Colorescience Total Protection No-Show Mineral Sunscreen SPF 50 Versus The Ordinary Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1%
This hybrid sunscreen covers the full UV range and blocks ~98% of UVB at SPF 50.
This oil-control serum is formulated around Niacinamide and Zinc PCA to balance excess oil and refine the look of pores.
What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
No concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Zinc Oxide 10%
Cosmetic Colorant
Water
Skin ConditioningC12-15 Alkyl Benzoate
AntimicrobialButyloctyl Salicylate
Skin Conditioning
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Caprylyl Methicone
Skin Conditioning
Isododecane
EmollientPolyglyceryl-3 Polyricinoleate
Emulsifying
Polymethylsilsesquioxane
Propanediol
Solvent
Tridecyl Salicylate
Skin Conditioning
C13-15 Alkane
SolventPolyglyceryl-3 Diisostearate
Emulsifying
Silica
Abrasive
Maltodextrin
Absorbent
Polyglyceryl-4 Diisostearate/Polyhydroxystearate/Sebacate
Emulsifying
Sodium Chloride
MaskingDisteardimonium Hectorite
StabilisingPhenoxyethanol
Preservative
Bisabolol
Antioxidant
Lecithin
Emollient
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningAllantoin
Skin Conditioning
Tremella Fuciformis Sporocarp Extract
Antioxidant
Dimethylmethoxy Chromanol
Antioxidant
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Hexylene Glycol
EmulsifyingCaesalpinia Spinosa Fruit Pod Extract
Tetrasodium Glutamate Diacetate
ChelatingHelianthus Annuus Sprout Extract
Skin ConditioningLauryl PEG-8 Dimethicone
Surfactant
Lauryl PEG-10 Tris(Trimethylsiloxy)Silylethyl Dimethicone
Emulsifying
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingSodium Benzoate
Masking
Zinc Oxide 10%, Water, C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate, Butyloctyl Salicylate, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Caprylyl Methicone, Isododecane, Polyglyceryl-3 Polyricinoleate, Polymethylsilsesquioxane, Propanediol, Tridecyl Salicylate, C13-15 Alkane, Polyglyceryl-3 Diisostearate, Silica, Maltodextrin, Polyglyceryl-4 Diisostearate/Polyhydroxystearate/Sebacate, Sodium Chloride, Disteardimonium Hectorite, Phenoxyethanol, Bisabolol, Lecithin, Ethylhexylglycerin, Allantoin, Tremella Fuciformis Sporocarp Extract, Dimethylmethoxy Chromanol, Caprylyl Glycol, Hexylene Glycol, Caesalpinia Spinosa Fruit Pod Extract, Tetrasodium Glutamate Diacetate, Helianthus Annuus Sprout Extract, Lauryl PEG-8 Dimethicone, Lauryl PEG-10 Tris(Trimethylsiloxy)Silylethyl Dimethicone, Sodium Hydroxide, Sodium Benzoate
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Phenoxyethanol 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 PhenoxyethanolWater. 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
