What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Zinc Oxide 12%
Cosmetic Colorant
Water
Skin ConditioningC12-15 Alkyl Benzoate
AntimicrobialButyloctyl Salicylate
Skin Conditioning
Lauryl PEG-8 Dimethicone
Surfactant
Titanium Dioxide
Cosmetic Colorant
CI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantIsododecane
EmollientPropanediol
Solvent
Iron Oxides
CI 77492
Cosmetic ColorantDimethicone
Emollient
Niacinamide
Smoothing
Polymethylsilsesquioxane
Isohexadecane
EmollientTrilaureth-4 Phosphate
EmulsifyingDimethiconol
Emollient
Caprylyl Methicone
Skin Conditioning
Mica
Cosmetic ColorantOctyldodecyl Neopentanoate
EmollientLauryl PEG-10 Tris(Trimethylsiloxy)Silylethyl Dimethicone
Emulsifying
Sodium Chloride
MaskingPhenoxyethanol
Preservative
Bisabolol
Antioxidant
CI 77491
Cosmetic ColorantDisteardimonium Hectorite
StabilisingCI 77499
Cosmetic ColorantCaprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Allantoin
Skin Conditioning
Polyglyceryl-4 Diisostearate/Polyhydroxystearate/Sebacate
Emulsifying
Aluminum Hydroxide
EmollientHydrogenated Lecithin
Emulsifying
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningHexylene Glycol
EmulsifyingPropylene Carbonate
SolventPEG-10
HumectantZinc Oxide 12%, Water, C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate, Butyloctyl Salicylate, Lauryl PEG-8 Dimethicone, Titanium Dioxide, CI 77891, Isododecane, Propanediol, Iron Oxides, CI 77492, Dimethicone, Niacinamide, Polymethylsilsesquioxane, Isohexadecane, Trilaureth-4 Phosphate, Dimethiconol, Caprylyl Methicone, Mica, Octyldodecyl Neopentanoate, Lauryl PEG-10 Tris(Trimethylsiloxy)Silylethyl Dimethicone, Sodium Chloride, Phenoxyethanol, Bisabolol, CI 77491, Disteardimonium Hectorite, CI 77499, Caprylyl Glycol, Allantoin, Polyglyceryl-4 Diisostearate/Polyhydroxystearate/Sebacate, Aluminum Hydroxide, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Ethylhexylglycerin, Hexylene Glycol, Propylene Carbonate, PEG-10
Water
Skin ConditioningCoco-Caprylate
Emollient
Glycerin
Humectant
Persea Gratissima Oil
Skin Conditioning
Polyglyceryl-2 Dipolyhydroxystearate
Skin Conditioning
Capryloyl Glycerin/Sebacic Acid Copolymer
Skin ConditioningCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Hydrogenated Rapeseed Oil
Emollient
Polyglyceryl-3 Diisostearate
Emulsifying
Sodium Chloride
MaskingSilica
Abrasive
Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil
Emollient
Ethylhexyl Palmitate
Emollient
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Curcuma Longa Root Extract
Antioxidant
Panax Quinquefolius Root Extract
AstringentVitis Vinifera Seed Extract
Antimicrobial
Withania Somnifera Root Extract
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Evodia Rutaecarpa Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningStearalkonium Hectorite
Gel FormingPropylene Carbonate
SolventTriethoxycaprylylsilane
Propanediol
Solvent
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Sodium Dehydroacetate
Preservative
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningCI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantIron Oxides
Water, Coco-Caprylate, Glycerin, Persea Gratissima Oil, Polyglyceryl-2 Dipolyhydroxystearate, Capryloyl Glycerin/Sebacic Acid Copolymer, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Hydrogenated Rapeseed Oil, Polyglyceryl-3 Diisostearate, Sodium Chloride, Silica, Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil, Ethylhexyl Palmitate, Tocopherol, Curcuma Longa Root Extract, Panax Quinquefolius Root Extract, Vitis Vinifera Seed Extract, Withania Somnifera Root Extract, Sodium Hyaluronate, Evodia Rutaecarpa Fruit Extract, Stearalkonium Hectorite, Propylene Carbonate, Triethoxycaprylylsilane, Propanediol, Phenoxyethanol, Sodium Dehydroacetate, Ethylhexylglycerin, CI 77891, Iron Oxides
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Ci 77891 is a white pigment from Titanium dioxide. It is naturally found in minerals such as rutile and ilmenite.
It's main function is to add a white color to cosmetics. It can also be mixed with other colors to create different shades.
Ci 77891 is commonly found in sunscreens due to its ability to block UV rays.
Learn more about CI 77891Ethylhexylglycerin 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 PhenoxyethanolPropanediol 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 PropanediolThis ingredient is a solvent. It helps dissolve active ingredients and alter the texture of products.
Propylene Carbonate is commonly used in makeup and with clay, such as montmorillonite or bentonite.
Studies show this ingredient to be safe for cosmetics. When it is undiluted, it can cause skin irritation. (It is always diluted in skincare and makeup). This ingredient is water-soluble.
Propylene Carbonate is created from propylene glycol and carbonic acid.
Learn more about Propylene CarbonateChances are, you eat sodium chloride every day. Sodium Chloride is also known as table salt. This ingredient has many purposes in skincare: thickener, emulsifier, and exfoliator.
You'll most likely find this ingredient in cleansers where it is used to create a gel-like texture. As an emulsifier, it also prevents ingredients from separating.
You might see people debate whether Sodium Chloride is comedogenic, but there actually haven't been any comedogenic tests done on it. Either way, the overall formulation of a product matters a lot more than any single ingredient.
You might see this ingredient used in scrubs as a primary exfoliating ingredient.
Learn more about Sodium ChlorideWater. 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 WaterThis ingredient is a combination of red, black, and yellow iron oxide pigments. This combination of colors is usually found in foundation, because it results in a "skin" color.
The EU typically uses CI numbers for colorants when applicable, such as CI 77489. In the US, iron oxides are regulated as color additives and "iron oxides" is the most commonly used name in US cosmetic practice.
A 2021 paper looked at skincare formulations containing iron oxides and found that they reduced transmission of blue light when measured optically. In simple terms, the pigment particles helped block or scatter part of the visible light spectrum in lab testing and the authors suggest this could translate into better protection against blue-light-related skin effects.
There is also clinical and experimental research showing that tinted products containing iron oxides can reduce visible light-induced pigmentation:
Please note, whether a product reduces visible or blue light depends on things like:
In the EU's CosIng database, iron oxides are only listed as a colorant. CosIng groups ingredients by their main cosmetic role, such as colorant, preservative, or UV filter.
Though studies say iron oxides can "attenuate blue light", they're describing an optical property and not an officially recognized cosmetic function.
So CosIng isn’t contradicting the research. It’s just classifying iron oxides by what they officially are: pigments that add color.
Learn more about Iron Oxides
