What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningDicaprylyl Carbonate
EmollientCI 52015
Methylene Bis-Benzotriazolyl Tetramethylbutylphenol
UV Filter
Ethylhexyl Triazone
UV Absorber
Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane
UV Absorber
Diisopropyl Sebacate
EmollientPropylene Glycol Dicaprylate/Dicaprate
EmollientSilica
Abrasive
C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate
AntimicrobialBis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine
Skin Conditioning
Triacontanyl Pvp
HumectantGlycerin
Humectant
C20-22 Alkyl Phosphate
EmulsifyingC20-22 Alcohols
Emulsion Stabilising
Decylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningGlucose
Humectant
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingSodium Coco-Glucoside Tartrate
Cleansing
Coconut Alcohol
Emollient
Hydrogenated Polydecene
EmollientTocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
O-Cymen-5-Ol
Antimicrobial
Trehalose
Humectant
Propylene Glycol
Humectant
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingCitric Acid
Buffering
Ascorbyl Tetraisopalmitate
Antioxidant
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Spirulina Platensis Extract
Skin ProtectingPolyquaternium-51
Skin Conditioning
Water, Dicaprylyl Carbonate, CI 52015, Methylene Bis-Benzotriazolyl Tetramethylbutylphenol, Ethylhexyl Triazone, Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane, Diisopropyl Sebacate, Propylene Glycol Dicaprylate/Dicaprate, Silica, C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate, Bis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine, Triacontanyl Pvp, Glycerin, C20-22 Alkyl Phosphate, C20-22 Alcohols, Decylene Glycol, Glucose, Xanthan Gum, Sodium Coco-Glucoside Tartrate, Coconut Alcohol, Hydrogenated Polydecene, Tocopheryl Acetate, O-Cymen-5-Ol, Trehalose, Propylene Glycol, Sodium Hydroxide, Citric Acid, Ascorbyl Tetraisopalmitate, Tocopherol, Spirulina Platensis Extract, Polyquaternium-51
Water
Skin ConditioningOctocrylene
UV Absorber
Butane
Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane
UV Absorber
Diethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl Benzoate
UV Filter
Propylene Glycol
Humectant
Ethylhexyl Isononanoate
EmollientStearic Acid
Cleansing
Palmitic Acid
Emollient
Vp/Hexadecene Copolymer
Isobutane
Bis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine
Skin Conditioning
Dipropylene Glycol
HumectantPvp
Emulsion StabilisingEthylhexyl Triazone
UV Absorber
Propane
Polysorbate 20
Emulsifying
Triethanolamine
BufferingBis(Cyano Butylacetate) Anthracenediylidene
Skin ConditioningSodium Palmitoyl Proline
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol Dicaprylate/Dicaprate
EmollientSilica
Abrasive
Nymphaea Alba Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningSodium Ascorbyl Phosphate
Antioxidant
C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate
AntimicrobialTocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Glycerin
Humectant
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Dimethicone
Emollient
Tetrasodium Glutamate Diacetate
Water, Octocrylene, Butane, Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane, Diethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl Benzoate, Propylene Glycol, Ethylhexyl Isononanoate, Stearic Acid, Palmitic Acid, Vp/Hexadecene Copolymer, Isobutane, Bis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine, Dipropylene Glycol, Pvp, Ethylhexyl Triazone, Propane, Polysorbate 20, Triethanolamine, Bis(Cyano Butylacetate) Anthracenediylidene, Sodium Palmitoyl Proline, Butylene Glycol Dicaprylate/Dicaprate, Silica, Nymphaea Alba Flower Extract, Sodium Ascorbyl Phosphate, C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate, Tocopheryl Acetate, Glycerin, Butylene Glycol, Dimethicone, Tetrasodium Glutamate Diacetate
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
You might know this ingredient as Tinosorb S or Bemotrizinol. It is a UV filter that covers both UVA and UVB rays.
This ingredient has two peak UV absorption peaks ( 310 and 340 nm) and is able to absorb both UV-A and UV-B rays. This ingredient works by preventing UV rays from reaching and damaging your skin.
On top of that - it is highly photostable and helps prevent the photodegration of other sunscreen ingredients such as avobenzone.
Tinosorb S is allowed in the EU, Australia, and Asia. It is close to being approved by the FDA and we'll hopefully get this ingredient in the U.S. by late 2026.
Fun fact: Tinosorb S is the most effective UV absorber at maximum concentration (measured by SPF) permitted in the EU.
This ingredient is oil-soluble, so your oil-cleansers will take this right off at night.
Learn more about Bis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl TriazineAlso 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 MethoxydibenzoylmethaneC12-15 Alkyl Benzoate is made up of Benzoic Acid and long chain alcohols. It has a low molecular weight.
C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate is an emollient and texture enhancer. Due to its solubility, it is often used in sunscreens to help evenly distribute active ingredients.
As an emollient, C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate helps soften and hydrate your skin. Emollients create a film on your skin that traps moisture within.
This ingredient has been reported to cause eye irritation.
Learn more about C12-15 Alkyl BenzoateEthylhexyl Triazone is a modern chemical sunscreen that protects from UV-B radiation.
It is the most effective of existing UV-B filters, as it provides the highest level of photo-stable absorption. It protects from the entire UV-B range (280 to 320nm), with it's highest level of protection at 314nm.
Ethylhexyl Triazone is oil soluble, oderless and colorless, which mean it is able to be incorporated into a variety of different formulations.
It is not currently available within the United States due to slow changing FDA regulations. Outside of the US, it is used in formulations at concentrations up to 5%.
Learn more about Ethylhexyl TriazoneGlycerin (or glycerol) is a compound naturally found in your skin. It's a powerhouse humectant that pulls water into the stratum corneum.
Topically, glycerin does several things at once:
Your skin makes glycerin on its own (mostly from sebaceous oil breakdown) and shuttles it to your outermost layer of skin, or your epidermis, via aquaporin-3.
Aquaporin-3 is a transporter that is essential for normal skin hydration, elasticity, and repair. Interestingly, mice lacking in AQP3 have dry and less elastic skin that can be fully corrected with glycerin.
This ingredient is non-irritating, plays well with almost every ingredient, and works across all skin types. Typical use is anywhere between 3-10% but can go up to 79% in some leave-on products.
Just know very high concentrations (>40%) can feel tacky in low humidity.
Glycerin is the name for this ingredient in American English. British English uses Glycerol/Glycerine.
Learn more about GlycerinPropylene Glycol is a synthetic, colorless, odorless liquid that has been a staple in cosmetics for decades. It is a skin conditioning agent, humectant, and solvent.
As a humectant, it draw water to the skin to reduce flaking and restore suppleness. It's also a solvent that helps dissolve other actives and keeps formulas stable across temperature changes.
The CIR Expert Panel has confirmed this ingredient to be nontoxic and clinical studies show no sensitization at cosmetic use concentrations.
True allergic reactions are quite rare: a 15-year retrospective study of 6,751 patients found only 0.31% had a positive reaction (and less than half were considered clinically relevant).
It seemed that when sensitization does occur, it's most commonly linked to topical medication (like corticosteroids) and not cosmetics. Allergic contact dermatitis also appears largely limited to individuals with underlying skin conditions.
Overall, propylene glycol is a well-studied ingredient that most people can tolerate without issue.
Learn more about Propylene GlycolSilica, also known as silicon dioxide, is a naturally occurring mineral. It is used as a fine, spherical, and porous powder in cosmetics.
Though it has exfoliant properties, the function of silica varies depending on the product.
The unique structure of silica enhances the spreadability and adds smoothness, making it a great texture enhancer.
It is also used as an active carrier, emulsifier, and mattifier due to its ability to absorb excess oil.
In some products, tiny microneedles called spicules are made from silica or hydrolyzed sponge. When you rub them in, they lightly polish away dead skin layers and enhance the penetration of active ingredients.
Learn more about SilicaTocopheryl Acetate is AKA Vitamin E. It is an antioxidant and protects your skin from free radicals. Free radicals damage the skin by breaking down collagen.
One study found using Tocopheryl Acetate with Vitamin C decreased the number of sunburned cells.
Tocopheryl Acetate is commonly found in both skincare and dietary supplements.
Learn more about Tocopheryl AcetateWater. 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
