What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Titanium Dioxide 6.3%
Cosmetic Colorant
Zinc Oxide 4%
Cosmetic Colorant
Water
Skin ConditioningDimethicone
Emollient
Butyloctyl Salicylate
Skin Conditioning
Polydiethylsiloxane
Emollient
C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate
AntimicrobialIsononyl Isononanoate
EmollientDiethylhexyl Succinate
EmollientNeopentyl Glycol Diheptanoate
EmollientMethyl Trimethicone
Skin Conditioning
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Ethylhexyl Methoxycrylene
Skin Conditioning
Lauryl PEG-9 Polydimethylsiloxyethyl Dimethicone
Skin Conditioning
Silica
Abrasive
Laureth-4
Emulsifying
Cetyl PEG/PPG-10/1 Dimethicone
Emulsifying
Dipentaerythrityl Tri-Polyhydroxystearate
Emollient
Hydrolyzed Wheat Protein/Pvp Crosspolymer
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Dimethicone Silylate
Dimethicone/PEG-10/15 Crosspolymer
Isostearic Acid
Cleansing
Dimethicone Crosspolymer-3
Skin Conditioning
Polyhydroxystearic Acid
Emulsifying
Triethoxycaprylylsilane
Dipropylene Glycol
HumectantPhenoxyethanol
Preservative
CI 77491
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77492
Cosmetic ColorantTitanium Dioxide 6.3%, Zinc Oxide 4%, Water, Dimethicone, Butyloctyl Salicylate, Polydiethylsiloxane, C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate, Isononyl Isononanoate, Diethylhexyl Succinate, Neopentyl Glycol Diheptanoate, Methyl Trimethicone, Butylene Glycol, Ethylhexyl Methoxycrylene, Lauryl PEG-9 Polydimethylsiloxyethyl Dimethicone, Silica, Laureth-4, Cetyl PEG/PPG-10/1 Dimethicone, Dipentaerythrityl Tri-Polyhydroxystearate, Hydrolyzed Wheat Protein/Pvp Crosspolymer, Caprylyl Glycol, Dimethicone Silylate, Dimethicone/PEG-10/15 Crosspolymer, Isostearic Acid, Dimethicone Crosspolymer-3, Polyhydroxystearic Acid, Triethoxycaprylylsilane, Dipropylene Glycol, Phenoxyethanol, CI 77491, CI 77492
Water
Skin ConditioningEthylhexyl Salicylate
UV Absorber
Cyclohexasiloxane
Emollient
Niacinamide
Smoothing
Glycerin
Humectant
Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane
UV Absorber
Octocrylene
UV Absorber
Phenylbenzimidazole Sulfonic Acid
UV Absorber
Silica
Abrasive
Glycol Stearate
Emollient
Stearic Acid
Cleansing
PEG-100 Stearate
Titanium Dioxide
Cosmetic Colorant
Carbomer
Emulsion StabilisingPotassium Hydroxide
BufferingAcrylates Crosspolymer
AbsorbentDimethicone
Emollient
Sodium Ascorbyl Phosphate
Antioxidant
Cystine
MaskingGlycine
Buffering
Sodium PCA
Humectant
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Pyridoxine Hcl
Skin ConditioningGlyceryl Stearate
Emollient
Cetyl Alcohol
Emollient
Parfum
Masking
Hydroxystearic Acid
Cleansing
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingPhenoxyethanol
Preservative
Methylparaben
Preservative
Cyclomethicone
Emollient
Propylparaben
Preservative
Cyclopentasiloxane
Emollient
Dimethiconol
Emollient
Disodium EDTA
BHT
Antioxidant
Stearamide Amp
Aluminum Hydroxide
EmollientSodium Carbonate
BufferingSodium Chloride
MaskingPalmitic Acid
Emollient
Arachidic Acid
Cleansing
Water, Ethylhexyl Salicylate, Cyclohexasiloxane, Niacinamide, Glycerin, Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane, Octocrylene, Phenylbenzimidazole Sulfonic Acid, Silica, Glycol Stearate, Stearic Acid, PEG-100 Stearate, Titanium Dioxide, Carbomer, Potassium Hydroxide, Acrylates Crosspolymer, Dimethicone, Sodium Ascorbyl Phosphate, Cystine, Glycine, Sodium PCA, Tocopheryl Acetate, Pyridoxine Hcl, Glyceryl Stearate, Cetyl Alcohol, Parfum, Hydroxystearic Acid, Sodium Hydroxide, Phenoxyethanol, Methylparaben, Cyclomethicone, Propylparaben, Cyclopentasiloxane, Dimethiconol, Disodium EDTA, BHT, Stearamide Amp, Aluminum Hydroxide, Sodium Carbonate, Sodium Chloride, Palmitic Acid, Arachidic Acid
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 DimethiconePhenoxyethanol 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
