What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Phenylbenzimidazole Sulfonic Acid 1%
UV Absorber
Homosalate 15%
Skin Conditioning
Ethylhexyl Salicylate 5%
UV Absorber
Zinc Oxide 15.5%
Cosmetic Colorant
Water
Skin ConditioningDimethicone
Emollient
Trisiloxane
Skin Conditioning
Sd Alcohol 40-B
Astringent
Glycerin
Humectant
Silica
Abrasive
PEG/PPG-14/7 Dimethyl Ether
Skin ConditioningLauryl PEG-9 Polydimethylsiloxyethyl Dimethicone
Skin Conditioning
PEG-10 Dimethicone
Skin Conditioning
Trehalose
Humectant
Myristyl Myristate
Emollient
Ethylhexyl Palmitate
Emollient
Dextrin Palmitate
Emulsifying
Isodecyl Neopentanoate
EmollientAscorbyl Tetraisopalmitate
Antioxidant
Thiotaurine
Antioxidant
Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate
Humectant
Scutellaria Baicalensis Root Extract
Astringent
Paeonia Albiflora Root Extract
Skin ConditioningSodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Sanguisorba Officinalis Root Extract
CleansingCamellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
Antimicrobial
Garcinia Mangostana Bark Extract
Skin ConditioningPerilla Ocymoides Leaf Extract
TonicSpirulina Platensis Extract
Skin ProtectingTriethanolamine
BufferingTriethoxycaprylylsilane
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Disodium EDTA
Disteardimonium Hectorite
StabilisingTocopherol
Antioxidant
BHT
Antioxidant
Alcohol
Antimicrobial
Isostearic Acid
Cleansing
Menthoxypropanediol
Masking
Sodium Metabisulfite
Antioxidant
Polysilicone-2
CI 77120
Cosmetic ColorantSodium Citrate
BufferingPhenoxyethanol
Preservative
Benzoic Acid
Masking
Parfum
Masking
Iron Oxides
Phenylbenzimidazole Sulfonic Acid 1%, Homosalate 15%, Ethylhexyl Salicylate 5%, Zinc Oxide 15.5%, Water, Dimethicone, Trisiloxane, Sd Alcohol 40-B, Glycerin, Silica, PEG/PPG-14/7 Dimethyl Ether, Lauryl PEG-9 Polydimethylsiloxyethyl Dimethicone, PEG-10 Dimethicone, Trehalose, Myristyl Myristate, Ethylhexyl Palmitate, Dextrin Palmitate, Isodecyl Neopentanoate, Ascorbyl Tetraisopalmitate, Thiotaurine, Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate, Scutellaria Baicalensis Root Extract, Paeonia Albiflora Root Extract, Sodium Hyaluronate, Sanguisorba Officinalis Root Extract, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Garcinia Mangostana Bark Extract, Perilla Ocymoides Leaf Extract, Spirulina Platensis Extract, Triethanolamine, Triethoxycaprylylsilane, Butylene Glycol, Disodium EDTA, Disteardimonium Hectorite, Tocopherol, BHT, Alcohol, Isostearic Acid, Menthoxypropanediol, Sodium Metabisulfite, Polysilicone-2, CI 77120, Sodium Citrate, Phenoxyethanol, Benzoic Acid, Parfum, Iron Oxides
Drometrizole Trisiloxane 7%
UV Absorber
Bis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine 5%
Skin Conditioning
Ethylhexyl Salicylate 5%
UV Absorber
Octocrylene 5%
UV Absorber
Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane 3%
UV Absorber
Homosalate 2%
Skin Conditioning
Phenylbenzimidazole Sulfonic Acid 0.5%
UV Absorber
Water
Skin ConditioningAlcohol Denat.
Antimicrobial
Silica
Abrasive
Isopropyl Myristate
Emollient
Glycerin
Humectant
Diisopropyl Sebacate
EmollientC12-22 Alkyl Acrylate/Hydroxyethylacrylate Copolymer
StabilisingPropanediol
Solvent
Perlite
Absorbent
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Triethanolamine
BufferingCaprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate
Disodium EDTA
Hydroxyethylcellulose
Emulsion StabilisingAcrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingDrometrizole Trisiloxane 7%, Bis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine 5%, Ethylhexyl Salicylate 5%, Octocrylene 5%, Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane 3%, Homosalate 2%, Phenylbenzimidazole Sulfonic Acid 0.5%, Water, Alcohol Denat., Silica, Isopropyl Myristate, Glycerin, Diisopropyl Sebacate, C12-22 Alkyl Acrylate/Hydroxyethylacrylate Copolymer, Propanediol, Perlite, Tocopherol, Triethanolamine, Caprylyl Glycol, Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate, Disodium EDTA, Hydroxyethylcellulose, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Disodium EDTA is a chelating agent. It grabs onto and deactivates metal ions that sneak into your products from water, packaging, or air.
This ingredient mainly works behind the scenes and helps with:
On top of that, this ingredient can counteract the effects of hard water by binding to the minerals in it.
One thing worth knowing is that Disodium EDTA has been shown to be a mild penetration enhancer. It can help other ingredients absorb into skin more effectively which can be a double-edged sword (great for actives, but can also make the active too strong if you have sensitive skin).
Clinical patch testing showed no significant skin irritation at typical use concentrations and minimal dermal absorption.
You'll most likely see this ingredient near the end of an ingredient list. It's typically found in concentrations less than 1%.
Learn more about Disodium EDTAEthylhexyl 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 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 AcidSilica, 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 is a fat-soluble antioxidant known as Vitamin E.
You'll find this ingredient in the vast majority of skincare (for good reason). It works to neutralize free radicals, or unstable molecules generated by UV exposure, pollution, and other environmental stressors, before they can cause oxidative damage to your skin cells.
Topically applied tocopherol has been shown to protect against UV damage by ramping up the skin's own natural defense enzymes.
It also acts as a skin conditioning agent; some studies show that regular topical use can improve the skin's water-binding capacity over 2-4 weeks.
This ingredient is especially loved for being a team player. When combined with Vitamin C, the photoprotective effect of both ingredients roughly doubles and the combo also helps reduce UV-induced DNA damage.
This ingredient has some brightening potential but it's more of a prevention ingredient than spot-fader. Cell studies show it can slow down melanin production but it's worth noting that it's not the most powerful brightener out there.
In formulations, it also serves as a stabilizer that helps protect other oxidation-prone ingredients from degrading.
Concentrations usually range from 0.1-1% in most leave-on products.
Learn more about TocopherolTriethanolamine (TEA) is an emulsifier and pH adjuster. It is created using ethylene oxide and ammonia. This gives Triethanolamine a nitrogen core and a similar scent to ammonia.
As an emulsifier, it prevents ingredients from separating and enhances texture by adding volume to a product.
PH adjusters are common in cosmetic products. The pH of a product can affect the effectiveness of other ingredients. A product with a high pH may also irritate the skin.
If you are looking for the tea leaf ingredient, click here.
Learn more about TriethanolamineWater. 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
