What's inside

What's inside

Key Ingredients

Benefits

Concerns

Ingredients Side-by-side

Show highlights for:

Water

Skin Conditioning

Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane

UV Absorber
UV Protection IconChemical UV Filter Icon

Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate

UV Absorber
0 / 0 UV Protection IconChemical UV Filter IconMay cause irritation IconNon-Reef-Safe Icon

Octocrylene

UV Absorber
UV Protection IconChemical UV Filter IconMay worsen Eczema IconMay cause irritation IconNon-Reef-Safe Icon

Butylene Glycol

Humectant
1 / 0 Helps hydrate Dry Skin IconGood for Barrier Repair Icon

Phospholipids

Skin Conditioning
Helps hydrate Dry Skin IconGood for Barrier Repair Icon

Phenoxyethanol

Preservative
Preservative Icon

Cyclotetrasiloxane

Emollient
Silicon Icon

Cyclopentasiloxane

Emollient
Silicon Icon

Tris-Biphenyl Triazine

UV Absorber
Chemical UV Filter Icon

Decyl Glucoside

Cleansing
Coconut Derived Icon

Disodium Phosphate

Buffering

Xanthan Gum

Emulsifying

Hydrogenated Polyisobutene

Emollient
1 / 2

Dimethicone Crosspolymer-3

Skin Conditioning
Silicon Icon

Laureth-4

Emulsifying
5 / 4 Bad for Acne Prone Skin Icon

Laureth-23

Cleansing
3 / 0 Bad for Acne Prone Skin Icon

Bis-PEG-18 Methyl Ether Dimethyl Silane

Emollient

Isopentyldiol

Humectant
Helps hydrate Dry Skin Icon

Polymethyl Methacrylate

Good for Oily Skin Icon

PEG-12 Dimethicone

Skin Conditioning
Silicon Icon

C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate

Antimicrobial

Dibutyl Adipate

Emollient

Sodium Polyacrylate

Absorbent
Helps hydrate Dry Skin Icon

Dimethicone

Emollient
1 / 0 Silicon IconGood for Scar Healing Icon

Trideceth-6

Emulsifying

PEG/PPG-18/18 Dimethicone

Emulsifying
Silicon Icon

Caprylyl Methicone

Skin Conditioning
Silicon Icon

Polymethylsilsesquioxane

Silicon Icon

Methylene Bis-Benzotriazolyl Tetramethylbutylphenol

UV Filter
Chemical UV Filter Icon

Propylene Glycol

Humectant
0 / 0 Helps hydrate Dry Skin IconMay worsen Eczema IconMay worsen Rosacea Icon

Bis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine

Skin Conditioning
UV Protection IconChemical UV Filter Icon

Sodium Laureth Sulfate

Cleansing
Sulfate IconCan worsen Dry Skin Icon

Aminomethyl Propanol

Buffering

Dimethicone Crosspolymer

Emulsion Stabilising
Silicon Icon

Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer

Skin Conditioning
Silicon Icon

Dimethiconol

Emollient
Silicon Icon

Gossypium Hirsutum Extract

Skin Conditioning

Sodium Stearoyl Glutamate

Cleansing

Hydroxyacetophenone

Antioxidant
Antioxidant IconHelps reduce irritation IconHelps reduce Skin Redness Icon

1,2-Hexanediol

Skin Conditioning
Helps hydrate Dry Skin Icon

Caprylyl Glycol

Emollient
Fatty Alcohol Icon

Diisopropyl Adipate

Emollient
0 / 0

Oxothiazolidine

Skin Protecting

Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Carboxyethyl Acrylate Crosspolymer

Benzylidene Dimethoxydimethylindanone

Skin Protecting

Titanium Dioxide

Cosmetic Colorant
0 / 0 UV Protection IconMineral UV Filter IconNon-Reef-Safe Icon

Mica

Cosmetic Colorant

Tin Oxide

Abrasive
Exfoliant Icon

Potassium Cetyl Phosphate

Emulsifying

Hydrogenated Palm Glycerides

Emollient
Not safe for Fungal Acne Icon

Disodium EDTA

Reviews

1.00
Overall rating
5
4
3
2
1
What people say
Broke Me Out 100% Irritating 100% Heavy 50%
3.95
Overall rating
5
4
3
2
1
What people say
Works Well 67% Great Value 47% Absorbs Well 47%

Ingredients Explained

These ingredients are found in both products.

Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.

UV Absorber, UV Filter

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 Methoxydibenzoylmethane
UV Absorber, UV Filter

Octocrylene is an oil-soluble organic UV filter that mainly absorbs UVB and short wave UVA II light.

Its real superpower is teamwork: octocrylene is remarkably photostable and is most famous for stabilizing avobenzone (the workhorse UVA filter).

This ingredient is commonly used to enhance both UVB and UVA protection due to its unique property in stabilizing avobenzone. It also pulls double duty by boosting water resistance and giving formulas a smooth, spreadable feel.

The EU's Scientific Committee on Consumer Safety (SCCS) has deemed octocrylene to be safe as a UV-filter at concentrations up to 10% (capped at 9% in propellant sprays). The US also permits it up to 10%.

Two things worth knowing:

You'll usually see this ingredient used in concentrations between 2-10% (higher amounts when used as a stabilizer for avobenzone).

Learn more about Octocrylene
Preservative

Phenoxyethanol 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.

Polymethylsilsesquioxane 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 Polymethylsilsesquioxane
Cleansing, Emulsifying, Skin Conditioning

Sodium Stearoyl Glutamate is an amino-acid based emulsifier. It is made by combining stearic acid with L-glutamic acid and neutralizing it to a sodium salt.

As an emulsifier, it works mainly as an oil-in-water one and helps keep the oil and water in your formulas blended. It also contributes to a smooth, non-greasy skin feel.

This ingredient is biodegradable and commonly available in natural/COSMOS-certified grades.

Learn more about Sodium Stearoyl Glutamate
Skin Conditioning, Solvent

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. Remember to stay hydrated!

Learn more about Water
Emulsifying, Emulsion Stabilising, Gel Forming

Xanthan 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

Similar Comparisons