What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane 2.8%
UV AbsorberHomosalate 12%
Skin ConditioningEthylhexyl Salicylate 4.8%
UV AbsorberOctocrylene 4.5%
UV AbsorberWater
Skin ConditioningDipropylene Glycol
HumectantCyclopentasiloxane
EmollientNiacinamide
SmoothingButyloctyl Salicylate
Skin ConditioningCyclohexasiloxane
EmollientBenzyl Glycol
SolventPentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningPolymethylsilsesquioxane
Silica
AbrasiveGlyceryl Stearate
EmollientPEG-100 Stearate
SurfactantAcrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingArginine
MaskingBetaine
HumectantPanthenol
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantGanoderma Lucidum Stem Extract
Skin ConditioningEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingHydroxypropyl Methylcellulose Stearoxy Ether
Adenosine
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
HumectantPyrus Communis Fruit Extract
Skin Conditioning1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningRosa Damascena Flower Water
MaskingAllantoin
Skin ConditioningCaffeine
Skin ConditioningAcacia Senegal Flower/Stem Extract
Iris Florentina Root Extract
MaskingCucumis Melo Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningHydrolyzed Collagen
EmollientHydrogenated Lecithin
EmulsifyingHedera Helix Leaf/Stem Extract
AntimicrobialCetearyl Alcohol
EmollientStearic Acid
CleansingCentella Asiatica Extract
CleansingEthyl Hexanediol
SolventHydrolyzed Elastin
EmollientPalmitoyl Tripeptide-5
Skin ConditioningHydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid
HumectantHydrolyzed Sodium Hyaluronate
Skin ConditioningDimethylsilanol Hyaluronate
HumectantSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantHyaluronic Acid
HumectantHydrolyzed Collagen Extract
Skin ProtectingPotassium Hyaluronate
Skin ConditioningSodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer
HumectantHydroxypropyltrimonium Hyaluronate
Ceramide NP
Skin ConditioningSodium Hyaluronate Dimethylsilanol
HumectantSodium Acetylated Hyaluronate
HumectantCholesterol
EmollientPhytosphingosine
Skin ConditioningCeramide Ng
Skin ConditioningCeramide Ns
Skin ConditioningCeramide As
Skin ConditioningCeramide AP
Skin ConditioningCollagen Extract
Skin ConditioningCeramide EOP
Skin ConditioningButyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane 2.8%, Homosalate 12%, Ethylhexyl Salicylate 4.8%, Octocrylene 4.5%, Water, Dipropylene Glycol, Cyclopentasiloxane, Niacinamide, Butyloctyl Salicylate, Cyclohexasiloxane, Benzyl Glycol, Pentylene Glycol, Polymethylsilsesquioxane, Silica, Glyceryl Stearate, PEG-100 Stearate, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Arginine, Betaine, Panthenol, Glycerin, Ganoderma Lucidum Stem Extract, Ethylhexylglycerin, Xanthan Gum, Hydroxypropyl Methylcellulose Stearoxy Ether, Adenosine, Butylene Glycol, Pyrus Communis Fruit Extract, 1,2-Hexanediol, Rosa Damascena Flower Water, Allantoin, Caffeine, Acacia Senegal Flower/Stem Extract, Iris Florentina Root Extract, Cucumis Melo Fruit Extract, Hydrolyzed Collagen, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Hedera Helix Leaf/Stem Extract, Cetearyl Alcohol, Stearic Acid, Centella Asiatica Extract, Ethyl Hexanediol, Hydrolyzed Elastin, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-5, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, Hydrolyzed Sodium Hyaluronate, Dimethylsilanol Hyaluronate, Sodium Hyaluronate, Hyaluronic Acid, Hydrolyzed Collagen Extract, Potassium Hyaluronate, Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer, Hydroxypropyltrimonium Hyaluronate, Ceramide NP, Sodium Hyaluronate Dimethylsilanol, Sodium Acetylated Hyaluronate, Cholesterol, Phytosphingosine, Ceramide Ng, Ceramide Ns, Ceramide As, Ceramide AP, Collagen Extract, Ceramide EOP
Homosalate 15%
Skin ConditioningOctocrylene 10%
UV AbsorberEthylhexyl Salicylate 5%
UV AbsorberButyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane 3%
UV AbsorberAcrylates/Dimethicone Copolymer
Skin ConditioningAluminum Starch Octenylsuccinate
AbsorbentBehenyl Alcohol
EmollientBenzyl Alcohol
PerfumingBHT
AntioxidantButyloctyl Salicylate
Skin ConditioningCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientCaprylyl Methicone
Skin ConditioningCera Alba
EmollientCetyl Dimethicone
EmollientChlorphenesin
AntimicrobialDimethicone
EmollientDimethicone/PEG-10/15 Crosspolymer
Disodium EDTA
Ethylhexyl Stearate
EmollientEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningGlyceryl Stearate
EmollientHydrolyzed Jojoba Esters
Skin ConditioningJojoba Esters
EmollientParfum
MaskingPEG-100 Stearate
SurfactantPotassium Cetyl Phosphate
EmulsifyingSilica
AbrasiveSodium Polyacrylate
AbsorbentStyrene/Acrylates Copolymer
Tocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantTrideceth-6
EmulsifyingWater
Skin ConditioningXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingHomosalate 15%, Octocrylene 10%, Ethylhexyl Salicylate 5%, Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane 3%, Acrylates/Dimethicone Copolymer, Aluminum Starch Octenylsuccinate, Behenyl Alcohol, Benzyl Alcohol, BHT, Butyloctyl Salicylate, Caprylyl Glycol, Caprylyl Methicone, Cera Alba, Cetyl Dimethicone, Chlorphenesin, Dimethicone, Dimethicone/PEG-10/15 Crosspolymer, Disodium EDTA, Ethylhexyl Stearate, Ethylhexylglycerin, Glyceryl Stearate, Hydrolyzed Jojoba Esters, Jojoba Esters, Parfum, PEG-100 Stearate, Potassium Cetyl Phosphate, Silica, Sodium Polyacrylate, Styrene/Acrylates Copolymer, Tocopheryl Acetate, Trideceth-6, Water, Xanthan Gum
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Also known as Avobenzone, this ingredient is a chemical sunscreen filter that provides protection in the UV-A range.
Avobenzone is globally approved and is the most commonly used UV-A filter in the world.
Studies have found that avobenzone becomes ineffective when exposed to UV light (it is not photostable; meaning that it breaks down in sunlight). Because of this, formulations that include avobenzone will usually contain stabilizers such as octocrylene.
However, some modern formulations (looking at you, EU!) are able to stabilize avobenzone by coating the molecules.
Avobenzone does not protect against the UV-B range, so it's important to check that the sunscreen you're using contains other UV filters that do!
The highest concentration of avobenzone permitted is 3% in the US, and 5% in the EU.
Learn more about Butyl MethoxydibenzoylmethaneButyloctyl Salicylate is a chemical UV filter structurally similar to octisalate. It is a photostabilizer, SPF booster, emollient and solvent. This ingredient helps evenly spread out ingredients.
According to a manufacturer, it is suitable for pairing with micro Titanium Dioxide, Zinc Oxide, and pigments.
Photostabilizers help stabilize UV-filters and prevents them from degrading quickly.
Learn more about Butyloctyl SalicylateEthylhexyl Salicylate is an organic compound used to block UV rays. It primarily absorbs UVB rays but offers a small amount of UVA protection as well.
Commonly found in sunscreens, Ethylhexyl Salicylate is created from salicylic acid and 2-ethylhexanol. You might know salicylic acid as the effective acne fighter ingredient and BHA.
The ethylhexanol in this ingredient is a fatty alcohol and helps hydrate your skin, similar to oils. It is an emollient, which means it traps moisture into the skin.
According to manufacturers, Ethylhexyl Salicylate absorbs UV wavelength of 295-315 nm, with a peak absorption at 307-310 nm. UVA rays are linked to long term skin damage, such as hyperpigmentation. UVB rays emit more energy and are capable of damaging our DNA. UVB rays cause sunburn.
Learn more about Ethylhexyl SalicylateEthylhexylglycerin 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 EthylhexylglycerinGlyceryl 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 StearateHomosalate is a chemical sunscreen filter that provides protection in the UV-B range (280nm - 320 nm), with a peak protection at 306 nm. It is internationally approved for use in sunscreens.
Homosalate is not photo-stable, meaning it's strength as a UV filter degrades over time with exposure to the sun. Because of this, it's often used in combination with other chemical sunscreen filters as avobenzone (which protects from the UV-A range). Homosalate also helps act as a solvent for harder-to-dissolve UV filters.
(Part of the reason that sunscreens need to be frequently re-applied is due to the photo instability of many chemical sunscreen filters)
Currently, homosalate is approved in concentrations up to 10% in the EU and 15% in the US. The FDA is currently doing further research on the effects of homosalate, and it is possible that these approved concentrations will change in the future.
Learn more about HomosalateOctocrylene protects skin from sun damage. It absorbs UV-B with peak absorption of 304 nm. It is a common sunscreen ingredient and often paired with avobenzone, a UVA filter. This is because octocrylene stabilizes other sunscreen ingredients by protecting them from degradation when exposed to sunlight. Octocrylene is a photostable ingredient and loses about 10% of SPF in 95 minutes.
Octocrylene also acts as an emollient, meaning it helps skin retain moisture and softens skin. It is oil-soluble and hydrophobic, enhancing water-resistant properties in a product.
Those who are using ketoprofen, a topical anti-inflammatory drug, may experience an allergic reaction when using octocrylene. It is best to speak with a healthcare professional about using sunscreens with octocrylene.
The EU allows a maximum of these concentrations:
Learn more about OctocrylenePeg-100 Stearate is an emollient and emulsifier. As an emollient, it helps keep skin soft by trapping moisture in. On the other hand, emulsifiers help prevent oil and water from separating in a product.
PEGS are a hydrophilic polyether compound . There are 100 ethylene oxide monomers in Peg-100 Stearate. Peg-100 Stearate is polyethylene glycol ester of stearic acid.
Silica, also known as silicon dioxide, is a naturally occurring mineral. It is used as a fine, spherical, and porous powder in cosmetics.
Though it has exfoliant properties, the function of silica varies depending on the product.
The unique structure of silica enhances the spreadability and adds smoothness, making it a great texture enhancer.
It is also used as an active carrier, emulsifier, and mattifier due to its ability to absorb excess oil.
In some products, tiny microneedles called spicules are made from silica or hydrolyzed sponge. When you rub them in, they lightly polish away dead skin layers and enhance the penetration of active ingredients.
Learn more about SilicaWater. 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