What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Butyl Acetate
MaskingEthyl Acetate
PerfumingNitrocellulose
Adipic Acid/Neopentyl Glycol/Trimellitic Anhydride Copolymer
Acetyl Tributyl Citrate
MaskingIsopropyl Alcohol
SolventTalc
AbrasiveStearalkonium Bentonite
Gel FormingAcrylates Copolymer
Hydrogenated Castor Oil/Sebacic Acid Copolymer
EmollientStyrene/Acrylates Copolymer
Silica
AbrasiveBenzophenone-1
UV AbsorberWater
Skin ConditioningTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantTrimethylpentanediyl Dibenzoate
Titanium Dioxide
Cosmetic ColorantMethylpropanediol
SolventCI 77742
Cosmetic ColorantMethylthiopropylamido Acetyl Methionine
Skin ProtectingCI 77491
Cosmetic ColorantMagnesium Ascorbyl Phosphate
AntioxidantCI 19140
Cosmetic ColorantButyl Acetate, Ethyl Acetate, Nitrocellulose, Adipic Acid/Neopentyl Glycol/Trimellitic Anhydride Copolymer, Acetyl Tributyl Citrate, Isopropyl Alcohol, Talc, Stearalkonium Bentonite, Acrylates Copolymer, Hydrogenated Castor Oil/Sebacic Acid Copolymer, Styrene/Acrylates Copolymer, Silica, Benzophenone-1, Water, Tocopheryl Acetate, Trimethylpentanediyl Dibenzoate, Titanium Dioxide, Methylpropanediol, CI 77742, Methylthiopropylamido Acetyl Methionine, CI 77491, Magnesium Ascorbyl Phosphate, CI 19140
Butyl Acetate
MaskingEthyl Acetate
PerfumingNitrocellulose
Adipic Acid/Neopentyl Glycol/Trimellitic Anhydride Copolymer
Acetyl Tributyl Citrate
MaskingIsopropyl Alcohol
SolventStearalkonium Bentonite
Gel FormingAcrylates Copolymer
Brassica Campestris Seed Oil
Skin ConditioningOenothera Biennis Oil
EmollientCucumis Sativus Fruit Extract
EmollientAllium Sativum Bulb Extract
Skin ConditioningChamomilla Recutita Flower Extract
MaskingPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeBiotin
AntiseborrhoeicWater
Skin ConditioningCalcium Pantothenate
Ferrous Gluconate
Skin ConditioningCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingEtocrylene
UV AbsorberHoya Lacunosa Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningMica
Cosmetic ColorantPropylene Glycol
HumectantSilica
AbrasiveHydrated Silica
AbrasiveTilia Platyphyllos Extract
Skin ConditioningTin Oxide
AbrasiveTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantTrimethylpentanediyl Dibenzoate
Hydrogen Dimethicone
Alcohol Denat.
AntimicrobialTitanium Dioxide
Cosmetic ColorantAluminum Hydroxide
EmollientCI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantCI 19140
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77510
Cosmetic ColorantButyl Acetate, Ethyl Acetate, Nitrocellulose, Adipic Acid/Neopentyl Glycol/Trimellitic Anhydride Copolymer, Acetyl Tributyl Citrate, Isopropyl Alcohol, Stearalkonium Bentonite, Acrylates Copolymer, Brassica Campestris Seed Oil, Oenothera Biennis Oil, Cucumis Sativus Fruit Extract, Allium Sativum Bulb Extract, Chamomilla Recutita Flower Extract, Phenoxyethanol, Biotin, Water, Calcium Pantothenate, Ferrous Gluconate, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Etocrylene, Hoya Lacunosa Flower Extract, Mica, Propylene Glycol, Silica, Hydrated Silica, Tilia Platyphyllos Extract, Tin Oxide, Tocopheryl Acetate, Trimethylpentanediyl Dibenzoate, Hydrogen Dimethicone, Alcohol Denat., Titanium Dioxide, Aluminum Hydroxide, CI 77891, CI 19140, CI 77510
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Acetyl Tributyl Citrate is a fragrance.
Acrylates Copolymer is used as a film-forming agent and texture enhancer.
After applied, Acrylates Copolymer forms a thin film cover that helps skin feel more soft. It can help sunscreens become more water-resistant.
It is also used to make a product more thick.
Learn more about Acrylates CopolymerWe don't have a description for Adipic Acid/Neopentyl Glycol/Trimellitic Anhydride Copolymer yet.
We don't have a description for Butyl Acetate yet.
CI 19140 is also known as Tartrazine. Tartrazine is a synthetic dye used in cosmetics, foods, and medicine to add a yellow color.
Tartrazine is created from petroleum and is water-soluble.
Some people may experience allergies from this dye, especially asthmatics and those with an aspirin intolerance.
Learn more about CI 19140Ethyl Acetate is a fragrance.
Isopropyl Alcohol is more commonly known as rubbing alcohol. It is most commonly used as a solvent, meaning it helps other ingredients dissolve.
This ingredient is an astringent alcohol. Astringent alcohols may also irritate skin as they high amounts may strip away your skin's natural oils.
Other types of astringent alcohols include:
According to the National Rosacea Society based in the US, you should be mindful of products with these alcohols in the top half of ingredients.
Any type of sanitizing product will have high amounts of alcohol to help kill bacteria and viruses.
Learn more about Isopropyl AlcoholWe don't have a description for Nitrocellulose yet.
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 SilicaWe don't have a description for Stearalkonium Bentonite yet.
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 AcetateWe don't have a description for Trimethylpentanediyl Dibenzoate yet.
Water. 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. Stay hydrated!
Learn more about Water