What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningEthylhexyl Methoxycinnamate
UV Absorber
Dimethicone
Emollient
Bis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine
Skin Conditioning
Phenylbenzimidazole Sulfonic Acid
UV Absorber
Diethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl Benzoate
UV Filter
Cetearyl Olivate
Potassium Cetyl Phosphate
EmulsifyingTitanium Dioxide
Cosmetic Colorant
Coco-Caprylate/Caprate
Emollient
Allantoin
Skin Conditioning
Aluminum Starch Octenylsuccinate
Absorbent
Tremella Fuciformis Sporocarp Extract
Antioxidant
Triacontanyl Pvp
HumectantSqualane
Emollient
Hydroxyacetophenone
Antioxidant
Sorbitan Olivate
Emulsifying
Ceramide AP
Skin Conditioning
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Urea
Buffering
Ectoin
Skin Conditioning
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer
Skin Conditioning
Bisabolol
Antioxidant
Theobroma Cacao Seed Extract
Antioxidant
Lactobacillus/Soymilk Ferment Filtrate
Skin ConditioningAdansonia Digitata Seed Extract
Skin ConditioningSodium Carbomer
Emulsion StabilisingPolyhydroxystearic Acid
Emulsifying
Carbomer
Emulsion StabilisingSodium Hydroxide
BufferingAminomethyl Propanol
BufferingHydrated Silica
Abrasive
BHT
Antioxidant
Hydrogen Dimethicone
Aluminum Hydroxide
EmollientPentylene Glycol
Skin Conditioning
Water, Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate, Dimethicone, Bis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine, Phenylbenzimidazole Sulfonic Acid, Diethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl Benzoate, Cetearyl Olivate, Potassium Cetyl Phosphate, Titanium Dioxide, Coco-Caprylate/Caprate, Allantoin, Aluminum Starch Octenylsuccinate, Tremella Fuciformis Sporocarp Extract, Triacontanyl Pvp, Squalane, Hydroxyacetophenone, Sorbitan Olivate, Ceramide AP, 1,2-Hexanediol, Urea, Ectoin, Butylene Glycol, Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Bisabolol, Theobroma Cacao Seed Extract, Lactobacillus/Soymilk Ferment Filtrate, Adansonia Digitata Seed Extract, Sodium Carbomer, Polyhydroxystearic Acid, Carbomer, Sodium Hydroxide, Aminomethyl Propanol, Hydrated Silica, BHT, Hydrogen Dimethicone, Aluminum Hydroxide, Pentylene Glycol
Water
Skin ConditioningDibutyl Adipate
EmollientDiethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl Benzoate
UV Filter
Alcohol
Antimicrobial
Bis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine
Skin Conditioning
C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate
AntimicrobialSilica
Abrasive
Phenethyl Benzoate
Emollient
Ethylhexyl Triazone
UV Absorber
Niacinamide
Smoothing
Isoamyl P-Methoxycinnamate
UV Absorber
Polysilicone-15
UV Filter
Methylpropanediol
Solvent1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Glycerin
Humectant
Pentylene Glycol
Skin Conditioning
Acetyl Glucosamine
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Hydroxyacetophenone
Antioxidant
Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer
Humectant
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Cynanchum Atratum Extract
Skin ConditioningAlthaea Rosea Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningC30-45 Alkyldimethylsilyl Polypropylsilsesquioxane
Dibutyl Lauroyl Glutamide
Skin ConditioningDibutyl Ethylhexanoyl Glutamide
Skin ConditioningSodium Acrylates Crosspolymer-2
AbsorbentSodium Polyacryloyldimethyl Taurate
Emulsion StabilisingAmmonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer
Citrus Aurantium Bergamia Fruit Oil
Masking
Limonene
Perfuming
Linalool
Perfuming
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingTocopherol
Antioxidant
Disodium EDTA
Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid
Humectant
Pancratium Maritimum Extract
BleachingFragaria Chiloensis Fruit Extract
Skin Conditioning
Vaccinium Macrocarpon Fruit Extract
AstringentHyaluronic Acid
Humectant
Ascorbic Acid
Antioxidant
Linolenic Acid
Cleansing
Citrus Paradisi Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningCitrus Limon Fruit Extract
Masking
Rubus Idaeus Fruit Extract
AstringentCitrus Aurantifolia Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningCitrus Junos Peel Extract
Skin ConditioningLactobacillus Ferment Lysate
Skin Conditioning
Citrus Unshiu Peel Extract
Masking
Riboflavin
Cosmetic ColorantPyridoxine
Skin ConditioningFolic Acid
Skin ConditioningPantothenic Acid
Skin ConditioningThiamine Hcl
MaskingCyanocobalamin
Skin ConditioningBiotin
AntiseborrhoeicLinoleic Acid
Cleansing
Retinol
Skin Conditioning
Menadione
MaskingGlutathione
Bioflavonoids
Skin ConditioningHippophae Rhamnoides Fruit Extract
Skin Conditioning
Terminalia Ferdinandiana Fruit Extract
Antioxidant
Saccharide Isomerate
Humectant
Citric Acid
Buffering
Sodium Citrate
BufferingWater, Dibutyl Adipate, Diethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl Benzoate, Alcohol, Bis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine, C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate, Silica, Phenethyl Benzoate, Ethylhexyl Triazone, Niacinamide, Isoamyl P-Methoxycinnamate, Polysilicone-15, Methylpropanediol, 1,2-Hexanediol, Glycerin, Pentylene Glycol, Acetyl Glucosamine, Sodium Hyaluronate, Hydroxyacetophenone, Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer, Caprylyl Glycol, Butylene Glycol, Cynanchum Atratum Extract, Althaea Rosea Flower Extract, Ethylhexylglycerin, C30-45 Alkyldimethylsilyl Polypropylsilsesquioxane, Dibutyl Lauroyl Glutamide, Dibutyl Ethylhexanoyl Glutamide, Sodium Acrylates Crosspolymer-2, Sodium Polyacryloyldimethyl Taurate, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer, Citrus Aurantium Bergamia Fruit Oil, Limonene, Linalool, Xanthan Gum, Tocopherol, Disodium EDTA, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, Pancratium Maritimum Extract, Fragaria Chiloensis Fruit Extract, Vaccinium Macrocarpon Fruit Extract, Hyaluronic Acid, Ascorbic Acid, Linolenic Acid, Citrus Paradisi Fruit Extract, Citrus Limon Fruit Extract, Rubus Idaeus Fruit Extract, Citrus Aurantifolia Fruit Extract, Citrus Junos Peel Extract, Lactobacillus Ferment Lysate, Citrus Unshiu Peel Extract, Riboflavin, Pyridoxine, Folic Acid, Pantothenic Acid, Thiamine Hcl, Cyanocobalamin, Biotin, Linoleic Acid, Retinol, Menadione, Glutathione, Bioflavonoids, Hippophae Rhamnoides Fruit Extract, Terminalia Ferdinandiana Fruit Extract, Saccharide Isomerate, Citric Acid, Sodium Citrate
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.
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 GlycolDiethylamino 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 BenzoateHydroxyacetophenone is a small phenolic molecule that earns its place in a formulas as an antioxidant and preservative booster.
As a phenol, it is able to neutralize free radicals to protect both the product and the skin from oxidative stress.
Though it can't kill microbes on its own, it works as a good supporting agent when combined with other preservatives like Phenoxyethanol or 1,2-Hexanediol.
This ingredient naturally occurs as piceol in Norwegian spruce needles (~0.4-1.1% dry weight and in cloudberries). Though the cosmetic-grade material is synthesized for purity and consistency.
You'll usually see it used at low levels and suppliers recommend up to 1% added to a water phase.
Safety testing was done at concentrations like 0.05% in SPF products and 0.5% in a Human Repeated Insult Patch Test. The safety evidence is assuring; this ingredient is safe for cosmetics in current use and also holds safety status as a food flavoring as well.
An honest caveat: the "soothing" and "anti-inflammatory" claims come mostly from supplier marketing rather than published clinical trials. The Cosmetic Ingredient Review's own literature search found no useful efficacy studies on this ingredient.
So the antioxidant and preservative-boosting roles are the well supported ones while the calming benefit is plausible but thinly evidenced.
Overall, this is a well-tolerated, low-irritation multitasker that quietly helps a formula stay fresh and stable.
Learn more about HydroxyacetophenonePentylene Glycol (1,2-pentanediol) is a multitasking little diol with three main roles in a formula:
Research on alkanediols (the family pentylene glycol belongs to) show they work by disrupting microbial cell membranes. This disruption helps the primary preservative system in a product work more effectively at lower doses.
On the safety side, the Cosmetic Ingredient Review Expert Panel has concluded this ingredient to be safe as used in current cosmetic practices + concentrations.
Typical use levels in a formula run about 1-5%.
Learn more about Pentylene GlycolWater. 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
