What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane 3%
UV Absorber
Homosalate 10%
Skin Conditioning
Ethylhexyl Salicylate 5%
UV Absorber
Octocrylene 7.5%
UV Absorber
Water
Skin ConditioningAcrylates Copolymer
Isododecane
EmollientGlycerin
Humectant
Potassium Cetyl Phosphate
EmulsifyingLauryl Lactate
EmollientIsodecyl Neopentanoate
EmollientDiisopropyl Sebacate
EmollientOryza Sativa Bran Extract
Skin Conditioning
Helianthus Annuus Extract
Emollient
Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialPanthenol
Skin Conditioning
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Allantoin
Skin Conditioning
Brassica Campestris/Aleurites Fordi Oil Copolymer
Skin Conditioning
Cetyl Alcohol
Emollient
Cetearyl Olivate
Hydroxyacetophenone
Antioxidant
Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer
Diethylhexyl Syringylidenemalonate
Skin ProtectingSorbitan Olivate
Emulsifying
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningCetyl Stearate
Emollient
Xanthan Gum
Emulsifying1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Isostearyl Isostearate
Emollient
Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Pentasodium Triphosphate
BufferingStearic Acid
Cleansing
Chlorphenesin
Antimicrobial
Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane 3%, Homosalate 10%, Ethylhexyl Salicylate 5%, Octocrylene 7.5%, Water, Acrylates Copolymer, Isododecane, Glycerin, Potassium Cetyl Phosphate, Lauryl Lactate, Isodecyl Neopentanoate, Diisopropyl Sebacate, Oryza Sativa Bran Extract, Helianthus Annuus Extract, Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract, Panthenol, Tocopherol, Allantoin, Brassica Campestris/Aleurites Fordi Oil Copolymer, Cetyl Alcohol, Cetearyl Olivate, Hydroxyacetophenone, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer, Diethylhexyl Syringylidenemalonate, Sorbitan Olivate, Ethylhexylglycerin, Cetyl Stearate, Xanthan Gum, 1,2-Hexanediol, Caprylyl Glycol, Isostearyl Isostearate, Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Pentasodium Triphosphate, Stearic Acid, Chlorphenesin
Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane
UV Absorber
Homosalate
Skin Conditioning
Ethylhexyl Salicylate
UV Absorber
Water
Skin ConditioningButyloctyl Salicylate
Skin Conditioning
Pentylene Glycol
Skin Conditioning
Lactococcus Ferment Lysate
Skin Conditioning
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Silica
Abrasive
Ectoin
Skin Conditioning
Glycerin
Humectant
Arginine
Masking
Hydroxyectoin
Buffering
Ananas Sativus Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningCarica Papaya Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningLactic Acid
Buffering
Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
Antimicrobial
Hedychium Coronarium Root Extract
MaskingTriethyl Citrate
Masking
Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Peel Extract
Emulsion Stabilising
Citrus Limon Peel Extract
EmollientPyrus Communis Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningPyrus Malus Fruit Extract
Skin Conditioning
Rubus Idaeus Fruit Extract
AstringentVanilla Planifolia Fruit Extract
Skin Conditioning
Pimpinella Anisum Fruit Extract
MaskingMica
Cosmetic ColorantTocopherol
Antioxidant
Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer
Synthetic Fluorphlogopite
Hydrolyzed Wheat Protein/Pvp Crosspolymer
Carbomer
Emulsion StabilisingDibutyl Lauroyl Glutamide
Skin ConditioningDibutyl Ethylhexanoyl Glutamide
Skin ConditioningPropanediol
Solvent
Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate
Sodium Chloride
MaskingSodium Benzoate
Masking
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningTin Oxide
Abrasive
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane, Homosalate, Ethylhexyl Salicylate, Water, Butyloctyl Salicylate, Pentylene Glycol, Lactococcus Ferment Lysate, 1,2-Hexanediol, Silica, Ectoin, Glycerin, Arginine, Hydroxyectoin, Ananas Sativus Fruit Extract, Carica Papaya Fruit Extract, Lactic Acid, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Hedychium Coronarium Root Extract, Triethyl Citrate, Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Peel Extract, Citrus Limon Peel Extract, Pyrus Communis Fruit Extract, Pyrus Malus Fruit Extract, Rubus Idaeus Fruit Extract, Vanilla Planifolia Fruit Extract, Pimpinella Anisum Fruit Extract, Mica, Tocopherol, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer, Synthetic Fluorphlogopite, Hydrolyzed Wheat Protein/Pvp Crosspolymer, Carbomer, Dibutyl Lauroyl Glutamide, Dibutyl Ethylhexanoyl Glutamide, Propanediol, Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate, Sodium Chloride, Sodium Benzoate, Ethylhexylglycerin, Tin Oxide, Phenoxyethanol
Reviews
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.
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 preservatives
Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer is a synthetically created polymer. It's used as a film-forming agent and used to thicken the consistency of products.
Think of it as a supportive ingredient that helps your gel-creams feel silky, "cloud cream-like", and spread evenly without being greasy.
The Cosmetic Ingredient Review (CIR) Expert Panel evaluated it (along with 22 other acryloyldimethyltaurate polymers) and concluded it's:
Due to its large molecular size, it sits on the surface of skin rather than penetrating it.
Learn more about Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp CopolymerAlso 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 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 EthylhexylglycerinGlycerin (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 HomosalateTocopherol 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 TocopherolTrisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate is used to help stabilize a product.
It is a chelating agent, meaning it helps prevent metal ions from binding to other ingredients. This prevents unwanted reactions in products. Metal ions can come into a product via the water ingredient. They are found in trace amounts and are not known to be harmful.
Water. 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
