This mineral sunscreen covers the full UV range and blocks ~98% of UVB at SPF 50.
This chemical sunscreen covers the full UV range and blocks ~98% of UVB at SPF 50.
What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Zinc Oxide 20%
Cosmetic Colorant
Coco-Caprylate/Caprate
Emollient
Butyloctyl Salicylate
Skin Conditioning
Polyglyceryl-3 Methylglucose Distearate
Emulsifying
Polyglyceryl-3 Polyricinoleate
Emulsifying
Hydroxypropyl Starch Phosphate
Hydroxyapatite
Abrasive
Niacinamide
Smoothing
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Isostearic Acid
Cleansing
Butyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Sodium Stearoyl Glutamate
CleansingHydroxyacetophenone
Antioxidant
Magnesium Aluminum Silicate
Absorbent
Hydroxyethylcellulose
Emulsion StabilisingPEG-100 Stearate
Surfactant
Glycine Soja Oil
Emollient
Ethyl Linoleate
Emollient
Hydrolyzed Soy Protein
Humectant
Ascorbyl Tetraisopalmitate
Antioxidant
Rice Amino Acids
Skin Conditioning
Polyglyceryl-3 Diisostearate
Emulsifying
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingOryza Sativa Extract
Absorbent
Proline
Skin Conditioning
Hydrolyzed Adansonia Digitata Seed Extract
Oryza Sativa Germ Extract
EmollientCI 77492
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77491
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77499
Cosmetic ColorantPhenoxyethanol
Preservative
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningZinc Oxide 20%, Coco-Caprylate/Caprate, Butyloctyl Salicylate, Polyglyceryl-3 Methylglucose Distearate, Polyglyceryl-3 Polyricinoleate, Hydroxypropyl Starch Phosphate, Hydroxyapatite, Niacinamide, Tocopheryl Acetate, Isostearic Acid, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Sodium Hyaluronate, Sodium Stearoyl Glutamate, Hydroxyacetophenone, Magnesium Aluminum Silicate, Hydroxyethylcellulose, PEG-100 Stearate, Glycine Soja Oil, Ethyl Linoleate, Hydrolyzed Soy Protein, Ascorbyl Tetraisopalmitate, Rice Amino Acids, Polyglyceryl-3 Diisostearate, Sodium Hydroxide, Oryza Sativa Extract, Proline, Hydrolyzed Adansonia Digitata Seed Extract, Oryza Sativa Germ Extract, CI 77492, CI 77491, CI 77499, Phenoxyethanol, Ethylhexylglycerin
Bis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine
Skin Conditioning
Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane
UV Absorber
Ethylhexyl Triazone
UV Absorber
Homosalate
Skin Conditioning
Ethylhexyl Salicylate
UV Absorber
Phenylbenzimidazole Sulfonic Acid
UV Absorber
Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingAloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice
Skin Conditioning
Benzyl Alcohol
Perfuming
Butyloctyl Salicylate
Skin Conditioning
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Dibutyl Adipate
EmollientDimethicone
Emollient
Disodium EDTA
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
Humectant
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Water
Skin ConditioningVp/Hexadecene Copolymer
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Bis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine, Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane, Ethylhexyl Triazone, Homosalate, Ethylhexyl Salicylate, Phenylbenzimidazole Sulfonic Acid, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Benzyl Alcohol, Butyloctyl Salicylate, Tocopheryl Acetate, Dibutyl Adipate, Dimethicone, Disodium EDTA, Ethylhexylglycerin, Glycerin, Phenoxyethanol, Water, Vp/Hexadecene Copolymer, Sodium Hyaluronate
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Butyloctyl Salicylate is a chemical UV filter structurally similar to octisalate. It is a photostabilizer, SPF booster, emollient and solvent. This ingredient helps evenly spread out ingredients.
According to a manufacturer, it is suitable for pairing with micro Titanium Dioxide, Zinc Oxide, and pigments.
Photostabilizers help stabilize UV-filters and prevents them from degrading quickly.
Learn more about Butyloctyl SalicylateEthylhexylglycerin 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 EthylhexylglycerinPhenoxyethanol is one of the most widely used preservatives in skincare (and for good reason!).
It has a large spectrum of antimicrobial activity and especially effective bacteria, yeast, and mold while only having a weak effect on your skin's natural microbiome.
On a cellular level, it disrupts the cell membranes of microbes by poking holes that make the cell leak. This shuts down the chemical reactions the microbe needs to make energy so it can no longer survive.
Another perk of this ingredient is that it stays functional across a wide pH range (3-10).
You'll often see it paired with boosters like Ethylhexylglycerin; one study showed that a 1:9 ratio of Ethylhexylglycerin to Phenoxyethanol damages bacterial membranes as effectively as doubling the Phenoxyethanol concentration on its own.
Typical use concentrations range from 0.3-1% depending on the formula, and this ingredient is capped at 1% int the EU.
Safety-wise, the fear mongering does not hold up to the evidence. The EU's Scientific Committee on Consumer Safety and FDA consider it safe as a preservative at up to 1%, including for children of all ages.
Adverse systemic effects only showed up in animal studies at exposures roughly 200x higher than what people get from cosmetics. And despite its very widespread use, this ingredient is a rare sensitizer and allergic reactions are uncommon.
Learn more about PhenoxyethanolSodium Hyaluronate is the salt form of hyaluronic acid. It is a long sugar chain that is naturally found in your skin, joints, and connective tissue that maintains hydration and elasticity.
In skincare, it works as a humectant. It pulls water from the environment and deeper layers of skin and binds it to the surface.
Interestingly, the size of the molecule affects its behavior:
Some clinical evidence links low molecular weight versions to improved wrinkle depth, elasticity, anti-inflammatory effects, and barrier repair.
Many serums use a blend of both weights so you can get surface hydration plus longer-lasting and deeper effects.
You'll typically see concentrations between 0.1-2% for this ingredient.
Learn more about Sodium HyaluronateTocopheryl Acetate is a stable, shelf-friendly form of vitamin E.
Formulators love it because plain vitamin E oxidizes quickly once it hits air. This acetate version stays stable and resists going off, helping to extend a product's shelf life.
It's actually inactive on its own and works like a slow-release "storage" form; the enzymes in your skin called esterases gradually convert it into active vitamin E over time.
One in vivo study showed 5% of the acetate in the living layer of the epidermis converted to vitamin E after 5 days of application. This study also found the skin gained protection against UV damage even though the conversion was slow and small.
Once converted, vitamin E acts as a skin's main fat-soluble antioxidant that fights free radicals to protect skin from damage.
Topical vitamin E generally boosts the skin's photoprotection, and it reduced UV-damage in animal models.
This ingredient has some brightening potential but it's more of a prevention ingredient than spot-fader. Cell studies show it can slow down melanin production but it's worth noting that it's not the most powerful brightener out there.
Overall, it has a pretty solid safety profile and has been found to be non-irritating and non-comedogenic. Allergic reactions may happen but stay rare due to how widely the ingredient gets used.
The concentration will vary depending on the formula; industry data shows 0.1% in baby lotions, 3% in lipsticks, and 5% in foot powders. You can also find this ingredient at 100% in a pure vitamin E oil.
Most leave-on skincare keeps it at the lower end, often between 0.5-1%.
Learn more about Tocopheryl Acetate
