What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Zinc Oxide 24%
Cosmetic Colorant
Water
Skin ConditioningC15-19 Alkane
SolventGlycerin
Humectant
Polyglyceryl-3 Polyricinoleate
Emulsifying
Ethyl Macadamiate
Skin Conditioning
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Styrene/Acrylates Copolymer
Stearyl/Octyldodecyl Citrate Crosspolymer
HumectantLauryl PEG-9 Polydimethylsiloxyethyl Dimethicone
Skin Conditioning
Propanediol
Solvent
Polyhydroxystearic Acid
Emulsifying
Triethoxycaprylylsilane
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Hydroxyacetophenone
Antioxidant
Magnesium Sulfate
Sodium Chloride
MaskingCaprylhydroxamic Acid
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Malic Acid
Buffering
Zinc Oxide 24%, Water, C15-19 Alkane, Glycerin, Polyglyceryl-3 Polyricinoleate, Ethyl Macadamiate, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Styrene/Acrylates Copolymer, Stearyl/Octyldodecyl Citrate Crosspolymer, Lauryl PEG-9 Polydimethylsiloxyethyl Dimethicone, Propanediol, Polyhydroxystearic Acid, Triethoxycaprylylsilane, 1,2-Hexanediol, Hydroxyacetophenone, Magnesium Sulfate, Sodium Chloride, Caprylhydroxamic Acid, Tocopheryl Acetate, Sodium Hyaluronate, Tocopherol, Malic Acid
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Tocopherol is a fat-soluble antioxidant known as Vitamin E.
You'll find this ingredient in the vast majority of skincare (for good reason). It works to neutralize free radicals, or unstable molecules generated by UV exposure, pollution, and other environmental stressors, before they can cause oxidative damage to your skin cells.
Topically applied tocopherol has been shown to protect against UV damage by ramping up the skin's own natural defense enzymes.
It also acts as a skin conditioning agent; some studies show that regular topical use can improve the skin's water-binding capacity over 2-4 weeks.
This ingredient is especially loved for being a team player. When combined with Vitamin C, the photoprotective effect of both ingredients roughly doubles and the combo also helps reduce UV-induced DNA damage.
This ingredient has some brightening potential but it's more of a prevention ingredient than spot-fader. Cell studies show it can slow down melanin production but it's worth noting that it's not the most powerful brightener out there.
In formulations, it also serves as a stabilizer that helps protect other oxidation-prone ingredients from degrading.
Concentrations usually range from 0.1-1% in most leave-on products.
Learn more about TocopherolTocopheryl Acetate is a stable, shelf-friendly form of vitamin E.
Formulators love it because plain vitamin E oxidizes quickly once it hits air. This acetate version stays stable and resists going off, helping to extend a product's shelf life.
It's actually inactive on its own and works like a slow-release "storage" form; the enzymes in your skin called esterases gradually convert it into active vitamin E over time.
One in vivo study showed 5% of the acetate in the living layer of the epidermis converted to vitamin E after 5 days of application. This study also found the skin gained protection against UV damage even though the conversion was slow and small.
Once converted, vitamin E acts as a skin's main fat-soluble antioxidant that fights free radicals to protect skin from damage.
Topical vitamin E generally boosts the skin's photoprotection, and it reduced UV-damage in animal models.
This ingredient has some brightening potential but it's more of a prevention ingredient than spot-fader. Cell studies show it can slow down melanin production but it's worth noting that it's not the most powerful brightener out there.
Overall, it has a pretty solid safety profile and has been found to be non-irritating and non-comedogenic. Allergic reactions may happen but stay rare due to how widely the ingredient gets used.
The concentration will vary depending on the formula; industry data shows 0.1% in baby lotions, 3% in lipsticks, and 5% in foot powders. You can also find this ingredient at 100% in a pure vitamin E oil.
Most leave-on skincare keeps it at the lower end, often between 0.5-1%.
Learn more about Tocopheryl Acetate
