What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane 1.5%
UV Absorber
Ethylhexyl Salicylate 5%
UV Absorber
Octocrylene 6%
UV Absorber
Water
Skin ConditioningOctyldodecyl Neopentanoate
EmollientGlycerin
Humectant
Butyloctyl Salicylate
Skin Conditioning
Cetearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Polysorbate 60
Emulsifying
Glyceryl Stearate
Emollient
PEG-100 Stearate
Dimethicone
Emollient
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningCaprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Carbomer
Emulsion StabilisingTriethanolamine
BufferingDisodium EDTA
Ethylene Brassylate
MaskingDipropylene Glycol
HumectantDimethylheptenal
Perfuming
Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane 1.5%, Ethylhexyl Salicylate 5%, Octocrylene 6%, Water, Octyldodecyl Neopentanoate, Glycerin, Butyloctyl Salicylate, Cetearyl Alcohol, Polysorbate 60, Glyceryl Stearate, PEG-100 Stearate, Dimethicone, Phenoxyethanol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Caprylyl Glycol, Carbomer, Triethanolamine, Disodium EDTA, Ethylene Brassylate, Dipropylene Glycol, Dimethylheptenal
Water
Skin ConditioningEthylhexyl Salicylate
UV Absorber
Homosalate
Skin Conditioning
Butyloctyl Salicylate
Skin Conditioning
Methyl Trimethicone
Skin Conditioning
Neopentyl Glycol Diheptanoate
EmollientButyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane
UV Absorber
Benzophenone-3
UV Absorber
Aleurites Moluccanus Seed Oil
Skin Conditioning
Octocrylene
UV Absorber
Lauryl PEG-9 Polydimethylsiloxyethyl Dimethicone
Skin Conditioning
PEG-100 Stearate
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Glyceryl Stearate
Emollient
Dipentaerythrityl Tri-Polyhydroxystearate
Emollient
Laminaria Ochroleuca Extract
Skin Conditioning
Laminaria Digitata Extract
Skin Protecting
Algae Extract
EmollientLavandula Angustifolia Extract
Skin Conditioning
Pelargonium Graveolens Flower Oil
Masking
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Caffeine
Skin Conditioning
Ergothioneine
Antioxidant
Sorbitol
Humectant
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningPotassium Cetyl Phosphate
EmulsifyingCetyl Alcohol
Emollient
Vp/Eicosene Copolymer
Saccharide Isomerate
Humectant
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer
Stearic Acid
Cleansing
Dehydroxanthan Gum
Emulsion StabilisingSodium Dehydroacetate
Preservative
Disodium EDTA
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Citric Acid
Buffering
Citronellol
Perfuming
Geraniol
Perfuming
Linalool
Perfuming
Mica
Cosmetic ColorantWater, Ethylhexyl Salicylate, Homosalate, Butyloctyl Salicylate, Methyl Trimethicone, Neopentyl Glycol Diheptanoate, Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane, Benzophenone-3, Aleurites Moluccanus Seed Oil, Octocrylene, Lauryl PEG-9 Polydimethylsiloxyethyl Dimethicone, PEG-100 Stearate, Butylene Glycol, Glyceryl Stearate, Dipentaerythrityl Tri-Polyhydroxystearate, Laminaria Ochroleuca Extract, Laminaria Digitata Extract, Algae Extract, Lavandula Angustifolia Extract, Pelargonium Graveolens Flower Oil, Sodium Hyaluronate, Caffeine, Ergothioneine, Sorbitol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Potassium Cetyl Phosphate, Cetyl Alcohol, Vp/Eicosene Copolymer, Saccharide Isomerate, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Caprylyl Glycol, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer, Stearic Acid, Dehydroxanthan Gum, Sodium Dehydroacetate, Disodium EDTA, Phenoxyethanol, Citric Acid, Citronellol, Geraniol, Linalool, Mica
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 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 SalicylateCaprylyl Glycol is a humectant, skin conditioner, emollient, and preservative booster derived from either caprylic acid or synthetically created.
Typical use levels vary from 0.3-1% as a preservative booster and go up to 2% to condition skin.
Because it is not a free-fatty acid or alcohol, this ingredient is fungal acne safe (there's nothing for Malassezia to feed on).
Learn more about Caprylyl GlycolDisodium EDTA is a chelating agent. It grabs onto and deactivates metal ions that sneak into your products from water, packaging, or air.
This ingredient mainly works behind the scenes and helps with:
On top of that, this ingredient can counteract the effects of hard water by binding to the minerals in it.
One thing worth knowing is that Disodium EDTA has been shown to be a mild penetration enhancer. It can help other ingredients absorb into skin more effectively which can be a double-edged sword (great for actives, but can also make the active too strong if you have sensitive skin).
Clinical patch testing showed no significant skin irritation at typical use concentrations and minimal dermal absorption.
You'll most likely see this ingredient near the end of an ingredient list. It's typically found in concentrations less than 1%.
Learn more about Disodium EDTAEthylhexyl 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 SalicylateEthylhexylglycerin 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 EthylhexylglycerinGlyceryl Stearate is made by reacting glycerin with stearic acid (typically sourced from plant oils like palm or coconut). It's an emulsifier, emollient, and mild occlusive.
Emulsifiers help ingredients like oil and water stay mixed so your formula stays nicely blended and uniform in texture.
This ingredient is typically used in concentrations between 1-10%. Studies have found it to be non-sensitizing, non-phototoxic, and non-photoallergenic.
A close cousin of this ingredient is Glyceryl Stearate SE ("self-emulsifying"). This just has a small amount of sodium or potassium stearate added so it can emulsify without a co-emulsifier.
Since this ingredient is an ester of a C18 fatty acid, it may not be fungal acne safe. The Malassezia yeast can potentially metabolize within the C11-C24 range.
Fun fact: The human body also creates Glyceryl Stearate naturally.
Learn more about Glyceryl StearateOctocrylene 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 OctocrylenePeg-100 Stearate is an emollient and emulsifier. As an emollient, it helps keep skin soft by trapping moisture in. On the other hand, emulsifiers help prevent oil and water from separating in a product.
PEGS are a hydrophilic polyether compound . There are 100 ethylene oxide monomers in Peg-100 Stearate. Peg-100 Stearate is polyethylene glycol ester of stearic acid.
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.
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
