What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
No concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningC12-15 Alkyl Benzoate
AntimicrobialIsododecane
EmollientCyclopentasiloxane
Emollient
Bis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine
Skin Conditioning
Butyloctyl Salicylate
Skin Conditioning
Tris-Biphenyl Triazine
UV Absorber
Silica
Abrasive
Methyl Methacrylate Crosspolymer
Dicaprylyl Carbonate
EmollientEthylhexyl Triazone
UV Absorber
Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane
UV Absorber
Diethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl Benzoate
UV Filter
Ethylhexyl Methoxycrylene
Skin Conditioning
Caprylyl Methicone
Skin Conditioning
Benincasa Cerifera Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningNiacinamide
Smoothing
Betaine
Humectant
Hydroxymethoxyphenyl Decanone
Skin ConditioningTetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate
Antioxidant
Glycine Soja Seed Extract
Skin Conditioning
Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingTrimethylsiloxysilicate
Emollient
Glycerin
Humectant
Propanediol
Solvent
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Pentylene Glycol
Skin Conditioning
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Decyl Glucoside
Cleansing
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Disodium Phosphate
BufferingXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingPhenoxyethanol
Preservative
Water, C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate, Isododecane, Cyclopentasiloxane, Bis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine, Butyloctyl Salicylate, Tris-Biphenyl Triazine, Silica, Methyl Methacrylate Crosspolymer, Dicaprylyl Carbonate, Ethylhexyl Triazone, Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane, Diethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl Benzoate, Ethylhexyl Methoxycrylene, Caprylyl Methicone, Benincasa Cerifera Fruit Extract, Niacinamide, Betaine, Hydroxymethoxyphenyl Decanone, Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate, Glycine Soja Seed Extract, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Trimethylsiloxysilicate, Glycerin, Propanediol, Butylene Glycol, Pentylene Glycol, 1,2-Hexanediol, Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate, Tocopherol, Decyl Glucoside, Ethylhexylglycerin, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Disodium Phosphate, Xanthan Gum, Phenoxyethanol
Water
Skin ConditioningDicaprylyl Carbonate
EmollientEthylhexyl Methoxycinnamate
UV Absorber
Propanediol
Solvent
Dibutyl Adipate
EmollientButyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane
UV Absorber
Ethylhexyl Triazone
UV Absorber
Bis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine
Skin Conditioning
C20-22 Alkyl Phosphate
EmulsifyingC20-22 Alcohols
Emulsion Stabilising
Benzotriazolyl Dodecyl P-Cresol
UV AbsorberSodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Carnosine
Skin Conditioning
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Caprylyl/Capryl Glucoside
Cleansing1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingParfum
Masking
Polyacrylate Crosspolymer-6
Emulsion StabilisingBHT
Antioxidant
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingO-Cymen-5-Ol
Antimicrobial
Citric Acid
Buffering
Water, Dicaprylyl Carbonate, Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate, Propanediol, Dibutyl Adipate, Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane, Ethylhexyl Triazone, Bis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine, C20-22 Alkyl Phosphate, C20-22 Alcohols, Benzotriazolyl Dodecyl P-Cresol, Sodium Hyaluronate, Carnosine, Tocopherol, Caprylyl/Capryl Glucoside, 1,2-Hexanediol, Xanthan Gum, Parfum, Polyacrylate Crosspolymer-6, BHT, Sodium Hydroxide, O-Cymen-5-Ol, Citric Acid
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
1,2-Hexanediol is a synthetic liquid and another multi-functional powerhouse.
It is a:
- Humectant, drawing moisture into the skin
- Emollient, helping to soften skin
- Solvent, dispersing and stabilizing formulas
- Preservative booster, enhancing the antimicrobial activity of other preservatives
This ingredient is better known as bemotrizinol or Tinosorb S and is one of the best broad-spectrum UV filters in modern sunscreen.
It works by absorbing UV light across a whole range (280-400 nm) with peaks around 310 nm (UVB) and 340-345 nm (UVA). This means it covers UVB plus the deeper UVA wavelengths that drive photoaging and pigmentation.
Another pro?
It's exceptionally photostable, barely degrades in sunlight, and acts as a "bodyguard" for less stable filters.
That's why you'll see it paired with avobenzone or octinoxate; this team up ensures they keep working through sun exposure.
Safety reviews have been reassuring across the board. This ingredient shows low absorption through the skin, rarely irritates, and lab studies found it doesn't act like a hormone in the body (a concern that's been raised about some older sunscreen filters).
On maximum concentrations:
In 2026, the US F.D.A finally added it as an OTC sunscreen ingredient at concentrations up to 6% for adults / children 6 months and older
Learn more about Bis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl TriazineAlso known as Avobenzone, this ingredient is an oil-soluble used to absorb the full spectrum of UVA rays (peak 357 nm).
It's one of the most effective UVA filters available but has a major caveat of photostability: avobenzone is susceptible to photodegradation.
This means it can lose efficacy when exposed to sunlight without the help of a stabilizing agent.
Studies show antioxidants (like vitamin E or vitamin C) and some UV filters (like octocrylene and Tinosorb S) can meaningfully improve its stability in a formulation.
The maximum allowable concentration according to regulation is 3% in the US + Canada, and 5% in the EU, Australia, China, Korea, and ASEAN countries.
It has a well-support safety profile: a comprehensive 2025 review found minimal toxicity with no evidence of carcinogenicity.
Overall, avobenzone is a safe and regulated ingredient used in sunscreen for over 40 years.
Learn more about Butyl MethoxydibenzoylmethaneDicaprylyl Carbonate comes from carbonic acid and caprylyl alcohol, a fatty alcohol. It is an emollient and gives skin a velvet feel. The sources of Dicaprylyl Carbonate may be synthetic or from animals.
As an emollient, Dicaprylyl Carbonate creates a film on the skin. This film traps moisture in, keeping your skin soft and hydrated.
Ethylhexyl Triazone (aka Octyl Triazone) is an oil-soluble organic UVB filter. It has peak absorption around 314 nm, right in the middle of the UVB range.
This ingredient is described as one of the most effective UVB filters available and small concentrations are enough to deliver a high SPF thanks to its strong UV absorbing power.
Formulators love it for its stability; its ability to filter UV stays practically unchanged even under intense radiation and it can also help boost the photostability of less stable filters like avobenzone.
It's also a great pick for water resistant products because it's insoluble in water and has a good affinity for keratin.
Because it's a big, heavy molecule, the European Scientific Committee has found to to have very low dermal penetration and negative results for allergenicity.
In vitro testing also showed a low absorption rate and clean results on irritation.
Typical use levels are 1-5% with 5% being the maximum in the EU, Japan, and other markets that allow it. However, this ingredient is not approved yet in the US or Canada.
Learn more about Ethylhexyl TriazonePropanediol 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 WaterXanthan gum is used as a stabilizer and thickener within cosmetic products. It helps give products a sticky, thick feeling - preventing them from being too runny.
On the technical side of things, xanthan gum is a polysaccharide - a combination consisting of multiple sugar molecules bonded together.
Xanthan gum is a pretty common and great ingredient. It is a natural, non-toxic, non-irritating ingredient that is also commonly used in food products.
Learn more about Xanthan Gum
