What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningDibutyl Adipate
EmollientPropanediol
Solvent
Ethylhexyl Triazone
UV Absorber
Terephthalylidene Dicamphor Sulfonic Acid
UV Absorber
Polyglyceryl-3 Distearate
Emulsifying
Niacinamide
Smoothing
Tromethamine
BufferingCetearyl Alcohol
Emollient
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Diethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl Benzoate
UV Filter
Vaccinium Angustifolium Fruit Extract
Skin Protecting
Pentylene Glycol
Skin Conditioning
Polysilicone-15
UV Filter
Morus Nigra Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningLycium Chinense Fruit Extract
Antioxidant
Berberis Vulgaris Root Extract
AntimicrobialFragaria Chiloensis Fruit Extract
Skin Conditioning
Olea Europaea Fruit Oil
Masking
Abies Sibirica Oil
Masking
Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Oil
Masking
Salvia Sclarea Oil
Masking
Anthemis Nobilis Flower Oil
Masking
Juniperus Mexicana Oil
Masking
Chamomilla Recutita Flower Oil
Masking
Sodium Polyacryloyldimethyl Taurate
Emulsion StabilisingGlyceryl Stearate
Emollient
Bis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine
Skin Conditioning
Potassium Cetyl Phosphate
EmulsifyingGlycerin
Humectant
Glyceryl Stearate Citrate
Emollient
Inulin Lauryl Carbamate
Emulsion StabilisingAmmonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningAdenosine
Skin Conditioning
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Water, Dibutyl Adipate, Propanediol, Ethylhexyl Triazone, Terephthalylidene Dicamphor Sulfonic Acid, Polyglyceryl-3 Distearate, Niacinamide, Tromethamine, Cetearyl Alcohol, 1,2-Hexanediol, Diethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl Benzoate, Vaccinium Angustifolium Fruit Extract, Pentylene Glycol, Polysilicone-15, Morus Nigra Fruit Extract, Lycium Chinense Fruit Extract, Berberis Vulgaris Root Extract, Fragaria Chiloensis Fruit Extract, Olea Europaea Fruit Oil, Abies Sibirica Oil, Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Oil, Salvia Sclarea Oil, Anthemis Nobilis Flower Oil, Juniperus Mexicana Oil, Chamomilla Recutita Flower Oil, Sodium Polyacryloyldimethyl Taurate, Glyceryl Stearate, Bis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine, Potassium Cetyl Phosphate, Glycerin, Glyceryl Stearate Citrate, Inulin Lauryl Carbamate, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer, Ethylhexylglycerin, Adenosine, Butylene Glycol
Water
Skin ConditioningDibutyl Adipate
EmollientSilica
Abrasive
Alcohol Denat.
Antimicrobial
Ethylhexyl Salicylate
UV Absorber
Homosalate
Skin Conditioning
Bis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine
Skin Conditioning
Methylene Bis-Benzotriazolyl Tetramethylbutylphenol
UV Filter
Polysilicone-15
UV Filter
Diethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl Benzoate
UV Filter
Helianthus Annuus Seed Extract
Skin Conditioning
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Acrylates Copolymer
Ceteth-10
EmulsifyingStyrene/Acrylates Copolymer
Decyl Glucoside
Cleansing
Steareth-21
CleansingTromethamine
BufferingPropylene Glycol
Humectant
Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil
Emollient
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingTocopherol
Antioxidant
Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingCetyl PEG/PPG-10/1 Dimethicone
Emulsifying
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningParfum
Masking
Benzyl Benzoate
Antimicrobial
Linalool
Perfuming
Butylphenyl Methylpropional
Perfuming
Hexyl Cinnamal
Perfuming
Citronellol
Perfuming
Geraniol
Perfuming
Amyl Cinnamal
Perfuming
Alpha-Isomethyl Ionone
Perfuming
Water, Dibutyl Adipate, Silica, Alcohol Denat., Ethylhexyl Salicylate, Homosalate, Bis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine, Methylene Bis-Benzotriazolyl Tetramethylbutylphenol, Polysilicone-15, Diethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl Benzoate, Helianthus Annuus Seed Extract, Butylene Glycol, Acrylates Copolymer, Ceteth-10, Styrene/Acrylates Copolymer, Decyl Glucoside, Steareth-21, Tromethamine, Propylene Glycol, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Xanthan Gum, Tocopherol, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Carbomer, Cetyl PEG/PPG-10/1 Dimethicone, 1,2-Hexanediol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Parfum, Benzyl Benzoate, Linalool, Butylphenyl Methylpropional, Hexyl Cinnamal, Citronellol, Geraniol, Amyl Cinnamal, Alpha-Isomethyl Ionone
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.
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 preservatives
This 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 AdipateDiethylamino 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 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 EthylhexylglycerinPolysilicone-15 (trade name: Parsol SLX) is a silicone-based UVB filter that soaks up UVB light (~280-320nm) with a peak around 310nm.
It's a fairly modest sunscreen filter so formulators mostly use it as an SPF booster and "light stabilizer". This just means it helps keep other light-sensitive ingredients from breaking down in sunlight.
A 2007 study measured the in-vitro SPF of 18 filters and found Polysilicone-15 contributed an SPF of about 3.64 at its maximum legal concentration (though worth noting its maker points out that in-vitro tests tend to underestimate its real performance because of its large polymeric structure).
Usage levels vary; it's approved up to 10% as a UV filter in the EU, China, Japan, Australia, ASEAN, and Mercosur countries. In the US, it's only permitted up to 1% as a light stabilizer because the FDA hasn't reviewed it as a sunscreen active.
Typical use levels range from 1-3%.
The EU's scientific committee concluded that this ingredient is safe for use as a UV absorber up to 10%, and tests came back negative for irritation, phototoxicity, and photoallergy.
There is one case of allergic lip inflammation from a lip balm with this ingredient, though this is rare.
Learn more about Polysilicone-15Tromethamine helps balance the pH and improve the texture of a product. It is synthetically created.
As an emulsifier, Tromethamine prevents oil and water ingredients from separating. This helps stabilize the product and elongate a product's shelf life. Tromethamine also makes a product thicker.
Tromethamine helps balance the pH level of a product. Normal pH level of skin is slightly acidic (~4.75-5.5). The acidity of our skin is maintained by our glands and skin biome. Being slightly acidic allows our skin to create an "acid mantle". This acid mantle is a thin barrier that protects our skin from bacteria and contaminants.
Oral Tromethanmine is an anti-inflammatory drug but plays the role of masking, adding fragrance, and/or balancing pH in skincare.
1,3-Propanediol, 2-amino-2-(hydroxymethyl)-
Learn more about TromethamineWater. 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
