What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane
UV Absorber
Homosalate
Skin Conditioning
Ethylhexyl Salicylate
UV Absorber
Octocrylene
UV Absorber
Water
Skin ConditioningButyloctyl Salicylate
Skin Conditioning
Glycerin
Humectant
Dimethicone
Emollient
Poly C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate
Emulsion StabilisingVp/Eicosene Copolymer
Cetearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Niacinamide
Smoothing
Sodium Stearoyl Glutamate
CleansingAmmonium Polyacryloyldimethyl Taurate
Emulsion StabilisingHydroxyacetophenone
Antioxidant
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Camellia Oleifera Leaf Extract
AstringentPanthenol
Skin Conditioning
Xanthan Gum
Emulsifying1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane, Homosalate, Ethylhexyl Salicylate, Octocrylene, Water, Butyloctyl Salicylate, Glycerin, Dimethicone, Poly C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate, Vp/Eicosene Copolymer, Cetearyl Alcohol, Niacinamide, Sodium Stearoyl Glutamate, Ammonium Polyacryloyldimethyl Taurate, Hydroxyacetophenone, Phenoxyethanol, Butylene Glycol, Tocopheryl Acetate, Camellia Oleifera Leaf Extract, Panthenol, Xanthan Gum, 1,2-Hexanediol, Sodium Hyaluronate
Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane 3%
UV Absorber
Homosalate 7%
Skin Conditioning
Ethylhexyl Salicylate 5%
UV Absorber
Octocrylene 9%
UV Absorber
Water
Skin ConditioningButyloctyl Salicylate
Skin Conditioning
Glycerin
Humectant
Dicaprylyl Carbonate
EmollientDiisopropyl Adipate
EmollientSodium Stearoyl Glutamate
CleansingCocoglycerides
Emollient
Propanediol
Solvent
Microcrystalline Cellulose
AbsorbentTocopherol
Antioxidant
Bisabolol
Masking
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Ethyl Ferulate
Antioxidant
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Glyceryl Stearate Se
Emulsifying
Methylheptylglycerin
HumectantSodium Gluconate
Skin ConditioningCaprylhydroxamic Acid
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingPhospholipids
Skin Conditioning
Cellulose Gum
Emulsion StabilisingCitric Acid
Buffering
Glycolipids
Skin ConditioningOlea Europaea Fruit Oil
Masking
Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice
Skin Conditioning
Phosphatidylserine
Emulsion StabilisingAstaxanthin
Skin Conditioning
Ceramide NP
Skin Conditioning
Cholesterol
Emollient
Hydrogenated Lecithin
Emulsifying
Oleic Acid
Emollient
Phytosphingosine
Skin Conditioning
Haematococcus Pluvialis Extract
Antioxidant
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Stearic Acid
Cleansing
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
Potassium Sorbate
Preservative
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Beta-Glucan
Skin Conditioning
Lactic Acid
Buffering
Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane 3%, Homosalate 7%, Ethylhexyl Salicylate 5%, Octocrylene 9%, Water, Butyloctyl Salicylate, Glycerin, Dicaprylyl Carbonate, Diisopropyl Adipate, Sodium Stearoyl Glutamate, Cocoglycerides, Propanediol, Microcrystalline Cellulose, Tocopherol, Bisabolol, Caprylyl Glycol, Ethyl Ferulate, Sodium Hyaluronate, Glyceryl Stearate Se, Methylheptylglycerin, Sodium Gluconate, Caprylhydroxamic Acid, Xanthan Gum, Phospholipids, Cellulose Gum, Citric Acid, Glycolipids, Olea Europaea Fruit Oil, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Phosphatidylserine, Astaxanthin, Ceramide NP, Cholesterol, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Oleic Acid, Phytosphingosine, Haematococcus Pluvialis Extract, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Stearic Acid, Sodium Benzoate, Potassium Sorbate, 1,2-Hexanediol, Beta-Glucan, Lactic 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
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 MethoxydibenzoylmethaneButyloctyl Salicylate is a chemical UV filter structurally similar to octisalate. It is a photostabilizer, SPF booster, emollient and solvent. This ingredient helps evenly spread out ingredients.
According to a manufacturer, it is suitable for pairing with micro Titanium Dioxide, Zinc Oxide, and pigments.
Photostabilizers help stabilize UV-filters and prevents them from degrading quickly.
Learn more about Butyloctyl SalicylateEthylhexyl Salicylate is an organic compound used to block UV rays. It primarily absorbs UVB rays but offers a small amount of UVA protection as well.
Commonly found in sunscreens, Ethylhexyl Salicylate is created from salicylic acid and 2-ethylhexanol. You might know salicylic acid as the effective acne fighter ingredient and BHA.
The ethylhexanol in this ingredient is a fatty alcohol and helps hydrate your skin, similar to oils. It is an emollient, which means it traps moisture into the skin.
According to manufacturers, Ethylhexyl Salicylate absorbs UV wavelength of 295-315 nm, with a peak absorption at 307-310 nm. UVA rays are linked to long term skin damage, such as hyperpigmentation. UVB rays emit more energy and are capable of damaging our DNA. UVB rays cause sunburn.
Learn more about Ethylhexyl SalicylateGlycerin is already naturally found in your skin. It helps moisturize and protect your skin.
A study from 2016 found glycerin to be more effective as a humectant than AHAs and hyaluronic acid.
As a humectant, it helps the skin stay hydrated by pulling moisture to your skin. The low molecular weight of glycerin allows it to pull moisture into the deeper layers of your skin.
Hydrated skin improves your skin barrier; Your skin barrier helps protect against irritants and bacteria.
Glycerin has also been found to have antimicrobial and antiviral properties. Due to these properties, glycerin is often used in wound and burn treatments.
In cosmetics, glycerin is usually derived from plants such as soybean or palm. However, it can also be sourced from animals, such as tallow or animal fat.
This ingredient is organic, colorless, odorless, and non-toxic.
Glycerin is the name for this ingredient in American English. British English uses Glycerol/Glycerine.
Learn more about GlycerinHomosalate is a chemical sunscreen filter that provides protection in the UV-B range (280nm - 320 nm), with a peak protection at 306 nm. It is internationally approved for use in sunscreens.
Homosalate is not photo-stable, meaning it's strength as a UV filter degrades over time with exposure to the sun. Because of this, it's often used in combination with other chemical sunscreen filters as avobenzone (which protects from the UV-A range). Homosalate also helps act as a solvent for harder-to-dissolve UV filters.
(Part of the reason that sunscreens need to be frequently re-applied is due to the photo instability of many chemical sunscreen filters)
Currently, homosalate is approved in concentrations up to 10% in the EU and 15% in the US. The FDA is currently doing further research on the effects of homosalate, and it is possible that these approved concentrations will change in the future.
Learn more about HomosalateOctocrylene 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 OctocryleneSodium 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 HyaluronateSodium Stearoyl Glutamate is an emulsifier and helps condition the skin. It is amino acid-based.
In higher amounts, it may act as a cleansing agent.
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 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
