What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Titanium Dioxide 3.7%
Cosmetic ColorantZinc Oxide 14%
Cosmetic ColorantWater
Skin ConditioningCetyl Ethylhexanoate
EmollientUndecane
EmollientCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingC13-15 Alkane
SolventDicaprylyl Ether
EmollientTridecane
PerfumingArgania Spinosa Kernel Oil
EmollientPropanediol
SolventTocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningPolyglyceryl-6 Polyricinoleate
EmulsifyingPolyhydroxystearic Acid
EmulsifyingSilica
AbrasiveStearyl Citrate
EmollientTrioctyldodecyl Citrate
EmollientAluminum Hydroxide
EmollientStearic Acid
CleansingSodium Chloride
MaskingCarthamus Tinctorius Oleosomes
EmollientCucumis Sativus Fruit Extract
EmollientDextrin Palmitate
EmulsifyingMaris Limus Extract
Skin ProtectingMagnolia Officinalis Bark Extract
AntimicrobialThermus Thermophillus Ferment
Skin ConditioningBisabolol
AntioxidantAloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice
Skin ConditioningCocos Nucifera Fruit Juice
EmollientCocos Nucifera Oil
MaskingHelianthus Annuus Seed Oil
EmollientHelianthus Annuus Seed Oil Unsaponifiables
EmollientPersea Gratissima Oil
Skin ConditioningRosa Rubiginosa Seed Oil
EmollientVitis Vinifera Seed Oil
EmollientMethyl Diisopropyl Propionamide
MaskingPongamia Pinnata Seed Extract
Skin ConditioningXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingCetyl Glyceryl Ether
EmollientSodium Phytate
Glycerin
HumectantPongamia Glabra Seed Oil
Skin ConditioningPhenylpropanol
MaskingCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientPotassium Sorbate
PreservativeHydroxyacetophenone
AntioxidantDunaliella Salina Extract
Skin ConditioningHaematococcus Pluvialis Extract
AntioxidantTitanium Dioxide 3.7%, Zinc Oxide 14%, Water, Cetyl Ethylhexanoate, Undecane, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, C13-15 Alkane, Dicaprylyl Ether, Tridecane, Argania Spinosa Kernel Oil, Propanediol, Tocopheryl Acetate, 1,2-Hexanediol, Polyglyceryl-6 Polyricinoleate, Polyhydroxystearic Acid, Silica, Stearyl Citrate, Trioctyldodecyl Citrate, Aluminum Hydroxide, Stearic Acid, Sodium Chloride, Carthamus Tinctorius Oleosomes, Cucumis Sativus Fruit Extract, Dextrin Palmitate, Maris Limus Extract, Magnolia Officinalis Bark Extract, Thermus Thermophillus Ferment, Bisabolol, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Cocos Nucifera Fruit Juice, Cocos Nucifera Oil, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil Unsaponifiables, Persea Gratissima Oil, Rosa Rubiginosa Seed Oil, Vitis Vinifera Seed Oil, Methyl Diisopropyl Propionamide, Pongamia Pinnata Seed Extract, Xanthan Gum, Cetyl Glyceryl Ether, Sodium Phytate, Glycerin, Pongamia Glabra Seed Oil, Phenylpropanol, Caprylyl Glycol, Potassium Sorbate, Hydroxyacetophenone, Dunaliella Salina Extract, Haematococcus Pluvialis Extract
Colloidal Oatmeal 1%
AbsorbentWater
Skin ConditioningSqualane
EmollientCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingGlycerin
HumectantHydrogenated Sunflower Seed Oil Polyglyceryl-3 Esters
EmulsifyingHydroxystearic/Linolenic/Oleic Polyglycerides
EmollientButyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin ConditioningJojoba Esters
EmollientCeramide NP
Skin ConditioningTocopherol
AntioxidantSodium Phytate
Hydrogenated Sunflower Seed Oil Glyceryl Esters
EmulsifyingCetearyl Alcohol
EmollientPropanediol
SolventHydroxyacetophenone
AntioxidantSodium Stearoyl Lactylate
EmulsifyingXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningPotassium Sorbate
PreservativeCitric Acid
BufferingColloidal Oatmeal 1%, Water, Squalane, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Glycerin, Hydrogenated Sunflower Seed Oil Polyglyceryl-3 Esters, Hydroxystearic/Linolenic/Oleic Polyglycerides, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Jojoba Esters, Ceramide NP, Tocopherol, Sodium Phytate, Hydrogenated Sunflower Seed Oil Glyceryl Esters, Cetearyl Alcohol, Propanediol, Hydroxyacetophenone, Sodium Stearoyl Lactylate, Xanthan Gum, Ethylhexylglycerin, Potassium Sorbate, Citric Acid
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride (aka MCT Oil) is a lightweight emollient, solvent, and texture enhancer. It is considered a skin-softener by helping to prevent moisture loss.
Though it behaves like an oil, it is not technically one due to its chemical composition. One perk of this ingredient is that it is very stable, resistant to oxidation, and unlikely to go rancid.
In practice, that translates to a long shelf life and a consistently elegant skin feel.
While there is an assumption Caprylic Triglyceride can clog pores due to it being derived from coconut oil, there is no research supporting this. Just patch test if you have concerns.
Fractionated coconut oil and MCT Oil are both listed as Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride according to INCI. This is because INCI names are based on the ingredient’s final chemical composition and not its marketing name or source.
This ingredient is treated as the gold standard fungal acne safe oil. Even though it is coconut derived, the problematic lauric acid is stripped out.
This leaves just caprylic (C8) and capric (C10) acid. These chain lengths actually trend antifungal; a 2020 study found caprylic acid was enough to disrupt Malassezia furfur cell membrane, with a caprylic acid derivative damaging membrane structures at concentrations as low as 0.2%.
Learn more about Caprylic/Capric TriglycerideGlycerin (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 GlycerinHydroxyacetophenone is a small phenolic molecule that earns its place in a formulas as an antioxidant and preservative booster.
As a phenol, it is able to neutralize free radicals to protect both the product and the skin from oxidative stress.
Though it can't kill microbes on its own, it works as a good supporting agent when combined with other preservatives like Phenoxyethanol or 1,2-Hexanediol.
This ingredient naturally occurs as piceol in Norwegian spruce needles (~0.4-1.1% dry weight and in cloudberries). Though the cosmetic-grade material is synthesized for purity and consistency.
You'll usually see it used at low levels and suppliers recommend up to 1% added to a water phase.
Safety testing was done at concentrations like 0.05% in SPF products and 0.5% in a Human Repeated Insult Patch Test. The safety evidence is assuring; this ingredient is safe for cosmetics in current use and also holds safety status as a food flavoring as well.
An honest caveat: the "soothing" and "anti-inflammatory" claims come mostly from supplier marketing rather than published clinical trials. The Cosmetic Ingredient Review's own literature search found no useful efficacy studies on this ingredient.
So the antioxidant and preservative-boosting roles are the well supported ones while the calming benefit is plausible but thinly evidenced.
Overall, this is a well-tolerated, low-irritation multitasker that quietly helps a formula stay fresh and stable.
Learn more about HydroxyacetophenonePotassium Sorbate is a preservative used to prevent yeast and mold in products. It is commonly found in both cosmetic and food products.
This ingredient comes from potassium salt derived from sorbic acid. Sorbic acid is a natural antibiotic and effective against fungus.
Both potassium sorbate and sorbic acid can be found in baked goods, cheeses, dried meats, dried fruit, ice cream, pickles, wine, yogurt, and more.
You'll often find this ingredient used with other preservatives.
Learn more about Potassium SorbatePropanediol 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 PropanediolSodium Phytate is the synthetic salt form of phytic acid. Phytic acid is an antioxidant and can be found in plant seeds.
Sodium Phytate is a chelating agent. Chelating agents help prevent metals from binding to water. This helps stabilize the ingredients and the product.
Water. 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 WaterXanthan gum is used as a stabilizer and thickener within cosmetic products. It helps give products a sticky, thick feeling - preventing them from being too runny.
On the technical side of things, xanthan gum is a polysaccharide - a combination consisting of multiple sugar molecules bonded together.
Xanthan gum is a pretty common and great ingredient. It is a natural, non-toxic, non-irritating ingredient that is also commonly used in food products.
Learn more about Xanthan Gum