Conscious Chemist 100% Mineral Sunscreen SPF 50 PA++++ Versus Dot & Key Skincare Cica & Niacinamide Toner
This mineral sunscreen covers the full UV range and blocks ~98% of UVB at SPF 50.
This smoothing toner is formulated around Lactic Acid and Niacinamide to refine skin texture and calm redness.
What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningZinc Oxide
Cosmetic Colorant
Coco-Caprylate/Caprate
Emollient
Squalane
Emollient
C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate
AntimicrobialCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Polyglyceryl-4 Isostearate
Emulsifying
Cetyl PEG/PPG-10/1 Dimethicone
Emulsifying
Hexyl Laurate
Emollient
Glycerin
Humectant
Vp/Eicosene Copolymer
Titanium Dioxide
Cosmetic Colorant
Hydrogenated Polyisobutene
EmollientNiacinamide
Smoothing
Ceramide NP
Skin Conditioning
Ceramide AP
Skin Conditioning
Ceramide EOP
Skin Conditioning
Phytosphingosine
Skin Conditioning
Cholesterol
Emollient
Betaine
Humectant
Bisabolol
Antioxidant
Resveratrol
Antioxidant
Allantoin
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningTasmannia Lanceolata Fruit/Leaf Extract
Antioxidant
Laminaria Digitata Extract
Skin Protecting
Copernicia Cerifera Wax
Trimethylsiloxysilicate
Emollient
Centella Asiatica Leaf Vesicles
Pentylene Glycol
Skin Conditioning
Water, Zinc Oxide, Coco-Caprylate/Caprate, Squalane, C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Polyglyceryl-4 Isostearate, Cetyl PEG/PPG-10/1 Dimethicone, Hexyl Laurate, Glycerin, Vp/Eicosene Copolymer, Titanium Dioxide, Hydrogenated Polyisobutene, Niacinamide, Ceramide NP, Ceramide AP, Ceramide EOP, Phytosphingosine, Cholesterol, Betaine, Bisabolol, Resveratrol, Allantoin, Sodium Hyaluronate, 1,2-Hexanediol, Phenoxyethanol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Tasmannia Lanceolata Fruit/Leaf Extract, Laminaria Digitata Extract, Copernicia Cerifera Wax, Trimethylsiloxysilicate, Centella Asiatica Leaf Vesicles, Pentylene Glycol
Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice
Skin Conditioning
Lactic Acid
Buffering
Propanediol
Solvent
Niacinamide
Smoothing
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingGlycerin
Humectant
Centella Asiatica Extract
Cleansing
Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
Antimicrobial
Melaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Oil
Antioxidant
Hamamelis Virginiana Leaf Extract
Skin Conditioning
Mentha Piperita Oil
Masking
Avena Sativa Kernel Flour
Abrasive
PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil
Emulsifying
Hydroxyethylcellulose
Emulsion StabilisingAllantoin
Skin Conditioning
Polysorbate 20
Emulsifying
Benzyl Alcohol
Perfuming
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningTocopherol
Antioxidant
Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Lactic Acid, Propanediol, Niacinamide, Sodium Hydroxide, Glycerin, Centella Asiatica Extract, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Melaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Oil, Hamamelis Virginiana Leaf Extract, Mentha Piperita Oil, Avena Sativa Kernel Flour, PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Hydroxyethylcellulose, Allantoin, Polysorbate 20, Benzyl Alcohol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Tocopherol
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Allantoin is a soothing ingredient known for its protective and moisturizing properties; it's basically a quiet workhorse ingredient you can find in a huge range of cosmetics.
Though it can be derived from the comfrey plant, allantoin is produced synthetically for cosmetic products to ensure purity.
Research shows it can encourage your skin cells to turn over and renew by stimulating keratinocyte and fibroblast proliferation.
It also has mild keratolytic properties to help loosen and shed dead skin cells without being harsh.
Studies also suggest allantoin can help calm inflammation by dialing down some of the chemical signals your skin sends out when it is irritated.
This ingredient is typically used in the 0.1-0.5% range, and the FDA recognizes it as a skin protectant in OTC products up to 2%.
Overall, allantoin is a wonderful addition to most routines; it is stable across a wide pH range (~4-8), works well with other ingredients, and is considered non-sensitizing/non-irritating.
Fun fact: Allantoin is naturally occurring in comfrey root, beets, chamomile, and wheat sprouts. Our bodies even produce it as a byproduct of uric acid metabolism.
Learn more about AllantoinEthylhexylglycerin 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 EthylhexylglycerinGlycerin (or glycerol) is a compound naturally found in your skin. It's a powerhouse humectant that pulls water into the stratum corneum.
Topically, glycerin does several things at once:
Your skin makes glycerin on its own (mostly from sebaceous oil breakdown) and shuttles it to your outermost layer of skin, or your epidermis, via aquaporin-3.
Aquaporin-3 is a transporter that is essential for normal skin hydration, elasticity, and repair. Interestingly, mice lacking in AQP3 have dry and less elastic skin that can be fully corrected with glycerin.
This ingredient is non-irritating, plays well with almost every ingredient, and works across all skin types. Typical use is anywhere between 3-10% but can go up to 79% in some leave-on products.
Just know very high concentrations (>40%) can feel tacky in low humidity.
Glycerin is the name for this ingredient in American English. British English uses Glycerol/Glycerine.
Learn more about GlycerinNiacinamide is a multitasking form of vitamin B3 that strengthens the skin barrier, reduces pores and dark spots, regulates oil, and improves signs of aging.
And the best part? It's gentle and well-tolerated by most skin types, including sensitive and reactive skin.
You might have heard of "niacin flush", or the reddening of skin that causes itchiness. Niacinamide has not been found to cause this.
In very rare cases, some individuals may not be able to tolerate niacinamide at all or experience an allergic reaction to it.
If you are experiencing flaking, irritation, and dryness with this ingredient, be sure to double check all your products as this ingredient can be found in all categories of skincare.
When incorporating niacinamide into your routine, look out for concentration amounts. Typically, 5% niacinamide provides benefits such as fading dark spots. However, if you have sensitive skin, it is better to begin with a smaller concentration.
When you apply niacinamide to your skin, your body converts it into nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD). NAD is an essential coenzyme that is already found in your cells as "fuel" and powers countless biological processes.
In your skin, NAD helps repair cell damage, produce new healthy cells, support collagen production, strengthen the skin barrier, and fight environmental stressors (like UV and pollution).
Our natural NAD levels start to decline with age, leading to slower skin repair, visible aging, and a weaker skin barrier. By providing your skin niacinamide, you're recharging your skin's NAD levels. This leads to stronger, healthier, and younger looking skin.
Another name for vitamin B3 is nicotinamide. This vitamin is water-soluble and our bodies don't store it. We obtain Vitamin B3 from either food or skincare. Meat, fish, wheat, yeast, and leafy greens contain vitamin B3.
The type of niacinamide used in skincare is synthetically created.
Learn more about Niacinamide
