What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningDibutyl Adipate
EmollientPropanediol
SolventDiethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl Benzoate
UV FilterButylene Glycol
HumectantEthylhexyl Triazone
UV AbsorberBis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine
Skin ConditioningMethyl Methacrylate Crosspolymer
Cetearyl Olivate
Cetearyl Alcohol
Emollient1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningPentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningSorbitan Olivate
EmulsifyingDicaprylyl Carbonate
EmollientBehenyl Alcohol
EmollientGlyceryl Stearate
EmollientHydrogenated Lecithin
EmulsifyingSodium Stearoyl Glutamate
CleansingPolyacrylate Crosspolymer-6
Emulsion StabilisingHydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingCeramide NP
Skin ConditioningXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingMusa Sapientum Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningRose Extract
Skin ConditioningEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningPearl Extract
AntioxidantDipropylene Glycol
HumectantTerminalia Ferdinandiana Fruit Extract
AntioxidantMel Extract
MoisturisingSorbitan Isostearate
EmulsifyingPolysorbate 60
EmulsifyingRosa Alba Leaf/Stem Extract
HumectantT-Butyl Alcohol
PerfumingTocopherol
AntioxidantRubus Idaeus Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningCI 77491
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77492
Cosmetic ColorantWater, Dibutyl Adipate, Propanediol, Diethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl Benzoate, Butylene Glycol, Ethylhexyl Triazone, Bis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine, Methyl Methacrylate Crosspolymer, Cetearyl Olivate, Cetearyl Alcohol, 1,2-Hexanediol, Pentylene Glycol, Sorbitan Olivate, Dicaprylyl Carbonate, Behenyl Alcohol, Glyceryl Stearate, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Sodium Stearoyl Glutamate, Polyacrylate Crosspolymer-6, Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Ceramide NP, Xanthan Gum, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Musa Sapientum Fruit Extract, Rose Extract, Ethylhexylglycerin, Pearl Extract, Dipropylene Glycol, Terminalia Ferdinandiana Fruit Extract, Mel Extract, Sorbitan Isostearate, Polysorbate 60, Rosa Alba Leaf/Stem Extract, T-Butyl Alcohol, Tocopherol, Rubus Idaeus Leaf Extract, CI 77491, CI 77492
Water
Skin ConditioningButyloctyl Salicylate
Skin ConditioningDibutyl Adipate
EmollientPropanediol
SolventButylene Glycol
HumectantBis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine
Skin ConditioningEthylhexyl Triazone
UV AbsorberDicaprylyl Carbonate
EmollientTitanium Dioxide
Cosmetic ColorantDiethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl Benzoate
UV FilterHydrogenated Poly(C6-14 Olefin)
Emollient1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningCentella Asiatica Extract
CleansingPolyglyceryl-2 Stearate
EmulsifyingAluminum Hydroxide
EmollientGlyceryl Stearate
EmollientStearyl Alcohol
EmollientSodium Polyacrylate
AbsorbentStearic Acid
CleansingPolyhydroxystearic Acid
EmulsifyingBehenyl Alcohol
EmollientPolymethylsilsesquioxane
Ethylhexyl Stearate
EmollientAmmonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer
Caprylyl Glycol
EmollientTrideceth-6
EmulsifyingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingMadecassoside
AntioxidantAsiaticoside
AntioxidantAsiatic Acid
Skin ConditioningMadecassic Acid
Skin ConditioningWater, Butyloctyl Salicylate, Dibutyl Adipate, Propanediol, Butylene Glycol, Bis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine, Ethylhexyl Triazone, Dicaprylyl Carbonate, Titanium Dioxide, Diethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl Benzoate, Hydrogenated Poly(C6-14 Olefin), 1,2-Hexanediol, Centella Asiatica Extract, Polyglyceryl-2 Stearate, Aluminum Hydroxide, Glyceryl Stearate, Stearyl Alcohol, Sodium Polyacrylate, Stearic Acid, Polyhydroxystearic Acid, Behenyl Alcohol, Polymethylsilsesquioxane, Ethylhexyl Stearate, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer, Caprylyl Glycol, Trideceth-6, Ethylhexylglycerin, Xanthan Gum, Madecassoside, Asiaticoside, Asiatic Acid, Madecassic Acid
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
1,2-Hexanediol is a synthetic liquid and another multi-functional powerhouse.Â
It is a:
- Humectant, drawing moisture into the skin
- Emollient, helping to soften skin
- Solvent, dispersing and stabilizing formulas
- Preservative booster, enhancing the antimicrobial activity of other preservativesÂ
Behenyl Alcohol is a type of fatty alcohol (these are different from the drying, solvent alcohols).
Fatty Alcohols have hydrating properties and are most often used as an emollient or to thicken a product. They are usually derived from natural fats and oils; behenyl alcohol is derived from the fats of vegetable oils.
Emollients help keep your skin soft and hydrated by creating a film that traps moisture in.
In 2000, Behenyl Alcohol was approved by the US as medicine to reduce the duration of cold sores.
Learn more about Behenyl AlcoholThis ingredient is better known as bemotrizinol or Tinosorb S and is one of the best broad-spectrum UV filters in modern sunscreen.
It works by absorbing UV light across a whole range (280-400 nm) with peaks around 310 nm (UVB) and 340-345 nm (UVA). This means it covers UVB plus the deeper UVA wavelengths that drive photoaging and pigmentation.
Another pro?
It's exceptionally photostable, barely degrades in sunlight, and acts as a "bodyguard" for less stable filters.
That's why you'll see it paired with avobenzone or octinoxate; this team up ensures they keep working through sun exposure.
Safety reviews have been reassuring across the board. This ingredient shows low absorption through the skin, rarely irritates, and lab studies found it doesn't act like a hormone in the body (a concern that's been raised about some older sunscreen filters).
On maximum concentrations:
In 2026, the US F.D.A finally added it as an OTC sunscreen ingredient at concentrations up to 6% for adults / children 6 months and older
Learn more about Bis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl TriazineButylene Glycol (or BG) is used within cosmetic products for a few different reasons:
Overall, Butylene Glycol is a safe and well-rounded ingredient that works well with other ingredients.
Though this ingredient works well with most skin types, some people with sensitive skin may experience a reaction such as allergic rashes, closed comedones, or itchiness.
Learn more about Butylene GlycolDibutyl Adipate is a lightweight, oil-soluble ester that acts as an emollient and solvent. It helps products spread more easily and leaves a soft, silky, dry-touch finish without being greasy.
You'll likely see this ingredient in sunscreens because it does a nice job dissolving UV filters and keeping them evenly distributed.
This ingredient has been found to be safe as used in cosmetics, wasn't a skin or eye irritant in clinical patch testing, and wasn't phototoxic.
In a clinical comedogenicity test, this ingredient tested negative so it isn't likely to clog pores.
Typical use levels are about 5-8% for sunscreens + nail products, but can range from 0.005%-8% depending on the product.
Learn more about Dibutyl AdipateDicaprylyl Carbonate comes from carbonic acid and caprylyl alcohol, a fatty alcohol. It is an emollient and gives skin a velvet feel. The sources of Dicaprylyl Carbonate may be synthetic or from animals.
As an emollient, Dicaprylyl Carbonate creates a film on the skin. This film traps moisture in, keeping your skin soft and hydrated.
Diethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl Benzoate (DHHB) is a chemical UV-A absorber. It is formulated for high UVA protection (320-400 nm).
DHHB is well-liked for:
DHHB has been approved by the EU, Japan, Taiwan, and South America for use up to 10%. Unfortunately, it has not been approved for use in the US or Canada due to slow regulatory processes.
This ingredient is soluble in oils, fats, and lipids.
Learn more about Diethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl BenzoateEthylhexyl Triazone (aka Octyl Triazone) is an oil-soluble organic UVB filter. It has peak absorption around 314 nm, right in the middle of the UVB range.
This ingredient is described as one of the most effective UVB filters available and small concentrations are enough to deliver a high SPF thanks to its strong UV absorbing power.
Formulators love it for its stability; its ability to filter UV stays practically unchanged even under intense radiation and it can also help boost the photostability of less stable filters like avobenzone.
It's also a great pick for water resistant products because it's insoluble in water and has a good affinity for keratin.
Because it's a big, heavy molecule, the European Scientific Committee has found to to have very low dermal penetration and negative results for allergenicity.
In vitro testing also showed a low absorption rate and clean results on irritation.
Typical use levels are 1-5% with 5% being the maximum in the EU, Japan, and other markets that allow it. However, this ingredient is not approved yet in the US or Canada.
Learn more about Ethylhexyl TriazoneEthylhexylglycerin 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 EthylhexylglycerinGlyceryl Stearate is made by reacting glycerin with stearic acid (typically sourced from plant oils like palm or coconut). It's an emulsifier, emollient, and mild occlusive.
Emulsifiers help ingredients like oil and water stay mixed so your formula stays nicely blended and uniform in texture.
This ingredient is typically used in concentrations between 1-10%. Studies have found it to be non-sensitizing, non-phototoxic, and non-photoallergenic.
A close cousin of this ingredient is Glyceryl Stearate SE ("self-emulsifying"). This just has a small amount of sodium or potassium stearate added so it can emulsify without a co-emulsifier.
Since this ingredient is an ester of a C18 fatty acid, it may not be fungal acne safe. The Malassezia yeast can potentially metabolize within the C11-C24 range.
Fun fact: The human body also creates Glyceryl Stearate naturally.
Learn more about Glyceryl StearatePropanediol is an all-star ingredient. It softens, hydrates, and smooths the skin.Â
It’s often used to:
Propanediol is not likely to cause sensitivity and considered safe to use. It is derived from corn or petroleum with a clear color and no scent.
Learn more about PropanediolWater. 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 WaterXanthan gum is used as a stabilizer and thickener within cosmetic products. It helps give products a sticky, thick feeling - preventing them from being too runny.
On the technical side of things, xanthan gum is a polysaccharide - a combination consisting of multiple sugar molecules bonded together.
Xanthan gum is a pretty common and great ingredient. It is a natural, non-toxic, non-irritating ingredient that is also commonly used in food products.
Learn more about Xanthan Gum