What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Titanium Dioxide 6.3%
Cosmetic Colorant
Zinc Oxide 4%
Cosmetic Colorant
Water
Skin ConditioningDimethicone
Emollient
Butyloctyl Salicylate
Skin Conditioning
C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate
AntimicrobialMethyl Trimethicone
Skin Conditioning
Isononyl Isononanoate
EmollientDiethylhexyl Succinate
EmollientNeopentyl Glycol Diheptanoate
EmollientButylene Glycol
Humectant
Dipentaerythrityl Tri-Polyhydroxystearate
Emollient
Lauryl PEG-9 Polydimethylsiloxyethyl Dimethicone
Skin Conditioning
Silica
Abrasive
Trimethylsiloxysilicate
Emollient
Cetyl PEG/PPG-10/1 Dimethicone
Emulsifying
Hydroxyapatite
Abrasive
Polygonum Cuspidatum Root Extract
Antioxidant
Hordeum Vulgare Extract
EmollientTriticum Vulgare Germ Extract
Skin ConditioningThermus Thermophillus Ferment
Skin ConditioningSodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Opuntia Tuna Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningLilium Tigrinum Extract
Skin ConditioningAlgae Extract
EmollientCamellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
Antimicrobial
Anthemis Nobilis Flower Extract
Masking
Caffeine
Skin Conditioning
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Ergothioneine
Antioxidant
Squalane
Emollient
Glycerin
Humectant
Dimethicone Silylate
Hydrolyzed Wheat Protein/Pvp Crosspolymer
Dimethicone Crosspolymer-3
Skin Conditioning
Glyceryl Behenate/Eicosadioate
Emollient
Stearalkonium Hectorite
Gel FormingCaprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Isostearic Acid
Cleansing
Polyhydroxystearic Acid
Emulsifying
Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate
Antioxidant
Dipropylene Glycol
HumectantTriethoxycaprylylsilane
Ethylbisiminomethylguaiacol Manganese Chloride
Antioxidant
Cyclodextrin
AbsorbentDimethicone/PEG-10/15 Crosspolymer
Isopropyl Myristate
Emollient
Propylene Carbonate
SolventBHT
Antioxidant
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
CI 45410
Cosmetic ColorantCI 42090
Cosmetic ColorantCI 45430
Cosmetic ColorantTitanium Dioxide 6.3%, Zinc Oxide 4%, Water, Dimethicone, Butyloctyl Salicylate, C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate, Methyl Trimethicone, Isononyl Isononanoate, Diethylhexyl Succinate, Neopentyl Glycol Diheptanoate, Butylene Glycol, Dipentaerythrityl Tri-Polyhydroxystearate, Lauryl PEG-9 Polydimethylsiloxyethyl Dimethicone, Silica, Trimethylsiloxysilicate, Cetyl PEG/PPG-10/1 Dimethicone, Hydroxyapatite, Polygonum Cuspidatum Root Extract, Hordeum Vulgare Extract, Triticum Vulgare Germ Extract, Thermus Thermophillus Ferment, Sodium Hyaluronate, Opuntia Tuna Fruit Extract, Lilium Tigrinum Extract, Algae Extract, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Anthemis Nobilis Flower Extract, Caffeine, Tocopheryl Acetate, Ergothioneine, Squalane, Glycerin, Dimethicone Silylate, Hydrolyzed Wheat Protein/Pvp Crosspolymer, Dimethicone Crosspolymer-3, Glyceryl Behenate/Eicosadioate, Stearalkonium Hectorite, Caprylyl Glycol, Isostearic Acid, Polyhydroxystearic Acid, Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate, Dipropylene Glycol, Triethoxycaprylylsilane, Ethylbisiminomethylguaiacol Manganese Chloride, Cyclodextrin, Dimethicone/PEG-10/15 Crosspolymer, Isopropyl Myristate, Propylene Carbonate, BHT, Phenoxyethanol, CI 45410, CI 42090, CI 45430
Water
Skin ConditioningHomosalate
Skin Conditioning
Isononyl Isononanoate
EmollientOctocrylene
UV Absorber
Dicaprylyl Carbonate
EmollientBis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine
Skin Conditioning
Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane
UV Absorber
Glycerin
Humectant
Niacinamide
Smoothing
Propanediol
Solvent
Alcohol
Antimicrobial
Diethylhexyl Butamido Triazone
UV Absorber
Phenylbenzimidazole Sulfonic Acid
UV Absorber
Methylene Bis-Benzotriazolyl Tetramethylbutylphenol
UV Filter
Tribehenin PEG-20 Esters
EmollientPotassium Cetyl Phosphate
EmulsifyingMethyl Methacrylate Crosspolymer
Cetyl Alcohol
Emollient
Isopropyl Lauroyl Sarcosinate
Skin ConditioningAcrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingAlpha-Isomethyl Ionone
Perfuming
Aluminum Hydroxide
EmollientAluminum Stearate
Cosmetic ColorantAngelica Archangelica Root Extract
Masking
Ascorbic Acid
Antioxidant
Ascorbyl Palmitate
Antioxidant
Benzyl Alcohol
Perfuming
Benzyl Benzoate
Antimicrobial
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
Antimicrobial
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Cinnamal
Perfuming
Citral
Perfuming
Citric Acid
Buffering
Citronellol
Perfuming
Citrus Aurantium Amara Peel Extract
MaskingCitrus Reticulata Peel Extract
Skin ConditioningCoffea Arabica Seed Extract
Masking
Decyl Glucoside
Cleansing
Dimethylmethoxy Chromanol
Antioxidant
Disodium EDTA
Ectoin
Skin Conditioning
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningFarnesol
Perfuming
Geraniol
Perfuming
Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract
Bleaching
Hydrolyzed Soy Flour
Skin ConditioningHydroxycitronellal
Perfuming
Isoamyl P-Methoxycinnamate
UV Absorber
Lecithin
Emollient
Limonene
Perfuming
Linalool
Perfuming
Magnesium Aluminum Silicate
Absorbent
Maltodextrin
Absorbent
Mica
Cosmetic ColorantPalmitic Acid
Emollient
PEG-8
HumectantPiper Nigrum Seed Extract
RefreshingPongamia Pinnata Seed Extract
Skin ConditioningPropylene Glycol
Humectant
Sclerotium Gum
Emulsion StabilisingSodium Hydroxide
BufferingStearic Acid
Cleansing
Synthetic Fluorphlogopite
Tin Oxide
Abrasive
Titanium Dioxide
Cosmetic Colorant
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingZingiber Officinale Root Extract
Masking
Chlorphenesin
Antimicrobial
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Sorbic Acid
Preservative
Parfum
Masking
CI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantWater, Homosalate, Isononyl Isononanoate, Octocrylene, Dicaprylyl Carbonate, Bis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine, Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane, Glycerin, Niacinamide, Propanediol, Alcohol, Diethylhexyl Butamido Triazone, Phenylbenzimidazole Sulfonic Acid, Methylene Bis-Benzotriazolyl Tetramethylbutylphenol, Tribehenin PEG-20 Esters, Potassium Cetyl Phosphate, Methyl Methacrylate Crosspolymer, Cetyl Alcohol, Isopropyl Lauroyl Sarcosinate, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Alpha-Isomethyl Ionone, Aluminum Hydroxide, Aluminum Stearate, Angelica Archangelica Root Extract, Ascorbic Acid, Ascorbyl Palmitate, Benzyl Alcohol, Benzyl Benzoate, Butylene Glycol, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Caprylyl Glycol, Cinnamal, Citral, Citric Acid, Citronellol, Citrus Aurantium Amara Peel Extract, Citrus Reticulata Peel Extract, Coffea Arabica Seed Extract, Decyl Glucoside, Dimethylmethoxy Chromanol, Disodium EDTA, Ectoin, Ethylhexylglycerin, Farnesol, Geraniol, Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract, Hydrolyzed Soy Flour, Hydroxycitronellal, Isoamyl P-Methoxycinnamate, Lecithin, Limonene, Linalool, Magnesium Aluminum Silicate, Maltodextrin, Mica, Palmitic Acid, PEG-8, Piper Nigrum Seed Extract, Pongamia Pinnata Seed Extract, Propylene Glycol, Sclerotium Gum, Sodium Hydroxide, Stearic Acid, Synthetic Fluorphlogopite, Tin Oxide, Titanium Dioxide, Tocopherol, Xanthan Gum, Zingiber Officinale Root Extract, Chlorphenesin, Phenoxyethanol, Sorbic Acid, Parfum, CI 77891
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Butylene Glycol (or BG) is used within cosmetic products for a few different reasons:
Overall, Butylene Glycol is a safe and well-rounded ingredient that works well with other ingredients.
Though this ingredient works well with most skin types, some people with sensitive skin may experience a reaction such as allergic rashes, closed comedones, or itchiness.
Learn more about Butylene GlycolCamellia Sinensis Leaf Extract (tea extract) is one of the most well-researched plant extracts in skincare with an impressive resume.
Black tea, green tea, and oolong tea are all harvested from the Camellia Sinensis plant.
Studies show green tea extract and its catechins (like epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG)) help your skin cells product energy more efficiently and reducing the number of free-radicals that can damage your skin from the inside.
In lab-grown skin models, this translated to younger, healthier, and stronger skin.
There's also good sun protection data; researchers saw less DNA damage and redness on human skin when green tea was applied before UVB exposure. And the more they applied, the better the protection.
Needless to say, this ingredient shouldn't replace your sunscreen. But it is a great supportive ingredient that you can already find in many sunscreens and antioxidant serums.
A 2009 study found a 2% green tea lotion was effective for mild-to-moderate acne thanks to its anti-inflammatory and mild antimicrobial activity.
The quality of the extract matters a lot here:
Good extracts contain 50-90% catechins while lower quality ones are mostly there for marketing. We recommend reaching out to the brand if you have questions about the quality or source of their ingredients.
Human Repeated Insult Patch Testing showed no irritation or sensitization at use concentrations (0.86% in leave-on products and up to 30% as leaf water).
Learn more about Camellia Sinensis Leaf ExtractCaprylyl Glycol is a humectant, skin conditioner, emollient, and preservative booster derived from either caprylic acid or synthetically created.
Typical use levels vary from 0.3-1% as a preservative booster and go up to 2% to condition skin.
Because it is not a free-fatty acid or alcohol, this ingredient is fungal acne safe (there's nothing for Malassezia to feed on).
Learn more about Caprylyl GlycolGlycerin (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 GlycerinIsononyl Isononanoate is a synthetic skin-conditioner and texture enhancer. It is created from nonanoic acid, a fatty acid found in cocoa and lavender oil.
As an emollient, Isononyl Isononanoate helps keep your skin soft and smooth. This is because emollients create a barrier on the skin to trap moisture in.
Isononyl Isononanoate helps give products a velvet feel and improves spreadability.
Learn more about Isononyl IsononanoatePhenoxyethanol 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 DioxideWater. 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 Water
