What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane 3%
UV Absorber
Homosalate 5%
Skin Conditioning
Ethylhexyl Salicylate 5%
UV Absorber
Octocrylene 7%
UV Absorber
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
Humectant
Dimethicone
Emollient
Silica
Abrasive
PEG-100 Stearate
Glyceryl Stearate
Emollient
Glycolic Acid
Buffering
Stearic Acid
Cleansing
Dicaprylyl Carbonate
EmollientSteareth-100
Gel FormingDimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingSodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Myristic Acid
Cleansing
Cyclodextrin
AbsorbentPalmitic Acid
Emollient
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Phenylethyl Resorcinol
Antioxidant
Guanosine
Skin ConditioningAmmonium Polyacryloyldimethyl Taurate
Emulsion StabilisingAscorbyl Glucoside
Antioxidant
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingPentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate
Antioxidant
Pisum Sativum Extract
Skin ConditioningParfum
Masking
Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane 3%, Homosalate 5%, Ethylhexyl Salicylate 5%, Octocrylene 7%, Water, Glycerin, Dimethicone, Silica, PEG-100 Stearate, Glyceryl Stearate, Glycolic Acid, Stearic Acid, Dicaprylyl Carbonate, Steareth-100, Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Sodium Hydroxide, Sodium Hyaluronate, Myristic Acid, Cyclodextrin, Palmitic Acid, Phenoxyethanol, Phenylethyl Resorcinol, Guanosine, Ammonium Polyacryloyldimethyl Taurate, Ascorbyl Glucoside, Tocopherol, Caprylyl Glycol, Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate, Xanthan Gum, Pentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate, Pisum Sativum Extract, Parfum
Water
Skin ConditioningEthylhexyl Methoxycinnamate
UV Absorber
Ethylhexyl Salicylate
UV Absorber
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Diethylhexyl Succinate
EmollientButyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane
UV Absorber
Glycerin
Humectant
Octocrylene
UV Absorber
Dextrin Palmitate
Emulsifying
Pentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningHydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingPhenoxyethanol
Preservative
PEG-60 Glyceryl Isostearate
Marrubium Vulgare Extract
Skin ConditioningCI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantPolyglyceryl-2 Triisostearate
Emulsifying
Talc
Abrasive
Hydroxypropyl Methylcellulose Stearoxy Ether
Polysorbate 60
Emulsifying
Sorbitan Isostearate
Emulsifying
Agar
MaskingTocopherol
Antioxidant
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingCI 77492
Cosmetic ColorantIsopropyl Titanium Triisostearate
Emollient
Aluminum Hydroxide
EmollientSodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
CI 77491
Cosmetic ColorantKhaya Senegalensis Bark Extract
Skin ProtectingMaltodextrin
Absorbent
Citric Acid
Buffering
BHT
Antioxidant
Ascorbyl Glucoside
Antioxidant
Camellia Oleifera Seed Oil
Skin Conditioning
Butyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin Conditioning
Rosa Canina Fruit Oil
Emollient
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingCI 77499
Cosmetic ColorantPlumeria Alba Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningPotassium Sorbate
Preservative
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract
Emollient
Solanum Tuberosum Pulp Extract
SmoothingAscorbyl Dipalmitate
Antioxidant
Water, Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate, Ethylhexyl Salicylate, Butylene Glycol, Diethylhexyl Succinate, Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane, Glycerin, Octocrylene, Dextrin Palmitate, Pentylene Glycol, Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Phenoxyethanol, PEG-60 Glyceryl Isostearate, Marrubium Vulgare Extract, CI 77891, Polyglyceryl-2 Triisostearate, Talc, Hydroxypropyl Methylcellulose Stearoxy Ether, Polysorbate 60, Sorbitan Isostearate, Agar, Tocopherol, Xanthan Gum, CI 77492, Isopropyl Titanium Triisostearate, Aluminum Hydroxide, Sodium Hyaluronate, CI 77491, Khaya Senegalensis Bark Extract, Maltodextrin, Citric Acid, BHT, Ascorbyl Glucoside, Camellia Oleifera Seed Oil, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Rosa Canina Fruit Oil, Sodium Hydroxide, CI 77499, Plumeria Alba Flower Extract, Potassium Sorbate, Sodium Benzoate, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract, Solanum Tuberosum Pulp Extract, Ascorbyl Dipalmitate
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Ascorbyl Glucoside is a stable form of Vitamin C. It is created by combining glucose from starch.
When applied to skin, Ascorbyl Glucoside turns into Ascorbic Acid.
Ascorbyl Glucoside is an antioxidant. Antioxidants help fight free-radicals, or molecules that may damage skin cells.
It can help to reduce redness, improve skin texture, reduce the effects of aging, reduce the visibility of dark spots, and brighten skin.
Read more about other types of Vitamin C:
Learn more about Ascorbyl GlucosideAlso 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 MethoxydibenzoylmethaneEthylhexyl 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 is already naturally found in your skin. It helps moisturize and protect your skin.
A study from 2016 found glycerin to be more effective as a humectant than AHAs and hyaluronic acid.
As a humectant, it helps the skin stay hydrated by pulling moisture to your skin. The low molecular weight of glycerin allows it to pull moisture into the deeper layers of your skin.
Hydrated skin improves your skin barrier; Your skin barrier helps protect against irritants and bacteria.
Glycerin has also been found to have antimicrobial and antiviral properties. Due to these properties, glycerin is often used in wound and burn treatments.
In cosmetics, glycerin is usually derived from plants such as soybean or palm. However, it can also be sourced from animals, such as tallow or animal fat.
This ingredient is organic, colorless, odorless, and non-toxic.
Glycerin is the name for this ingredient in American English. British English uses Glycerol/Glycerine.
Learn more about GlycerinOctocrylene 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 OctocrylenePhenoxyethanol 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.
Sodium Hyaluronate is hyaluronic acid's salt form. It is commonly derived from the sodium salt of hyaluronic acid.
Like hyaluronic acid, it is great at holding water and acts as a humectant. This makes it a great skin hydrating ingredient.
Sodium Hyaluronate is naturally occurring in our bodies and is mostly found in eye fluid and joints.
These are some other common types of Hyaluronic Acid:
Learn more about Sodium HyaluronateSodium Hydroxide is also known as lye or caustic soda. It is used to adjust the pH of products; many ingredients require a specific pH to be effective.
In small amounts, sodium hydroxide is considered safe to use. However, large amounts may cause chemical burns due to its high alkaline.
Your skin has a natural pH and acid mantle. This acid mantle helps prevent harmful bacteria from breaking through. The acid mantle also helps keep your skin hydrated.
"Alkaline" refers to a high pH level. A low pH level would be considered acidic.
Learn more about Sodium HydroxideTocopherol (also known as Vitamin E) is a common antioxidant used to help protect the skin from free-radicals and strengthen the skin barrier. It's also fat soluble - this means our skin is great at absorbing it.
Vitamin E also helps keep your natural skin lipids healthy. Your lipid skin barrier naturally consists of lipids, ceramides, and fatty acids. Vitamin E offers extra protection for your skin’s lipid barrier, keeping your skin healthy and nourished.
Another benefit is a bit of UV protection. Vitamin E helps reduce the damage caused by UVB rays. (It should not replace your sunscreen). Combining it with Vitamin C can decrease sunburned cells and hyperpigmentation after UV exposure.
You might have noticed Vitamin E + C often paired together. This is because it is great at stabilizing Vitamin C. Using the two together helps increase the effectiveness of both ingredients.
There are often claims that Vitamin E can reduce/prevent scarring, but these claims haven't been confirmed by scientific research.
Learn more about TocopherolWater. 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. Stay hydrated!
Learn more about WaterXanthan 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
