What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Homosalate 8%
Skin Conditioning
Ethylhexyl Salicylate 4%
UV Absorber
Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane 3%
UV Absorber
Octocrylene 2%
UV Absorber
Water
Skin ConditioningCyclomethicone
Emollient
Isostearyl Neopentanoate
Emollient
Glycerin
Humectant
Ceteareth-20
CleansingPolypropylene
Cetearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingPanthenol
Skin Conditioning
Caprylic Acid
CleansingCaprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Silica
Abrasive
Triacontanyl Pvp
HumectantCetyl Dimethicone
Emollient
Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer
PEG-40 Stearate
Emulsifying
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Disodium EDTA
Pentylene Glycol
Skin Conditioning
Panthenyl Triacetate
Sodium Lactate
Buffering
Lactic Acid
Buffering
Serine
Masking
Urea
Buffering
Sorbitol
Humectant
Sodium Chloride
MaskingAllantoin
Skin Conditioning
Oleyl Alcohol
Emollient
Ethyl Linoleate
Emollient
Homosalate 8%, Ethylhexyl Salicylate 4%, Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane 3%, Octocrylene 2%, Water, Cyclomethicone, Isostearyl Neopentanoate, Glycerin, Ceteareth-20, Polypropylene, Cetearyl Alcohol, Xanthan Gum, Panthenol, Caprylic Acid, Caprylyl Glycol, Silica, Triacontanyl Pvp, Cetyl Dimethicone, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer, PEG-40 Stearate, Tocopherol, Disodium EDTA, Pentylene Glycol, Panthenyl Triacetate, Sodium Lactate, Lactic Acid, Serine, Urea, Sorbitol, Sodium Chloride, Allantoin, Oleyl Alcohol, Ethyl Linoleate
Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane 2.3%
UV Absorber
Homosalate 10%
Skin Conditioning
Ethylhexyl Salicylate 5%
UV Absorber
Octocrylene 5%
UV Absorber
Trisiloxane
Skin Conditioning
Water
Skin ConditioningDiisopropyl Sebacate
EmollientSilica
Abrasive
Glycerin
Humectant
Alcohol Denat.
Antimicrobial
Isododecane
EmollientPEG/PPG-9/2 Dimethyl Ether
Skin ConditioningLauryl PEG-9 Polydimethylsiloxyethyl Dimethicone
Skin Conditioning
Trimethylsiloxysilicate
Emollient
Dextrin Palmitate
Emulsifying
Disteardimonium Hectorite
StabilisingTrehalose
Humectant
PEG-9 Polydimethylsiloxyethyl Dimethicone
Emulsifying
Phytosteryl Macadamiate
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Chloride
Masking2-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid
Skin Conditioning
Aminoethanesulfinic Acid
Antioxidant
Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate
Humectant
Panthenyl Ethyl Ether
Sodium Polyacrylate
Absorbent
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Sanguisorba Officinalis Root Extract
CleansingCamellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
Antimicrobial
Garcinia Mangostana Bark Extract
Skin ConditioningPerilla Ocymoides Leaf Extract
TonicSpirulina Platensis Extract
Skin ProtectingDimethylacrylamide/Sodium Acryloyldimethyltaurate Crosspolymer
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Silica Dimethyl Silylate
EmollientTrisodium EDTA
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
BHT
Antioxidant
Alcohol
Antimicrobial
Sodium Metabisulfite
Antioxidant
Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialCI 77120
Cosmetic ColorantSodium Citrate
BufferingPhenoxyethanol
Preservative
Parfum
Masking
Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane 2.3%, Homosalate 10%, Ethylhexyl Salicylate 5%, Octocrylene 5%, Trisiloxane, Water, Diisopropyl Sebacate, Silica, Glycerin, Alcohol Denat., Isododecane, PEG/PPG-9/2 Dimethyl Ether, Lauryl PEG-9 Polydimethylsiloxyethyl Dimethicone, Trimethylsiloxysilicate, Dextrin Palmitate, Disteardimonium Hectorite, Trehalose, PEG-9 Polydimethylsiloxyethyl Dimethicone, Phytosteryl Macadamiate, Sodium Chloride, 2-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid, Aminoethanesulfinic Acid, Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate, Panthenyl Ethyl Ether, Sodium Polyacrylate, Tocopheryl Acetate, Sodium Hyaluronate, Sanguisorba Officinalis Root Extract, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Garcinia Mangostana Bark Extract, Perilla Ocymoides Leaf Extract, Spirulina Platensis Extract, Dimethylacrylamide/Sodium Acryloyldimethyltaurate Crosspolymer, Butylene Glycol, Silica Dimethyl Silylate, Trisodium EDTA, Tocopherol, BHT, Alcohol, Sodium Metabisulfite, Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract, CI 77120, Sodium Citrate, Phenoxyethanol, Parfum
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 MethoxydibenzoylmethaneEthylhexyl 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 SalicylateGlycerin (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 GlycerinHomosalate 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 OctocryleneSilica, 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 SilicaChances are, you eat sodium chloride every day. Sodium Chloride is also known as table salt. This ingredient has many purposes in skincare: thickener, emulsifier, and exfoliator.
You'll most likely find this ingredient in cleansers where it is used to create a gel-like texture. As an emulsifier, it also prevents ingredients from separating.
You might see people debate whether Sodium Chloride is comedogenic, but there actually haven't been any comedogenic tests done on it. Either way, the overall formulation of a product matters a lot more than any single ingredient.
You might see this ingredient used in scrubs as a primary exfoliating ingredient.
Learn more about Sodium ChlorideTocopherol 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
