What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Zinc Oxide 12%
Cosmetic ColorantWater
Skin ConditioningC12-15 Alkyl Benzoate
AntimicrobialButyloctyl Salicylate
Skin ConditioningLauryl PEG-8 Dimethicone
SurfactantDimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer
Skin ConditioningPolymethylsilsesquioxane/Silica Crosspolymer
Dimethicone
EmollientPropanediol
SolventNiacinamide
SmoothingTridecyl Salicylate
Skin ConditioningTrilaureth-4 Phosphate
EmulsifyingDimethiconol
EmollientLauryl PEG-10 Tris(Trimethylsiloxy)Silylethyl Dimethicone
EmulsifyingMaltodextrin
AbsorbentSodium Chloride
MaskingBisabolol
AntioxidantPolysilicone-11
Disodium Lauriminodipropionate
CleansingTocopheryl Phosphate
CleansingButylene Glycol
HumectantEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningAllantoin
Skin ConditioningTremella Fuciformis Sporocarp Extract
AntioxidantSilica
AbrasiveIsoceteth-10
EmulsifyingCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientHexylene Glycol
EmulsifyingDimethylmethoxy Chromanol
AntioxidantCaesalpinia Spinosa Fruit Pod Extract
Tetrasodium Glutamate Diacetate
Decyl Glucoside
CleansingHelianthus Annuus Sprout Extract
Skin ConditioningPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeSodium Benzoate
MaskingBenzoic Acid
MaskingDehydroacetic Acid
PreservativeSodium Hydroxide
BufferingIron Oxides
Zinc Oxide 12%, Water, C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate, Butyloctyl Salicylate, Lauryl PEG-8 Dimethicone, Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Polymethylsilsesquioxane/Silica Crosspolymer, Dimethicone, Propanediol, Niacinamide, Tridecyl Salicylate, Trilaureth-4 Phosphate, Dimethiconol, Lauryl PEG-10 Tris(Trimethylsiloxy)Silylethyl Dimethicone, Maltodextrin, Sodium Chloride, Bisabolol, Polysilicone-11, Disodium Lauriminodipropionate, Tocopheryl Phosphate, Butylene Glycol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Allantoin, Tremella Fuciformis Sporocarp Extract, Silica, Isoceteth-10, Caprylyl Glycol, Hexylene Glycol, Dimethylmethoxy Chromanol, Caesalpinia Spinosa Fruit Pod Extract, Tetrasodium Glutamate Diacetate, Decyl Glucoside, Helianthus Annuus Sprout Extract, Phenoxyethanol, Sodium Benzoate, Benzoic Acid, Dehydroacetic Acid, Sodium Hydroxide, Iron Oxides
Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane 3%
UV AbsorberHomosalate
Skin ConditioningEthylhexyl Salicylate
UV AbsorberOctocrylene
UV AbsorberWater
Skin ConditioningSilica
AbrasiveDicaprylyl Carbonate
EmollientStyrene/Acrylates Copolymer
Butyloctyl Salicylate
Skin ConditioningMethyl Methacrylate Crosspolymer
Nylon-12
PEG-100 Stearate
SurfactantGlyceryl Stearate
EmollientBeeswax
Emulsion StabilisingPerlite
AbsorbentAmmonium Polyacryloyldimethyl Taurate
Emulsion StabilisingBehenyl Alcohol
EmollientCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingCassia Alata Leaf Extract
AstringentChlorphenesin
AntimicrobialDiethylhexyl Syringylidenemalonate
Skin ProtectingDisodium EDTA
Maltodextrin
AbsorbentP-Anisic Acid
MaskingPEG-8 Laurate
EmulsifyingPhenoxyethanol
PreservativePropylene Glycol
HumectantSodium Stearoyl Glutamate
CleansingTocopherol
AntioxidantXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingButyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane 3%, Homosalate, Ethylhexyl Salicylate, Octocrylene, Water, Silica, Dicaprylyl Carbonate, Styrene/Acrylates Copolymer, Butyloctyl Salicylate, Methyl Methacrylate Crosspolymer, Nylon-12, PEG-100 Stearate, Glyceryl Stearate, Beeswax, Perlite, Ammonium Polyacryloyldimethyl Taurate, Behenyl Alcohol, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Cassia Alata Leaf Extract, Chlorphenesin, Diethylhexyl Syringylidenemalonate, Disodium EDTA, Maltodextrin, P-Anisic Acid, PEG-8 Laurate, Phenoxyethanol, Propylene Glycol, Sodium Stearoyl Glutamate, Tocopherol, Xanthan Gum
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Butyloctyl Salicylate is a chemical UV filter structurally similar to octisalate. It is a photostabilizer, SPF booster, emollient and solvent. This ingredient helps evenly spread out ingredients.
According to a manufacturer, it is suitable for pairing with micro Titanium Dioxide, Zinc Oxide, and pigments.
Photostabilizers help stabilize UV-filters and prevents them from degrading quickly.
Learn more about Butyloctyl SalicylateMaltodextrin is a plant-derived carbohydrate made by breaking down starch (usually from corn, potato, or rice). In cosmetic formulas, it's a multitasking absorbent, emulsion stabilizer, and skin conditioner.
This ingredient is mostly used to stabilize emulsions and improve the powdery, non-greasy feel of products (like dry shampoos).
Safety-wise, this ingredient is pretty solid; it's even recognized as a food additive. Both animal and clinical studies found no adverse effects at the levels used in cosmetics.
Industry data shows this ingredient is used up to 45.7% in spray products and up to 33% in powder products.
Learn more about MaltodextrinPhenoxyethanol 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 PhenoxyethanolSilica, 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 SilicaWater. 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