Living Koa Anti-Pollution Mineral Sunscreen SPF 45+ Versus La Roche-Posay Anthelios Tinted Mineral Light Fluid Sunscreen SPF 50
What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Zinc Oxide 12%
Cosmetic Colorant
Water
Skin ConditioningC12-15 Alkyl Benzoate
AntimicrobialButyloctyl Salicylate
Skin Conditioning
Isododecane
EmollientLauryl PEG-8 Dimethicone
Polymethylsilsesquioxane
Propanediol
Solvent
Octyldodecyl Neopentanoate
EmollientC15-19 Alkane
SolventCaprylyl Methicone
Skin Conditioning
Niacinamide
Smoothing
Lauryl PEG-10 Tris(Trimethylsiloxy)Silylethyl Dimethicone
Emulsifying
Dimethicone
Emollient
Dimethicone Crosspolymer
Emulsion Stabilising
Trilaureth-4 Phosphate
EmulsifyingAllantoin
Skin Conditioning
Bisabolol
Masking
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Sodium Chloride
Masking
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Tetrasodium Glutamate Diacetate
PEG-10
HumectantZinc Oxide 12%, Water, C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate, Butyloctyl Salicylate, Isododecane, Lauryl PEG-8 Dimethicone, Polymethylsilsesquioxane, Propanediol, Octyldodecyl Neopentanoate, C15-19 Alkane, Caprylyl Methicone, Niacinamide, Lauryl PEG-10 Tris(Trimethylsiloxy)Silylethyl Dimethicone, Dimethicone, Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Trilaureth-4 Phosphate, Allantoin, Bisabolol, Tocopherol, Sodium Chloride, Phenoxyethanol, Tetrasodium Glutamate Diacetate, PEG-10
Titanium Dioxide 11%
Cosmetic Colorant
Water
Skin ConditioningIsododecane
EmollientC12-15 Alkyl Benzoate
AntimicrobialDimethicone
Emollient
Undecane
EmollientTriethylhexanoin
MaskingIsohexadecane
EmollientStyrene/Acrylates Copolymer
Nylon-12
Caprylyl Methicone
Skin Conditioning
Butyloctyl Salicylate
Skin Conditioning
Phenethyl Benzoate
Emollient
Silica
Abrasive
Tridecane
Perfuming
Dicaprylyl Carbonate
EmollientDicaprylyl Ether
Emollient
Talc
Abrasive
Dimethicone/PEG-10/15 Crosspolymer
Aluminum Stearate
Cosmetic ColorantPentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningPEG-9 Polydimethylsiloxyethyl Dimethicone
Emulsifying
Iron Oxides
Alumina
Abrasive
Polyhydroxystearic Acid
Emulsifying
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Magnesium Sulfate
Propylene Glycol
Humectant
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Aluminum Hydroxide
EmollientPEG-8 Laurate
Emulsifying
Stearic Acid
Cleansing
Disteardimonium Hectorite
StabilisingDiethylhexyl Syringylidenemalonate
Skin ProtectingTocopherol
Antioxidant
Propylene Carbonate
SolventCassia Alata Leaf Extract
AstringentMaltodextrin
Absorbent
Benzoic Acid
Masking
Disodium Stearoyl Glutamate
CleansingTitanium Dioxide 11%, Water, Isododecane, C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate, Dimethicone, Undecane, Triethylhexanoin, Isohexadecane, Styrene/Acrylates Copolymer, Nylon-12, Caprylyl Methicone, Butyloctyl Salicylate, Phenethyl Benzoate, Silica, Tridecane, Dicaprylyl Carbonate, Dicaprylyl Ether, Talc, Dimethicone/PEG-10/15 Crosspolymer, Aluminum Stearate, Pentylene Glycol, PEG-9 Polydimethylsiloxyethyl Dimethicone, Iron Oxides, Alumina, Polyhydroxystearic Acid, Phenoxyethanol, Magnesium Sulfate, Propylene Glycol, Caprylyl Glycol, Aluminum Hydroxide, PEG-8 Laurate, Stearic Acid, Disteardimonium Hectorite, Diethylhexyl Syringylidenemalonate, Tocopherol, Propylene Carbonate, Cassia Alata Leaf Extract, Maltodextrin, Benzoic Acid, Disodium Stearoyl Glutamate
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Butyloctyl Salicylate is a chemical UV filter structurally similar to octisalate. It is a photostabilizer, SPF booster, emollient and solvent. This ingredient helps evenly spread out ingredients.
According to a manufacturer, it is suitable for pairing with micro Titanium Dioxide, Zinc Oxide, and pigments.
Photostabilizers help stabilize UV-filters and prevents them from degrading quickly.
Learn more about Butyloctyl SalicylateC12-15 Alkyl Benzoate is made up of Benzoic Acid and long chain alcohols. It has a low molecular weight.
C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate is an emollient and texture enhancer. Due to its solubility, it is often used in sunscreens to help evenly distribute active ingredients.
As an emollient, C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate helps soften and hydrate your skin. Emollients create a film on your skin that traps moisture within.
This ingredient has been reported to cause eye irritation.
Learn more about C12-15 Alkyl BenzoateCaprylyl Methicone is a type of silicone.
It helps soften and soothe the skin by creating a thin film on top. This film helps trap moisture, keeping your skin hydrated.
Dimethicone is a type of synthetic silicone created from natural materials such as quartz.
What it does:
Dimethicone comes in different viscosities:
Depending on the viscosity, dimethicone has different properties.
Ingredients lists don't always show which type is used, so we recommend reaching out to the brand if you have questions about the viscosity.
This ingredient is unlikely to cause irritation because it does not get absorbed into skin. However, people with silicone allergies should be careful about using this ingredient.
Note: Dimethicone may contribute to pilling. This is because it is not oil or water soluble, so pilling may occur when layered with products. When mixed with heavy oils in a formula, the outcome is also quite greasy.
Learn more about DimethiconeIsododecane is a fragrance, emollient, and solvent.
As an emollient, it helps your skin stay soft and hydrated. Emollients help trap moisture into your skin.
Isododecane's role as a solvent makes it a great texture enhancer. It spreads smoothly on skin and does not leave a sticky feeling behind. Isododecane also helps prevent color transfer in makeup products.
Isododecane is not absorbed into skin.
Learn more about IsododecanePhenoxyethanol 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.
Tocopherol (also known as Vitamin E) is a common antioxidant used to help protect the skin from free-radicals and strengthen the skin barrier. It's also fat soluble - this means our skin is great at absorbing it.
Vitamin E also helps keep your natural skin lipids healthy. Your lipid skin barrier naturally consists of lipids, ceramides, and fatty acids. Vitamin E offers extra protection for your skin’s lipid barrier, keeping your skin healthy and nourished.
Another benefit is a bit of UV protection. Vitamin E helps reduce the damage caused by UVB rays. (It should not replace your sunscreen). Combining it with Vitamin C can decrease sunburned cells and hyperpigmentation after UV exposure.
You might have noticed Vitamin E + C often paired together. This is because it is great at stabilizing Vitamin C. Using the two together helps increase the effectiveness of both ingredients.
There are often claims that Vitamin E can reduce/prevent scarring, but these claims haven't been confirmed by scientific research.
Learn more about TocopherolWater. 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 Water
