What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Homosalate
Skin ConditioningEthylhexyl Salicylate
UV AbsorberOctocrylene
UV AbsorberWater
Skin ConditioningDimethicone
EmollientPropanediol
SolventAlcohol Denat.
AntimicrobialSynthetic Fluorphlogopite
Niacinamide
SmoothingVinyl Dimethicone/Methicone Silsesquioxane Crosspolymer
Caffeine
Skin ConditioningTocopherol
AntioxidantScutellaria Baicalensis Root Extract
AstringentPEG-30 Dipolyhydroxystearate
EmulsifyingAluminum Hydroxide
EmollientMagnesium Sulfate
Disodium Stearoyl Glutamate
CleansingDisteardimonium Hectorite
StabilisingPolyglyceryl-4 Diisostearate/Polyhydroxystearate/Sebacate
EmulsifyingPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeTitanium Dioxide
Cosmetic ColorantIron Oxides
Homosalate, Ethylhexyl Salicylate, Octocrylene, Water, Dimethicone, Propanediol, Alcohol Denat., Synthetic Fluorphlogopite, Niacinamide, Vinyl Dimethicone/Methicone Silsesquioxane Crosspolymer, Caffeine, Tocopherol, Scutellaria Baicalensis Root Extract, PEG-30 Dipolyhydroxystearate, Aluminum Hydroxide, Magnesium Sulfate, Disodium Stearoyl Glutamate, Disteardimonium Hectorite, Polyglyceryl-4 Diisostearate/Polyhydroxystearate/Sebacate, Phenoxyethanol, Titanium Dioxide, Iron Oxides
Titanium Dioxide 4%
Cosmetic ColorantZinc Oxide 20%
Cosmetic ColorantWater
Skin ConditioningC12-15 Alkyl Benzoate
AntimicrobialButyloctyl Salicylate
Skin ConditioningIsododecane
EmollientPropanediol
SolventGlycerin
HumectantCetyl Diglyceryl Tris(Trimethylsiloxy)Silylethyl Dimethicone
Emulsion Stabilising1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningPyrus Malus Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningSodium Chloride
MaskingSilica
AbrasiveTriethoxycaprylylsilane
Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer
Skin ConditioningMica
Cosmetic ColorantIron Oxides
Hydroxyacetophenone
AntioxidantDiethylhexyl Syringylidenemalonate
Skin ProtectingTrisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate
Chlorphenesin
AntimicrobialXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingChondrus Crispus Extract
Skin ConditioningCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingTin Oxide
AbrasiveSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantTocopherol
AntioxidantTitanium Dioxide 4%, Zinc Oxide 20%, Water, C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate, Butyloctyl Salicylate, Isododecane, Propanediol, Glycerin, Cetyl Diglyceryl Tris(Trimethylsiloxy)Silylethyl Dimethicone, 1,2-Hexanediol, Pyrus Malus Fruit Extract, Sodium Chloride, Silica, Triethoxycaprylylsilane, Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Mica, Iron Oxides, Hydroxyacetophenone, Diethylhexyl Syringylidenemalonate, Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate, Chlorphenesin, Xanthan Gum, Chondrus Crispus Extract, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Tin Oxide, Sodium Hyaluronate, Tocopherol
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Propanediol is an all-star ingredient. It softens, hydrates, and smooths the skin.
It’s often used to:
Propanediol is not likely to cause sensitivity and considered safe to use. It is derived from corn or petroleum with a clear color and no scent.
Learn more about PropanediolTitanium 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 DioxideTocopherol (also known as Vitamin E) is a common antioxidant used to help protect the skin from free-radicals and strengthen the skin barrier. It's also fat soluble - this means our skin is great at absorbing it.
Vitamin E also helps keep your natural skin lipids healthy. Your lipid skin barrier naturally consists of lipids, ceramides, and fatty acids. Vitamin E offers extra protection for your skin’s lipid barrier, keeping your skin healthy and nourished.
Another benefit is a bit of UV protection. Vitamin E helps reduce the damage caused by UVB rays. (It should not replace your sunscreen). Combining it with Vitamin C can decrease sunburned cells and hyperpigmentation after UV exposure.
You might have noticed Vitamin E + C often paired together. This is because it is great at stabilizing Vitamin C. Using the two together helps increase the effectiveness of both ingredients.
There are often claims that Vitamin E can reduce/prevent scarring, but these claims haven't been confirmed by scientific research.
Learn more about TocopherolWater. 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 WaterThis ingredient is a combination of red, black, and yellow iron oxide pigments. This combination of colors is usually found in foundation, because it results in a "skin" color.