What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningEthylhexyl Methoxycinnamate
UV AbsorberSnail Secretion Filtrate
Skin ConditioningBenzophenone-3
UV AbsorberOctocrylene
UV AbsorberButyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane
UV AbsorberC12-15 Alkyl Benzoate
AntimicrobialPEG-100 Stearate
SurfactantGlyceryl Stearate
EmollientCetearyl Alcohol
EmollientCI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77947
Dimethicone
EmollientChamomilla Recutita Flower Extract
MaskingLanolin
EmollientPetrolatum
EmollientAllantoin
Skin ConditioningCeteareth-20
CleansingXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingParfum
MaskingCitral
PerfumingCitronellol
PerfumingGeraniol
PerfumingHexyl Cinnamal
PerfumingLimonene
PerfumingLinalool
PerfumingPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeEthylhexylglycerin
Skin Conditioning2-Bromo-2-Nitropropane-1,3-Diol
PreservativeWater, Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate, Snail Secretion Filtrate, Benzophenone-3, Octocrylene, Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane, C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate, PEG-100 Stearate, Glyceryl Stearate, Cetearyl Alcohol, CI 77891, CI 77947, Dimethicone, Chamomilla Recutita Flower Extract, Lanolin, Petrolatum, Allantoin, Ceteareth-20, Xanthan Gum, Parfum, Citral, Citronellol, Geraniol, Hexyl Cinnamal, Limonene, Linalool, Phenoxyethanol, Ethylhexylglycerin, 2-Bromo-2-Nitropropane-1,3-Diol
Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane 3%
UV AbsorberHomosalate 5%
Skin ConditioningEthylhexyl Salicylate 3%
UV AbsorberOctocrylene 7%
UV AbsorberWater
Skin ConditioningCarthamus Tinctorius Oleosomes
EmollientButylene Glycol
HumectantDimethicone
EmollientC12-15 Alkyl Benzoate
AntimicrobialPropanediol
SolventPolysorbate 80
EmulsifyingPalmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7
Skin ConditioningDipotassium Glycyrrhizate
HumectantAniba Rosodora Wood Oil
AstringentCamellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialHelianthus Annuus Seed Oil
EmollientPelargonium Graveolens Flower Oil
MaskingEugenia Caryophyllus Leaf Oil
MaskingSaccharomyces Cerevisiae Extract
Skin ConditioningLaminaria Digitata Extract
Skin ProtectingRosa Damascena Flower Oil
MaskingEugenia Caryophyllus Bud Oil
MaskingCitrus Limon Peel Oil
MaskingCymbopogon Schoenanthus Oil
MaskingCymbopogon Martini Oil
MaskingCupressus Sempervirens Leaf Oil
MaskingCitrus Limon Peel Extract
EmollientEucalyptus Globulus Leaf Oil
PerfumingTocopherol
AntioxidantSqualane
EmollientCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientCarnosine
Skin ConditioningAcrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingLecithin
EmollientUrea
BufferingCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingGlycerin
HumectantPentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningBisabolol
AntioxidantGlucosamine Hcl
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin Conditioning1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningGluconolactone
Skin ConditioningPolysorbate 60
EmulsifyingTrisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate
Sorbitan Isostearate
EmulsifyingDecyl Glucoside
CleansingAminomethyl Propanol
BufferingHydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingPolysilicone-11
Sodium Acrylates Copolymer
Phenethyl Alcohol
MaskingSodium Benzoate
MaskingLinalool
PerfumingEugenol
PerfumingLimonene
PerfumingCitronellol
PerfumingGeraniol
PerfumingBenzyl Benzoate
AntimicrobialCitral
PerfumingCI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantButyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane 3%, Homosalate 5%, Ethylhexyl Salicylate 3%, Octocrylene 7%, Water, Carthamus Tinctorius Oleosomes, Butylene Glycol, Dimethicone, C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate, Propanediol, Polysorbate 80, Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7, Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate, Aniba Rosodora Wood Oil, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Pelargonium Graveolens Flower Oil, Eugenia Caryophyllus Leaf Oil, Saccharomyces Cerevisiae Extract, Laminaria Digitata Extract, Rosa Damascena Flower Oil, Eugenia Caryophyllus Bud Oil, Citrus Limon Peel Oil, Cymbopogon Schoenanthus Oil, Cymbopogon Martini Oil, Cupressus Sempervirens Leaf Oil, Citrus Limon Peel Extract, Eucalyptus Globulus Leaf Oil, Tocopherol, Squalane, Caprylyl Glycol, Carnosine, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Lecithin, Urea, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Glycerin, Pentylene Glycol, Bisabolol, Glucosamine Hcl, Ethylhexylglycerin, 1,2-Hexanediol, Gluconolactone, Polysorbate 60, Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate, Sorbitan Isostearate, Decyl Glucoside, Aminomethyl Propanol, Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Polysilicone-11, Sodium Acrylates Copolymer, Phenethyl Alcohol, Sodium Benzoate, Linalool, Eugenol, Limonene, Citronellol, Geraniol, Benzyl Benzoate, Citral, CI 77891
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 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 MethoxydibenzoylmethaneC12-15 Alkyl Benzoate is a lightweight emollient made by combinig benzoic acid with fatty alcohols that are 12-15 carbons long.
In cosmetics, it plays several roles:
The Cosmetic Review Expert Panel has concluded the alkyl benzoate group to be safe as used in cosmetics; it wasn't found to be a skin irritant and unlikely to be absorbed due to its low water solubility.
This report recorded almost 1000 reported uses with concentrations up to 59% in leave-on products but your cosmetics will typically use 0.5-15% depending on the product.
It's often called a "SPF booster": this is because it keeps UV filters properly dissolved and evenly distributed to support a sunscreen's performance. It doesn't actually raise SPF on its own.
Overall, this ingredient is well tolerated.
This ingredient is fungal acne safe because it is an ester of benzoic acid.
Think of this ingredient as two parts stuck together: an oily part and an acid part. Malassezia only gets a meal when it can snip off a fatty acid to eat. With C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate, the acid part is benzoic acid, which isn't a fatty acid and which the yeast can't use as food.
Benzoic acid is actually used as a preservative to stop yeast from growing.
The oily part is a blend of C12-15 fatty alcohols but fatty alcohols in this size range can support only a little Malassezia growth (mostly for one species of Malassezia as well).
In the ingredient, those alcohols stay locked inside the molecule. The yeast can only reach them by snipping the benzoate bond, and that type of bond is harder for it to cut than a normal fatty bond.
So not much gets released. And whatever does get snipped comes packaged with benzoic acid, which discourages yeast growth.
Learn more about C12-15 Alkyl BenzoateCi 77891 is a white pigment from Titanium dioxide. It is naturally found in minerals such as rutile and ilmenite.
It's main function is to add a white color to cosmetics. It can also be mixed with other colors to create different shades.
Ci 77891 is commonly found in sunscreens due to its ability to block UV rays.
Learn more about CI 77891Citral is the molecule responsible for the fresh lemon scent in lemon, lime, and lemongrass. It is a fragrance ingredient that can be created from plant essential oils or synthetically.
Though Citral has documented antimicrobial activity against acne bacteria (which is where the marketing claims about it being good for acne-prone skin originate), real formulas use it at fragrance-level concentrations under 1% so there's likely no skin benefit.
You should know this ingredient is a known EU fragrance allergen.
Animal studies classifies this ingredient as a weak-to-moderate skin sensitizer and clinical patch testing on eczema patients confirmed it to be both a contact allergen and irritant.
The term 'citral' is a collective term for two geometric isomers: geranial/Citral A and neral/Citral B.
The term 'fragrance' is not regulated in many countries. In many cases, it is up to the brand to define this term. For instance, many brands choose to label themselves as "fragrance-free" because they are not using synthetic fragrances. However, their products may still contain ingredients such as essential oils that are considered a fragrance.
Learn more about CitralCitronellol is used to add fragrance/parfum to a product. It is often derived from plants such as roses. In fact, it can be found in many essential oils including geranium, lavender, neroli, and more. The scent of Citronellol is often described as "fresh, grassy, and citrus-like".
Since the Citronellol molecule is already unstable, Citronellol becomes irritating on the skin when exposed to air.
Citronellol is a modified terpene. Terpenes are unsaturated hydrocarbons found in plants. They make up the primary part of essential oils.
Citronellol is not able to be absorbed into deeper layers of the skin. It has low permeability,
Citronellol is also a natural insect repellent.
Learn more about CitronellolDimethicone 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 DimethiconeEthylhexylglycerin 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 EthylhexylglycerinGeraniol is used to add fragrance/parfum to a product. It is the main component of citronellol. It is a monoterpenoid and an alcohol.
Monoterpenes are naturally found in many parts of different plants.
Geraniol can be found in many essential oils including Rose Oil and Citronella Oil. The scent of Geraniol is often described as "rose-like". Many foods also contain Geraniol for fruit flavoring.
Geraniol can irritate the skin when exposed to air. However, irritation depends on the ability of geraniol to penetrate into the skin. In general, geraniol is not able to penetrate skin easily.
Geraniol is colorless and has low water-solubility. However, it is soluble in common organic solvents.
Like citronellol, it is a natural insect repellent.
2,6-Octadien-1-ol, 3,7-dimethyl-, (2E)-
Learn more about GeraniolLimonene is a fragrance that adds scent and taste to a formulation.
It's found in the peel oil of citrus fruits and other plants such as lavender and eucalyptus. The scent of limonene is generally described as "sweet citrus".
Limonene acts as an antioxidant, meaning it helps neutralize free radicals.
When exposed to air, oxidized limonene may sensitize the skin. Because of this, limonene is often avoided by people with sensitive skin.
The term 'fragrance' is not regulated in many countries. In many cases, it is up to the brand to define this term. For instance, many brands choose to label themselves as "fragrance-free" because they are not using synthetic fragrances. However, their products may still contain ingredients such as essential oils that are considered a fragrance.
Learn more about LimoneneLinalool is a fragrance and helps add scent to products. It's derived from common plants such as cinnamon, mint, citrus, and lavender.
Like Limonene, this ingredient oxidizes when exposed to air. Oxidized linalool can cause allergies and skin sensitivity.
This ingredient has a scent that is floral, spicy tropical, and citrus-like.
Learn more about LinaloolOctocrylene 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 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