What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
No benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningZinc Oxide
Cosmetic ColorantC12-15 Alkyl Benzoate
AntimicrobialEthylhexyl Methoxycinnamate
UV AbsorberCyclopentasiloxane
EmollientIsononyl Isononanoate
EmollientEthylhexyl Triazone
UV AbsorberDiethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl Benzoate
UV FilterDiethylhexyl Ipdi
Difluorocyclohexyloxyphenol
AntioxidantGlyceryl Diethylsiloxanes
Skin ProtectingTitanium Dioxide
Cosmetic ColorantPEG-8 Phosphate
Skin ProtectingNiacinamide
SmoothingDimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer
Skin ConditioningPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeScenedesmus Rubescens Extract
Skin ConditioningAmmonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer
CI 77492
Cosmetic ColorantCetearyl Alcohol
EmollientPolysorbate 20
EmulsifyingTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantSodium PCA
HumectantPentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningAcrylates Copolymer
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningSucrose
HumectantCellulose Gum
Emulsion StabilisingWater, Zinc Oxide, C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate, Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate, Cyclopentasiloxane, Isononyl Isononanoate, Ethylhexyl Triazone, Diethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl Benzoate, Diethylhexyl Ipdi, Difluorocyclohexyloxyphenol, Glyceryl Diethylsiloxanes, Titanium Dioxide, PEG-8 Phosphate, Niacinamide, Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Phenoxyethanol, Scenedesmus Rubescens Extract, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer, CI 77492, Cetearyl Alcohol, Polysorbate 20, Tocopheryl Acetate, Sodium PCA, Pentylene Glycol, Acrylates Copolymer, Ethylhexylglycerin, Sucrose, Cellulose Gum
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Diethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl Benzoate (DHHB) is a chemical UV-A absorber. It is formulated for high UVA protection (320-400 nm).
DHHB is well-liked for:
DHHB has been approved by the EU, Japan, Taiwan, and South America for use up to 10%. Unfortunately, it has not been approved for use in the US or Canada due to slow regulatory processes.
This ingredient is soluble in oils, fats, and lipids.
Learn more about Diethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl BenzoatePhenoxyethanol 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.
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 Dioxide