What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Zinc Oxide 12%
Cosmetic ColorantEthylhexyl Methoxycinnamate 7.5%
UV AbsorberWater
Skin ConditioningCyclopentasiloxane
EmollientNiacinamide
SmoothingOleth-3 Phosphate
SurfactantOctyldodecyl Neopentanoate
EmollientHydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingGlycerin
HumectantPolygonum Aviculare Extract
EmollientSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningTriethoxysilylethyl Polydimethylsiloxyethyl Hexyl Dimethicone
Skin ConditioningPolyglyceryl-3 Polydimethylsiloxyethyl Dimethicone
Skin ConditioningPEG-7 Trimethylolpropane Coconut Ether
EmulsifyingPolyisobutene
Triethoxycaprylylsilane
Disodium EDTA
Iron Oxides
Phenoxyethanol
PreservativeZinc Oxide 12%, Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate 7.5%, Water, Cyclopentasiloxane, Niacinamide, Oleth-3 Phosphate, Octyldodecyl Neopentanoate, Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Glycerin, Polygonum Aviculare Extract, Sodium Hyaluronate, Tocopheryl Acetate, Ethylhexylglycerin, Triethoxysilylethyl Polydimethylsiloxyethyl Hexyl Dimethicone, Polyglyceryl-3 Polydimethylsiloxyethyl Dimethicone, PEG-7 Trimethylolpropane Coconut Ether, Polyisobutene, Triethoxycaprylylsilane, Disodium EDTA, Iron Oxides, Phenoxyethanol
Water
Skin ConditioningIsoamyl Cocoate
Butyloctyl Salicylate
Skin ConditioningDimethicone
EmollientMethyl Dihydroabietate
Microcrystalline Cellulose
AbsorbentCapryloyl Glycerin/Sebacic Acid Copolymer
Skin ConditioningCetearyl Alcohol
EmollientSodium Stearoyl Glutamate
CleansingHibiscus Esculentus Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningLactobacillus
Skin ConditioningLactobacillus Ferment
Skin ConditioningNiacinamide
SmoothingMusa Sapientum Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningMusa Sapientum Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningMusa Sapientum Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningMusa Sapientum Peel Extract
Skin ConditioningMusa Sapientum Pulp Extract
Skin ConditioningHelianthus Annuus Extract
EmollientCocos Nucifera Fruit Extract
EmollientTheobroma Cacao Seed Butter
EmollientTocopherol
AntioxidantCocos Nucifera Oil
MaskingButyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin ConditioningArachidyl Alcohol
EmollientArachidyl Glucoside
EmulsifyingBehenyl Alcohol
EmollientCI 77163
Cosmetic ColorantCellulose Gum
Emulsion StabilisingCetearyl Glucoside
EmulsifyingCetyl Alcohol
EmollientErythritol
HumectantGlucose
HumectantGlycerin
HumectantPolyhydroxystearic Acid
EmulsifyingTetrasodium Glutamate Diacetate
Citric Acid
BufferingTriethoxycaprylylsilane
Phenoxyethanol
PreservativeEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningTitanium Dioxide
Cosmetic ColorantMica
Cosmetic ColorantIron Oxides
Water, Isoamyl Cocoate, Butyloctyl Salicylate, Dimethicone, Methyl Dihydroabietate, Microcrystalline Cellulose, Capryloyl Glycerin/Sebacic Acid Copolymer, Cetearyl Alcohol, Sodium Stearoyl Glutamate, Hibiscus Esculentus Fruit Extract, Lactobacillus, Lactobacillus Ferment, Niacinamide, Musa Sapientum Flower Extract, Musa Sapientum Fruit Extract, Musa Sapientum Leaf Extract, Musa Sapientum Peel Extract, Musa Sapientum Pulp Extract, Helianthus Annuus Extract, Cocos Nucifera Fruit Extract, Theobroma Cacao Seed Butter, Tocopherol, Cocos Nucifera Oil, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Arachidyl Alcohol, Arachidyl Glucoside, Behenyl Alcohol, CI 77163, Cellulose Gum, Cetearyl Glucoside, Cetyl Alcohol, Erythritol, Glucose, Glycerin, Polyhydroxystearic Acid, Tetrasodium Glutamate Diacetate, Citric Acid, Triethoxycaprylylsilane, Phenoxyethanol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Titanium Dioxide, Mica, Iron Oxides
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Ethylhexylglycerin 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 NiacinamidePhenoxyethanol 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.
Triethoxycaprylylsilane is a silicon-based surface modifier that makes sunscreens feel silky and makeup stay put.
Its main job is to coat mineral particles like titanium dioxide, zinc oxide, and color pigments in a thin, oily layer so they spread smoothly, don't clump, and stick to skin better.
This ingredient is typically used at low levels (up to 2.5% in eyeshadow and 1% in lipstick).
Learn more about TriethoxycaprylylsilaneWater. 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 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.
The EU typically uses CI numbers for colorants when applicable, such as CI 77489. In the US, iron oxides are regulated as color additives and "iron oxides" is the most commonly used name in US cosmetic practice.
A 2021 paper looked at skincare formulations containing iron oxides and found that they reduced transmission of blue light when measured optically. In simple terms, the pigment particles helped block or scatter part of the visible light spectrum in lab testing and the authors suggest this could translate into better protection against blue-light-related skin effects.
There is also clinical and experimental research showing that tinted products containing iron oxides can reduce visible light-induced pigmentation:
Please note, whether a product reduces visible or blue light depends on things like:
In the EU's CosIng database, iron oxides are only listed as a colorant. CosIng groups ingredients by their main cosmetic role, such as colorant, preservative, or UV filter.
Though studies say iron oxides can "attenuate blue light", they're describing an optical property and not an officially recognized cosmetic function.
So CosIng isn’t contradicting the research. It’s just classifying iron oxides by what they officially are: pigments that add color.
Learn more about Iron Oxides