What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane 3%
UV Absorber
Homosalate 7%
Skin Conditioning
Ethylhexyl Salicylate 5%
UV Absorber
Octocrylene 6%
UV Absorber
Water
Skin ConditioningIsododecane
EmollientButyloctyl Salicylate
Skin Conditioning
Calcium Aluminum Borosilicate
Glycerin
Humectant
Polymethylsilsesquioxane
Polyglycerin-3
Humectant
Polyglyceryl-3 Lactate/Laurate
CleansingAmmonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer
Ectoin
Skin Conditioning
Acrylates Crosspolymer
AbsorbentGluconolactone
Skin Conditioning
Arginine
Masking
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
Polyacrylate Crosspolymer-6
Emulsion StabilisingBisabolol
Antioxidant
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Citric Acid
Buffering
Niacinamide
Smoothing
Sodium Dilauramidoglutamide Lysine
HumectantSodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Calcium Gluconate
HumectantSodium Polyglutamate
HumectantHydrolyzed Rhodophyceae Extract
Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane 3%, Homosalate 7%, Ethylhexyl Salicylate 5%, Octocrylene 6%, Water, Isododecane, Butyloctyl Salicylate, Calcium Aluminum Borosilicate, Glycerin, Polymethylsilsesquioxane, Polyglycerin-3, Polyglyceryl-3 Lactate/Laurate, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer, Ectoin, Acrylates Crosspolymer, Gluconolactone, Arginine, Butylene Glycol, Sodium Benzoate, Polyacrylate Crosspolymer-6, Bisabolol, Tocopherol, Citric Acid, Niacinamide, Sodium Dilauramidoglutamide Lysine, Sodium Hyaluronate, Calcium Gluconate, Sodium Polyglutamate, Hydrolyzed Rhodophyceae Extract
Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane 3%
UV Absorber
Homosalate 5%
Skin Conditioning
Ethylhexyl Salicylate 5%
UV Absorber
Octocrylene 2.7%
UV Absorber
Water
Skin ConditioningButyloctyl Salicylate
Skin Conditioning
Behenyl Alcohol
Emollient
Nylon-12
Octyldodecyl Neopentanoate
EmollientButylene Glycol
Humectant
Dimethicone
Emollient
Myristyl Myristate
Emollient
Cetyl Esters
Emollient
Ascorbyl Glucoside
Antioxidant
Polyethylene
Abrasive
Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer
Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Peel Oil
Masking
Pelargonium Graveolens Flower Oil
Masking
Cananga Odorata Flower Oil
Masking
Eugenia Caryophyllus Bud Oil
Masking
Rosa Damascena Flower Oil
Masking
Jasminum Officinale Oil
Masking
Viola Odorata Flower/Leaf Extract
MaskingPolianthes Tuberosa Extract
MaskingFarnesol
Perfuming
Eugenol
Perfuming
Benzyl Salicylate
Perfuming
Citronellol
Perfuming
Citral
Perfuming
Benzyl Benzoate
Antimicrobial
Geraniol
Perfuming
Rosa Roxburghii Fruit Extract
TonicPaeonia Albiflora Root Extract
Skin ConditioningMolasses Extract
Skin ConditioningCitrus Grandis Peel Extract
Astringent
Triticum Vulgare Germ Extract
Skin ConditioningHordeum Vulgare Extract
EmollientPalmaria Palmata Extract
Skin ProtectingMorus Nigra Root Extract
Skin ConditioningPunica Granatum Fruit Juice
MaskingScutellaria Baicalensis Root Extract
Astringent
Hydrolyzed Rice Bran Extract
Skin ConditioningGentiana Lutea Root Extract
Skin ConditioningCurcuma Longa Root Extract
Masking
Vitis Vinifera Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningSucrose
Humectant
Glyceryl Stearate
Emollient
PEG-100 Stearate
Surfactant
PEG-6
HumectantGlycerin
Humectant
Cholesterol
Emollient
Linoleic Acid
Cleansing
Salicylic Acid
Masking
Di-PPG-2 Myreth-10 Adipate
Emollient
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Betaine
Humectant
Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate
Humectant
Steareth-21
CleansingTrehalose
Humectant
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Myristyl Laurate
SurfactantTrisiloxane
Skin Conditioning
Di-C12-18 Alkyl Dimonium Chloride
Skin ConditioningCaprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Squalane
Emollient
Myristyl Alcohol
Emollient
Tromethamine
BufferingSodium Dehydroacetate
Preservative
Hexylene Glycol
EmulsifyingSodium Hydroxide
BufferingPhenoxyethanol
Preservative
Mica
Cosmetic ColorantEssential Oils
Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane 3%, Homosalate 5%, Ethylhexyl Salicylate 5%, Octocrylene 2.7%, Water, Butyloctyl Salicylate, Behenyl Alcohol, Nylon-12, Octyldodecyl Neopentanoate, Butylene Glycol, Dimethicone, Myristyl Myristate, Cetyl Esters, Ascorbyl Glucoside, Polyethylene, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer, Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Peel Oil, Pelargonium Graveolens Flower Oil, Cananga Odorata Flower Oil, Eugenia Caryophyllus Bud Oil, Rosa Damascena Flower Oil, Jasminum Officinale Oil, Viola Odorata Flower/Leaf Extract, Polianthes Tuberosa Extract, Farnesol, Eugenol, Benzyl Salicylate, Citronellol, Citral, Benzyl Benzoate, Geraniol, Rosa Roxburghii Fruit Extract, Paeonia Albiflora Root Extract, Molasses Extract, Citrus Grandis Peel Extract, Triticum Vulgare Germ Extract, Hordeum Vulgare Extract, Palmaria Palmata Extract, Morus Nigra Root Extract, Punica Granatum Fruit Juice, Scutellaria Baicalensis Root Extract, Hydrolyzed Rice Bran Extract, Gentiana Lutea Root Extract, Curcuma Longa Root Extract, Vitis Vinifera Fruit Extract, Sucrose, Glyceryl Stearate, PEG-100 Stearate, PEG-6, Glycerin, Cholesterol, Linoleic Acid, Salicylic Acid, Di-PPG-2 Myreth-10 Adipate, Sodium Hyaluronate, Betaine, Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate, Steareth-21, Trehalose, Tocopheryl Acetate, Myristyl Laurate, Trisiloxane, Di-C12-18 Alkyl Dimonium Chloride, Caprylyl Glycol, Squalane, Myristyl Alcohol, Tromethamine, Sodium Dehydroacetate, Hexylene Glycol, Sodium Hydroxide, Phenoxyethanol, Mica, Essential Oils
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
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 MethoxydibenzoylmethaneButylene Glycol (or BG) is used within cosmetic products for a few different reasons:
Overall, Butylene Glycol is a safe and well-rounded ingredient that works well with other ingredients.
Though this ingredient works well with most skin types, some people with sensitive skin may experience a reaction such as allergic rashes, closed comedones, or itchiness.
Learn more about Butylene GlycolButyloctyl 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 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 OctocryleneSodium Hyaluronate is the salt form of hyaluronic acid. It is a long sugar chain that is naturally found in your skin, joints, and connective tissue that maintains hydration and elasticity.
In skincare, it works as a humectant. It pulls water from the environment and deeper layers of skin and binds it to the surface.
Interestingly, the size of the molecule affects its behavior:
Some clinical evidence links low molecular weight versions to improved wrinkle depth, elasticity, anti-inflammatory effects, and barrier repair.
Many serums use a blend of both weights so you can get surface hydration plus longer-lasting and deeper effects.
You'll typically see concentrations between 0.1-2% for this ingredient.
Learn more about Sodium HyaluronateWater. 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
