What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Titanium Dioxide
Cosmetic ColorantWater
Skin ConditioningEthylhexyl Palmitate
EmollientGlycerin
HumectantOctyldodecanol
EmollientSilica
AbrasivePentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningOctyldodecyl Xyloside
EmulsifyingPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeSodium Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingHydrogenated Lecithin
EmulsifyingIsohexadecane
EmollientHydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingPEG-30 Dipolyhydroxystearate
EmulsifyingSodium Dehydroacetate
PreservativePentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate
AntioxidantCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientDisodium EDTA
Citric Acid
BufferingPolysorbate 80
EmulsifyingPotassium Sorbate
PreservativePropylene Glycol
HumectantChamomilla Recutita Flower Extract
MaskingAloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract
EmollientIron Oxides
Titanium Dioxide, Water, Ethylhexyl Palmitate, Glycerin, Octyldodecanol, Silica, Pentylene Glycol, Octyldodecyl Xyloside, Phenoxyethanol, Sodium Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Isohexadecane, Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, PEG-30 Dipolyhydroxystearate, Sodium Dehydroacetate, Pentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate, Caprylyl Glycol, Disodium EDTA, Citric Acid, Polysorbate 80, Potassium Sorbate, Propylene Glycol, Chamomilla Recutita Flower Extract, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract, Iron Oxides
Zinc Oxide
Cosmetic ColorantDimethicone
EmollientIsododecane
EmollientIsostearyl Isostearate
EmollientButyrospermum Parkii Butter Extract
Skin ConditioningTitanium Dioxide
Cosmetic ColorantPropylheptyl Caprylate
EmollientDipropylene Glycol
HumectantMethyl Methacrylate Crosspolymer
Silica
AbrasivePolymethylsilsesquioxane
Polyhydroxystearic Acid
EmulsifyingWater
Skin ConditioningHdi/Trimethylol Hexyllactone Crosspolymer
PEG-10 Dimethicone
Skin ConditioningCI 77492
Cosmetic ColorantPolysilicone-11
Triethoxycaprylylsilane
Salicylic Acid
MaskingButylene Glycol
HumectantCapryloyl Glycine
CleansingPropyl Gallate
AntioxidantCI 77491
Cosmetic ColorantHydrogenated Lecithin
EmulsifyingCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientDecyl Glucoside
CleansingTocopherol
AntioxidantEctoin
Skin ConditioningMannitol
HumectantXylitol
HumectantZinc Oxide, Dimethicone, Isododecane, Isostearyl Isostearate, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter Extract, Titanium Dioxide, Propylheptyl Caprylate, Dipropylene Glycol, Methyl Methacrylate Crosspolymer, Silica, Polymethylsilsesquioxane, Polyhydroxystearic Acid, Water, Hdi/Trimethylol Hexyllactone Crosspolymer, PEG-10 Dimethicone, CI 77492, Polysilicone-11, Triethoxycaprylylsilane, Salicylic Acid, Butylene Glycol, Capryloyl Glycine, Propyl Gallate, CI 77491, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Caprylyl Glycol, Decyl Glucoside, Tocopherol, Ectoin, Mannitol, Xylitol
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Caprylyl 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 GlycolHydrogenated Lecithin is created from the hydrogenation of lecithin (a group of phospholipids). Hydrogenation is a chemical reaction between hydrogen and another element.
This ingredient is an emollient and emulsifier. As an emollient, it helps soften skin by trapping moisture within. As an emulsifier, it prevents oil and water ingredients from separating.
Silica, 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 SilicaTitanium dioxide is a mineral UV filter widely used in sunscreens and cosmetics.
It is one of only two UV filters officially classified as “mineral” by regulatory agencies, the other being zinc oxide.
Titanium dioxide provides broad-spectrum protection mostly in the UVB and UVAII range, with some protection in the UVAI range.
While its UVA protection isn’t as strong as zinc oxide’s, the difference is minor.
A common myth is that mineral UV filters reflect UV light. However, modern research shows titanium dioxide absorbs UV radiation like chemical filters (~95% absorption & 5% reflection).
Thanks to its non-irritating nature, titanium dioxide is suitable for sensitive, acne-prone, or redness-prone skin. It is unlikely to cause "eye sting" like other sunscreen ingredients.
A major drawback of this ingredient is its white cast and thick texture. This is why mineral sunscreens often leave a white cast and are less cosmetically elegant than chemical/hybrid sunscreens.
To improve white cast and spreadability, micronized or nano-sized titanium dioxide is often used.
There are ongoing concerns surrounding nano-titanium oxide's impact on marine ecosystems.
There is no conclusive evidence that any form of titanium oxide (or any other sunscreen ingredients) will cause harm to marine ecosystems or coral reefs. 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.
Nano mineral sunscreens once raised safety concerns about absorption into skin.
Extensive research has shown that they do not penetrate healthy or damaged skin; they remain safely on the surface and the top layer of dead skin (stratum corneum).
You'll likely find titanium dioxide bundled with alumina, silica, or dimethicone. These ingredients help make titanium dioxide highly photostable; this prevents it from interacting with other formula components under UV light.
Learn more about Titanium DioxideWater. 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