What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
No concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Cyclopentasiloxane
EmollientWater
Skin ConditioningZinc Oxide
Cosmetic ColorantTitanium Dioxide
Cosmetic ColorantHydrogenated Polydecene
EmollientPropanediol
Solvent1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
HumectantNeopentyl Glycol Diheptanoate
EmollientCaprylyl Methicone
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantPentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningHydrogen Dimethicone
PEG-10 Dimethicone
Skin ConditioningSilica
AbrasiveCetyl PEG/PPG-10/1 Dimethicone
EmulsifyingPEG/PPG-18/18 Dimethicone
EmulsifyingSodium Chloride
MaskingHydrated Silica
AbrasiveLauroyl Lysine
Skin ConditioningPolymethylsilsesquioxane
Aluminum Hydroxide
EmollientDimethicone Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingImidazolidinyl Urea
PreservativeDisodium EDTA
Sodium Citrate
BufferingBiosaccharide Gum-4
Skin ConditioningAscorbyl Tetraisopalmitate
AntioxidantTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantCamellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialCyclopentasiloxane, Water, Zinc Oxide, Titanium Dioxide, Hydrogenated Polydecene, Propanediol, 1,2-Hexanediol, Butylene Glycol, Neopentyl Glycol Diheptanoate, Caprylyl Methicone, Glycerin, Pentylene Glycol, Hydrogen Dimethicone, PEG-10 Dimethicone, Silica, Cetyl PEG/PPG-10/1 Dimethicone, PEG/PPG-18/18 Dimethicone, Sodium Chloride, Hydrated Silica, Lauroyl Lysine, Polymethylsilsesquioxane, Aluminum Hydroxide, Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Imidazolidinyl Urea, Disodium EDTA, Sodium Citrate, Biosaccharide Gum-4, Ascorbyl Tetraisopalmitate, Tocopheryl Acetate, Sodium Hyaluronate, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
Water
Skin ConditioningZinc Oxide
Cosmetic ColorantTitanium Dioxide
Cosmetic ColorantIsododecane
EmollientNeopentyl Glycol Diheptanoate
EmollientButylene Glycol
HumectantPropanediol
SolventDioctyldodeceth-5 Lauroyl Glutamate
EmollientAlumina
AbrasiveAmmonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer
Caprylhydroxamic Acid
Glyceryl Stearate
EmollientSteareth-21
CleansingSteareth-2
EmulsifyingPEG-100 Stearate
Phenoxyethanol
PreservativeMethylpropanediol
SolventSimethicone
EmollientMethyl Gluceth-20
HumectantTriethanolamine
BufferingCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingAscorbyl Tetraisopalmitate
AntioxidantTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantSaxifraga Sarmentosa Extract
Skin ConditioningWater, Zinc Oxide, Titanium Dioxide, Isododecane, Neopentyl Glycol Diheptanoate, Butylene Glycol, Propanediol, Dioctyldodeceth-5 Lauroyl Glutamate, Alumina, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer, Caprylhydroxamic Acid, Glyceryl Stearate, Steareth-21, Steareth-2, PEG-100 Stearate, Phenoxyethanol, Methylpropanediol, Simethicone, Methyl Gluceth-20, Triethanolamine, Carbomer, Ascorbyl Tetraisopalmitate, Tocopheryl Acetate, Xanthan Gum, Sodium Hyaluronate, Saxifraga Sarmentosa Extract
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Ascorbyl Tetraisopalmitate is a version of ascorbic acid, or Vitamin C.
This ingredient has many benefits including reducing wrinkles, skin soothing, dark spot fading, and fighting against free radicals.
It helps with dark spot fading by interfering with the process of skin darkening, helping to reduce hyperpigmentation. Like other forms of vitamin C, this ingredient encourages the skin to create more collagen.
As an antioxidant, it helps fight free-radicals. Free-radicals are molecules that may damage your skin cells.
One study found Ascorbyl Tetraisopalmitate to degrade in sunlight, but is stabilized when combined with acetyl zingerone.
Learn more about Ascorbyl TetraisopalmitateButylene 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 GlycolWe don't have a description for Neopentyl Glycol Diheptanoate yet.
Propanediol 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 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 HyaluronateTitanium 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 DioxideTocopheryl Acetate is AKA Vitamin E. It is an antioxidant and protects your skin from free radicals. Free radicals damage the skin by breaking down collagen.
One study found using Tocopheryl Acetate with Vitamin C decreased the number of sunburned cells.
Tocopheryl Acetate is commonly found in both skincare and dietary supplements.
Learn more about Tocopheryl AcetateWater. 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