What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Zinc Oxide 12%
Cosmetic ColorantWater
Skin ConditioningC12-15 Alkyl Benzoate
AntimicrobialPropanediol
SolventJojoba Esters
EmollientTridecyl Salicylate
Skin ConditioningMethylheptyl Isostearate
Skin ConditioningPolyglyceryl-4 Diisostearate/Polyhydroxystearate/Sebacate
EmulsifyingNylon-12
Niacinamide
SmoothingMethylpropanediol
SolventCoco-Caprylate
EmollientSilica
AbrasiveSodium Chloride
MaskingPolyglyceryl-2 Dipolyhydroxystearate
Skin ConditioningCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientBisabolol
AntioxidantAllantoin
Skin ConditioningOryza Sativa Bran Extract
Skin ConditioningLecithin
EmollientPhenylpropanol
MaskingHelianthus Annuus Extract
EmollientTocopherol
AntioxidantRosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialTetrasodium Glutamate Diacetate
Isostearic Acid
Cleansing1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningSodium Hydroxide
BufferingZinc Oxide 12%, Water, C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate, Propanediol, Jojoba Esters, Tridecyl Salicylate, Methylheptyl Isostearate, Polyglyceryl-4 Diisostearate/Polyhydroxystearate/Sebacate, Nylon-12, Niacinamide, Methylpropanediol, Coco-Caprylate, Silica, Sodium Chloride, Polyglyceryl-2 Dipolyhydroxystearate, Caprylyl Glycol, Bisabolol, Allantoin, Oryza Sativa Bran Extract, Lecithin, Phenylpropanol, Helianthus Annuus Extract, Tocopherol, Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract, Tetrasodium Glutamate Diacetate, Isostearic Acid, 1,2-Hexanediol, Sodium Hydroxide
Water
Skin ConditioningAlcohol Denat.
AntimicrobialSilica
AbrasiveIsopropyl Myristate
EmollientDiisopropyl Sebacate
EmollientEthylhexyl Salicylate
UV AbsorberEthylhexyl Triazone
UV AbsorberBis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine
Skin ConditioningButyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane
UV AbsorberGlycerin
HumectantPropanediol
SolventC12-22 Alkyl Acrylate/Hydroxyethylacrylate Copolymer
StabilisingNiacinamide
SmoothingDrometrizole Trisiloxane
UV AbsorberPerlite
AbsorbentTocopherol
AntioxidantCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingCitric Acid
BufferingHydroxyacetophenone
AntioxidantMineral Salts
Skin ConditioningSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantTriethanolamine
BufferingTrisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate
Vitreoscilla Ferment
Skin ConditioningSqualane
EmollientAcrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingButylene Glycol
HumectantCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientHydroxyethylcellulose
Emulsion StabilisingTerephthalylidene Dicamphor Sulfonic Acid
UV AbsorberWater, Alcohol Denat., Silica, Isopropyl Myristate, Diisopropyl Sebacate, Ethylhexyl Salicylate, Ethylhexyl Triazone, Bis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine, Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane, Glycerin, Propanediol, C12-22 Alkyl Acrylate/Hydroxyethylacrylate Copolymer, Niacinamide, Drometrizole Trisiloxane, Perlite, Tocopherol, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Citric Acid, Hydroxyacetophenone, Mineral Salts, Sodium Hyaluronate, Triethanolamine, Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate, Vitreoscilla Ferment, Squalane, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Butylene Glycol, Caprylyl Glycol, Hydroxyethylcellulose, Terephthalylidene Dicamphor Sulfonic Acid
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Caprylyl Glycol is a humectant, skin conditioner, emollient, and preservative booster derived from either caprylic acid or synthetically created.
Typical use levels vary from 0.3-1% as a preservative booster and go up to 2% to condition skin.
Because it is not a free-fatty acid, this ingredient is fungal acne safe (there's nothing for Malassezia to feed on).
Learn more about Caprylyl GlycolNiacinamide is a multitasking form of vitamin B3 that strengthens the skin barrier, reduces pores and dark spots, regulates oil, and improves signs of aging.
And the best part? It's gentle and well-tolerated by most skin types, including sensitive and reactive skin.
You might have heard of "niacin flush", or the reddening of skin that causes itchiness. Niacinamide has not been found to cause this.
In very rare cases, some individuals may not be able to tolerate niacinamide at all or experience an allergic reaction to it.
If you are experiencing flaking, irritation, and dryness with this ingredient, be sure to double check all your products as this ingredient can be found in all categories of skincare.
When incorporating niacinamide into your routine, look out for concentration amounts. Typically, 5% niacinamide provides benefits such as fading dark spots. However, if you have sensitive skin, it is better to begin with a smaller concentration.
When you apply niacinamide to your skin, your body converts it into nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD). NAD is an essential coenzyme that is already found in your cells as "fuel" and powers countless biological processes.
In your skin, NAD helps repair cell damage, produce new healthy cells, support collagen production, strengthen the skin barrier, and fight environmental stressors (like UV and pollution).
Our natural NAD levels start to decline with age, leading to slower skin repair, visible aging, and a weaker skin barrier. By providing your skin niacinamide, you're recharging your skin's NAD levels. This leads to stronger, healthier, and younger looking skin.
Another name for vitamin B3 is nicotinamide. This vitamin is water-soluble and our bodies don't store it. We obtain Vitamin B3 from either food or skincare. Meat, fish, wheat, yeast, and leafy greens contain vitamin B3.
The type of niacinamide used in skincare is synthetically created.
Learn more about NiacinamidePropanediol is an all-star ingredient. It softens, hydrates, and smooths the skin.
It’s often used to:
Propanediol is not likely to cause sensitivity and considered safe to use. It is derived from corn or petroleum with a clear color and no scent.
Learn more about PropanediolSilica, also known as silicon dioxide, is a naturally occurring mineral. It is used as a fine, spherical, and porous powder in cosmetics.
Though it has exfoliant properties, the function of silica varies depending on the product.
The unique structure of silica enhances the spreadability and adds smoothness, making it a great texture enhancer.
It is also used as an active carrier, emulsifier, and mattifier due to its ability to absorb excess oil.
In some products, tiny microneedles called spicules are made from silica or hydrolyzed sponge. When you rub them in, they lightly polish away dead skin layers and enhance the penetration of active ingredients.
Learn more about SilicaTocopherol is a fat-soluble antioxidant known as Vitamin E.
You'll find this ingredient in the vast majority of skincare (for good reason). It works to neutralize free radicals, or unstable molecules generated by UV exposure, pollution, and other environmental stressors, before they can cause oxidative damage to your skin cells.
Topically applied tocopherol has been shown to protect against UV damage by ramping up the skin's own natural defense enzymes.
It also acts as a skin conditioning agent; some studies show that regular topical use can improve the skin's water-binding capacity over 2-4 weeks.
This ingredient is especially loved for being a team player. When combined with Vitamin C, the photoprotective effect of both ingredients roughly doubles and the combo also helps reduce UV-induced DNA damage.
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.
In formulations, it also serves as a stabilizer that helps protect other oxidation-prone ingredients from degrading.
Concentrations usually range from 0.1-1% in most leave-on products.
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. Remember to stay hydrated!
Learn more about Water