What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningCyclopentasiloxane
EmollientZinc Oxide
Cosmetic ColorantPropanediol
SolventTitanium Dioxide
Cosmetic ColorantButylene Glycol Dicaprylate/Dicaprate
EmollientLauryl Polyglyceryl-3 Polydimethylsiloxyethyl Dimethicone
Skin ConditioningMethyl Methacrylate Crosspolymer
Butyloctyl Salicylate
Skin ConditioningCaprylyl Methicone
Skin ConditioningCitrus Aurantium Dulcis Oil
MaskingCitrus Nobilis Peel Oil
MaskingLitsea Cubeba Fruit Oil
Masking1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningDisteardimonium Hectorite
StabilisingMagnesium Sulfate
Stearic Acid
CleansingAluminum Hydroxide
EmollientPolyglyceryl-3 Polydimethylsiloxyethyl Dimethicone
Skin ConditioningTriethoxycaprylylsilane
Sorbitan Caprylate
EmulsifyingGlyceryl Caprylate
EmollientEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningTocopherol
AntioxidantWater, Cyclopentasiloxane, Zinc Oxide, Propanediol, Titanium Dioxide, Butylene Glycol Dicaprylate/Dicaprate, Lauryl Polyglyceryl-3 Polydimethylsiloxyethyl Dimethicone, Methyl Methacrylate Crosspolymer, Butyloctyl Salicylate, Caprylyl Methicone, Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Oil, Citrus Nobilis Peel Oil, Litsea Cubeba Fruit Oil, 1,2-Hexanediol, Disteardimonium Hectorite, Magnesium Sulfate, Stearic Acid, Aluminum Hydroxide, Polyglyceryl-3 Polydimethylsiloxyethyl Dimethicone, Triethoxycaprylylsilane, Sorbitan Caprylate, Glyceryl Caprylate, Ethylhexylglycerin, Tocopherol
Water
Skin ConditioningEthylhexyl Methoxycinnamate
UV AbsorberHomosalate
Skin ConditioningEthylhexyl Salicylate
UV AbsorberDiethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl Benzoate
UV FilterOctocrylene
UV AbsorberC12-15 Alkyl Benzoate
AntimicrobialButylene Glycol
HumectantCyclomethicone
EmollientAlcohol
AntimicrobialTitanium Dioxide
Cosmetic ColorantGlyceryl Stearate
Emollient1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningMethyl Methacrylate Crosspolymer
Behenyl Alcohol
EmollientPEG-100 Stearate
Sodium Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeIsohexadecane
EmollientAluminum Stearate
Cosmetic ColorantPolyhydroxystearic Acid
EmulsifyingPropanediol
SolventOctyldodecanol
EmollientParfum
MaskingXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingPolysorbate 80
EmulsifyingBambusa Vulgaris Water
Skin ConditioningAlumina
AbrasiveEchium Plantagineum Seed Oil
Skin ConditioningViscum Album Leaf Extract
SoothingGlycine Soja Lipids
Skin ConditioningCentella Asiatica Extract
CleansingSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantPortulaca Oleracea Extract
Skin ConditioningCardiospermum Halicacabum Flower/Leaf/Vine Extract
Skin ConditioningHelianthus Annuus Seed Oil Unsaponifiables
EmollientEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningPlukenetia Volubilis Seed Oil
EmollientTocopherol
AntioxidantAloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract
EmollientWater, Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate, Homosalate, Ethylhexyl Salicylate, Diethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl Benzoate, Octocrylene, C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate, Butylene Glycol, Cyclomethicone, Alcohol, Titanium Dioxide, Glyceryl Stearate, 1,2-Hexanediol, Methyl Methacrylate Crosspolymer, Behenyl Alcohol, PEG-100 Stearate, Sodium Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Phenoxyethanol, Isohexadecane, Aluminum Stearate, Polyhydroxystearic Acid, Propanediol, Octyldodecanol, Parfum, Xanthan Gum, Polysorbate 80, Bambusa Vulgaris Water, Alumina, Echium Plantagineum Seed Oil, Viscum Album Leaf Extract, Glycine Soja Lipids, Centella Asiatica Extract, Sodium Hyaluronate, Portulaca Oleracea Extract, Cardiospermum Halicacabum Flower/Leaf/Vine Extract, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil Unsaponifiables, Ethylhexylglycerin, Plukenetia Volubilis Seed Oil, Tocopherol, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
1,2-Hexanediol is a synthetic liquid and another multi-functional powerhouse.
It is a:
- Humectant, drawing moisture into the skin
- Emollient, helping to soften skin
- Solvent, dispersing and stabilizing formulas
- Preservative booster, enhancing the antimicrobial activity of other preservatives
Ethylhexylglycerin (we can't pronounce this either) is commonly used as a preservative and skin softener. It is derived from glyceryl.
You might see Ethylhexylglycerin often paired with other preservatives such as phenoxyethanol. Ethylhexylglycerin has been found to increase the effectiveness of these other preservatives.
This ingredient comes as a powder made up of small, porous, microbeads. It is used to add a silky feel to products and also helps absorb oil.
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 Water