What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningPropylene Glycol
HumectantTerephthalylidene Dicamphor Sulfonic Acid
UV AbsorberButyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane
UV AbsorberPhenylbenzimidazole Sulfonic Acid
UV AbsorberGlycerin
HumectantEthylhexyl Methoxycinnamate
UV AbsorberCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingTriethanolamine
BufferingTapioca Starch
Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer
Ethylhexyl Salicylate
UV AbsorberMethylene Bis-Benzotriazolyl Tetramethylbutylphenol
UV FilterDecyl Glucoside
CleansingXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingIsododecane
EmollientSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantCetearyl Olivate
Sorbitan Olivate
EmulsifyingPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningDicaprylyl Carbonate
EmollientCetearyl Alcohol
EmollientCeteareth-20
CleansingGlyceryl Stearate
EmollientXylitylglucoside
HumectantAnhydroxylitol
HumectantXylitol
HumectantNiacinamide
SmoothingPolyester-7
Skin ConditioningNeopentyl Glycol Diheptanoate
EmollientSodium Polyacrylate
AbsorbentVaccinium Angustifolium Fruit Extract
Skin ProtectingAllantoin
Skin ConditioningEthoxydiglycol
HumectantCapsicum Annuum Fruit Extract
AntimicrobialZinc PCA
HumectantSodium Gluconate
Skin ConditioningTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantBHT
AntioxidantWater, Propylene Glycol, Terephthalylidene Dicamphor Sulfonic Acid, Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane, Phenylbenzimidazole Sulfonic Acid, Glycerin, Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Triethanolamine, Tapioca Starch, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer, Ethylhexyl Salicylate, Methylene Bis-Benzotriazolyl Tetramethylbutylphenol, Decyl Glucoside, Xanthan Gum, Isododecane, Sodium Hyaluronate, Cetearyl Olivate, Sorbitan Olivate, Phenoxyethanol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Dicaprylyl Carbonate, Cetearyl Alcohol, Ceteareth-20, Glyceryl Stearate, Xylitylglucoside, Anhydroxylitol, Xylitol, Niacinamide, Polyester-7, Neopentyl Glycol Diheptanoate, Sodium Polyacrylate, Vaccinium Angustifolium Fruit Extract, Allantoin, Ethoxydiglycol, Capsicum Annuum Fruit Extract, Zinc PCA, Sodium Gluconate, Tocopheryl Acetate, BHT
Water
Skin ConditioningMethylene Bis-Benzotriazolyl Tetramethylbutylphenol
UV FilterPhenylbenzimidazole Sulfonic Acid
UV AbsorberButyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane
UV AbsorberMethoxycinnamidopropyl Hydroxysultaine
UV AbsorberDisodium Phenyl Dibenzimidazole Tetrasulfonate
UV AbsorberAesculus Hippocastanum Extract
AntioxidantVanilla Planifolia Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningSymphytum Officinale Callus Culture Extract
Skin ConditioningHydroxyethyl Urea
HumectantSodium Polyacrylate
AbsorbentEthylhexyl Stearate
EmollientTrideceth-6
EmulsifyingCyclopentasiloxane
EmollientDimethicone Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingTriethanolamine
BufferingAluminum Starch Octenylsuccinate
AbsorbentPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningOctenidine Hcl
AntimicrobialParfum
MaskingWater, Methylene Bis-Benzotriazolyl Tetramethylbutylphenol, Phenylbenzimidazole Sulfonic Acid, Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane, Methoxycinnamidopropyl Hydroxysultaine, Disodium Phenyl Dibenzimidazole Tetrasulfonate, Aesculus Hippocastanum Extract, Vanilla Planifolia Fruit Extract, Symphytum Officinale Callus Culture Extract, Hydroxyethyl Urea, Sodium Polyacrylate, Ethylhexyl Stearate, Trideceth-6, Cyclopentasiloxane, Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Triethanolamine, Aluminum Starch Octenylsuccinate, Phenoxyethanol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Octenidine Hcl, Parfum
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 MethoxydibenzoylmethaneEthylhexylglycerin 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 EthylhexylglycerinMethylene Bis-Benzotriazolyl Tetramethylbutylphenol (Tinosorb M) is a hybrid and broad-spectrum UV ingredient. It is both a UV absorber and filter.
UV absorbers are an agent that absorbs UV rays. They protect your skin by using chemical reactions to convert UV rays into heat and energy. UV filters physically reduce the amount of UV rays from reaching your skin.
Tinosorb M covers a range of 280-400 nm and is photostable. This ingredient is neither oil or water soluble.
Tinosorb M is not available in the US. However, it is available in the EU and Asia.
It's sister, Tinosorb S, is set to be approved in the US by late 2025 (fingers crossed!).
Learn more about Methylene Bis-Benzotriazolyl TetramethylbutylphenolPhenoxyethanol 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.
This ingredient is more commonly known as Ensulizole, a chemical sunscreen ingredient.
Ensulizole mainly protects UV-B (290-340 nm) but offers a little UV-A (320-400 nm) protection. It is often paired with less photo-stable sunscreen ingredients due to its photo-stability.
Due to it being water-soluble, Ensulizole helps give sunscreens a light and non-oily texture.
Ensulizole is approved worldwide:
Learn more about Phenylbenzimidazole Sulfonic AcidSodium Polyacrylate is the sodium salt of polyacrylic acid. It is used as an absorber, emollient, and stabilizer.
This ingredient is a super-absorbent polymer - meaning it can absorb 100 to 1000 times its mass in water. As an emollient, Sodium Polyacrylate helps soften and soothe skin. Emollients work by creating a barrier to trap moisture in. This helps keep your skin hydrated.
Triethanolamine (TEA) is an emulsifier and pH adjuster. It is created using ethylene oxide and ammonia. This gives Triethanolamine a nitrogen core and a similar scent to ammonia.
As an emulsifier, it prevents ingredients from separating and enhances texture by adding volume to a product.
PH adjusters are common in cosmetic products. The pH of a product can affect the effectiveness of other ingredients. A product with a high pH may also irritate the skin.
If you are looking for the tea leaf ingredient, click here.
Learn more about TriethanolamineWater. 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