What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane 2.3%
UV Absorber
Homosalate 6.6%
Skin Conditioning
Ethylhexyl Salicylate 4.5%
UV Absorber
Water
Skin ConditioningSaccharomyces/Rice Ferment Filtrate
Skin Conditioning
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Pentylene Glycol
Skin Conditioning
Polyglyceryl-10 Laurate
Skin Conditioning
Propanediol
Solvent
Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
Antimicrobial
Cladosiphon Okamuranus Extract
Skin ConditioningAloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract
Emollient
Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Hydrogenated Phosphatidylcholine
Emulsifying
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Ectoin
Skin Conditioning
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Parfum
Masking
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningSodium Hydroxide
BufferingSilica
Abrasive
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
CI 77491
Cosmetic ColorantButyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane 2.3%, Homosalate 6.6%, Ethylhexyl Salicylate 4.5%, Water, Saccharomyces/Rice Ferment Filtrate, Butylene Glycol, Pentylene Glycol, Polyglyceryl-10 Laurate, Propanediol, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Cladosiphon Okamuranus Extract, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Hydrogenated Phosphatidylcholine, Tocopherol, Ectoin, Caprylyl Glycol, Tocopheryl Acetate, Parfum, Ethylhexylglycerin, Sodium Hydroxide, Silica, Phenoxyethanol, CI 77491
Water
Skin ConditioningPropanediol
Solvent
Diisopropyl Sebacate
EmollientDicaprylyl Carbonate
EmollientDiethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl Benzoate
UV Filter
Neopentyl Glycol Diheptanoate
EmollientTromethamine
BufferingButylene Glycol
Humectant
Ethylhexyl Triazone
UV Absorber
Pentylene Glycol
Skin Conditioning
Terephthalylidene Dicamphor Sulfonic Acid
UV Absorber
Ethylhexyl Salicylate
UV Absorber
Phenylbenzimidazole Sulfonic Acid
UV Absorber
Dimethicone
Emollient
Polyglyceryl-6 Stearate
Emollient
Nymphaea Alba Root Extract
Skin ConditioningDipotassium Glycyrrhizate
Humectant
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Parfum
Masking
Batyl Alcohol
EmollientGlyceryl Stearate Citrate
Emollient
Chlorphenesin
Antimicrobial
Glycerin
Humectant
Cellulose
Absorbent
Cetyl Phosphate
EmulsifyingHydroxyacetophenone
Antioxidant
Sphingomonas Ferment Extract
Skin Conditioning
Polyglyceryl-6 Behenate
Emulsion Stabilising
Boron Nitride
Absorbent
Vaccinium Vitis-Idaea Fruit Extract
Antioxidant
Phenethyl Alcohol
MaskingSodium Carrageenan
Emulsion StabilisingCitric Acid
Buffering
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingGluconolactone
Skin Conditioning
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
Maris Sal
Skin ConditioningCalcium Gluconate
HumectantPotassium Sorbate
Preservative
Carbomer
Emulsion StabilisingAcrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingWater, Propanediol, Diisopropyl Sebacate, Dicaprylyl Carbonate, Diethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl Benzoate, Neopentyl Glycol Diheptanoate, Tromethamine, Butylene Glycol, Ethylhexyl Triazone, Pentylene Glycol, Terephthalylidene Dicamphor Sulfonic Acid, Ethylhexyl Salicylate, Phenylbenzimidazole Sulfonic Acid, Dimethicone, Polyglyceryl-6 Stearate, Nymphaea Alba Root Extract, Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate, Tocopheryl Acetate, Sodium Hyaluronate, Parfum, Batyl Alcohol, Glyceryl Stearate Citrate, Chlorphenesin, Glycerin, Cellulose, Cetyl Phosphate, Hydroxyacetophenone, Sphingomonas Ferment Extract, Polyglyceryl-6 Behenate, Boron Nitride, Vaccinium Vitis-Idaea Fruit Extract, Phenethyl Alcohol, Sodium Carrageenan, Citric Acid, Xanthan Gum, Gluconolactone, Tocopherol, Sodium Benzoate, Maris Sal, Calcium Gluconate, Potassium Sorbate, Carbomer, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer is a synthetic polymer. It is used to thicken, emulsify, and improve the texture of products.
As an emulsifier, it helps stabilize oil-in-water emulsions to give products an elegant feel when applied.
It can also form a thin protective film on skin. One study found that a formula using this polymer helped slow down how quickly other ingredients (like DEET) were absorbed through skin.
A 2024 study of over 1,300 patients confirmed that sensitization to this ingredient is rare. It is also non-mutagenic and has a clean track record.
Learn more about Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate CrosspolymerButylene 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 GlycolEthylhexyl Salicylate (also called Octisalate or Octyl Salicylate) is an oil-soluble organic UV filter that's been used in sunscreen since the 1950's.
It absorbs UVB light in the 280-320 nm range with a peak absorbance around 306 nm.
You'll often see it paired with other UV filters to boost overall SPF because octisalate is a fairly week filter on its own.
The reason you'll see it so often is because it can help solubilize and stabilize the trickier filters like oxybenzone and avobenzone.
Unlike these filters, octisalate has pretty good photostability and doesn't create skin-damaging free radicals when exposed to sunlight.
The fatty-alcohol part of the molecule also gives it a light, emollient feel so it doubles as a nice texture enhancer.
Usage levels vary around the world:
Safety-wise, this ingredient has a pretty reassuring track record. The EU's Scientific Committee on Consumer Products (SCCP) found very low skin penetration in human skin tests and negative results for irritation, phototoxicity, and photoallergy.
The real-world allergy risk is pretty low too; a 2012 European study of 1,031 people recorded only 2 reactions to it (a rate of 0.19%).
You might have seen scary headlines about sunscreen getting into your blood.
In 2019, the FDA found that several chemical filters can absorb through the skin and show up in the bloodstream at small but measurable levels.
Here's the important part: these tiny levels are just a cutoff the FDA uses to decide which ingredients need more testing and doesn't mean anything harmful was found.
The researchers were clear that the results are no reason to stop wearing sunscreen.
Learn more about Ethylhexyl SalicylateParfum is a catch-all term for an ingredient or more that is used to give a scent to products.
Also called "fragrance", this ingredient can be a blend of hundreds of chemicals or plant oils. This means every product with "fragrance" or "parfum" in the ingredients list is a different mixture.
For instance, Habanolide is a proprietary trade name for a specific aroma chemical. When used as a fragrance ingredient in cosmetics, most aroma chemicals fall under the broad labeling category of “FRAGRANCE” or “PARFUM” according to EU and US regulations.
The term 'parfum' or 'fragrance' is not regulated in many countries. In many cases, it is up to the brand to define this term.
For instance, many brands choose to label themselves as "fragrance-free" because they are not using synthetic fragrances. However, their products may still contain ingredients such as essential oils that are considered a fragrance by INCI standards.
One example is Calendula flower extract. Calendula is an essential oil that still imparts a scent or 'fragrance'.
Depending on the blend, the ingredients in the mixture can cause allergies and sensitivities on the skin. Some ingredients that are known EU allergens include linalool and citronellol.
Parfum can also be used to mask or cover an unpleasant scent.
The bottom line is: not all fragrances/parfum/ingredients are created equally. If you are worried about fragrances, we recommend taking a closer look at an ingredient. And of course, we always recommend speaking with a professional.
Learn more about ParfumPentylene glycol is typically used within a product to thicken it. It also adds a smooth, soft, and moisturizing feel to the product. It is naturally found in plants such as sugar beets.
The hydrophilic trait of Pentylene Glycol makes it a humectant. As a humectant, Pentylene Glycol helps draw moisture from the air to your skin. This can help keep your skin hydrated.
This property also makes Pentylene Glycol a great texture enhancer. It can also help thicken or stabilize a product.
Pentylene Glycol also acts as a mild preservative and helps to keep a product microbe-free.
Some people may experience mild eye and skin irritation from Pentylene Glycol. We always recommend speaking with a professional about using this ingredient in your routine.
Pentylene Glycol has a low molecular weight and is part of the 1,2-glycol family.
Learn more about Pentylene GlycolPropanediol is an all-star ingredient. It softens, hydrates, and smooths the skin.
It’s often used to:
Propanediol is not likely to cause sensitivity and considered safe to use. It is derived from corn or petroleum with a clear color and no scent.
Learn more about PropanediolTocopherol 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 TocopherolTocopheryl Acetate is AKA Vitamin E. It is an antioxidant and protects your skin from free radicals. Free radicals damage the skin by breaking down collagen.
One study found using Tocopheryl Acetate with Vitamin C decreased the number of sunburned cells.
Tocopheryl Acetate is commonly found in both skincare and dietary supplements.
Learn more about Tocopheryl AcetateWater. 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
