What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane 3%
UV Absorber
Ethylhexyl Salicylate 5%
UV Absorber
Octocrylene 10%
UV Absorber
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
Humectant
Butyloctyl Salicylate
Skin Conditioning
C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate
AntimicrobialCetearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Propanediol
Solvent
Glyceryl Stearate Citrate
Emollient
Cocoglycerides
Emollient
Isododecane
EmollientCetyl Esters
Emollient
Cetyl Phosphate
EmulsifyingDiisopropyl Sebacate
EmollientIsodecyl Neopentanoate
EmollientLauryl Lactate
EmollientArginine
Masking
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Hydroxyacetophenone
Antioxidant
Polymethylsilsesquioxane
Raphanus Sativus Seed Oil
Emollient
Diethylhexyl Syringylidenemalonate
Skin ProtectingHelianthus Annuus Seed Wax
Skin Conditioning
Limnanthes Alba Seed Oil
Skin Conditioning
Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingChlorphenesin
Antimicrobial
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingTrisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate
Argania Spinosa Kernel Oil
Emollient
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Citrus Nobilis Peel Oil
Masking
Plantago Lanceolata Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialGlycine Soja Oil
Emollient
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Cymbopogon Schoenanthus Oil
Masking
Hippophae Rhamnoides Fruit Oil
Skin Protecting
Elettaria Cardamomum Seed Oil
Masking
Eugenia Caryophyllus Leaf Oil
Masking
Cinnamomum Cassia Leaf Oil
Masking
Vanillin
Masking
Eucalyptus Globulus Leaf Oil
Perfuming
Lavandula Hybrida Grosso Herb Oil
Perfuming
Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane 3%, Ethylhexyl Salicylate 5%, Octocrylene 10%, Water, Glycerin, Butyloctyl Salicylate, C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate, Cetearyl Alcohol, Propanediol, Glyceryl Stearate Citrate, Cocoglycerides, Isododecane, Cetyl Esters, Cetyl Phosphate, Diisopropyl Sebacate, Isodecyl Neopentanoate, Lauryl Lactate, Arginine, 1,2-Hexanediol, Caprylyl Glycol, Hydroxyacetophenone, Polymethylsilsesquioxane, Raphanus Sativus Seed Oil, Diethylhexyl Syringylidenemalonate, Helianthus Annuus Seed Wax, Limnanthes Alba Seed Oil, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Chlorphenesin, Xanthan Gum, Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate, Argania Spinosa Kernel Oil, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Citrus Nobilis Peel Oil, Plantago Lanceolata Leaf Extract, Glycine Soja Oil, Tocopherol, Cymbopogon Schoenanthus Oil, Hippophae Rhamnoides Fruit Oil, Elettaria Cardamomum Seed Oil, Eugenia Caryophyllus Leaf Oil, Cinnamomum Cassia Leaf Oil, Vanillin, Eucalyptus Globulus Leaf Oil, Lavandula Hybrida Grosso Herb Oil
Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane 2.5%
UV Absorber
Octocrylene 7.5%
UV Absorber
Ethylhexyl Salicylate 4%
UV Absorber
Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice
Skin Conditioning
Cetearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Oryza Sativa Bran Oil
Emollient
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Glycerin
Humectant
Stearic Acid
Cleansing
Butyloctyl Salicylate
Skin Conditioning
Mangifera Indica Seed Butter
Skin Conditioning
Sesamum Indicum Seed Oil
Emollient
Glyceryl Stearate
Emollient
Jojoba Esters
Emollient
Arnica Montana Flower Extract
Masking
Water
Skin Conditioning1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Glyceryl Stearates
Emollient
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingCaprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Helianthus Annuus Seed Wax
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Stearoyl Glutamate
CleansingHydroxyacetophenone
Antioxidant
Rubus Idaeus Seed Oil
Emollient
Carthamus Tinctorius Oleosomes
Emollient
Tetrasodium Glutamate Diacetate
Polyglycerin-3
Humectant
Tropolone
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
Humectant
Parfum
Masking
Citrus Limon Peel Oil
Masking
Limonene
Perfuming
Terpineol
Masking
Beta-Caryophyllene
Masking
Linalool
Perfuming
Citrus Aurantium Flower Oil
Perfuming
Linalyl Acetate
Masking
Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane 2.5%, Octocrylene 7.5%, Ethylhexyl Salicylate 4%, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Cetearyl Alcohol, Oryza Sativa Bran Oil, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Glycerin, Stearic Acid, Butyloctyl Salicylate, Mangifera Indica Seed Butter, Sesamum Indicum Seed Oil, Glyceryl Stearate, Jojoba Esters, Arnica Montana Flower Extract, Water, 1,2-Hexanediol, Glyceryl Stearates, Xanthan Gum, Caprylyl Glycol, Helianthus Annuus Seed Wax, Sodium Stearoyl Glutamate, Hydroxyacetophenone, Rubus Idaeus Seed Oil, Carthamus Tinctorius Oleosomes, Tetrasodium Glutamate Diacetate, Polyglycerin-3, Tropolone, Butylene Glycol, Parfum, Citrus Limon Peel Oil, Limonene, Terpineol, Beta-Caryophyllene, Linalool, Citrus Aurantium Flower Oil, Linalyl Acetate
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
1,2-Hexanediol is a synthetic liquid and another multi-functional powerhouse.Â
It is a:
- Humectant, drawing moisture into the skin
- Emollient, helping to soften skin
- Solvent, dispersing and stabilizing formulas
- Preservative booster, enhancing the antimicrobial activity of other preservativesÂ
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 SalicylateCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride (aka MCT Oil) is a lightweight emollient, solvent, and texture enhancer. It is considered a skin-softener by helping to prevent moisture loss.
Though it behaves like an oil, it is not technically one due to its chemical composition. One perk of this ingredient is that it is very stable, resistant to oxidation, and unlikely to go rancid.
In practice, that translates to a long shelf life and a consistently elegant skin feel.
While there is an assumption Caprylic Triglyceride can clog pores due to it being derived from coconut oil, there is no research supporting this. Just patch test if you have concerns.
Fractionated coconut oil and MCT Oil are both listed as Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride according to INCI. This is because INCI names are based on the ingredient’s final chemical composition and not its marketing name or source.
This ingredient is treated as the gold standard fungal acne safe oil. Even though it is coconut derived, the problematic lauric acid is stripped out.
This leaves just caprylic (C8) and capric (C10) acid. These chain lengths actually trend antifungal; a 2020 study found caprylic acid was enough to disrupt Malassezia furfur cell membrane, with a caprylic acid derivative damaging membrane structures at concentrations as low as 0.2%.
Learn more about Caprylic/Capric TriglycerideCaprylyl 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 GlycolCetearyl 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 AlcoholEthylhexyl 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 GlycerinHelianthus Annuus Seed Wax is created from the common sunflower.
Sunflower seed wax is made up of long chain non-glyceride esters, a small amount of fatty alcohols, and fatty acids.
This ingredient is often used to enhance the texture of products. The fatty acid properties also help hydrate the skin.
Learn more about Helianthus Annuus Seed WaxHydroxyacetophenone is antioxidant with skin conditioning and soothing properties. It also boosts the efficiency of preservatives.
Though naturally occuring in Norwegian spruce needles, this ingredient is usually synthetically created.
This ingredient is not irritating or sensitizing. Recent research also suggests it may have skin-brightening effects through tyrosinase inhibition.
Learn more about HydroxyacetophenoneOctocrylene 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 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
