What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
No concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Titanium Dioxide 3.7%
Cosmetic ColorantZinc Oxide 14%
Cosmetic ColorantWater
Skin ConditioningCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingDicaprylyl Ether
EmollientC13-15 Alkane
SolventPropanediol
SolventArgania Spinosa Kernel Oil
Emollient1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningStearyl Citrate
EmollientTrioctyldodecyl Citrate
EmollientTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantSorbitan Sesquioleate
EmulsifyingPolyglyceryl-10 Mono/Dioleate
Skin ConditioningSilica
AbrasivePolyhydroxystearic Acid
EmulsifyingCarthamus Tinctorius Oleosomes
EmollientStearic Acid
CleansingAluminum Hydroxide
EmollientHydroxyacetophenone
AntioxidantButyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin ConditioningCucumis Sativus Fruit Extract
EmollientCaesalpinia Spinosa Gum
Skin ConditioningHydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingVitis Vinifera Seed Oil
EmollientRosa Rubiginosa Seed Oil
EmollientPongamia Pinnata Seed Extract
Skin ConditioningPersea Gratissima Oil
Skin ConditioningHelianthus Annuus Seed Oil Unsaponifiables
EmollientHelianthus Annuus Seed Oil
EmollientCocos Nucifera Oil
MaskingBisabolol
MaskingSodium Phytate
Phenylpropanol
MaskingCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientTitanium Dioxide 3.7%, Zinc Oxide 14%, Water, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Dicaprylyl Ether, C13-15 Alkane, Propanediol, Argania Spinosa Kernel Oil, 1,2-Hexanediol, Stearyl Citrate, Trioctyldodecyl Citrate, Tocopheryl Acetate, Sorbitan Sesquioleate, Polyglyceryl-10 Mono/Dioleate, Silica, Polyhydroxystearic Acid, Carthamus Tinctorius Oleosomes, Stearic Acid, Aluminum Hydroxide, Hydroxyacetophenone, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Cucumis Sativus Fruit Extract, Caesalpinia Spinosa Gum, Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Vitis Vinifera Seed Oil, Rosa Rubiginosa Seed Oil, Pongamia Pinnata Seed Extract, Persea Gratissima Oil, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil Unsaponifiables, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Cocos Nucifera Oil, Bisabolol, Sodium Phytate, Phenylpropanol, Caprylyl Glycol
Zinc Oxide 17%
Cosmetic ColorantBisabolol
MaskingButyloctyl Salicylate
Skin ConditioningC12-15 Alkyl Benzoate
AntimicrobialCaffeine
Skin ConditioningCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
Humectant1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningHydroxyacetophenone
AntioxidantHydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingPhenethyl Alcohol
MaskingPolyglyceryl-4 Laurate/Succinate
Polyhydroxystearic Acid
EmulsifyingPolymethylsilsesquioxane
Polysorbate 60
EmulsifyingWater
Skin ConditioningSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantSodium Hydroxide
BufferingSorbitan Isostearate
EmulsifyingSorbitan Stearate
EmulsifyingTapioca Starch
Tetrasodium Glutamate Diacetate
Tocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantTriethoxycaprylylsilane
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingZinc Oxide 17%, Bisabolol, Butyloctyl Salicylate, C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate, Caffeine, Caprylyl Glycol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Glycerin, 1,2-Hexanediol, Hydroxyacetophenone, Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Phenethyl Alcohol, Polyglyceryl-4 Laurate/Succinate, Polyhydroxystearic Acid, Polymethylsilsesquioxane, Polysorbate 60, Water, Sodium Hyaluronate, Sodium Hydroxide, Sorbitan Isostearate, Sorbitan Stearate, Tapioca Starch, Tetrasodium Glutamate Diacetate, Tocopheryl Acetate, Triethoxycaprylylsilane, Xanthan Gum
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
Bisabolol is famous for its skin soothing properties. It does this by blocking inflammatory signals, helping to reduce your body's reaction to irritation.
This ingredient also interferes with the process of hyperpigmentation. This can help with reducing dark spots and uneven tone.
Bisabolol is an antioxidant. Antioxidants help fight free-radicals. Free-radicals are molecules that may damage your skin cells. By fighting these free-radicals, Bisabolol may slow down signs of aging.
Studies have shown Bisabolol to have antimicrobial properties and may be a fungicide. These properties help preserve a product's shelf life.
All these properties makes bisabolol a great skin barrier helper ingredient.
Bisabolol also helps the absorption of other ingredients.
Note: Synthetic Bisabolol has been shown to be less effective.
Learn more about BisabololCaprylyl Glycol is a humectant and emollient, meaning it attracts and preserves moisture.
It is a common ingredient in many products, especially those designed to hydrate skin. The primary benefits are retaining moisture, skin softening, and promoting a healthy skin barrier.
Though Caprylyl Glycol is an alcohol derived from fatty acids, it is not the kind that can dry out skin.
This ingredient is also used as a preservative to extend the life of products. It has slight antimicrobial properties.
Learn more about Caprylyl GlycolHydroxyacetophenone is antioxidant with skin conditioning and soothing properties. It also boosts the efficiency of preservatives.
This ingredient is not irritating or sensitizing.
This is a synthetic polymer. It helps improve the texture of products by adding thickness and gel-like feel.
It is also an emulsifer, meaning it prevents ingredients such as oil and water from separating. It also helps evenly disperse other ingredients.
Polyhydroxystearic Acid is a soft wax made from castor oil.
It is is a texture thickener, emulsifier, and film-former. Emulsifiers prevent ingredients from separating, such as oils and waters.
Polyhydroxystearic Acid may not be fungal acne safe.
Learn more about Polyhydroxystearic AcidTocopheryl Acetate is AKA Vitamin E. It is an antioxidant and protects your skin from free radicals. Free radicals damage the skin by breaking down collagen.
One study found using Tocopheryl Acetate with Vitamin C decreased the number of sunburned cells.
Tocopheryl Acetate is commonly found in both skincare and dietary supplements.
Learn more about Tocopheryl AcetateWater. 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 WaterZinc Oxide is a mineral broad-spectrum UV filter; it is the broadest UVA and UVB reflector approved by the FDA. It also has skin protectant and skin soothing properties.
Zinc oxide is one of the most effective broad-spectrum UV filters. It protects against UVB, UVAII, and UVAI. In comparison to its counterpart titanium dioxide, zinc oxide provides uniform and extended UVA protection.
Another great benefit? This ingredient is highly photostable so it won't degrade easily under sunlight.
A common myth is that mineral UV filters are widely believed to primarily reflect UV light.
However, modern research shows titanium dioxide absorbs UV radiation like chemical filters (~95% absorption & 5% reflection).
Zinc oxide has great skin soothing properties so you'll likely find this in sunscreens formulated for sensitive skin or babies/children. It is unlikely to cause "eye sting" like other sunscreen ingredients.
Regulatory agencies consider zinc oxide to be non-toxic and safe. It has also been shown to not penetrate the skin.
Unfortunately, this ingredient does leave a visible white cast. This is why mineral sunscreens are often less cosmetically elegant than chemical or hybrid ones.
In cosmetics, zinc oxide can be found in both non-nano and nano-sized forms. The nano version is used to reduce white cast and improve the texture of sunscreen formulas.
There are ongoing concerns surrounding nano-zinc oxide's impact on marine ecosystems and whether it can be absorbed into skin.
Regarding marine ecosystems and coral reefs, there is no conclusive evidence that any form of zinc oxide (or any other sunscreen ingredients) will cause harm. 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.
There has also been some stir about whether micronized or nano zinc oxide has potential photoxicity and absorption through the skin/lungs.
An in-vitro (done in a test tube or petri dish) study demonstrated micronized zinc oxide to have potential phototoxicity. There's no need to fret; the EU Commission's Scientific Committee on Consumer Safety has stated, "The relevance of these findings needs to be clarified by appropriate investigations in vivo." Or in other words, further studies done on living organisms are needed to prove this.
Current research shows zinc oxide nanoparticles do not penetrate intact or sunburned skin. They either remain on the surface or in the outermost layer of dead skin (stratum corneum).
Zinc oxide is one of only two classified mineral UV filters with titanium dioxide being the other one.
Fun fact: Zinc has been used throughout history as an ingredient in paint and medicine. An Indian text from 500BC is believed to list zinc oxide as a salve for open wound. The Ancient Greek physician Dioscorides has also mentioned the use of zinc as an ointment in 1AD.
Learn more about Zinc Oxide