This chemical sunscreen covers most of the UV range, lighter on the deep UVA that drives aging.
This chemical sunscreen covers the full UV range and blocks ~98% of UVB at SPF 50.
What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane 2.3%
UV AbsorberHomosalate 6.6%
Skin ConditioningEthylhexyl Salicylate 4.5%
UV AbsorberWater
Skin ConditioningSaccharomyces/Rice Ferment Filtrate
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
HumectantPentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningPolyglyceryl-10 Laurate
Skin ConditioningPropanediol
SolventCamellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialCladosiphon Okamuranus Extract
Skin ConditioningAloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract
EmollientAcrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingHydrogenated Phosphatidylcholine
EmulsifyingTocopherol
AntioxidantEctoin
Skin ConditioningCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantParfum
MaskingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningSodium Hydroxide
BufferingSilica
AbrasivePhenoxyethanol
PreservativeCI 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 ConditioningGlycyrrhiza Glabra Root Water
AntioxidantDibutyl Adipate
EmollientPropanediol
SolventButyloctyl Salicylate
Skin ConditioningEthylhexyl Triazone
UV AbsorberTerephthalylidene Dicamphor Sulfonic Acid
UV AbsorberPolymethylsilsesquioxane
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningNiacinamide
SmoothingTromethamine
BufferingPolyglyceryl-3 Distearate
EmulsifyingButylene Glycol
HumectantPentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningCetearyl Alcohol
EmollientCaprylyl Methicone
Skin ConditioningDiethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl Benzoate
UV FilterPolysilicone-15
UV FilterGlyceryl Stearate
EmollientBis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine
Skin ConditioningPotassium Cetyl Phosphate
EmulsifyingMethylpropanediol
SolventCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingCentella Asiatica Extract
CleansingHouttuynia Cordata Extract
Skin ConditioningAcrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingCoptis Japonica Root Extract
Skin ConditioningGlyceryl Stearate Citrate
EmollientEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingDextrin
AbsorbentAdenosine
Skin ConditioningPolyether-1
Madecassoside
AntioxidantGardenia Florida Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningBiosaccharide Gum-1
HumectantTocopherol
AntioxidantGlycerin
HumectantPolygonatum Officinale Rhizome/Root Extract
Skin ConditioningLycium Chinense Fruit Extract
AntioxidantVelvet Extract
HumectantOphiopogon Japonicus Root Extract
Skin ConditioningPolygonum Multiflorum Root Extract
Skin ConditioningAstragalus Membranaceus Root Extract
EmollientLaminaria Japonica Extract
Skin ProtectingAloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract
EmollientDioscorea Japonica Root Extract
Skin ConditioningAnastatica Hierochuntica Extract
AstringentUlmus Davidiana Root Extract
Skin ConditioningAtractylodes Lancea Root Extract
Skin ConditioningViola Mandshurica Flower Extract
AntioxidantDimethylsilanol Hyaluronate
HumectantHydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid
HumectantHydrolyzed Sodium Hyaluronate
Skin ConditioningSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantHyaluronic Acid
HumectantPotassium Hyaluronate
Skin ConditioningSodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer
HumectantHydroxypropyltrimonium Hyaluronate
Sodium Hyaluronate Dimethylsilanol
HumectantSodium Acetylated Hyaluronate
HumectantHyacinthus Orientalis Extract
Skin ConditioningWater, Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Water, Dibutyl Adipate, Propanediol, Butyloctyl Salicylate, Ethylhexyl Triazone, Terephthalylidene Dicamphor Sulfonic Acid, Polymethylsilsesquioxane, 1,2-Hexanediol, Niacinamide, Tromethamine, Polyglyceryl-3 Distearate, Butylene Glycol, Pentylene Glycol, Cetearyl Alcohol, Caprylyl Methicone, Diethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl Benzoate, Polysilicone-15, Glyceryl Stearate, Bis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine, Potassium Cetyl Phosphate, Methylpropanediol, Carbomer, Centella Asiatica Extract, Houttuynia Cordata Extract, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Coptis Japonica Root Extract, Glyceryl Stearate Citrate, Ethylhexylglycerin, Xanthan Gum, Dextrin, Adenosine, Polyether-1, Madecassoside, Gardenia Florida Fruit Extract, Biosaccharide Gum-1, Tocopherol, Glycerin, Polygonatum Officinale Rhizome/Root Extract, Lycium Chinense Fruit Extract, Velvet Extract, Ophiopogon Japonicus Root Extract, Polygonum Multiflorum Root Extract, Astragalus Membranaceus Root Extract, Laminaria Japonica Extract, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract, Dioscorea Japonica Root Extract, Anastatica Hierochuntica Extract, Ulmus Davidiana Root Extract, Atractylodes Lancea Root Extract, Viola Mandshurica Flower Extract, Dimethylsilanol Hyaluronate, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, Hydrolyzed Sodium Hyaluronate, Sodium Hyaluronate, Hyaluronic Acid, Potassium Hyaluronate, Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer, Hydroxypropyltrimonium Hyaluronate, Sodium Hyaluronate Dimethylsilanol, Sodium Acetylated Hyaluronate, Hyacinthus Orientalis Extract
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 CrosspolymerAloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract is a botanical extract pulled from the leaves of aloe vera and one of the most studied plant ingredients in cosmetics.
The inner leaf gel it comes from is mostly water (~99-99.5%) and the remaining fraction is made up of pretty good stuff: polysaccharides, vitamins, phenolics, and enzymes.
Its headline job is hydration.
The star polysaccharide in aloe, acemannan, is a humectant that retains moisture and helps reduce trans-epidermal water loss.
Aloe also has real soothing credentials; it contains anti-inflammatory compounds like bradykinase and C-glucosyl chromone that help calm irritation and redness.
On the repair side, lab work shows that acemannan wakes up your skin's repair cells (fibroblasts), prompting them to multiply and speed up healing.
There's some human data for cosmetic benefit too: a cream containing 10% Aloe Barbadensis leaf extract improved skin hydration and elasticity in a real-use study.
Safety-wise, this ingredient is well-regarded with just one rare downside; there have been some case reports of acute eczema, contact urticaria, and dermatitis in people who applied aloe-derived ingredients topically. Those with a known aloe or Liliaceae sensitivity should patch test.
Typical use levels range widely, from under 1% up to 90%+ depending on the format and the effect you are after.
Learn more about Aloe Barbadensis Leaf ExtractButylene 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 GlycolEthylhexylglycerin 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 EthylhexylglycerinPentylene Glycol (1,2-pentanediol) is a multitasking little diol with three main roles in a formula:
Research on alkanediols (the family pentylene glycol belongs to) show they work by disrupting microbial cell membranes. This disruption helps the primary preservative system in a product work more effectively at lower doses.
On the safety side, the Cosmetic Ingredient Review Expert Panel has concluded this ingredient to be safe as used in current cosmetic practices + concentrations.
Typical use levels in a formula run about 1-5%.
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 TocopherolWater. 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