What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningBHT
AntioxidantTitanium Dioxide
Cosmetic ColorantEthylhexyl Methoxycinnamate
UV AbsorberOctocrylene
UV AbsorberButyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane
UV AbsorberNiacinamide
SmoothingScenedesmus Rubescens Extract
Skin ConditioningTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantC12-15 Alkyl Benzoate
AntimicrobialCetearyl Alcohol
EmollientCetearyl Glucoside
EmulsifyingCyclopentasiloxane
EmollientDimethicone
EmollientDisodium EDTA
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantGlyceryl Stearate
EmollientHydrolyzed Wheat Protein/Pvp Crosspolymer
Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingNylon-12
Propylene Glycol
HumectantSilica
AbrasiveSodium Hydroxide
BufferingTalc
AbrasiveTriethanolamine
BufferingXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingPhenoxyethanol
PreservativePhenylbenzimidazole Sulfonic Acid
UV AbsorberPotassium Sorbate
PreservativeCI 16035
Cosmetic ColorantWater, BHT, Titanium Dioxide, Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate, Octocrylene, Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane, Niacinamide, Scenedesmus Rubescens Extract, Tocopheryl Acetate, C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate, Cetearyl Alcohol, Cetearyl Glucoside, Cyclopentasiloxane, Dimethicone, Disodium EDTA, Ethylhexylglycerin, Glycerin, Glyceryl Stearate, Hydrolyzed Wheat Protein/Pvp Crosspolymer, Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Nylon-12, Propylene Glycol, Silica, Sodium Hydroxide, Talc, Triethanolamine, Xanthan Gum, Phenoxyethanol, Phenylbenzimidazole Sulfonic Acid, Potassium Sorbate, CI 16035
Water
Skin ConditioningDimethicone
EmollientDiisopropyl Sebacate
EmollientButylene Glycol
HumectantCaprylyl Methicone
Skin ConditioningCetyl Ethylhexanoate
EmollientTitanium Dioxide
Cosmetic ColorantPentaerythrityl Tetraethylhexanoate
EmollientTriethylhexanoin
MaskingDiethylhexyl Succinate
EmollientZinc Oxide
Cosmetic ColorantDipropylene Glycol
HumectantSilica
AbrasiveGlycerin
HumectantPEG-9 Polydimethylsiloxyethyl Dimethicone
EmulsifyingDiethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl Benzoate
UV FilterBis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine
Skin ConditioningPEG/PPG-14/7 Dimethyl Ether
Skin ConditioningSodium Chloride
MaskingThiotaurine
AntioxidantPotentilla Erecta Root Extract
Skin ConditioningDipotassium Glycyrrhizate
HumectantAngelica Keiskei Leaf/Stem Extract
Skin ConditioningSodium Acetylated Hyaluronate
HumectantPEG-10 Dimethicone
Skin ConditioningAluminum Hydroxide
EmollientDisteardimonium Hectorite
StabilisingEthylhexyl Triazone
UV AbsorberPEG-12 Dimethicone
Skin ConditioningStearic Acid
CleansingHydrogen Dimethicone
Beheneth-20
EmulsifyingSodium Citrate
BufferingCitric Acid
BufferingSodium Metaphosphate
BufferingSodium Metabisulfite
AntioxidantPrunus Yedoensis Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingTrifluoropropyldimethyl/Trimethylsiloxysilicate
EmollientTocopherol
AntioxidantPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeBenzoic Acid
MaskingCI 77120
Cosmetic ColorantWater, Dimethicone, Diisopropyl Sebacate, Butylene Glycol, Caprylyl Methicone, Cetyl Ethylhexanoate, Titanium Dioxide, Pentaerythrityl Tetraethylhexanoate, Triethylhexanoin, Diethylhexyl Succinate, Zinc Oxide, Dipropylene Glycol, Silica, Glycerin, PEG-9 Polydimethylsiloxyethyl Dimethicone, Diethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl Benzoate, Bis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine, PEG/PPG-14/7 Dimethyl Ether, Sodium Chloride, Thiotaurine, Potentilla Erecta Root Extract, Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate, Angelica Keiskei Leaf/Stem Extract, Sodium Acetylated Hyaluronate, PEG-10 Dimethicone, Aluminum Hydroxide, Disteardimonium Hectorite, Ethylhexyl Triazone, PEG-12 Dimethicone, Stearic Acid, Hydrogen Dimethicone, Beheneth-20, Sodium Citrate, Citric Acid, Sodium Metaphosphate, Sodium Metabisulfite, Prunus Yedoensis Leaf Extract, Carbomer, Trifluoropropyldimethyl/Trimethylsiloxysilicate, Tocopherol, Phenoxyethanol, Benzoic Acid, CI 77120
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Dimethicone is a type of synthetic silicone created from natural materials such as quartz. It is also known as polydimethylsiloxane.
What it does:
Dimethicone comes in different viscosities:
Depending on the viscosity, dimethicone has different properties.
Ingredients lists don't always show which type is used, so we recommend reaching out to the brand if you have questions about the viscosity.
This ingredient is unlikely to cause irritation because it does not get absorbed into skin. However, people with silicone allergies should be careful about using this ingredient.
Note: Dimethicone may contribute to pilling. This is because it is not oil or water soluble, so pilling may occur when layered with products. When mixed with heavy oils in a formula, the outcome is also quite greasy.
Learn more about DimethiconeGlycerin (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.
Silica, 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 SilicaTitanium 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. Remember to stay hydrated!
Learn more about Water