What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningDiethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl Benzoate
UV Filter
Dibutyl Adipate
EmollientC12-15 Alkyl Benzoate
AntimicrobialGlycerin
Humectant
Diethylhexyl Butamido Triazone
UV Absorber
Bis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine
Skin Conditioning
Phenylbenzimidazole Sulfonic Acid
UV Absorber
Propanediol
Solvent
Arginine
Masking
Silica
Abrasive
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Triacontanyl Pvp
HumectantTributyl Citrate
SolventVp/Hexadecene Copolymer
Dicaprylyl Carbonate
EmollientPropylheptyl Caprylate
EmollientEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningAcrylates Copolymer
Panthenol
Skin Conditioning
Microcrystalline Cellulose
AbsorbentSqualane
Emollient
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingAllantoin
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Gluconate
Skin ConditioningGalactoarabinan
Cellulose Gum
Emulsion StabilisingAcrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingCaprylhydroxamic Acid
Myrothamnus Flabellifolia Leaf/Stem Extract
HumectantCitric Acid
Buffering
Ascorbic Acid
Antioxidant
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Water, Diethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl Benzoate, Dibutyl Adipate, C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate, Glycerin, Diethylhexyl Butamido Triazone, Bis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine, Phenylbenzimidazole Sulfonic Acid, Propanediol, Arginine, Silica, Tocopheryl Acetate, Triacontanyl Pvp, Tributyl Citrate, Vp/Hexadecene Copolymer, Dicaprylyl Carbonate, Propylheptyl Caprylate, Ethylhexylglycerin, Acrylates Copolymer, Panthenol, Microcrystalline Cellulose, Squalane, Sodium Hydroxide, Allantoin, Sodium Gluconate, Galactoarabinan, Cellulose Gum, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Caprylhydroxamic Acid, Myrothamnus Flabellifolia Leaf/Stem Extract, Citric Acid, Ascorbic Acid, Tocopherol
Water
Skin ConditioningAlcohol Denat.
Antimicrobial
Butylene Glycol Dicaprylate/Dicaprate
EmollientButyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane
UV Absorber
Bis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine
Skin Conditioning
C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate
AntimicrobialDistarch Phosphate
AbsorbentEthylhexyl Triazone
UV Absorber
Dibutyl Adipate
EmollientGlyceryl Stearate Citrate
Emollient
Hydrogenated Coco-Glycerides
Emollient
Myristyl Myristate
Emollient
Dicaprylyl Carbonate
EmollientDiethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl Benzoate
UV Filter
Phenylbenzimidazole Sulfonic Acid
UV Absorber
Diethylhexyl Butamido Triazone
UV Absorber
Hydrogenated Rapeseed Oil
Emollient
Copernicia Cerifera Cera
Emollient
Glycerin
Humectant
Glycyrrhetinic Acid
Skin Conditioning
Glycyrrhiza Inflata Root Extract
Skin Conditioning
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingC18-38 Alkyl Hydroxystearoyl Stearate
EmollientCetyl Palmitate
Emollient
Silica Dimethyl Silylate
EmollientSodium Hydroxide
BufferingCaprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Hydroxyacetophenone
Antioxidant
Trisodium EDTA
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Water, Alcohol Denat., Butylene Glycol Dicaprylate/Dicaprate, Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane, Bis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine, C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate, Distarch Phosphate, Ethylhexyl Triazone, Dibutyl Adipate, Glyceryl Stearate Citrate, Hydrogenated Coco-Glycerides, Myristyl Myristate, Dicaprylyl Carbonate, Diethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl Benzoate, Phenylbenzimidazole Sulfonic Acid, Diethylhexyl Butamido Triazone, Hydrogenated Rapeseed Oil, Copernicia Cerifera Cera, Glycerin, Glycyrrhetinic Acid, Glycyrrhiza Inflata Root Extract, Tocopherol, Xanthan Gum, C18-38 Alkyl Hydroxystearoyl Stearate, Cetyl Palmitate, Silica Dimethyl Silylate, Sodium Hydroxide, Caprylyl Glycol, Hydroxyacetophenone, Trisodium EDTA, Phenoxyethanol
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
You might know this ingredient as Tinosorb S or Bemotrizinol. It is a UV filter that covers both UVA and UVB rays.
This ingredient has two peak UV absorption peaks ( 310 and 340 nm) and is able to absorb both UV-A and UV-B rays. This ingredient works by preventing UV rays from reaching and damaging your skin.
On top of that - it is highly photostable and helps prevent the photodegration of other sunscreen ingredients such as avobenzone.
Tinosorb S is allowed in the EU, Australia, and Asia. It is close to being approved by the FDA and we'll hopefully get this ingredient in the U.S. by late 2026.
Fun fact: Tinosorb S is the most effective UV absorber at maximum concentration (measured by SPF) permitted in the EU.
This ingredient is oil-soluble, so your oil-cleansers will take this right off at night.
Learn more about Bis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl TriazineC12-15 Alkyl Benzoate is made up of Benzoic Acid and long chain alcohols. It has a low molecular weight.
C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate is an emollient and texture enhancer. Due to its solubility, it is often used in sunscreens to help evenly distribute active ingredients.
As an emollient, C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate helps soften and hydrate your skin. Emollients create a film on your skin that traps moisture within.
This ingredient has been reported to cause eye irritation.
Learn more about C12-15 Alkyl BenzoateDibutyl Adipate is an emollient and solvent. It is created from butyl alcohol and adipic acid.
As a solvent, Dibutyl Adipate helps mix and disperse ingredients evenly.
Dibutyl Adipate is soluble in water and organic solvents. It does not absorb UV rays.
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 BenzoateDiethylhexyl Butamido Triazone is a photostable UV absorber. It protects in both the UVB and UVA II range.
The great thing about this ingredient is that it is ultra-photostable at low concentrations.
It is also pretty water-resistant and is highly oil-soluble (so your oil cleanser will get it off right away).
This ingredient is currently available in Europe and Japan, but not in the US.
Learn more about Diethylhexyl Butamido TriazoneGlycerin (or glycerol) is a compound naturally found in your skin. It's a powerhouse humectant that pulls water into the stratum corneum.
Topically, glycerin does several things at once:
Your skin makes glycerin on its own (mostly from sebaceous oil breakdown) and shuttles it to your outermost layer of skin, or your epidermis, via aquaporin-3.
Aquaporin-3 is a transporter that is essential for normal skin hydration, elasticity, and repair. Interestingly, mice lacking in AQP3 have dry and less elastic skin that can be fully corrected with glycerin.
This ingredient is non-irritating, plays well with almost every ingredient, and works across all skin types. Typical use is anywhere between 3-10% but can go up to 79% in some leave-on products.
Just know very high concentrations (>40%) can feel tacky in low humidity.
Glycerin is the name for this ingredient in American English. British English uses Glycerol/Glycerine.
Learn more about GlycerinThis ingredient is more commonly known as Ensulizole, a chemical sunscreen ingredient.
Ensulizole mainly protects UV-B (290-340 nm) but offers a little UV-A (320-400 nm) protection. It is often paired with less photo-stable sunscreen ingredients due to its photo-stability.
Due to it being water-soluble, Ensulizole helps give sunscreens a light and non-oily texture.
Ensulizole is approved worldwide:
Learn more about Phenylbenzimidazole Sulfonic AcidSodium Hydroxide is also known as lye or caustic soda. It is used to adjust the pH of products; many ingredients require a specific pH to be effective.
In small amounts, sodium hydroxide is considered safe to use. However, large amounts may cause chemical burns due to its high alkaline.
Your skin has a natural pH and acid mantle. This acid mantle helps prevent harmful bacteria from breaking through. The acid mantle also helps keep your skin hydrated.
"Alkaline" refers to a high pH level. A low pH level would be considered acidic.
Learn more about Sodium HydroxideTocopherol 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 Water
