What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
C13-15 Alkane
SolventCaprylyl Methicone
Skin ConditioningHelianthus Annuus Seed Wax
Skin ConditioningCalcium Starch Octenylsuccinate
AbsorbentOctocrylene
UV AbsorberDibutyl Adipate
EmollientCoco-Caprylate/Caprate
EmollientC12-15 Alkyl Benzoate
AntimicrobialOryza Sativa Bran Wax
Skin ConditioningEthylhexyl Salicylate
UV AbsorberBis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine
Skin ConditioningDiethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl Benzoate
UV FilterButyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane
UV AbsorberSilica
AbrasiveEthylhexyl Triazone
UV AbsorberPentaerythrityl Tetrabehenate
EmollientCarnosine
Skin ConditioningTocopherol
AntioxidantPentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate
AntioxidantC13-15 Alkane, Caprylyl Methicone, Helianthus Annuus Seed Wax, Calcium Starch Octenylsuccinate, Octocrylene, Dibutyl Adipate, Coco-Caprylate/Caprate, C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate, Oryza Sativa Bran Wax, Ethylhexyl Salicylate, Bis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine, Diethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl Benzoate, Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane, Silica, Ethylhexyl Triazone, Pentaerythrityl Tetrabehenate, Carnosine, Tocopherol, Pentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate
Water
Skin ConditioningDibutyl Adipate
EmollientCyclopentasiloxane
EmollientOctocrylene
UV AbsorberNiacinamide
SmoothingAlcohol Denat.
AntimicrobialTitanium Dioxide
Cosmetic ColorantButyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane
UV AbsorberCyclohexasiloxane
EmollientBis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
HumectantPEG-30 Dipolyhydroxystearate
EmulsifyingGlycerin
HumectantNylon-12
PEG-10 Dimethicone
Skin ConditioningSodium Chloride
MaskingPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeSilica
AbrasiveDimethicone
EmollientPhenylethyl Resorcinol
AntioxidantDisteardimonium Hectorite
StabilisingPanthenol
Skin ConditioningTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantAllantoin
Skin ConditioningGlyceryl Stearate
EmollientParfum
MaskingDisodium EDTA
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantDimethiconol
EmollientPEG-8
HumectantTocopherol
AntioxidantTetrapeptide-30
Skin ConditioningAscorbyl Palmitate
AntioxidantAscorbic Acid
AntioxidantCitric Acid
BufferingWater, Dibutyl Adipate, Cyclopentasiloxane, Octocrylene, Niacinamide, Alcohol Denat., Titanium Dioxide, Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane, Cyclohexasiloxane, Bis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine, Butylene Glycol, PEG-30 Dipolyhydroxystearate, Glycerin, Nylon-12, PEG-10 Dimethicone, Sodium Chloride, Phenoxyethanol, Silica, Dimethicone, Phenylethyl Resorcinol, Disteardimonium Hectorite, Panthenol, Tocopheryl Acetate, Allantoin, Glyceryl Stearate, Parfum, Disodium EDTA, Ethylhexylglycerin, Sodium Hyaluronate, Dimethiconol, PEG-8, Tocopherol, Tetrapeptide-30, Ascorbyl Palmitate, Ascorbic Acid, Citric Acid
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
You might know this ingredient as Tinosorb S or Bemotrizinol. It is a UV filter that covers both UVA and UVB rays.
This ingredient has two peak UV absorption peaks ( 310 and 340 nm) and is able to absorb both UV-A and UV-B rays. This ingredient works by preventing UV rays from reaching and damaging your skin.
On top of that - it is highly photostable and helps prevent the photodegration of other sunscreen ingredients such as avobenzone.
Tinosorb S is allowed in the EU, Australia, and Asia. It is close to being approved by the FDA and we'll hopefully get this ingredient in the U.S. by late 2025.
Fun fact: Tinosorb S is the most effective UV absorber at maximum concentration (measured by SPF) permitted in the EU.
This ingredient is oil-soluble, so your oil-cleansers will take this right off at night.
Learn more about Bis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl TriazineAlso 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 MethoxydibenzoylmethaneDibutyl Adipate is an emollient and solvent. It is created from butyl alcohol and adipic acid.
As a solvent, Dibutyl Adipate helps mix and disperse ingredients evenly.
Dibutyl Adipate is soluble in water and organic solvents. It does not absorb UV rays.
Learn more about Dibutyl AdipateOctocrylene protects skin from sun damage. It absorbs UV-B with peak absorption of 304 nm. It is a common sunscreen ingredient and often paired with avobenzone, a UVA filter. This is because octocrylene stabilizes other sunscreen ingredients by protecting them from degradation when exposed to sunlight. Octocrylene is a photostable ingredient and loses about 10% of SPF in 95 minutes.
Octocrylene also acts as an emollient, meaning it helps skin retain moisture and softens skin. It is oil-soluble and hydrophobic, enhancing water-resistant properties in a product.
Those who are using ketoprofen, a topical anti-inflammatory drug, may experience an allergic reaction when using octocrylene. It is best to speak with a healthcare professional about using sunscreens with octocrylene.
The EU allows a maximum of these concentrations:
Learn more about OctocryleneSilica, also known as silicon dioxide, is a naturally occurring mineral. It is used as a fine, spherical, and porous powder in cosmetics.
Though it has exfoliant properties, the function of silica varies depending on the product.
The unique structure of silica enhances the spreadability and adds smoothness, making it a great texture enhancer.
It is also used as an active carrier, emulsifier, and mattifier due to its ability to absorb excess oil.
In some products, tiny microneedles called spicules are made from silica or hydrolyzed sponge. When you rub them in, they lightly polish away dead skin layers and enhance the penetration of active ingredients.
Learn more about SilicaTocopherol (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 Tocopherol