What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane 3%
UV Absorber
Homosalate 8%
Skin Conditioning
Ethylhexyl Salicylate 5%
UV Absorber
Octocrylene 4%
UV Absorber
Isododecane
EmollientDimethicone Crosspolymer
Emulsion Stabilising
Dimethicone/Bis-Isobutyl PPG-20 Crosspolymer
Emollient
Polymethylsilsesquioxane
Isohexadecane
EmollientDicaprylyl Carbonate
EmollientMeadowfoam Estolide
Skin ConditioningCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Polyester-7
Skin ConditioningNeopentyl Glycol Diheptanoate
EmollientLithothamnion Calcareum Extract
Skin ConditioningCaprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Butyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin Conditioning
Jojoba Esters
Emollient
Mannitol
Humectant
Boswellia Serrata Resin Extract
SmoothingLecithin
Emollient
Microcrystalline Cellulose
AbsorbentDiatomaceous Earth
Abrasive
Zinc Sulfate
Antimicrobial
Silica
Abrasive
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane 3%, Homosalate 8%, Ethylhexyl Salicylate 5%, Octocrylene 4%, Isododecane, Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Dimethicone/Bis-Isobutyl PPG-20 Crosspolymer, Polymethylsilsesquioxane, Isohexadecane, Dicaprylyl Carbonate, Meadowfoam Estolide, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Polyester-7, Neopentyl Glycol Diheptanoate, Lithothamnion Calcareum Extract, Caprylyl Glycol, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Jojoba Esters, Mannitol, Boswellia Serrata Resin Extract, Lecithin, Microcrystalline Cellulose, Diatomaceous Earth, Zinc Sulfate, Silica, Tocopherol
Water
Skin ConditioningHomosalate
Skin Conditioning
Ethylhexyl Salicylate
UV Absorber
Phenylbenzimidazole Sulfonic Acid
UV Absorber
Octocrylene
UV Absorber
Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane
UV Absorber
Bis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine
Skin Conditioning
Methyl Methacrylate Crosspolymer
Niacinamide
Smoothing
Undecane
EmollientTriethanolamine
BufferingPropanediol
Solvent
Potassium Cetyl Phosphate
EmulsifyingDibutyl Adipate
EmollientNeopentyl Glycol Dicaprylate/Dicaprate
EmollientEthylhexyl Triazone
UV Absorber
Diethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl Benzoate
UV Filter
Lauryl Methacrylate
Tridecane
Perfuming
Glyceryl Stearate
Emollient
Dimethicone
Emollient
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Aminomethyl Propanol
BufferingParfum
Masking
Styrene/Acrylates/Ammonium Methacrylate Copolymer
Trimethylsiloxysilicate
Emollient
Panthenol
Skin Conditioning
Benzyl Alcohol
Perfuming
Carnosine
Skin Conditioning
Acacia Senegal Gum
MaskingAcrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingCapryloyl Glycine
CleansingBisabolol
Antioxidant
Hexylene Glycol
EmulsifyingSodium Gluconate
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
Humectant
Sarcosine
Skin Conditioning
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Cinnamomum Zeylanicum Bark Extract
Antimicrobial
Sodium PPG-16/PEG-2 Lauryl Ether Sulfate
Emulsifying
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient
PEG-4-PPG-7 C13/C15 Alcohol
Moringa Oleifera Seed Extract
Skin Conditioning
Potassium Sorbate
Preservative
Tetrasodium EDTA
Disodium Phosphate
BufferingCitric Acid
Buffering
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Benzyl Salicylate
Perfuming
Hexyl Cinnamal
Perfuming
Water, Homosalate, Ethylhexyl Salicylate, Phenylbenzimidazole Sulfonic Acid, Octocrylene, Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane, Bis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine, Methyl Methacrylate Crosspolymer, Niacinamide, Undecane, Triethanolamine, Propanediol, Potassium Cetyl Phosphate, Dibutyl Adipate, Neopentyl Glycol Dicaprylate/Dicaprate, Ethylhexyl Triazone, Diethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl Benzoate, Lauryl Methacrylate, Tridecane, Glyceryl Stearate, Dimethicone, Phenoxyethanol, Aminomethyl Propanol, Parfum, Styrene/Acrylates/Ammonium Methacrylate Copolymer, Trimethylsiloxysilicate, Panthenol, Benzyl Alcohol, Carnosine, Acacia Senegal Gum, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Xanthan Gum, Capryloyl Glycine, Bisabolol, Hexylene Glycol, Sodium Gluconate, Glycerin, Sarcosine, Butylene Glycol, Cinnamomum Zeylanicum Bark Extract, Sodium PPG-16/PEG-2 Lauryl Ether Sulfate, Caprylyl Glycol, PEG-4-PPG-7 C13/C15 Alcohol, Moringa Oleifera Seed Extract, Potassium Sorbate, Tetrasodium EDTA, Disodium Phosphate, Citric Acid, Tocopherol, Benzyl Salicylate, Hexyl Cinnamal
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 GlycolEthylhexyl 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 SalicylateHomosalate 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 OctocryleneTocopherol 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 Tocopherol
