What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningPropylene Glycol
Humectant
Terephthalylidene Dicamphor Sulfonic Acid
UV Absorber
Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane
UV Absorber
Phenylbenzimidazole Sulfonic Acid
UV Absorber
Glycerin
Humectant
Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate
UV Absorber
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Triethanolamine
BufferingTapioca Starch
Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer
Ethylhexyl Salicylate
UV Absorber
Methylene Bis-Benzotriazolyl Tetramethylbutylphenol
UV Filter
Decyl Glucoside
Cleansing
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingIsododecane
EmollientSodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Cetearyl Olivate
Sorbitan Olivate
Emulsifying
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningDicaprylyl Carbonate
EmollientCetearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Ceteareth-20
CleansingGlyceryl Stearate
Emollient
Xylitylglucoside
Humectant
Anhydroxylitol
Humectant
Xylitol
Humectant
Niacinamide
Smoothing
Polyester-7
Skin ConditioningNeopentyl Glycol Diheptanoate
EmollientSodium Polyacrylate
Absorbent
Vaccinium Angustifolium Fruit Extract
Skin Protecting
Allantoin
Skin Conditioning
Ethoxydiglycol
HumectantCapsicum Annuum Fruit Extract
Antimicrobial
Zinc PCA
Humectant
Sodium Gluconate
Skin ConditioningTocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
BHT
Antioxidant
Water, 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 Filter
Phenylbenzimidazole Sulfonic Acid
UV Absorber
Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane
UV Absorber
Methoxycinnamidopropyl Hydroxysultaine
UV AbsorberDisodium Phenyl Dibenzimidazole Tetrasulfonate
UV Absorber
Aesculus Hippocastanum Extract
Antioxidant
Vanilla Planifolia Fruit Extract
Skin Conditioning
Symphytum Officinale Callus Culture Extract
Skin ConditioningHydroxyethyl Urea
Humectant
Sodium Polyacrylate
Absorbent
Ethylhexyl Stearate
Emollient
Trideceth-6
EmulsifyingCyclopentasiloxane
Emollient
Dimethicone Crosspolymer
Emulsion Stabilising
Triethanolamine
BufferingAluminum Starch Octenylsuccinate
Absorbent
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningOctenidine Hcl
AntimicrobialParfum
Masking
Water, 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 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 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 EthylhexylglycerinThis ingredient is also known as Tinosorb M or Bisoctrizole and is a bit of an overachiever in the sunscreen world.
It's a hybrid broad-spectrum filter that covers UVA and UVB (~280-400nm) with peak absorption around 305nm for UVB or 360nm for UVA (and a tiny bit in blue-light territory as well).
One of its best party tricks is photostability; it doesn't break down with repeated sun exposure and doesn't generate free radicals in the process either. You'll also see it paired with wobbly filters like avobenzone because it helps stabilize them.
The safety profile is assuring as well. Because it's a large molecule, it doesn't easily absorb into skin and rarely causes irritation.
It's approved in the EU, Asia, and Australia up to 10% and most formulas land somewhere in the 2-10% range.
You won't find it as a sunscreen active in the US, but it can make an appearance as a formula-protecting UV-absorber.
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.
Phenylbenzimidazole Sulfonic Acid (aka Ensulizole) is a chemical UV filter that's a bit of a unicorn in the sunscreen world: it's water-soluble where most organic filters are oil-based.
Being water-solubility is the headline because it feels lightweight and non-greasy in formulations. This makes it suitable for oily or acne-prone skin in gel/water-based products.
Ensulizole primarily protects against UVB radiation (~290-320 nm) but offers some minimal UVA protection. You'll see it often paired with UVA filters to ensure broad-spectrum coverage.
Interestingly, it can help boost SPF and stabilize finicky filters when combined with other UVB absorbers.
The FDA has approved this ingredient for OTC sunscreens up to 4% and the EU's Scientific Committee on Consumer Products concluded that up to 8% is allowed in cosmetics.
In practice, you'll most likely see it formulated around 1-4%.
Safety-wise, it is neither irritating nor sensitizing, shows no photoallergenic potential, and in vivo tests show no mutagenic potential.
You might see discussion about the "double-edged sword" effect of this ingredient. This is because lab tests done on cells in a dish (not on humans) showed Ensulizole can create small amounts of unstable molecules called free radicals that can damage DNA when exposed to UV light. It sounds scary but this is just test-tube research. There hasn't been proof that this can happen when used in a sunscreen on skin.
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
