What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningPropanediol
Solvent
Polymethylsilsesquioxane
Butyloctyl Salicylate
Skin Conditioning
Diisobutyl Adipate
EmollientDiisopropyl Sebacate
EmollientEthylhexyl Triazone
UV Absorber
Drometrizole Trisiloxane
UV Absorber
Niacinamide
Smoothing
Terephthalylidene Dicamphor Sulfonic Acid
UV Absorber
Polyglyceryl-3 Distearate
Emulsifying
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Diethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl Benzoate
UV Filter
Ceramide AP
Skin Conditioning
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Pentylene Glycol
Skin Conditioning
Tromethamine
BufferingCaprylyl Methicone
Skin Conditioning
Citrullus Lanatus Fruit Extract
Skin Conditioning
Cetearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid
Humectant
Bis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine
Skin Conditioning
Hydrogenated Polydecene
EmollientAmmonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer
Glyceryl Stearate
Emollient
Potassium Cetyl Phosphate
EmulsifyingMethylpropanediol
SolventPolyester-5
Palmitic Acid
Emollient
Stearic Acid
Cleansing
Jojoba Esters
Emollient
Glyceryl Stearate Citrate
Emollient
Polyacrylate Crosspolymer-6
Emulsion StabilisingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningPolyether-1
Helianthus Annuus Seed Wax
Skin Conditioning
Adenosine
Skin Conditioning
Polyglycerin-3
Humectant
Acacia Decurrens Flower Wax
Emollient
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Water, Propanediol, Polymethylsilsesquioxane, Butyloctyl Salicylate, Diisobutyl Adipate, Diisopropyl Sebacate, Ethylhexyl Triazone, Drometrizole Trisiloxane, Niacinamide, Terephthalylidene Dicamphor Sulfonic Acid, Polyglyceryl-3 Distearate, Butylene Glycol, Diethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl Benzoate, Ceramide AP, 1,2-Hexanediol, Pentylene Glycol, Tromethamine, Caprylyl Methicone, Citrullus Lanatus Fruit Extract, Cetearyl Alcohol, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, Bis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine, Hydrogenated Polydecene, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer, Glyceryl Stearate, Potassium Cetyl Phosphate, Methylpropanediol, Polyester-5, Palmitic Acid, Stearic Acid, Jojoba Esters, Glyceryl Stearate Citrate, Polyacrylate Crosspolymer-6, Ethylhexylglycerin, Polyether-1, Helianthus Annuus Seed Wax, Adenosine, Polyglycerin-3, Acacia Decurrens Flower Wax, Tocopherol
Water
Skin ConditioningDibutyl Adipate
EmollientDiethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl Benzoate
UV Filter
Ethylhexyl Triazone
UV Absorber
Distarch Phosphate
AbsorbentBis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine
Skin Conditioning
Diethylhexyl Butamido Triazone
UV Absorber
Glyceryl Stearate
Emollient
Glycerin
Humectant
Ceteareth-20
CleansingAcrylates/C12-22 Alkyl Methacrylate Copolymer
Cetyl Palmitate
Emollient
Ceteareth-12
EmulsifyingCetearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Sodium Levulinate
Skin ConditioningSaccharide Isomerate
Humectant
Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingArginine
Masking
Coco-Glucoside
Cleansing
Disodium Lauryl Sulfosuccinate
CleansingSodium Citrate
BufferingSodium Hydroxide
BufferingCitric Acid
Buffering
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Sorbic Acid
Preservative
Potassium Sorbate
Preservative
Water, Dibutyl Adipate, Diethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl Benzoate, Ethylhexyl Triazone, Distarch Phosphate, Bis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine, Diethylhexyl Butamido Triazone, Glyceryl Stearate, Glycerin, Ceteareth-20, Acrylates/C12-22 Alkyl Methacrylate Copolymer, Cetyl Palmitate, Ceteareth-12, Cetearyl Alcohol, Sodium Levulinate, Saccharide Isomerate, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Xanthan Gum, Arginine, Coco-Glucoside, Disodium Lauryl Sulfosuccinate, Sodium Citrate, Sodium Hydroxide, Citric Acid, Phenoxyethanol, Sorbic Acid, Potassium Sorbate
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
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 TriazineCetearyl alcohol is a waxy mixture of two fatty alcohols: cetyl alcohol and stearyl alcohol. It is an emollient and emulsifier.
Despite having "alcohol" in its name, it has nothing to do with drying solvent alcohols; the FDA also allows "alcohol-free" products to contain fatty alcohols like this ingredient.
It plays several roles in a formula:
Typical use levels for this ingredient sit around 1-10% and the Cosmetic Ingredient Review Expert Panel has affirmed safety at concentrations up to 25% in leave-on products.
Multiple assessments have found it to be non-irritating and non-sensitizing to most people.
However, there have been some cases of allergic contact dermatitis in patients with chronically compromised skin barriers.
Cetearyl alcohol has a comedogenic rating of 2 and irritancy rating of 1. Both of these numbers come from the 1989 study that used rabbit ears; a "2" means mildly comedogenic and a "1" means low irritancy.
Here's the catch: rabbit skin is more sensitive than human skin and throws a lot of false positives. A 1996 reappraisal found that ingredients rated 1-2 in the rabbit ear tests are generally safe for humans.
Remember comedogenic ratings are unable to assess the entire formula of a product or how it will react on your skin. Just be sure to patch test if you are unsure about certain ingredients.
This ingredient is not fungal acne safe. Cetearyl alcohol is a fatty alcohol with chain lengths that fall within the range that Malassezia can metabolize.
A 2019 study has also observed Malassezia growth in the presence of this ingredient, confirming it to be not-fungal acne safe.
Learn more about Cetearyl AlcoholDiethylamino 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 TriazoneGlyceryl 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 StearateWater. 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
