Madara Plant Stem Cell Age-Defying Face Sunscreen SPF 30 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
Cosmetic Colorant
Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice
Skin Conditioning
Dicaprylyl Carbonate
EmollientIsoamyl Laurate
Emollient
Lecithin
Emollient
Polyglyceryl-3 Ricinoleate
Emulsifying
Glycerin
Humectant
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Sorbitan Olivate
Emulsifying
Water
Skin ConditioningCI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantOryza Sativa Bran Oil
Emollient
Vegetable Oil
Skin Conditioning
Helianthus Annuus Seed Wax
Skin Conditioning
Oryza Sativa Bran Wax
Skin Conditioning
Rhus Succedanea Fruit Wax
Hydrated Silica
Abrasive
Aroma
Sodium Chloride
MaskingXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingSorbitan Caprylate
EmulsifyingJojoba Esters
Emollient
Citric Acid
Buffering
Propanediol
Solvent
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Dracocephalum Ruyschiana Callus Extract
Antioxidant
Polyhydroxystearic Acid
Emulsifying
Rubus Idaeus Seed Oil
Emollient
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Benzoic Acid
Masking
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Ascorbyl Palmitate
Antioxidant
CI 77491
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77492
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77499
Cosmetic ColorantSodium Phytate
Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
Antimicrobial
Quercus Robur Bark Extract
AstringentVitis Vinifera Seed Extract
Antimicrobial
Isostearic Acid
Cleansing
Polyglyceryl-3 Polyricinoleate
Emulsifying
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid
Humectant
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Potassium Sorbate
Preservative
Propylene Glycol
Humectant
Limonene
Perfuming
Benzyl Salicylate
Perfuming
Citral
Perfuming
Linalool
Perfuming
Eugenol
Perfuming
Zinc Oxide, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Dicaprylyl Carbonate, Isoamyl Laurate, Lecithin, Polyglyceryl-3 Ricinoleate, Glycerin, Butylene Glycol, Sorbitan Olivate, Water, CI 77891, Oryza Sativa Bran Oil, Vegetable Oil, Helianthus Annuus Seed Wax, Oryza Sativa Bran Wax, Rhus Succedanea Fruit Wax, Hydrated Silica, Aroma, Sodium Chloride, Xanthan Gum, Sorbitan Caprylate, Jojoba Esters, Citric Acid, Propanediol, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Dracocephalum Ruyschiana Callus Extract, Polyhydroxystearic Acid, Rubus Idaeus Seed Oil, Caprylyl Glycol, Benzoic Acid, Tocopherol, Ascorbyl Palmitate, CI 77491, CI 77492, CI 77499, Sodium Phytate, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Quercus Robur Bark Extract, Vitis Vinifera Seed Extract, Isostearic Acid, Polyglyceryl-3 Polyricinoleate, Sodium Benzoate, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, Sodium Hyaluronate, Potassium Sorbate, Propylene Glycol, Limonene, Benzyl Salicylate, Citral, Linalool, Eugenol
Titanium Dioxide 6.2%
Cosmetic Colorant
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 6.2%, 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
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Butylene Glycol (or BG) is used within cosmetic products for a few different reasons:
Overall, Butylene Glycol is a safe and well-rounded ingredient that works well with other ingredients.
Though this ingredient works well with most skin types, some people with sensitive skin may experience a reaction such as allergic rashes, closed comedones, or itchiness.
Learn more about Butylene GlycolCaprylic/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 AcidPotassium 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 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
