What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningCyclotetrasiloxane
EmollientCyclopentasiloxane
EmollientTitanium Dioxide
Cosmetic ColorantAluminum Hydroxide
EmollientSilica
AbrasiveHydrogen Dimethicone
Lauryl PEG-9 Polydimethylsiloxyethyl Dimethicone
Skin ConditioningZinc Oxide
Cosmetic ColorantDimethicone/Methicone Copolymer
PEG-10 Dimethicone
Skin ConditioningCetyl Alcohol
EmollientTris-Biphenyl Triazine
UV AbsorberGlyceryl Stearate
EmollientCeteareth-20
CleansingCeteareth-12
EmulsifyingCetearyl Alcohol
EmollientCetyl Palmitate
EmollientEthylhexyl Triazone
UV AbsorberPropylheptyl Caprylate
EmollientC12-15 Alkyl Benzoate
AntimicrobialHydrolyzed Wheat Protein/Pvp Crosspolymer
Benzyl Alcohol
PerfumingGlyceryl Caprylate
EmollientGlyceryl Undecylenate
EmollientButyrospermum Parkii Oil
EmollientSorbitan Palmitate
EmulsifyingSorbitan Olivate
EmulsifyingCitric Acid
BufferingTetrasodium EDTA
Bisabolol
MaskingBenzylidene Dimethoxydimethylindanone
Skin ProtectingWater, Cyclotetrasiloxane, Cyclopentasiloxane, Titanium Dioxide, Aluminum Hydroxide, Silica, Hydrogen Dimethicone, Lauryl PEG-9 Polydimethylsiloxyethyl Dimethicone, Zinc Oxide, Dimethicone/Methicone Copolymer, PEG-10 Dimethicone, Cetyl Alcohol, Tris-Biphenyl Triazine, Glyceryl Stearate, Ceteareth-20, Ceteareth-12, Cetearyl Alcohol, Cetyl Palmitate, Ethylhexyl Triazone, Propylheptyl Caprylate, C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate, Hydrolyzed Wheat Protein/Pvp Crosspolymer, Benzyl Alcohol, Glyceryl Caprylate, Glyceryl Undecylenate, Butyrospermum Parkii Oil, Sorbitan Palmitate, Sorbitan Olivate, Citric Acid, Tetrasodium EDTA, Bisabolol, Benzylidene Dimethoxydimethylindanone
Water
Skin ConditioningEthylhexyl Methoxycinnamate
UV AbsorberBenzophenone-3
UV AbsorberButyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane
UV AbsorberPhospholipids
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
HumectantPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeC15-19 Alkane
SolventTitanium Dioxide
Cosmetic ColorantAluminum Hydroxide
EmollientHydrogen Dimethicone
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingIsododecane
EmollientStearic Acid
CleansingCetyl Alcohol
EmollientCyclopentasiloxane
EmollientGlyceryl Stearate
EmollientPEG-100 Stearate
Polyacrylate-13
Polyisobutene
Polysorbate 20
EmulsifyingAllantoin
Skin ConditioningSoluble Collagen
HumectantSodium Benzoate
MaskingCitric Acid
BufferingSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantCI 77499
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77491
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77492
Cosmetic ColorantIsopropyl Titanium Triisostearate
EmollientParfum
MaskingMenthol
MaskingWater, Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate, Benzophenone-3, Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane, Phospholipids, Butylene Glycol, Phenoxyethanol, C15-19 Alkane, Titanium Dioxide, Aluminum Hydroxide, Hydrogen Dimethicone, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Isododecane, Stearic Acid, Cetyl Alcohol, Cyclopentasiloxane, Glyceryl Stearate, PEG-100 Stearate, Polyacrylate-13, Polyisobutene, Polysorbate 20, Allantoin, Soluble Collagen, Sodium Benzoate, Citric Acid, Sodium Hyaluronate, CI 77499, CI 77491, CI 77492, Isopropyl Titanium Triisostearate, Parfum, Menthol
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Aluminum Hydroxide is a form of aluminum. It can be naturally found in nature as the mineral gibbsite. In cosmetics, Aluminum Hydroxide is used as a colorant, pH adjuster, and absorbent.
As a colorant, Aluminum Hydroxide may add opacity, or reduce the transparency. Aluminum hydroxide is contains both basic and acidic properties.
According to manufacturers, this ingredient is an emollient and humectant. This means it helps hydrate the skin.
In medicine, this ingredient is used to help relieve heartburn and help heal ulcers.
There is currently no credible scientific evidence linking aluminum hydroxide in cosmetics to increased cancer risk.
Major health organizations allow the use of aluminum hydroxide in personal care products and have not flagged it as a carcinogenic risk at typical usage levels.
Learn more about Aluminum HydroxideCetyl Alcohol is a fatty alcohol. Fatty Alcohols are most often used as an emollient or to thicken a product.
Its main roles are:
Though it has "alcohol" in the name, it is not related to denatured alcohol or ethyl alcohol.
The FDA allows products labeled "alcohol-free" to have fatty alcohols.
Learn more about Cetyl AlcoholCitric Acid is an alpha hydroxy acid (AHA) naturally found in citrus fruits like oranges, lemons, and limes.
Like other AHAs, citric acid can exfoliate skin by breaking down the bonds that hold dead skin cells together. This helps reveal smoother and brighter skin underneath.
However, this exfoliating effect only happens at high concentrations (20%) which can be hard to find in cosmetic products.
Due to this, citric acid is usually included in small amounts as a pH adjuster. This helps keep products slightly more acidic and compatible with skin's natural pH.
In skincare formulas, citric acid can:
While it can provide some skin benefits, research shows lactic acid and glycolic acid are generally more effective and less irritating exfoliants.
Most citric acid used in skincare today is made by fermenting sugars (usually from molasses). This synthetic version is identical to the natural citrus form but easier to stabilize and use in formulations.
Read more about some other popular AHA's here:
Learn more about Citric AcidCyclopentasiloxane, or D5, is a silicone used to improve texture of products and trap moisture.
D5 is considered lightweight and volatile. Volatile means it evaporates quickly after application. Once evaporated, D5 leaves a thin barrier that helps keep skin hydrated.
It is also an emollient. Emollients help soften the skin and prevent water loss. Silicones create a silky texture in products. D5 helps other ingredients become more spreadable.
Studies show D5 is safe to use in skincare products. We recommend speaking with a skincare professional if you have concerns.
Learn more about CyclopentasiloxaneGlyceryl Stearate is a mix of glycerin and stearic acid.
It is used to stabilize the mixing of water and oil ingredients. By preventing these ingredients from separating, it can help elongate shelf life. It can also help thicken the product's texture.
As an emollient, it helps soften skin and supports barrier-replenishing ingredients.
In cosmetics, Glyceryl Stearate is often made from vegetable oils or synthetically produced.
This ingredient may not be fungal-acne safe
Fun fact: The human body also creates Glyceryl Stearate naturally.
Learn more about Glyceryl StearateHydrogen Dimethicone is a type of silicone.
Titanium dioxide is a mineral UV filter widely used in sunscreens and cosmetics.
It is one of only two UV filters officially classified as “mineral” by regulatory agencies, the other being zinc oxide.
Titanium dioxide provides broad-spectrum protection mostly in the UVB and UVAII range, with some protection in the UVAI range.
While its UVA protection isn’t as strong as zinc oxide’s, the difference is minor.
A common myth is that mineral UV filters reflect UV light. However, modern research shows titanium dioxide absorbs UV radiation like chemical filters (~95% absorption & 5% reflection).
Thanks to its non-irritating nature, titanium dioxide is suitable for sensitive, acne-prone, or redness-prone skin. It is unlikely to cause "eye sting" like other sunscreen ingredients.
A major drawback of this ingredient is its white cast and thick texture. This is why mineral sunscreens often leave a white cast and are less cosmetically elegant than chemical/hybrid sunscreens.
To improve white cast and spreadability, micronized or nano-sized titanium dioxide is often used.
There are ongoing concerns surrounding nano-titanium oxide's impact on marine ecosystems.
There is no conclusive evidence that any form of titanium oxide (or any other sunscreen ingredients) will cause harm to marine ecosystems or coral reefs. The science is still developing but many consumers are keeping a close eye on this issue.
Please note, many destinations have reef-safety sunscreen rules. For instance, the U.S. Virgin Islands advises all visitors to use non-nano mineral sunscreens.
Nano mineral sunscreens once raised safety concerns about absorption into skin.
Extensive research has shown that they do not penetrate healthy or damaged skin; they remain safely on the surface and the top layer of dead skin (stratum corneum).
You'll likely find titanium dioxide bundled with alumina, silica, or dimethicone. These ingredients help make titanium dioxide highly photostable; this prevents it from interacting with other formula components under UV light.
Learn more about Titanium DioxideWater. 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 Water