What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningOctocrylene
UV Absorber
Homosalate
Skin Conditioning
Phenylbenzimidazole Sulfonic Acid
UV Absorber
Vinyl Dimethicone/Methicone Silsesquioxane Crosspolymer
Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane
UV Absorber
Ethylhexyl Salicylate
UV Absorber
Bis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine
Skin Conditioning
Niacinamide
Smoothing
Undecylenoyl Phenylalanine
Skin Conditioning
Tranexamic Acid
Astringent
Methylpropanediol
SolventSodium Stearoyl Glutamate
CleansingGlycerin
Humectant
Arbutin
Antioxidant
Glutathione
Curcuma Longa Root Extract
Masking
Silica Dimethyl Silylate
EmollientGlyceryl Stearates
Emollient
Jojoba Esters
Emollient
Tromethamine
BufferingCetyl Alcohol
Emollient
Stearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Ceramide EOP
Skin Conditioning
Ceramide NP
Skin Conditioning
Ceramide AP
Skin Conditioning
Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingTocopherol
Antioxidant
Helianthus Annuus Seed Wax
Skin Conditioning
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningLactobacillus Ferment
Skin Conditioning
Carbomer
Emulsion StabilisingSphingomonas Ferment Extract
Skin Conditioning
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Disodium EDTA
Phytosphingosine
Skin Conditioning
Hydroxypropyl Cyclodextrin
MaskingPhenoxyethanol
Preservative
Dipropylene Glycol
HumectantPolyglycerin-3
Humectant
Pinus Densiflora Leaf Extract
Antimicrobial
Cholesterol
Emollient
Sodium Lauroyl Lactylate
EmulsifyingXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingWater, Octocrylene, Homosalate, Phenylbenzimidazole Sulfonic Acid, Vinyl Dimethicone/Methicone Silsesquioxane Crosspolymer, Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane, Ethylhexyl Salicylate, Bis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine, Niacinamide, Undecylenoyl Phenylalanine, Tranexamic Acid, Methylpropanediol, Sodium Stearoyl Glutamate, Glycerin, Arbutin, Glutathione, Curcuma Longa Root Extract, Silica Dimethyl Silylate, Glyceryl Stearates, Jojoba Esters, Tromethamine, Cetyl Alcohol, Stearyl Alcohol, Butylene Glycol, Ceramide EOP, Ceramide NP, Ceramide AP, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Tocopherol, Helianthus Annuus Seed Wax, Ethylhexylglycerin, Lactobacillus Ferment, Carbomer, Sphingomonas Ferment Extract, 1,2-Hexanediol, Disodium EDTA, Phytosphingosine, Hydroxypropyl Cyclodextrin, Phenoxyethanol, Dipropylene Glycol, Polyglycerin-3, Pinus Densiflora Leaf Extract, Cholesterol, Sodium Lauroyl Lactylate, Xanthan Gum
Water
Skin ConditioningEthylhexyl Methoxycinnamate
UV Absorber
Diethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl Benzoate
UV Filter
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Methyl Methacrylate Crosspolymer
Ethylhexyl Triazone
UV Absorber
Bis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine
Skin Conditioning
Glycereth-26
Humectant
Ethylhexyl Palmitate
Emollient
Isononyl Isononanoate
EmollientDimethicone
Emollient
Fomes Officinalis Extract
Skin ProtectingCetyl Alcohol
Emollient
Glyceryl Stearate
Emollient
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Sorbitan Oleate
Emulsifying
Silica
Abrasive
Hydroxyacetophenone
Antioxidant
Sodium Polyacrylate
Absorbent
PEG-75 Stearate
Surfactant
Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingPotassium Cetyl Phosphate
EmulsifyingTocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Ceteth-20
CleansingSteareth-20
CleansingEctoin
Skin Conditioning
Avena Sativa Kernel Extract
Abrasive
Zinc PCA
Humectant
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingGentiana Scabra Root Extract
Skin ConditioningPhenoxyethanol
Preservative
Disodium EDTA
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil
Emulsifying
BHT
Antioxidant
Pentylene Glycol
Skin Conditioning
Water, Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate, Diethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl Benzoate, Butylene Glycol, Methyl Methacrylate Crosspolymer, Ethylhexyl Triazone, Bis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine, Glycereth-26, Ethylhexyl Palmitate, Isononyl Isononanoate, Dimethicone, Fomes Officinalis Extract, Cetyl Alcohol, Glyceryl Stearate, 1,2-Hexanediol, Sorbitan Oleate, Silica, Hydroxyacetophenone, Sodium Polyacrylate, PEG-75 Stearate, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Potassium Cetyl Phosphate, Tocopheryl Acetate, Ceteth-20, Steareth-20, Ectoin, Avena Sativa Kernel Extract, Zinc PCA, Sodium Hydroxide, Xanthan Gum, Gentiana Scabra Root Extract, Phenoxyethanol, Disodium EDTA, Tocopherol, PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, BHT, Pentylene Glycol
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
Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer is a synthetic polymer. It is used to thicken, emulsify, and improve the texture of products.
As an emulsifier, it helps stabilize oil-in-water emulsions to give products an elegant feel when applied.
It can also form a thin protective film on skin. One study found that a formula using this polymer helped slow down how quickly other ingredients (like DEET) were absorbed through skin.
A 2024 study of over 1,300 patients confirmed that sensitization to this ingredient is rare. It is also non-mutagenic and has a clean track record.
Learn more about Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate CrosspolymerThis 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 GlycolCetyl Alcohol is a fatty alcohol. Fatty Alcohols are most often used as an emollient or to thicken a product.
Its main roles are:
Though it has "alcohol" in the name, it is not related to denatured alcohol or ethyl alcohol.
The FDA allows products labeled "alcohol-free" to have fatty alcohols.
This ingredient may not be fungal acne safe. It is a primary fatty alcohol with a chain length above 12 carbons. A study from 2019 show Malassezia can feed on fatty alcohols in this range, so it may trigger fungal acne in those prone to it.
Learn more about Cetyl AlcoholDisodium 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 EDTAPhenoxyethanol is a preservative that has germicide, antimicrobial, and aromatic properties. Studies show that phenoxyethanol can prevent microbial growth. By itself, it has a scent that is similar to that of a rose.
It's often used in formulations along with Caprylyl Glycol to preserve the shelf life of products.
Tocopherol 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 TocopherolWater. 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
