What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane 2.8%
UV Absorber
Homosalate 9.8%
Skin Conditioning
Ethylhexyl Salicylate 4.9%
UV Absorber
Octocrylene 9.5%
UV Absorber
Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice
Skin Conditioning
Butyloctyl Salicylate
Skin Conditioning
Butyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin Conditioning
Cetearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Cocos Nucifera Oil
Masking
Dimethicone
Emollient
Ethylhexyl Palmitate
Emollient
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningParfum
Masking
Glycerin
Humectant
Musa Paradisiaca Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningNiacinamide
Smoothing
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Silica
Abrasive
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Sodium Phytate
Sodium Polyacrylate
Absorbent
Sodium Stearoyl Glutamate
CleansingTocopherol
Antioxidant
Trimethylpentanediol/Adipic Acid/Glycerin Crosspolymer
Skin ConditioningWater
Skin ConditioningButyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane 2.8%, Homosalate 9.8%, Ethylhexyl Salicylate 4.9%, Octocrylene 9.5%, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Butyloctyl Salicylate, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Cetearyl Alcohol, Cocos Nucifera Oil, Dimethicone, Ethylhexyl Palmitate, Ethylhexylglycerin, Parfum, Glycerin, Musa Paradisiaca Fruit Extract, Niacinamide, Phenoxyethanol, Silica, Sodium Hyaluronate, Sodium Phytate, Sodium Polyacrylate, Sodium Stearoyl Glutamate, Tocopherol, Trimethylpentanediol/Adipic Acid/Glycerin Crosspolymer, Water
Homosalate 9%
Skin Conditioning
Octocrylene 9%
UV Absorber
Ethylhexyl Salicylate 4.5%
UV Absorber
Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane 2.7%
UV Absorber
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
Humectant
Dimethicone
Emollient
Isododecane
EmollientCetearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Potassium Cetyl Phosphate
EmulsifyingAcrylates/Polytrimethylsiloxymethacrylate Copolymer
Skin Conditioning1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Panthenol
Skin Conditioning
Benzotriazolyl Dodecyl P-Cresol
UV AbsorberGlyceryl Caprylate
EmollientGlyceryl Stearate
Emollient
Polymethyl Methacrylate
Magnesium Aluminum Silicate
Absorbent
Cetearyl Olivate
Inulin Lauryl Carbamate
Emulsion StabilisingSorbitan Olivate
Emulsifying
Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Peel Oil
Masking
Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingCitrus Aurantifolia Oil
Cleansing
Tromethamine
BufferingSodium Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingButylene Glycol
Humectant
Trisodium EDTA
Pelargonium Graveolens Flower Oil
Masking
Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Oil
Masking
Isohexadecane
EmollientAvena Sativa Kernel Extract
Abrasive
Calendula Officinalis Flower Extract
Masking
Nepeta Cataria Extract
TonicRubus Idaeus Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningBaptisia Tinctoria Root Extract
Skin ConditioningLonicera Japonica Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningStellaria Media Extract
Skin ConditioningMorinda Citrifolia Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningLimonene
Perfuming
Citronellol
Perfuming
Geraniol
Perfuming
Citral
Perfuming
Linalool
Perfuming
Homosalate 9%, Octocrylene 9%, Ethylhexyl Salicylate 4.5%, Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane 2.7%, Water, Glycerin, Dimethicone, Isododecane, Cetearyl Alcohol, Potassium Cetyl Phosphate, Acrylates/Polytrimethylsiloxymethacrylate Copolymer, 1,2-Hexanediol, Panthenol, Benzotriazolyl Dodecyl P-Cresol, Glyceryl Caprylate, Glyceryl Stearate, Polymethyl Methacrylate, Magnesium Aluminum Silicate, Cetearyl Olivate, Inulin Lauryl Carbamate, Sorbitan Olivate, Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Peel Oil, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Xanthan Gum, Citrus Aurantifolia Oil, Tromethamine, Sodium Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Butylene Glycol, Trisodium EDTA, Pelargonium Graveolens Flower Oil, Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Oil, Isohexadecane, Avena Sativa Kernel Extract, Calendula Officinalis Flower Extract, Nepeta Cataria Extract, Rubus Idaeus Leaf Extract, Baptisia Tinctoria Root Extract, Lonicera Japonica Flower Extract, Stellaria Media Extract, Morinda Citrifolia Fruit Extract, Limonene, Citronellol, Geraniol, Citral, Linalool
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 MethoxydibenzoylmethaneCetearyl alcohol is a waxy mixture of two fatty alcohols: cetyl alcohol and stearyl alcohol. It is an emollient and emulsifier.
Despite having "alcohol" in its name, it has nothing to do with drying solvent alcohols; the FDA also allows "alcohol-free" products to contain fatty alcohols like this ingredient.
It plays several roles in a formula:
Typical use levels for this ingredient sit around 1-10% and the Cosmetic Ingredient Review Expert Panel has affirmed safety at concentrations up to 25% in leave-on products.
Multiple assessments have found it to be non-irritating and non-sensitizing to most people.
However, there have been some cases of allergic contact dermatitis in patients with chronically compromised skin barriers.
Cetearyl alcohol has a comedogenic rating of 2 and irritancy rating of 1. Both of these numbers come from the 1989 study that used rabbit ears; a "2" means mildly comedogenic and a "1" means low irritancy.
Here's the catch: rabbit skin is more sensitive than human skin and throws a lot of false positives. A 1996 reappraisal found that ingredients rated 1-2 in the rabbit ear tests are generally safe for humans.
Remember comedogenic ratings are unable to assess the entire formula of a product or how it will react on your skin. Just be sure to patch test if you are unsure about certain ingredients.
This ingredient is not fungal acne safe. Cetearyl alcohol is a fatty alcohol with chain lengths that fall within the range that Malassezia can metabolize.
Learn more about Cetearyl AlcoholDimethicone is a type of synthetic silicone created from natural materials such as quartz. It is also known as polydimethylsiloxane.
What it does:
Dimethicone comes in different viscosities:
Depending on the viscosity, dimethicone has different properties.
Ingredients lists don't always show which type is used, so we recommend reaching out to the brand if you have questions about the viscosity.
This ingredient is unlikely to cause irritation because it does not get absorbed into skin. However, people with silicone allergies should be careful about using this ingredient.
Note: Dimethicone may contribute to pilling. This is because it is not oil or water soluble, so pilling may occur when layered with products. When mixed with heavy oils in a formula, the outcome is also quite greasy.
Learn more about DimethiconeEthylhexyl 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 (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 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 OctocryleneWater. 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
