV AbsorberEthylhexyl Salicylate
UV AbsorberButyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane
UV AbsorberTerephthalylidene Dicamphor Sulfonic Acid
UV AbsorberPhenylbenzimidazole Sulfonic Acid
UV AbsorberGlycerin
HumectantCetearyl Alcohol
EmollientGlycol Cetearate
EmollientGlyceryl Stearate
EmollientZinc Oxide
Cosmetic ColorantCeteareth-20
CleansingCeteareth-12
EmulsifyingCetyl Palmitate
EmollientSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantHydrolyzed Caesalpinia Spinosa Gum
AbsorbentCaesalpinia Spinosa Gum
Skin ConditioningPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeAllantoin
Skin ConditioningAcrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingTriethanolamine
BufferingParfum
MaskingPotassium Sorbate
PreservativeWater, Homosalate, Ethylhexyl Dimethyl Paba, Ethylhexyl Salicylate, Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane, Terephthalylidene Dicamphor Sulfonic Acid, Phenylbenzimidazole Sulfonic Acid, Glycerin, Cetearyl Alcohol, Glycol Cetearate, Glyceryl Stearate, Zinc Oxide, Ceteareth-20, Ceteareth-12, Cetyl Palmitate, Sodium Hyaluronate, Hydrolyzed Caesalpinia Spinosa Gum, Caesalpinia Spinosa Gum, Phenoxyethanol, Allantoin, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Triethanolamine, Parfum, Potassium Sorbate
Water
Skin ConditioningC12-15 Alkyl Benzoate
AntimicrobialMethylene Bis-Benzotriazolyl Tetramethylbutylphenol
UV FilterEthylhexyl Salicylate
UV AbsorberBis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine
Skin ConditioningDiethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl Benzoate
UV FilterEthylhexyl Stearate
EmollientEthylhexyl Triazone
UV AbsorberGlycerin
HumectantPropanediol
SolventMyristyl Myristate
EmollientDiglycerin
HumectantCanola Oil
EmollientTapioca Starch
Tocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantMyristyl Alcohol
EmollientPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeDecyl Glucoside
CleansingBehenyl Alcohol
EmollientVp/Eicosene Copolymer
Sucrose Stearate
EmollientPotassium Cetyl Phosphate
EmulsifyingPolyglycerin-3
HumectantPolyglycerin-4
HumectantAcrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingPropylene Glycol
HumectantPolymethylsilsesquioxane
Citric Acid
BufferingSodium Benzoate
MaskingWater, C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate, Methylene Bis-Benzotriazolyl Tetramethylbutylphenol, Ethylhexyl Salicylate, Bis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine, Diethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl Benzoate, Ethylhexyl Stearate, Ethylhexyl Triazone, Glycerin, Propanediol, Myristyl Myristate, Diglycerin, Canola Oil, Tapioca Starch, Tocopheryl Acetate, Myristyl Alcohol, Phenoxyethanol, Decyl Glucoside, Behenyl Alcohol, Vp/Eicosene Copolymer, Sucrose Stearate, Potassium Cetyl Phosphate, Polyglycerin-3, Polyglycerin-4, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Xanthan Gum, Propylene Glycol, Polymethylsilsesquioxane, Citric Acid, Sodium Benzoate
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer is a synthetic polymer. It is used to thicken, emulsify, and improve the texture of products.
As an emulsifier, it helps stabilize oil-in-water emulsions to give products an elegant feel when applied.
It can also form a thin protective film on skin. One study found that a formula using this polymer helped slow down how quickly other ingredients (like DEET) were absorbed through skin.
A 2024 study of over 1,300 patients confirmed that sensitization to this ingredient is rare. It is also non-mutagenic and has a clean track record.
Learn more about Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate CrosspolymerEthylhexyl 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 (or glycerol) is a compound naturally found in your skin. It's a powerhouse humectant that pulls water into the stratum corneum.
Topically, glycerin does several things at once:
Your skin makes glycerin on its own (mostly from sebaceous oil breakdown) and shuttles it to your outermost layer of skin, or your epidermis, via aquaporin-3.
Aquaporin-3 is a transporter that is essential for normal skin hydration, elasticity, and repair. Interestingly, mice lacking in AQP3 have dry and less elastic skin that can be fully corrected with glycerin.
This ingredient is non-irritating, plays well with almost every ingredient, and works across all skin types. Typical use is anywhere between 3-10% but can go up to 79% in some leave-on products.
Just know very high concentrations (>40%) can feel tacky in low humidity.
Glycerin is the name for this ingredient in American English. British English uses Glycerol/Glycerine.
Learn more about GlycerinPhenoxyethanol 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.
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. Remember to stay hydrated!
Learn more about Water