What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningC12-15 Alkyl Benzoate
AntimicrobialOctocrylene
UV Absorber
Cetearyl Isononanoate
Emollient
Glycerin
Humectant
Propylene Glycol
Humectant
Titanium Dioxide
Cosmetic Colorant
Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane
UV Absorber
Diethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl Benzoate
UV Filter
Polyglyceryl-2 Dipolyhydroxystearate
Skin Conditioning
Ethylhexyl Stearate
Emollient
Dimethicone
Emollient
Panthenol
Skin Conditioning
Magnesium Sulfate
Bis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine
Skin Conditioning
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Diethylhexyl Butamido Triazone
UV Absorber
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Zinc Stearate
Cosmetic ColorantGlyceryl Oleate
Emollient
Silica
Abrasive
Cera Alba
Emollient
Parfum
Masking
Sorbic Acid
Preservative
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningInulin
Skin Conditioning
Lecithin
Emollient
Water, C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate, Octocrylene, Cetearyl Isononanoate, Glycerin, Propylene Glycol, Titanium Dioxide, Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane, Diethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl Benzoate, Polyglyceryl-2 Dipolyhydroxystearate, Ethylhexyl Stearate, Dimethicone, Panthenol, Magnesium Sulfate, Bis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine, Tocopheryl Acetate, Diethylhexyl Butamido Triazone, Phenoxyethanol, Zinc Stearate, Glyceryl Oleate, Silica, Cera Alba, Parfum, Sorbic Acid, Ethylhexylglycerin, Inulin, Lecithin
Water
Skin ConditioningZinc Oxide
Cosmetic Colorant
Dibutyl Adipate
EmollientTitanium Dioxide
Cosmetic Colorant
Isononyl Isononanoate
EmollientCetyl Alcohol
Emollient
Niacinamide
Smoothing
Cetearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Avena Sativa Kernel Flour
Abrasive
C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate
AntimicrobialGlycerin
Humectant
Jojoba Esters
Emollient
Glyceryl Stearate
Emollient
Allantoin
Skin Conditioning
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Aluminum Hydroxide
EmollientTriethoxycaprylylsilane
Polyhydroxystearic Acid
Emulsifying
Stearic Acid
Cleansing
Helianthus Annuus Seed Wax
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Stearoyl Glutamate
CleansingBisabolol
Antioxidant
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Citric Acid
Buffering
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Lavandula Angustifolia Oil
Masking
Citrus Medica Peel Oil
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
Potassium Sorbate
Preservative
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingCeramide NP
Skin Conditioning
Ceramide AP
Skin Conditioning
Phytosphingosine
Skin Conditioning
Cholesterol
Emollient
Sodium Lauroyl Lactylate
EmulsifyingCeramide EOP
Skin Conditioning
Polyglycerin-3
Humectant
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingWater, Zinc Oxide, Dibutyl Adipate, Titanium Dioxide, Isononyl Isononanoate, Cetyl Alcohol, Niacinamide, Cetearyl Alcohol, Avena Sativa Kernel Flour, C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate, Glycerin, Jojoba Esters, Glyceryl Stearate, Allantoin, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Aluminum Hydroxide, Triethoxycaprylylsilane, Polyhydroxystearic Acid, Stearic Acid, Helianthus Annuus Seed Wax, Sodium Stearoyl Glutamate, Bisabolol, Tocopheryl Acetate, Citric Acid, Sodium Hyaluronate, Lavandula Angustifolia Oil, Citrus Medica Peel Oil, Sodium Benzoate, Potassium Sorbate, Xanthan Gum, Ceramide NP, Ceramide AP, Phytosphingosine, Cholesterol, Sodium Lauroyl Lactylate, Ceramide EOP, Polyglycerin-3, Ethylhexylglycerin, Carbomer
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate is made up of Benzoic Acid and long chain alcohols. It has a low molecular weight.
C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate is an emollient and texture enhancer. Due to its solubility, it is often used in sunscreens to help evenly distribute active ingredients.
As an emollient, C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate helps soften and hydrate your skin. Emollients create a film on your skin that traps moisture within.
This ingredient has been reported to cause eye irritation.
Learn more about C12-15 Alkyl BenzoateEthylhexylglycerin is created from glycerin. It is a multitasker ingredient that:
The CIR Expert Panel found minimal skin absorption or sensitization of any kind in a safety assessment. Though this ingredient is considered well-tolerated, a small number of cases of allergic dermatitis have been published since 2002. Just be sure to patch test if you are unsure.
Industry-reported use ranges from 8% in rinse-off products and 2% in leave-on formulations.
Learn more about EthylhexylglycerinGlycerin (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 GlycerinTitanium dioxide is a mineral UV filter widely used in sunscreens and cosmetics.
It is one of only two UV filters officially classified as “mineral” by regulatory agencies, the other being zinc oxide.
Titanium dioxide provides broad-spectrum protection mostly in the UVB and UVAII range, with some protection in the UVAI range.
While its UVA protection isn’t as strong as zinc oxide’s, the difference is minor.
A common myth is that mineral UV filters reflect UV light. However, modern research shows titanium dioxide absorbs UV radiation like chemical filters (~95% absorption & 5% reflection).
Thanks to its non-irritating nature, titanium dioxide is suitable for sensitive, acne-prone, or redness-prone skin. It is unlikely to cause "eye sting" like other sunscreen ingredients.
A major drawback of this ingredient is its white cast and thick texture. This is why mineral sunscreens often leave a white cast and are less cosmetically elegant than chemical/hybrid sunscreens.
To improve white cast and spreadability, micronized or nano-sized titanium dioxide is often used.
There are ongoing concerns surrounding nano-titanium oxide's impact on marine ecosystems.
There is no conclusive evidence that any form of titanium oxide (or any other sunscreen ingredients) will cause harm to marine ecosystems or coral reefs. The science is still developing but many consumers are keeping a close eye on this issue.
Please note, many destinations have reef-safety sunscreen rules. For instance, the U.S. Virgin Islands advises all visitors to use non-nano mineral sunscreens.
Nano mineral sunscreens once raised safety concerns about absorption into skin.
Extensive research has shown that they do not penetrate healthy or damaged skin; they remain safely on the surface and the top layer of dead skin (stratum corneum).
You'll likely find titanium dioxide bundled with alumina, silica, or dimethicone. These ingredients help make titanium dioxide highly photostable; this prevents it from interacting with other formula components under UV light.
Learn more about Titanium DioxideTocopheryl Acetate is AKA Vitamin E. It is an antioxidant and protects your skin from free radicals. Free radicals damage the skin by breaking down collagen.
One study found using Tocopheryl Acetate with Vitamin C decreased the number of sunburned cells.
Tocopheryl Acetate is commonly found in both skincare and dietary supplements.
Learn more about Tocopheryl AcetateWater. 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
