What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
No concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningCyclopentasiloxane
EmollientGlycerin
HumectantEthylhexyl Palmitate
EmollientCetyl PEG/PPG-10/1 Dimethicone
EmulsifyingGlycereth-26
HumectantPolybutene
Cera Microcristallina
Emulsion StabilisingPolymethyl Methacrylate
Sodium Chloride
MaskingTriethoxycaprylylsilane
Mica
Cosmetic ColorantDimethicone
EmollientDimethicone Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingPhenyl Trimethicone
Skin ConditioningPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningTrimethylsiloxysilicate
EmollientMagnesium Stearate
Cosmetic ColorantTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantParfum
MaskingButylene Glycol
HumectantCitrus Grandis Peel Oil
MaskingPEG-8
HumectantSalicylic Acid
MaskingIsostearamidopropyl Ethyldimonium Ethosulfate
Propylene Glycol
HumectantSodium Hydroxide
BufferingCarthamus Tinctorius Seed Oil
MaskingOlea Europaea Fruit Oil
MaskingMelaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Oil
AntioxidantTitanium Dioxide
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77491
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77492
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77499
Cosmetic ColorantWater, Cyclopentasiloxane, Glycerin, Ethylhexyl Palmitate, Cetyl PEG/PPG-10/1 Dimethicone, Glycereth-26, Polybutene, Cera Microcristallina, Polymethyl Methacrylate, Sodium Chloride, Triethoxycaprylylsilane, Mica, Dimethicone, Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Phenyl Trimethicone, Phenoxyethanol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Trimethylsiloxysilicate, Magnesium Stearate, Tocopheryl Acetate, Parfum, Butylene Glycol, Citrus Grandis Peel Oil, PEG-8, Salicylic Acid, Isostearamidopropyl Ethyldimonium Ethosulfate, Propylene Glycol, Sodium Hydroxide, Carthamus Tinctorius Seed Oil, Olea Europaea Fruit Oil, Melaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Oil, Titanium Dioxide, CI 77491, CI 77492, CI 77499
Water
Skin ConditioningCyclopentasiloxane
EmollientTrimethylsiloxyphenyl Dimethicone
Trimethylsiloxysilicate
EmollientIsononyl Isononanoate
EmollientGlycerin
HumectantCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingSorbitan Olivate
EmulsifyingPolyglyceryl-4 Isostearate
EmulsifyingPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeCetyl PEG/PPG-10/1 Dimethicone
EmulsifyingHexyl Laurate
EmollientTriethoxycaprylylsilane
Euphorbia Cerifera Cera
AstringentCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantAloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract
EmollientXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingCaffeine
Skin ConditioningCoffea Arabica Seed Extract
MaskingSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantLecithin
EmollientTitanium Dioxide
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77492
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77491
Cosmetic ColorantChromium Hydroxide Green
CI 77288
Cosmetic ColorantWater, Cyclopentasiloxane, Trimethylsiloxyphenyl Dimethicone, Trimethylsiloxysilicate, Isononyl Isononanoate, Glycerin, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Sorbitan Olivate, Polyglyceryl-4 Isostearate, Phenoxyethanol, Cetyl PEG/PPG-10/1 Dimethicone, Hexyl Laurate, Triethoxycaprylylsilane, Euphorbia Cerifera Cera, Caprylyl Glycol, Tocopheryl Acetate, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract, Xanthan Gum, Caffeine, Coffea Arabica Seed Extract, Sodium Hyaluronate, Lecithin, Titanium Dioxide, CI 77492, CI 77491, Chromium Hydroxide Green, CI 77288
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 a silicone-based emulsifer that helps the water and oil phases play nicely together.
It's pretty effective because one end of the molecule loves oil and the other one loves water.
Besides holding formulas together, it also leaves a silky and lightweight feel on skin without the greasiness. A manufacturer also claims it can help with the controlled release of active ingredients.
The CIR Expert Panel found this ingredient to not be sensitizing in concentrations up to 15% in human maximazation testing and dimethicone-based compounds were not comedogenic.
It has a high molecular weight well above 1,000 g/mol which means it limits meaningful skin penetration.
A 2019 study specifically tested this ingredient and found no observable Malassezia growth in its presence.
Learn more about Cetyl PEG/PPG-10/1 DimethiconeCi 77491 is also hydrated iron III oxide. It's sole purpose is to give a red/pink hue to products.
Iron III oxides are classified as inorganic chemicals for coloring.
Synthetically created Ci 77491 is considered safer than those naturally found. This is because the synthetically created version may contain less impurities. Iron oxides are generally non-toxic and non-allergenic.
Learn more about CI 77491CI 77492 is also hydrated iron III oxide. It's sole purpose is to give a yellow hue to products.
Iron III oxides are classified as inorganic chemicals for coloring.
Synthetically created CI 77492 is considered safer than those naturally found. This is because the synthetically created version may contain less impurities. Iron oxides are generally non-toxic and non-allergenic.
Learn more about CI 77492Cyclopentasiloxane, 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 CyclopentasiloxaneGlycerin (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 GlycerinPhenoxyethanol is a preservative that has germicide, antimicrobial, and aromatic properties. Studies show that phenoxyethanol can prevent microbial growth. By itself, it has a scent that is similar to that of a rose.
It's often used in formulations along with Caprylyl Glycol to preserve the shelf life of products.
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 DioxideTocopheryl Acetate is AKA Vitamin E. It is an antioxidant and protects your skin from free radicals. Free radicals damage the skin by breaking down collagen.
One study found using Tocopheryl Acetate with Vitamin C decreased the number of sunburned cells.
Tocopheryl Acetate is commonly found in both skincare and dietary supplements.
Learn more about Tocopheryl AcetateTriethoxycaprylylsilane is a silicon-based surface modifier that makes sunscreens feel silky and makeup stay put.
Its main job is to coat mineral particles like titanium dioxide, zinc oxide, and color pigments in a thin, oily layer so they spread smoothly, don't clump, and stick to skin better.
This ingredient is typically used at low levels (up to 2.5% in eyeshadow and 1% in lipstick).
Learn more about TriethoxycaprylylsilaneThis silicone is an emollient. Emollients create a thin film on the skin to prevent moisture from escaping.
It is not soluble in water and helps increase water-resistance in products.
According to a manufacturer, it can blend seamlessly with silicone oils, such as Cyclopentasiloxane.
Learn more about TrimethylsiloxysilicateWater. 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