What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane 3%
UV Absorber
Homosalate 9%
Skin Conditioning
Ethylhexyl Salicylate 5%
UV Absorber
Octocrylene 9%
UV Absorber
Water
Skin ConditioningAlcohol
Antimicrobial
C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate
AntimicrobialPropanediol
Solvent
Dimethicone
Emollient
Glycerin
Humectant
Acrylates/Polytrimethylsiloxymethacrylate Copolymer
Skin ConditioningMaltodextrin
Absorbent
Triethyl Citrate
Masking
Hydroxyacetophenone
Antioxidant
Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion Stabilising1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Pullulan
Sodium Polyacrylate
Absorbent
Betaine
Humectant
Lavandula Angustifolia Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract
Masking
Hedychium Coronarium Root Extract
MaskingCaesalpinia Spinosa Gum
Skin ConditioningLinalool
Perfuming
Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
Antimicrobial
Tremella Fuciformis Sporocarp Extract
Antioxidant
Amyl Cinnamal
Perfuming
Glyceryl Caprylate
EmollientGlyceryl Undecylenate
Emollient
Sodium Carboxymethyl Beta-Glucan
CleansingPyrus Malus Fruit Extract
Skin Conditioning
Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialRubus Idaeus Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningSalvia Officinalis Leaf Extract
CleansingLepidium Sativum Sprout Extract
Skin ConditioningButyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane 3%, Homosalate 9%, Ethylhexyl Salicylate 5%, Octocrylene 9%, Water, Alcohol, C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate, Propanediol, Dimethicone, Glycerin, Acrylates/Polytrimethylsiloxymethacrylate Copolymer, Maltodextrin, Triethyl Citrate, Hydroxyacetophenone, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, 1,2-Hexanediol, Caprylyl Glycol, Pullulan, Sodium Polyacrylate, Betaine, Lavandula Angustifolia Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract, Hedychium Coronarium Root Extract, Caesalpinia Spinosa Gum, Linalool, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Tremella Fuciformis Sporocarp Extract, Amyl Cinnamal, Glyceryl Caprylate, Glyceryl Undecylenate, Sodium Carboxymethyl Beta-Glucan, Pyrus Malus Fruit Extract, Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract, Rubus Idaeus Leaf Extract, Salvia Officinalis Leaf Extract, Lepidium Sativum Sprout Extract
Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane 3%
UV Absorber
Homosalate 10%
Skin Conditioning
Ethylhexyl Salicylate 5%
UV Absorber
Octocrylene 5%
UV Absorber
Water
Skin ConditioningCyclopentasiloxane
Emollient
Alcohol Denat.
Antimicrobial
Silica
Abrasive
Dicaprylyl Ether
Emollient
Styrene/Acrylates Copolymer
PEG-30 Dipolyhydroxystearate
Emulsifying
Dimethicone
Emollient
Cyclohexasiloxane
Emollient
Polymethylsilsesquioxane
Glycerin
Humectant
Nylon-12
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Citric Acid
Buffering
Dicaprylyl Carbonate
EmollientDisodium EDTA
Disteardimonium Hectorite
StabilisingParfum
Masking
Isostearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Lauryl PEG/PPG-18/18 Methicone
Skin Conditioning
P-Anisic Acid
Masking
PEG-8 Laurate
Emulsifying
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Poly C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate
Emulsion StabilisingPotassium Sorbate
Preservative
Propylene Carbonate
SolventSodium Benzoate
Masking
Sodium Chloride
MaskingSodium Dodecylbenzenesulfonate
CleansingTocopherol
Antioxidant
Vitis Vinifera Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningButyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane 3%, Homosalate 10%, Ethylhexyl Salicylate 5%, Octocrylene 5%, Water, Cyclopentasiloxane, Alcohol Denat., Silica, Dicaprylyl Ether, Styrene/Acrylates Copolymer, PEG-30 Dipolyhydroxystearate, Dimethicone, Cyclohexasiloxane, Polymethylsilsesquioxane, Glycerin, Nylon-12, Butylene Glycol, Caprylyl Glycol, Citric Acid, Dicaprylyl Carbonate, Disodium EDTA, Disteardimonium Hectorite, Parfum, Isostearyl Alcohol, Lauryl PEG/PPG-18/18 Methicone, P-Anisic Acid, PEG-8 Laurate, Phenoxyethanol, Poly C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate, Potassium Sorbate, Propylene Carbonate, Sodium Benzoate, Sodium Chloride, Sodium Dodecylbenzenesulfonate, Tocopherol, Vitis Vinifera Fruit Extract
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 MethoxydibenzoylmethaneCaprylyl Glycol is a humectant, skin conditioner, emollient, and preservative booster derived from either caprylic acid or synthetically created.
Typical use levels vary from 0.3-1% as a preservative booster and go up to 2% to condition skin.
Because it is not a free-fatty acid or alcohol, this ingredient is fungal acne safe (there's nothing for Malassezia to feed on).
Learn more about Caprylyl GlycolDimethicone is a type of synthetic silicone created from natural materials such as quartz. It is also known as polydimethylsiloxane.
What it does:
Dimethicone comes in different viscosities:
Depending on the viscosity, dimethicone has different properties.
Ingredients lists don't always show which type is used, so we recommend reaching out to the brand if you have questions about the viscosity.
This ingredient is unlikely to cause irritation because it does not get absorbed into skin. However, people with silicone allergies should be careful about using this ingredient.
Note: Dimethicone may contribute to pilling. This is because it is not oil or water soluble, so pilling may occur when layered with products. When mixed with heavy oils in a formula, the outcome is also quite greasy.
Learn more about DimethiconeEthylhexyl 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 OctocryleneWater. 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
