What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningZinc Oxide
Cosmetic ColorantPropanediol
SolventCoco-Caprylate
EmollientC14-22 Alcohols
Emulsion Stabilising1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
HumectantPolyhydroxystearic Acid
EmulsifyingGlyceryl Stearate
EmollientC12-15 Alkyl Benzoate
AntimicrobialTriethoxycaprylylsilane
C12-20 Alkyl Glucoside
EmulsifyingPolyglyceryl-10 Laurate
Skin ConditioningAmmonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer
Methyl Trimethicone
Skin ConditioningCitrus Aurantium Dulcis Peel Oil
MaskingPolyacrylate Crosspolymer-6
Emulsion StabilisingCitrus Aurantium Bergamia Fruit Oil
MaskingPrunus Persica Fruit Extract
AbrasiveCitrus Aurantium Dulcis Fruit Extract
MaskingAmmonium Polyacryloyldimethyl Taurate
Emulsion StabilisingDimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer
Skin ConditioningVaccinium Macrocarpon Fruit Extract
AstringentSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningPelargonium Graveolens Flower Oil
MaskingDisodium EDTA
Menthone Glycerin Acetal
RefreshingT-Butyl Alcohol
PerfumingGlucose
HumectantSantalum Album Oil
MaskingLinalool
PerfumingGeraniol
PerfumingLimonene
PerfumingCitronellol
PerfumingWater, Zinc Oxide, Propanediol, Coco-Caprylate, C14-22 Alcohols, 1,2-Hexanediol, Butylene Glycol, Polyhydroxystearic Acid, Glyceryl Stearate, C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate, Triethoxycaprylylsilane, C12-20 Alkyl Glucoside, Polyglyceryl-10 Laurate, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer, Methyl Trimethicone, Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Peel Oil, Polyacrylate Crosspolymer-6, Citrus Aurantium Bergamia Fruit Oil, Prunus Persica Fruit Extract, Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Fruit Extract, Ammonium Polyacryloyldimethyl Taurate, Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Vaccinium Macrocarpon Fruit Extract, Sodium Hyaluronate, Ethylhexylglycerin, Pelargonium Graveolens Flower Oil, Disodium EDTA, Menthone Glycerin Acetal, T-Butyl Alcohol, Glucose, Santalum Album Oil, Linalool, Geraniol, Limonene, Citronellol
Titanium Dioxide 5.5%
Cosmetic ColorantZinc Oxide 10%
Cosmetic ColorantWater
Skin ConditioningC12-15 Alkyl Benzoate
AntimicrobialIsohexadecane
EmollientIsononyl Isononanoate
EmollientDicaprylyl Ether
EmollientPEG-30 Dipolyhydroxystearate
EmulsifyingTriethylhexanoin
MaskingPolyglyceryl-4 Isostearate
EmulsifyingDicaprylyl Carbonate
EmollientEthylene/Acrylic Acid Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingTriethanolamine
BufferingSilica
AbrasivePoly C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate
Emulsion StabilisingStearic Acid
CleansingCeramide NP
Skin ConditioningCeramide AP
Skin ConditioningCeramide EOP
Skin ConditioningCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingNiacinamide
SmoothingCetearyl Alcohol
EmollientTriethoxycaprylylsilane
Behentrimonium Methosulfate
Sodium Chloride
MaskingSalicylic Acid
MaskingSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantSodium Lauroyl Lactylate
EmulsifyingCholesterol
EmollientAluminum Stearate
Cosmetic ColorantAlumina
AbrasiveAluminum Hydroxide
EmollientIron Oxides
Phenoxyethanol
PreservativeP-Anisic Acid
MaskingChlorphenesin
AntimicrobialTocopherol
AntioxidantDisodium EDTA
Disodium Stearoyl Glutamate
CleansingPropylene Carbonate
SolventCitric Acid
BufferingCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientCapryloyl Salicylic Acid
ExfoliatingCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingDiethylhexyl Syringylidenemalonate
Skin ProtectingDisteardimonium Hectorite
StabilisingXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingPhytosphingosine
Skin ConditioningPolyhydroxystearic Acid
EmulsifyingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningTitanium Dioxide 5.5%, Zinc Oxide 10%, Water, C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate, Isohexadecane, Isononyl Isononanoate, Dicaprylyl Ether, PEG-30 Dipolyhydroxystearate, Triethylhexanoin, Polyglyceryl-4 Isostearate, Dicaprylyl Carbonate, Ethylene/Acrylic Acid Copolymer, Triethanolamine, Silica, Poly C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate, Stearic Acid, Ceramide NP, Ceramide AP, Ceramide EOP, Carbomer, Niacinamide, Cetearyl Alcohol, Triethoxycaprylylsilane, Behentrimonium Methosulfate, Sodium Chloride, Salicylic Acid, Sodium Hyaluronate, Sodium Lauroyl Lactylate, Cholesterol, Aluminum Stearate, Alumina, Aluminum Hydroxide, Iron Oxides, Phenoxyethanol, P-Anisic Acid, Chlorphenesin, Tocopherol, Disodium EDTA, Disodium Stearoyl Glutamate, Propylene Carbonate, Citric Acid, Caprylyl Glycol, Capryloyl Salicylic Acid, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Diethylhexyl Syringylidenemalonate, Disteardimonium Hectorite, Xanthan Gum, Phytosphingosine, Polyhydroxystearic Acid, Ethylhexylglycerin
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
C12-15 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 BenzoateDisodium EDTA plays a role in making products more stable by aiding other preservatives.
It is a chelating agent, meaning it neutralizes metal ions that may be found in a product.
Disodium EDTA is a salt of edetic acid and is found to be safe in cosmetic ingredients.
Learn more about Disodium EDTAEthylhexylglycerin (we can't pronounce this either) is commonly used as a preservative and skin softener. It is derived from glyceryl.
You might see Ethylhexylglycerin often paired with other preservatives such as phenoxyethanol. Ethylhexylglycerin has been found to increase the effectiveness of these other preservatives.
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 AcidSodium Hyaluronate is hyaluronic acid's salt form. It is commonly derived from the sodium salt of hyaluronic acid.
Like hyaluronic acid, it is great at holding water and acts as a humectant. This makes it a great skin hydrating ingredient.
Sodium Hyaluronate is naturally occurring in our bodies and is mostly found in eye fluid and joints.
These are some other common types of Hyaluronic Acid:
Learn more about Sodium HyaluronateTriethoxycaprylylsilane is a silicone used to bind and stabilize ingredients.
As an emulsifier, it helps prevent ingredients from separating. This can help elongate the shelf life of products.
Triethoxycaprylylsilane is often used to coat mineral sunscreens ingredients to help give a better feel. It also helps reduce oxidative stress in sunscreens.
Learn more about TriethoxycaprylylsilaneWater. 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