What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningEthylhexyl Methoxycinnamate
UV AbsorberButyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane
UV AbsorberBenzophenone-3
UV AbsorberPhospholipids
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
HumectantNiacinamide
SmoothingGlycerin
HumectantZea Mays Starch
AbsorbentC12-15 Alkyl Benzoate
AntimicrobialTitanium Dioxide
Cosmetic ColorantSilica
AbrasiveDimethicone
EmollientAloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice
Skin ConditioningEthylhexyl Palmitate
EmollientIsopropyl Myristate
EmollientPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeAcrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingSodium Lactate
BufferingSorbitan Stearate
EmulsifyingSucrose Cocoate
EmulsifyingGlyceryl Stearate
EmollientPEG-100 Stearate
Cinnamomum Cassia Bark Extract
MaskingZingiber Officinale Root Extract
MaskingSanguisorba Officinalis Root Extract
CleansingLens Esculenta Seed Extract
Skin ProtectingAllantoin
Skin ConditioningPropanediol
SolventMaclura Cochinchinensis Leaf Prenylflavonoids
Tocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantHamamelis Virginiana Extract
AntiseborrhoeicSodium Benzoate
MaskingSodium Hydroxide
BufferingSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantWater, Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate, Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane, Benzophenone-3, Phospholipids, Butylene Glycol, Niacinamide, Glycerin, Zea Mays Starch, C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate, Titanium Dioxide, Silica, Dimethicone, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Ethylhexyl Palmitate, Isopropyl Myristate, Phenoxyethanol, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Sodium Lactate, Sorbitan Stearate, Sucrose Cocoate, Glyceryl Stearate, PEG-100 Stearate, Cinnamomum Cassia Bark Extract, Zingiber Officinale Root Extract, Sanguisorba Officinalis Root Extract, Lens Esculenta Seed Extract, Allantoin, Propanediol, Maclura Cochinchinensis Leaf Prenylflavonoids, Tocopheryl Acetate, Hamamelis Virginiana Extract, Sodium Benzoate, Sodium Hydroxide, Sodium Hyaluronate
Water
Skin ConditioningPropanediol
SolventButylene Glycol
HumectantEthylhexyl Methoxycinnamate
UV AbsorberOctocrylene
UV AbsorberAscorbyl Glucoside
AntioxidantButyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane
UV AbsorberDiethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl Benzoate
UV FilterTitanium Dioxide
Cosmetic ColorantCentella Asiatica Extract
CleansingAscorbic Acid
AntioxidantSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantPanthenol
Skin ConditioningPolygonum Cuspidatum Root Extract
AntioxidantAmmonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer
Dicaprylyl Carbonate
EmollientScutellaria Baicalensis Root Extract
AstringentGlycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract
BleachingGold
Cosmetic ColorantDisodium EDTA
Pentapeptide-4
Skin ConditioningCamellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialGlutathione
Chamomilla Recutita Flower Extract
MaskingPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningSorbitol
HumectantRosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialWater, Propanediol, Butylene Glycol, Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate, Octocrylene, Ascorbyl Glucoside, Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane, Diethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl Benzoate, Titanium Dioxide, Centella Asiatica Extract, Ascorbic Acid, Sodium Hyaluronate, Panthenol, Polygonum Cuspidatum Root Extract, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer, Dicaprylyl Carbonate, Scutellaria Baicalensis Root Extract, Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract, Gold, Disodium EDTA, Pentapeptide-4, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Glutathione, Chamomilla Recutita Flower Extract, Phenoxyethanol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Sorbitol, Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf 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.
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 MethoxydibenzoylmethaneButylene 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 GlycolEthylhexyl 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 MethoxycinnamatePhenoxyethanol 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.
Propanediol 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 PropanediolSodium Hyaluronate is hyaluronic acid's salt form. It is commonly derived from the sodium salt of hyaluronic acid.
Like hyaluronic acid, it is great at holding water and acts as a humectant. This makes it a great skin hydrating ingredient.
Sodium Hyaluronate is naturally occurring in our bodies and is mostly found in eye fluid and joints.
These are some other common types of Hyaluronic Acid:
Learn more about Sodium HyaluronateTitanium dioxide is a mineral UV filter widely used in sunscreens and cosmetics.
It is one of only two UV filters officially classified as “mineral” by regulatory agencies, the other being zinc oxide.
Titanium dioxide provides broad-spectrum protection mostly in the UVB and UVAII range, with some protection in the UVAI range.
While its UVA protection isn’t as strong as zinc oxide’s, the difference is minor.
A common myth is that mineral UV filters reflect UV light. However, modern research shows titanium dioxide absorbs UV radiation like chemical filters (~95% absorption & 5% reflection).
Thanks to its non-irritating nature, titanium dioxide is suitable for sensitive, acne-prone, or redness-prone skin. It is unlikely to cause "eye sting" like other sunscreen ingredients.
A major drawback of this ingredient is its white cast and thick texture. This is why mineral sunscreens often leave a white cast and are less cosmetically elegant than chemical/hybrid sunscreens.
To improve white cast and spreadability, micronized or nano-sized titanium dioxide is often used.
There are ongoing concerns surrounding nano-titanium oxide's impact on marine ecosystems.
There is no conclusive evidence that any form of titanium oxide (or any other sunscreen ingredients) will cause harm to marine ecosystems or coral reefs. The science is still developing but many consumers are keeping a close eye on this issue.
Please note, many destinations have reef-safety sunscreen rules. For instance, the U.S. Virgin Islands advises all visitors to use non-nano mineral sunscreens.
Nano mineral sunscreens once raised safety concerns about absorption into skin.
Extensive research has shown that they do not penetrate healthy or damaged skin; they remain safely on the surface and the top layer of dead skin (stratum corneum).
You'll likely find titanium dioxide bundled with alumina, silica, or dimethicone. These ingredients help make titanium dioxide highly photostable; this prevents it from interacting with other formula components under UV light.
Learn more about Titanium DioxideWater. 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