What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane 3%
UV AbsorberHomosalate 12%
Skin ConditioningEthylhexyl Salicylate 5%
UV AbsorberOctocrylene 6%
UV AbsorberIsododecane
EmollientDimethicone Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingPolymethylsilsesquioxane
Dimethicone/Bis-Isobutyl PPG-20 Crosspolymer
EmollientNeopentyl Glycol Diheptanoate
EmollientPolyester-7
Skin ConditioningIsohexadecane
EmollientJojoba Esters
EmollientSilica
AbrasiveButyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin ConditioningDicaprylyl Carbonate
EmollientTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingTocopherol
AntioxidantButyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane 3%, Homosalate 12%, Ethylhexyl Salicylate 5%, Octocrylene 6%, Isododecane, Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Polymethylsilsesquioxane, Dimethicone/Bis-Isobutyl PPG-20 Crosspolymer, Neopentyl Glycol Diheptanoate, Polyester-7, Isohexadecane, Jojoba Esters, Silica, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Dicaprylyl Carbonate, Tocopheryl Acetate, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Tocopherol
Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane 3%
UV AbsorberHomosalate 10%
Skin ConditioningOctocrylene 8.7%
UV AbsorberEthylhexyl Salicylate 5%
UV AbsorberWater
Skin ConditioningButyloctyl Salicylate
Skin ConditioningDicaprylyl Carbonate
EmollientCetearyl Alcohol
EmollientCetearyl Glucoside
EmulsifyingDipropylene Glycol
HumectantSorbitan Olivate
EmulsifyingPoly C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate
Emulsion StabilisingPolymethylsilsesquioxane
Niacinamide
SmoothingBenzyl Glycol
SolventGlyceryl Stearate Se
EmulsifyingPanthenol
Skin ConditioningArginine
MaskingCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingTocopherol
AntioxidantButylene Glycol
HumectantXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingHydroxypropyl Methylcellulose Stearoxy Ether
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantAdenosine
Skin ConditioningEthyl Hexanediol
Solvent1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningCentella Asiatica Extract
CleansingMadecassic Acid
Skin ConditioningAsiaticoside
AntioxidantAsiatic Acid
Skin ConditioningAloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice
Skin ConditioningSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantButyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane 3%, Homosalate 10%, Octocrylene 8.7%, Ethylhexyl Salicylate 5%, Water, Butyloctyl Salicylate, Dicaprylyl Carbonate, Cetearyl Alcohol, Cetearyl Glucoside, Dipropylene Glycol, Sorbitan Olivate, Poly C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate, Polymethylsilsesquioxane, Niacinamide, Benzyl Glycol, Glyceryl Stearate Se, Panthenol, Arginine, Carbomer, Tocopherol, Butylene Glycol, Xanthan Gum, Hydroxypropyl Methylcellulose Stearoxy Ether, Ethylhexylglycerin, Glycerin, Adenosine, Ethyl Hexanediol, 1,2-Hexanediol, Centella Asiatica Extract, Madecassic Acid, Asiaticoside, Asiatic Acid, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Sodium Hyaluronate
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 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 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 SalicylateHomosalate 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 OctocrylenePolymethylsilsesquioxane is a silicone used as a film forming agent.
When applied to the skin, this ingredient creates an invisible film on the surface. This film still allows oxygen to pass through, but prevents moisture from escaping. This can help condition and hydrate the skin. It also leaves a silky feel when applied.
Polymethylsilsesquioxane has not been shown to clog pores. It has been deemed safe to use up to 55%, but most cosmetics use much less.
If you have concerns about using this ingredient, we recommend speaking with a professional.
Learn more about PolymethylsilsesquioxaneTocopherol 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 Tocopherol