What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Titanium Dioxide 2%
Cosmetic ColorantZinc Oxide 17%
Cosmetic ColorantDimethicone
EmollientCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingDimethicone Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingDimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer
Skin ConditioningButyloctyl Salicylate
Skin ConditioningGlyceryl Isostearate
EmollientPolysilicone-15
UV FilterTetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate
AntioxidantCamellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialPunica Granatum Extract
AstringentVaccinium Macrocarpon Fruit Extract
AstringentSilica
AbrasivePolyhydroxystearic Acid
EmulsifyingCI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77492
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77491
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77499
Cosmetic ColorantTitanium Dioxide 2%, Zinc Oxide 17%, Dimethicone, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Butyloctyl Salicylate, Glyceryl Isostearate, Polysilicone-15, Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Punica Granatum Extract, Vaccinium Macrocarpon Fruit Extract, Silica, Polyhydroxystearic Acid, CI 77891, CI 77492, CI 77491, CI 77499
Zinc Oxide
Cosmetic ColorantWater
Skin ConditioningCoco-Caprylate
EmollientGlyceryl Oleate Citrate
EmulsifyingStearyl/Octyldodecyl Citrate Crosspolymer
HumectantTocopherol
AntioxidantArgania Spinosa Kernel Oil
EmollientPolyhydroxystearic Acid
EmulsifyingPanthenol
Skin ConditioningTriethoxycaprylylsilane
Lauryl Glucoside
CleansingPolyglyceryl-6 Laurate
EmulsifyingPropanediol
SolventXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingMyristyl Glucoside
CleansingCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingIsomalt
HumectantGlycerin
HumectantCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientLauroyl Lysine
Skin ConditioningSodium Phytate
Argania Spinosa Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningCaprylhydroxamic Acid
Citrus Aurantium Bergamia Fruit Oil
MaskingCymbopogon Flexuosus Oil
MaskingLavandula Angustifolia Oil
MaskingCarnosine
Skin ConditioningArgania Spinosa Callus Culture Extract
Skin ConditioningLecithin
EmollientZinc Oxide, Water, Coco-Caprylate, Glyceryl Oleate Citrate, Stearyl/Octyldodecyl Citrate Crosspolymer, Tocopherol, Argania Spinosa Kernel Oil, Polyhydroxystearic Acid, Panthenol, Triethoxycaprylylsilane, Lauryl Glucoside, Polyglyceryl-6 Laurate, Propanediol, Xanthan Gum, Myristyl Glucoside, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Isomalt, Glycerin, Caprylyl Glycol, Lauroyl Lysine, Sodium Phytate, Argania Spinosa Leaf Extract, Ethylhexylglycerin, Caprylhydroxamic Acid, Citrus Aurantium Bergamia Fruit Oil, Cymbopogon Flexuosus Oil, Lavandula Angustifolia Oil, Carnosine, Argania Spinosa Callus Culture Extract, Lecithin
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
This ingredient is an emollient, solvent, and texture enhancer. It is considered a skin-softener by helping the skin prevent moisture loss.
It helps thicken a product's formula and makes it easier to spread by dissolving clumping compounds.
Caprylic Triglyceride is made by combining glycerin with coconut oil, forming a clear liquid.
While there is an assumption Caprylic Triglyceride can clog pores due to it being derived from coconut oil, there is no research supporting this.
Learn more about Caprylic/Capric TriglyceridePolyhydroxystearic 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 AcidZinc 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