Kosas Dreambeam Comfy Smooth Sunscreen SPF 40 Versus bareMinerals Complexion Rescue Tinted Hydrating Gel Cream SPF30
What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Zinc Oxide 21.7%
Cosmetic Colorant
Water
Skin ConditioningC13-15 Alkane
SolventCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Butyloctyl Salicylate
Skin Conditioning
Propanediol
Solvent
Mica
Cosmetic ColorantPolyglyceryl-2 Dipolyhydroxystearate
Skin Conditioning
Polyglyceryl-3 Diisostearate
Emulsifying
Silica
Abrasive
C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate
AntimicrobialPolyglyceryl-3 Polyricinoleate
Emulsifying
Galactoarabinan
Allantoin
Skin Conditioning
Fructooligosaccharides
Humectant
Bioflavonoids
Skin ConditioningGlycoproteins
Skin Conditioning
Bisabolol
Antioxidant
Ceramide Ng
Skin Conditioning
Lactic Acid
Buffering
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Palmitoyl Hexapeptide-12
Skin Conditioning
Cyamopsis Tetragonoloba Gum
Emulsion StabilisingTocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Disteardimonium Hectorite
StabilisingGlycerin
Humectant
Polyhydroxystearic Acid
Emulsifying
Tribehenin
Emollient
Isostearic Acid
Cleansing
Lecithin
Emollient
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingSodium Chloride
MaskingPhytic Acid
Pentylene Glycol
Skin Conditioning
Phenethyl Alcohol
MaskingCI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77491
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77492
Cosmetic ColorantZinc Oxide 21.7%, Water, C13-15 Alkane, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Butyloctyl Salicylate, Propanediol, Mica, Polyglyceryl-2 Dipolyhydroxystearate, Polyglyceryl-3 Diisostearate, Silica, C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate, Polyglyceryl-3 Polyricinoleate, Galactoarabinan, Allantoin, Fructooligosaccharides, Bioflavonoids, Glycoproteins, Bisabolol, Ceramide Ng, Lactic Acid, Sodium Hyaluronate, Palmitoyl Hexapeptide-12, Cyamopsis Tetragonoloba Gum, Tocopheryl Acetate, Disteardimonium Hectorite, Glycerin, Polyhydroxystearic Acid, Tribehenin, Isostearic Acid, Lecithin, Xanthan Gum, Sodium Chloride, Phytic Acid, Pentylene Glycol, Phenethyl Alcohol, CI 77891, CI 77491, CI 77492
Water
Skin ConditioningCoconut Alkanes
Emollient
Propanediol
Solvent
Squalane
Emollient
Trehalose
Humectant
Isostearic Acid
Cleansing
Glycerin
Humectant
Silica
Abrasive
Agar
MaskingCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Globularia Cordifolia Callus Culture Extract
Skin ConditioningSalicornia Herbacea Extract
Skin ConditioningMelilotus Officinalis Extract
AstringentCoco-Caprylate/Caprate
Emollient
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Lauroyl Lysine
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Succinoglycan
Skin ConditioningPolysorbate 60
Emulsifying
Cellulose Gum
Emulsion StabilisingPolyglyceryl-4 Laurate/Succinate
Sorbitan Sesquiisostearate
Emulsifying
Magnesium Stearate
Cosmetic ColorantMagnesium Hydroxide
AbsorbentMagnesium Chloride
Potassium Chloride
Calcium Chloride
AstringentPotassium Sorbate
Preservative
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Titanium Dioxide
Cosmetic Colorant
Iron Oxides
Water, Coconut Alkanes, Propanediol, Squalane, Trehalose, Isostearic Acid, Glycerin, Silica, Agar, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Globularia Cordifolia Callus Culture Extract, Salicornia Herbacea Extract, Melilotus Officinalis Extract, Coco-Caprylate/Caprate, Butylene Glycol, Lauroyl Lysine, Sodium Hyaluronate, Succinoglycan, Polysorbate 60, Cellulose Gum, Polyglyceryl-4 Laurate/Succinate, Sorbitan Sesquiisostearate, Magnesium Stearate, Magnesium Hydroxide, Magnesium Chloride, Potassium Chloride, Calcium Chloride, Potassium Sorbate, Phenoxyethanol, Titanium Dioxide, 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.
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 GlycerinIsostearic Acid is a fatty acid and a structural cousin of stearic acid. It is an emulsifier.
The branched structure of this ingredient enhances fluidity and gives it a lighter, less greasy feel compared to other fatty acids. It helps improve texture and consistency because it prevents oil and water phases from separating.
This ingredient is sourced from plant-based oils like soybean or rapeseed.
Clinical studies found no signs of irritation from this ingredient.
Since Isostearic Acid is an 18-carbon fatty acid, it is in the range that Malassezia can feed on. This ingredient may not be fungal acne safe.
You might have seen sources that this ingredient is comedogenic. The original comedogenic testing on rabbit ear actually tested the ester, Isopropyl Isostearate and not Isostearic acid itself. There has been no comedogenic testing done on this ingredient, but it may be worth patch testing if you have acne-prone skin.
Learn more about Isostearic AcidPropanediol is an all-star ingredient. It softens, hydrates, and smooths the skin.Â
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 PropanediolSilica, also known as silicon dioxide, is a naturally occurring mineral. It is used as a fine, spherical, and porous powder in cosmetics.
Though it has exfoliant properties, the function of silica varies depending on the product.
The unique structure of silica enhances the spreadability and adds smoothness, making it a great texture enhancer.
It is also used as an active carrier, emulsifier, and mattifier due to its ability to absorb excess oil.
In some products, tiny microneedles called spicules are made from silica or hydrolyzed sponge. When you rub them in, they lightly polish away dead skin layers and enhance the penetration of active ingredients.
Learn more about SilicaSodium Hyaluronate is the salt form of hyaluronic acid. It is a long sugar chain that is naturally found in your skin, joints, and connective tissue that maintains hydration and elasticity.
In skincare, it works as a humectant. It pulls water from the environment and deeper layers of skin and binds it to the surface.
Interestingly, the size of the molecule affects its behavior:
Some clinical evidence links low molecular weight versions to improved wrinkle depth, elasticity, anti-inflammatory effects, and barrier repair.
Many serums use a blend of both weights so you can get surface hydration plus longer-lasting and deeper effects.
You'll typically see concentrations between 0.1-2% for this ingredient.
Learn more about Sodium HyaluronateWater. 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
