What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningDiethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl Benzoate
UV FilterOctocrylene
UV AbsorberGlycerin
HumectantAlcohol
AntimicrobialDibutyl Adipate
EmollientDicaprylyl Carbonate
EmollientButyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane
UV AbsorberPhenylbenzimidazole Sulfonic Acid
UV AbsorberBis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine
Skin ConditioningEthylhexyl Triazone
UV AbsorberMethyl Methacrylate Crosspolymer
Bis-PEG/PPG-16/16 PEG/PPG-16/16 Dimethicone
EmollientDimethicone
EmollientPotassium Cetyl Phosphate
EmulsifyingPolymethylsilsesquioxane
Tapioca Starch
Centaurea Cyanus Flower Water
Skin ConditioningHdi/Trimethylol Hexyllactone Crosspolymer
Aphloia Theiformis Leaf Extract
AstringentAcrylates/Hydroxyesters Acrylates Copolymer
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingCetyl Alcohol
EmollientCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingParfum
MaskingAminomethyl Propanol
BufferingXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingPentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningEryngium Maritimum Extract
TonicSodium Benzoate
MaskingCitric Acid
BufferingTocopherol
AntioxidantPotassium Sorbate
PreservativePentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate
AntioxidantWater, Diethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl Benzoate, Octocrylene, Glycerin, Alcohol, Dibutyl Adipate, Dicaprylyl Carbonate, Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane, Phenylbenzimidazole Sulfonic Acid, Bis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine, Ethylhexyl Triazone, Methyl Methacrylate Crosspolymer, Bis-PEG/PPG-16/16 PEG/PPG-16/16 Dimethicone, Dimethicone, Potassium Cetyl Phosphate, Polymethylsilsesquioxane, Tapioca Starch, Centaurea Cyanus Flower Water, Hdi/Trimethylol Hexyllactone Crosspolymer, Aphloia Theiformis Leaf Extract, Acrylates/Hydroxyesters Acrylates Copolymer, Sodium Hydroxide, Cetyl Alcohol, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Parfum, Aminomethyl Propanol, Xanthan Gum, Pentylene Glycol, Eryngium Maritimum Extract, Sodium Benzoate, Citric Acid, Tocopherol, Potassium Sorbate, Pentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate
Water
Skin ConditioningBis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantEthylhexyl Triazone
UV AbsorberZinc Oxide
Cosmetic ColorantC12-15 Alkyl Benzoate
AntimicrobialCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingCamellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialMethylene Bis-Benzotriazolyl Tetramethylbutylphenol
UV FilterStearic Acid
CleansingEctoin
Skin ConditioningCeramide NP
Skin ConditioningPanthenol
Skin ConditioningPotassium Cetyl Phosphate
EmulsifyingInulin Lauryl Carbamate
Emulsion StabilisingMaltodextrin
AbsorbentAllantoin
Skin ConditioningSodium PCA
HumectantDecyl Glucoside
CleansingSodium Lactate
BufferingCucumis Sativus Fruit Extract
EmollientArginine
MaskingPropanediol
SolventAspartic Acid
MaskingPCA
HumectantHydrolyzed Glycosaminoglycans
HumectantSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantGlycine
BufferingAlanine
MaskingPropylene Glycol
HumectantSerine
MaskingValine
MaskingProline
Skin ConditioningThreonine
Isoleucine
Skin ConditioningHydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid
HumectantHyaluronic Acid
HumectantSodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer
HumectantHistidine
HumectantPhenylalanine
MaskingXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingSodium Benzoate
MaskingSodium Hydroxide
BufferingPotassium Sorbate
PreservativeLactic Acid
BufferingTetrasodium EDTA
Water, Bis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine, Glycerin, Ethylhexyl Triazone, Zinc Oxide, C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Methylene Bis-Benzotriazolyl Tetramethylbutylphenol, Stearic Acid, Ectoin, Ceramide NP, Panthenol, Potassium Cetyl Phosphate, Inulin Lauryl Carbamate, Maltodextrin, Allantoin, Sodium PCA, Decyl Glucoside, Sodium Lactate, Cucumis Sativus Fruit Extract, Arginine, Propanediol, Aspartic Acid, PCA, Hydrolyzed Glycosaminoglycans, Sodium Hyaluronate, Glycine, Alanine, Propylene Glycol, Serine, Valine, Proline, Threonine, Isoleucine, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, Hyaluronic Acid, Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer, Histidine, Phenylalanine, Xanthan Gum, Sodium Benzoate, Sodium Hydroxide, Potassium Sorbate, Lactic Acid, Tetrasodium EDTA
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
This ingredient is better known as bemotrizinol or Tinosorb S and is one of the best broad-spectrum UV filters in modern sunscreen.
It works by absorbing UV light across a whole range (280-400 nm) with peaks around 310 nm (UVB) and 340-345 nm (UVA). This means it covers UVB plus the deeper UVA wavelengths that drive photoaging and pigmentation.
Another pro?
It's exceptionally photostable, barely degrades in sunlight, and acts as a "bodyguard" for less stable filters.
That's why you'll see it paired with avobenzone or octinoxate; this team up ensures they keep working through sun exposure.
Safety reviews have been reassuring across the board. This ingredient shows low absorption through the skin, rarely irritates, and lab studies found it doesn't act like a hormone in the body (a concern that's been raised about some older sunscreen filters).
On maximum concentrations:
In 2026, the US F.D.A finally added it as an OTC sunscreen ingredient at concentrations up to 6% for adults / children 6 months and older
Learn more about Bis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl TriazineCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride (aka MCT Oil) is a lightweight emollient, solvent, and texture enhancer. It is considered a skin-softener by helping to prevent moisture loss.
Though it behaves like an oil, it is not technically one due to its chemical composition. One perk of this ingredient is that it is very stable, resistant to oxidation, and unlikely to go rancid.
In practice, that translates to a long shelf life and a consistently elegant skin feel.
While there is an assumption Caprylic Triglyceride can clog pores due to it being derived from coconut oil, there is no research supporting this. Just patch test if you have concerns.
Fractionated coconut oil and MCT Oil are both listed as Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride according to INCI. This is because INCI names are based on the ingredient’s final chemical composition and not its marketing name or source.
This ingredient is treated as the gold standard fungal acne safe oil. Even though it is coconut derived, the problematic lauric acid is stripped out.
This leaves just caprylic (C8) and capric (C10) acid. These chain lengths actually trend antifungal; a 2020 study found caprylic acid was enough to disrupt Malassezia furfur cell membrane, with a caprylic acid derivative damaging membrane structures at concentrations as low as 0.2%.
Learn more about Caprylic/Capric TriglycerideEthylhexyl Triazone (aka Octyl Triazone) is an oil-soluble organic UVB filter. It has peak absorption around 314 nm, right in the middle of the UVB range.
This ingredient is described as one of the most effective UVB filters available and small concentrations are enough to deliver a high SPF thanks to its strong UV absorbing power.
Formulators love it for its stability; its ability to filter UV stays practically unchanged even under intense radiation and it can also help boost the photostability of less stable filters like avobenzone.
It's also a great pick for water resistant products because it's insoluble in water and has a good affinity for keratin.
Because it's a big, heavy molecule, the European Scientific Committee has found to to have very low dermal penetration and negative results for allergenicity.
In vitro testing also showed a low absorption rate and clean results on irritation.
Typical use levels are 1-5% with 5% being the maximum in the EU, Japan, and other markets that allow it. However, this ingredient is not approved yet in the US or Canada.
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 GlycerinPotassium Cetyl Phosphate is the potassium salt of a mixture. This mixture consists of the esters from phosphoricacid and cetyl alcohol.
Potassium Cetyl Phosphate is an emulsifier and cleansing agent. Emulsifiers help stabilize a product. It does this by preventing certain ingredients from separating.
As a cleansing agent, Potassium Cetyl Phosphate helps gather oils, dirts, and pollutants from your skin. This makes it easier to rinse them away with water.
Learn more about Potassium Cetyl PhosphatePotassium Sorbate is a preservative used to prevent yeast and mold in products. It is commonly found in both cosmetic and food products.
This ingredient comes from potassium salt derived from sorbic acid. Sorbic acid is a natural antibiotic and effective against fungus.
Both potassium sorbate and sorbic acid can be found in baked goods, cheeses, dried meats, dried fruit, ice cream, pickles, wine, yogurt, and more.
You'll often find this ingredient used with other preservatives.
Learn more about Potassium SorbateSodium Benzoate is a preservative. It's used in both cosmetic and food products to inhibit the growth of mold and bacteria. It is typically produced synthetically.
Both the US FDA and EU Health Committee have approved the use of sodium benzoate. In the US, levels of 0.1% (of the total product) are allowed.
Sodium benzoate works as a preservative by inhibiting the growth of bacteria inside of cells. It prevents the cell from fermenting a type of sugar using an enzyme called phosphofructokinase.
It is the salt of benzoic acid. Foods containing sodium benzoate include soda, salad dressings, condiments, fruit juices, wines, and snack foods.
Studies for using ascorbic acid and sodium benzoate in cosmetics are lacking, especially in skincare routines with multiple steps.
We always recommend speaking with a professional, such as a dermatologist, if you have any concerns.
Learn more about Sodium BenzoateSodium 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 HydroxideWater. 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 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