What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningHomosalate
Skin Conditioning
Ethylhexyl Dimethyl Paba
UV Absorber
Ethylhexyl Salicylate
UV Absorber
Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane
UV Absorber
Terephthalylidene Dicamphor Sulfonic Acid
UV Absorber
Phenylbenzimidazole Sulfonic Acid
UV Absorber
Cetearyl Alcohol
Emollient
C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate
AntimicrobialGlycerin
Humectant
Polymethylsilsesquioxane
Dimethicone
Emollient
Isohexadecane
EmollientCetearyl Methicone
Skin Conditioning
PEG-40 Stearate
Emulsifying
Steareth-2
EmulsifyingSteareth-21
CleansingGlyceryl Stearate Se
Emulsifying
Zinc Oxide
Cosmetic Colorant
Glyceryl Stearate
Emollient
Ceteareth-20
Cleansing
Ceteareth-12
EmulsifyingCetyl Palmitate
Emollient
Betaine
Humectant
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Enantia Chlorantha Bark Extract
Skin ConditioningPhenoxyethanol
Preservative
Parfum
Masking
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Allantoin
Skin Conditioning
Triethanolamine
BufferingAcrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingOleanolic Acid
Skin ConditioningWater, Homosalate, Ethylhexyl Dimethyl Paba, Ethylhexyl Salicylate, Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane, Terephthalylidene Dicamphor Sulfonic Acid, Phenylbenzimidazole Sulfonic Acid, Cetearyl Alcohol, C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate, Glycerin, Polymethylsilsesquioxane, Dimethicone, Isohexadecane, Cetearyl Methicone, PEG-40 Stearate, Steareth-2, Steareth-21, Glyceryl Stearate Se, Zinc Oxide, Glyceryl Stearate, Ceteareth-20, Ceteareth-12, Cetyl Palmitate, Betaine, Sodium Hyaluronate, Butylene Glycol, Enantia Chlorantha Bark Extract, Phenoxyethanol, Parfum, Tocopheryl Acetate, Allantoin, Triethanolamine, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Oleanolic Acid
Water
Skin ConditioningIsopropyl Palmitate
Emollient
Butylene Glycol Dicaprylate/Dicaprate
EmollientIsodecyl Neopentanoate
EmollientOctocrylene
UV Absorber
Alcohol Denat.
Antimicrobial
Methyl Methacrylate Crosspolymer
Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane
UV Absorber
Dibutyl Adipate
EmollientPhenylbenzimidazole Sulfonic Acid
UV Absorber
Bis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine
Skin Conditioning
Ethylhexyl Salicylate
UV Absorber
Homosalate
Skin Conditioning
Glycine
Buffering
Polyamide-5
Skin ConditioningPolymethylsilsesquioxane
Arginine Hcl
Skin ConditioningPolyglyceryl-4 Diisostearate/Polyhydroxystearate/Sebacate
Emulsifying
Glycerin
Humectant
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Glycyrrhetinic Acid
Skin ConditioningGlycyrrhiza Inflata Root Extract
Skin ConditioningTrisodium EDTA
Silica Dimethyl Silylate
EmollientDimethicone
Emollient
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningWater, Isopropyl Palmitate, Butylene Glycol Dicaprylate/Dicaprate, Isodecyl Neopentanoate, Octocrylene, Alcohol Denat., Methyl Methacrylate Crosspolymer, Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane, Dibutyl Adipate, Phenylbenzimidazole Sulfonic Acid, Bis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine, Ethylhexyl Salicylate, Homosalate, Glycine, Polyamide-5, Polymethylsilsesquioxane, Arginine Hcl, Polyglyceryl-4 Diisostearate/Polyhydroxystearate/Sebacate, Glycerin, Sodium Hyaluronate, Glycyrrhetinic Acid, Glycyrrhiza Inflata Root Extract, Trisodium EDTA, Silica Dimethyl Silylate, Dimethicone, Ethylhexylglycerin
Reviews
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 MethoxydibenzoylmethaneDimethicone is a type of synthetic silicone created from natural materials such as quartz.
What it does:
Dimethicone comes in different viscosities:
Depending on the viscosity, dimethicone has different properties.
Ingredients lists don't always show which type is used, so we recommend reaching out to the brand if you have questions about the viscosity.
This ingredient is unlikely to cause irritation because it does not get absorbed into skin. However, people with silicone allergies should be careful about using this ingredient.
Note: Dimethicone may contribute to pilling. This is because it is not oil or water soluble, so pilling may occur when layered with products. When mixed with heavy oils in a formula, the outcome is also quite greasy.
Learn more about DimethiconeEthylhexyl 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 GlycerinHomosalate 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 HomosalateThis ingredient is more commonly known as Ensulizole, a chemical sunscreen ingredient.
Ensulizole mainly protects UV-B (290-340 nm) but offers a little UV-A (320-400 nm) protection. It is often paired with less photo-stable sunscreen ingredients due to its photo-stability.
Due to it being water-soluble, Ensulizole helps give sunscreens a light and non-oily texture.
Ensulizole is approved worldwide:
Learn more about Phenylbenzimidazole Sulfonic AcidPolymethylsilsesquioxane 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 PolymethylsilsesquioxaneSodium 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 HyaluronateWater. 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
