Clarins BB Skin Detox Fluid SPF 25 Versus Dr Sam’s Flawless Gossamer Tint SPF50 (Tint 01-Fair or Pale)
What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningDimethicone
EmollientC10-13 Alkane
SolventTitanium Dioxide
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantAlcohol
AntimicrobialButylene Glycol
HumectantMethyl Methacrylate Crosspolymer
Cetyl PEG/PPG-10/1 Dimethicone
EmulsifyingC12-15 Alkyl Benzoate
AntimicrobialPolyglyceryl-3 Polydimethylsiloxyethyl Dimethicone
Skin ConditioningPolymethyl Methacrylate
CI 77492
Cosmetic ColorantAluminum Hydroxide
EmollientStearic Acid
CleansingGlycerin
HumectantSodium Chloride
MaskingSilica
AbrasiveCoco-Caprylate/Caprate
EmollientCI 77491
Cosmetic ColorantParfum
MaskingPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeCI 77499
Cosmetic ColorantPolyglyceryl-2 Caprate
EmulsifyingMica
Cosmetic ColorantStearalkonium Hectorite
Gel FormingDisodium EDTA
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantAloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice Powder
Skin ConditioningSpiraea Ulmaria Extract
AstringentPropylene Carbonate
SolventSodium Lauroyl Glutamate
SurfactantSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantLysine
Skin ConditioningMagnesium Chloride
Triethoxycaprylylsilane
Malpighia Emarginata Seed Extract
Skin ConditioningCamellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialLinalool
PerfumingHexyl Cinnamal
PerfumingCitronellol
PerfumingLimonene
PerfumingAlpha-Isomethyl Ionone
PerfumingLapsana Communis Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract
Skin ConditioningWater, Dimethicone, C10-13 Alkane, Titanium Dioxide, CI 77891, Alcohol, Butylene Glycol, Methyl Methacrylate Crosspolymer, Cetyl PEG/PPG-10/1 Dimethicone, C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate, Polyglyceryl-3 Polydimethylsiloxyethyl Dimethicone, Polymethyl Methacrylate, CI 77492, Aluminum Hydroxide, Stearic Acid, Glycerin, Sodium Chloride, Silica, Coco-Caprylate/Caprate, CI 77491, Parfum, Phenoxyethanol, CI 77499, Polyglyceryl-2 Caprate, Mica, Stearalkonium Hectorite, Disodium EDTA, Ethylhexylglycerin, Tocopheryl Acetate, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice Powder, Spiraea Ulmaria Extract, Propylene Carbonate, Sodium Lauroyl Glutamate, Sodium Hyaluronate, Lysine, Magnesium Chloride, Triethoxycaprylylsilane, Malpighia Emarginata Seed Extract, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Linalool, Hexyl Cinnamal, Citronellol, Limonene, Alpha-Isomethyl Ionone, Lapsana Communis Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract
Water
Skin ConditioningCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingZinc Oxide
Cosmetic ColorantOctyldodecyl Neopentanoate
EmollientTitanium Dioxide
Cosmetic ColorantButyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin ConditioningHydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingPolyhydroxystearic Acid
EmulsifyingSqualane
EmollientCetearyl Alcohol
EmollientPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeSodium Stearoyl Glutamate
CleansingSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantPolysorbate 60
EmulsifyingAlumina
AbrasiveAluminum Stearate
Cosmetic ColorantHydrogenated Polydecene
EmollientCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingSodium Hydroxymethylglycinate
Preservative1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningDisodium EDTA
Isostearic Acid
CleansingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningSorbitan Isostearate
EmulsifyingBiosaccharide Gum-4
Skin ConditioningDisteardimonium Hectorite
StabilisingPropylene Carbonate
SolventCitric Acid
BufferingCI 77492
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77491
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77499
Cosmetic ColorantWater, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Zinc Oxide, Octyldodecyl Neopentanoate, Titanium Dioxide, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Polyhydroxystearic Acid, Squalane, Cetearyl Alcohol, Phenoxyethanol, Sodium Stearoyl Glutamate, Sodium Hyaluronate, Polysorbate 60, Alumina, Aluminum Stearate, Hydrogenated Polydecene, Carbomer, Sodium Hydroxymethylglycinate, 1,2-Hexanediol, Disodium EDTA, Isostearic Acid, Ethylhexylglycerin, Sorbitan Isostearate, Biosaccharide Gum-4, Disteardimonium Hectorite, Propylene Carbonate, Citric Acid, CI 77492, CI 77891, CI 77491, CI 77499
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Ci 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 77492Ci 77499 is also hydrated iron III oxide. It is created from mixing red and black iron oxides. This helps give shades of darkness to a product.
Iron III oxides are classified as inorganic chemicals for coloring.
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 77891Disodium EDTA is a chelating agent. It grabs onto and deactivates metal ions that sneak into your products from water, packaging, or air.
This ingredient mainly works behind the scenes and helps with:
On top of that, this ingredient can counteract the effects of hard water by binding to the minerals in it.
One thing worth knowing is that Disodium EDTA has been shown to be a mild penetration enhancer. It can help other ingredients absorb into skin more effectively which can be a double-edged sword (great for actives, but can also make the active too strong if you have sensitive skin).
Clinical patch testing showed no significant skin irritation at typical use concentrations and minimal dermal absorption.
You'll most likely see this ingredient near the end of an ingredient list. It's typically found in concentrations less than 1%.
Learn more about Disodium EDTAEthylhexylglycerin 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 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.
This 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 CarbonateSodium Hyaluronate is the salt form of hyaluronic acid. It is a long sugar chain that is naturally found in your skin, joints, and connective tissue that maintains hydration and elasticity.
In skincare, it works as a humectant. It pulls water from the environment and deeper layers of skin and binds it to the surface.
Interestingly, the size of the molecule affects its behavior:
Some clinical evidence links low molecular weight versions to improved wrinkle depth, elasticity, anti-inflammatory effects, and barrier repair.
Many serums use a blend of both weights so you can get surface hydration plus longer-lasting and deeper effects.
You'll typically see concentrations between 0.1-2% for this ingredient.
Learn more about Sodium HyaluronateTitanium 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