What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningHomosalate
Skin Conditioning
Octocrylene
UV Absorber
Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate
UV Absorber
Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane
UV Absorber
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Polymethylsilsesquioxane
Ethylhexyl Salicylate
UV Absorber
PEG-100 Stearate
Glycerin
Humectant
Methylene Bis-Benzotriazolyl Tetramethylbutylphenol
UV Filter
Dimethicone
Emollient
Bis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine
Skin Conditioning
Ethylhexyl Triazone
UV Absorber
Glyceryl Stearate
Emollient
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Cetearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Dimethicone Crosspolymer
Emulsion Stabilising
Decyl Glucoside
CleansingParfum
Masking
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingPotassium Sorbate
Preservative
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Disodium EDTA
Linalool
Perfuming
Propylene Glycol
Humectant
Citric Acid
Buffering
BHT
Antioxidant
Limonene
Perfuming
Citronellol
Perfuming
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingWater, Homosalate, Octocrylene, Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate, Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane, Butylene Glycol, Polymethylsilsesquioxane, Ethylhexyl Salicylate, PEG-100 Stearate, Glycerin, Methylene Bis-Benzotriazolyl Tetramethylbutylphenol, Dimethicone, Bis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine, Ethylhexyl Triazone, Glyceryl Stearate, Phenoxyethanol, Cetearyl Alcohol, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer, Caprylyl Glycol, Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Decyl Glucoside, Parfum, Xanthan Gum, Potassium Sorbate, Sodium Hyaluronate, Disodium EDTA, Linalool, Propylene Glycol, Citric Acid, BHT, Limonene, Citronellol, Sodium Hydroxide
Water
Skin ConditioningEthylhexyl Methoxycinnamate
UV Absorber
C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate
AntimicrobialOctocrylene
UV Absorber
Caprylyl Methicone
Skin Conditioning
Hexylene Glycol
EmulsifyingEthylhexyl Triazone
UV Absorber
Alcohol Denat.
Antimicrobial
Polysilicone-15
UV Filter
C14-22 Alcohols
Emulsion StabilisingPolysorbate 80
Emulsifying
Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane
UV Absorber
Styrene/Acrylates Copolymer
Acrylates/Octylacrylamide Copolymer
PEG/PPG-20/6 Dimethicone
Emulsifying
Polypodium Leucotomos Leaf Extract
Skin ProtectingC12-20 Alkyl Glucoside
EmulsifyingMicrococcus Lysate
Skin ConditioningCamellia Sinensis Extract
Antioxidant
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Triethanolamine
BufferingSodium Lactate
BufferingMethylparaben
Preservative
Propylparaben
Preservative
BHT
Antioxidant
Lecithin
Emollient
Lactic Acid
Buffering
Disodium EDTA
Parfum
Masking
Linalool
Perfuming
Limonene
Perfuming
Water, Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate, C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate, Octocrylene, Caprylyl Methicone, Hexylene Glycol, Ethylhexyl Triazone, Alcohol Denat., Polysilicone-15, C14-22 Alcohols, Polysorbate 80, Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane, Styrene/Acrylates Copolymer, Acrylates/Octylacrylamide Copolymer, PEG/PPG-20/6 Dimethicone, Polypodium Leucotomos Leaf Extract, C12-20 Alkyl Glucoside, Micrococcus Lysate, Camellia Sinensis Extract, Phenoxyethanol, Triethanolamine, Sodium Lactate, Methylparaben, Propylparaben, BHT, Lecithin, Lactic Acid, Disodium EDTA, Parfum, Linalool, Limonene
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
BHT is a synthetic antioxidant and preservative.
As an antioxidant, it helps your body fight off free-radicals. Free-radicals are molecules that may damage your skin cells.
As a preservative, it is used to stabilize products and prevent them from degrading. Specifically, BHT prevents degradation from oxidation.
The concerns related to BHT come from oral studies; this ingredient is currently allowed for use by both the FDA and EU.
However, it was recently restricted for use in the UK as of April 2024.
Learn more about BHTAlso 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 MethoxydibenzoylmethaneDisodium EDTA plays a role in making products more stable by aiding other preservatives.
It is a chelating agent, meaning it neutralizes metal ions that may be found in a product.
Disodium EDTA is a salt of edetic acid and is found to be safe in cosmetic ingredients.
Learn more about Disodium EDTAEthylhexyl Methoxycinnamate is an organic compound that provides UVB protection. It often goes by the more common name of octinoxate. It is created from methoxycinnamic acid and 2-ethylhexanol.
Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate absorbs UVB rays with wavelengths between 280-320 nm. UV absorbers protect your skin by using chemical reactions to convert UV rays into heat and energy.
UVB (290-320 nm) rays emit more energy than UVA rays. They are capable of damaging DNA, causing sunburns and are thought to be linked to skin cancer.
The state of Hawaii has banned sunscreens containing octinoxate due to its potential impact on coral reefs. More research is needed to bridge gaps in this research. The European Union allows higher levels of octinoxate in sunscreens than the US and Australia.
Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate is oil soluble. It is not stable and may lose efficacy when exposed to sunlight.
Learn more about Ethylhexyl MethoxycinnamateEthylhexyl Triazone is a modern chemical sunscreen that protects from UV-B radiation.
It is the most effective of existing UV-B filters, as it provides the highest level of photo-stable absorption. It protects from the entire UV-B range (280 to 320nm), with it's highest level of protection at 314nm.
Ethylhexyl Triazone is oil soluble, oderless and colorless, which mean it is able to be incorporated into a variety of different formulations.
It is not currently available within the United States due to slow changing FDA regulations. Outside of the US, it is used in formulations at concentrations up to 5%.
Learn more about Ethylhexyl TriazoneLimonene is a fragrance that adds scent and taste to a formulation.
It's found in the peel oil of citrus fruits and other plants such as lavender and eucalyptus. The scent of limonene is generally described as "sweet citrus".
Limonene acts as an antioxidant, meaning it helps neutralize free radicals.
When exposed to air, oxidized limonene may sensitize the skin. Because of this, limonene is often avoided by people with sensitive skin.
The term '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.
Learn more about LimoneneLinalool is a fragrance and helps add scent to products. It's derived from common plants such as cinnamon, mint, citrus, and lavender.
Like Limonene, this ingredient oxidizes when exposed to air. Oxidized linalool can cause allergies and skin sensitivity.
This ingredient has a scent that is floral, spicy tropical, and citrus-like.
Learn more about LinaloolOctocrylene 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 OctocryleneParfum 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 ParfumPhenoxyethanol is a preservative that has germicide, antimicrobial, and aromatic properties. Studies show that phenoxyethanol can prevent microbial growth. By itself, it has a scent that is similar to that of a rose.
It's often used in formulations along with Caprylyl Glycol to preserve the shelf life of products.
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. Stay hydrated!
Learn more about Water
