What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
No concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Zinc Oxide 12%
Cosmetic ColorantWater
Skin ConditioningC12-15 Alkyl Benzoate
AntimicrobialCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingJojoba Esters
EmollientPropanediol
SolventTridecyl Salicylate
Skin ConditioningPolyglyceryl-4 Diisostearate/Polyhydroxystearate/Sebacate
EmulsifyingMethylheptyl Isostearate
Skin ConditioningNiacinamide
SmoothingNylon-12
Methylpropanediol
SolventSilica
AbrasiveCoco-Caprylate
EmollientSodium Chloride
MaskingPolyglyceryl-2 Dipolyhydroxystearate
Skin ConditioningBisabolol
AntioxidantAllantoin
Skin ConditioningOryza Sativa Bran Extract
Skin ConditioningLecithin
EmollientCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientGlycerin
HumectantHelianthus Annuus Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningTetrasodium Glutamate Diacetate
Phenylpropanol
MaskingTocopherol
AntioxidantRosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialChamomilla Recutita Flower Extract
MaskingCalendula Officinalis Flower Extract
MaskingCamellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialPotassium Sorbate
PreservativeSodium Benzoate
MaskingSodium Hydroxide
BufferingTitanium Dioxide
Cosmetic ColorantIron Oxides
Zinc Oxide 12%, Water, C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Jojoba Esters, Propanediol, Tridecyl Salicylate, Polyglyceryl-4 Diisostearate/Polyhydroxystearate/Sebacate, Methylheptyl Isostearate, Niacinamide, Nylon-12, Methylpropanediol, Silica, Coco-Caprylate, Sodium Chloride, Polyglyceryl-2 Dipolyhydroxystearate, Bisabolol, Allantoin, Oryza Sativa Bran Extract, Lecithin, Caprylyl Glycol, Glycerin, Helianthus Annuus Flower Extract, Tetrasodium Glutamate Diacetate, Phenylpropanol, Tocopherol, Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract, Chamomilla Recutita Flower Extract, Calendula Officinalis Flower Extract, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Potassium Sorbate, Sodium Benzoate, Sodium Hydroxide, Titanium Dioxide, Iron Oxides
Water
Skin ConditioningC12-15 Alkyl Benzoate
AntimicrobialDibutyl Adipate
EmollientCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingDiethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl Benzoate
UV Filter1,5-Pentanediol
SolventEthylhexyl Triazone
UV AbsorberTriacontanyl Pvp
HumectantBis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine
Skin ConditioningAluminum Starch Octenylsuccinate
AbsorbentDicaprylyl Carbonate
EmollientPoloxamer 407
EmulsifyingLactobacillus Ferment
Skin ConditioningSodium Stearoyl Glutamate
CleansingNiacinamide
SmoothingAcrylates/C12-22 Alkyl Methacrylate Copolymer
Tocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientSodium Carboxymethyl Beta-Glucan
CleansingCarnosine
Skin ConditioningEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningDimethicone
EmollientPPG-12/Smdi Copolymer
EmollientPanthenol
Skin ConditioningAllantoin
Skin ConditioningCaprylhydroxamic Acid
Glycerin
HumectantLactic Acid
BufferingHydroxypropyl Methylcellulose
Emulsion StabilisingArginine
MaskingCoco-Glucoside
CleansingXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingDisodium Lauryl Sulfosuccinate
CleansingPentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningTrisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate
Water, C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate, Dibutyl Adipate, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Diethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl Benzoate, 1,5-Pentanediol, Ethylhexyl Triazone, Triacontanyl Pvp, Bis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine, Aluminum Starch Octenylsuccinate, Dicaprylyl Carbonate, Poloxamer 407, Lactobacillus Ferment, Sodium Stearoyl Glutamate, Niacinamide, Acrylates/C12-22 Alkyl Methacrylate Copolymer, Tocopheryl Acetate, Caprylyl Glycol, Sodium Carboxymethyl Beta-Glucan, Carnosine, Ethylhexylglycerin, Dimethicone, PPG-12/Smdi Copolymer, Panthenol, Allantoin, Caprylhydroxamic Acid, Glycerin, Lactic Acid, Hydroxypropyl Methylcellulose, Arginine, Coco-Glucoside, Xanthan Gum, Disodium Lauryl Sulfosuccinate, Pentylene Glycol, Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Allantoin is a soothing ingredient known for its protective and moisturizing properties; it's basically a quiet workhorse ingredient you can find in a huge range of cosmetics.
Though it can be derived from the comfrey plant, allantoin is produced synthetically for cosmetic products to ensure purity.
Research shows it can encourage your skin cells to turn over and renew by stimulating keratinocyte and fibroblast proliferation.
It also has mild keratolytic properties to help loosen and shed dead skin cells without being harsh.
Studies also suggest allantoin can help calm inflammation by dialing down some of the chemical signals your skin sends out when it is irritated.
This ingredient is typically used in the 0.1-0.5% range, and the FDA recognizes it as a skin protectant in OTC products up to 2%.
Overall, allantoin is a wonderful addition to most routines; it is stable across a wide pH range (~4-8), works well with other ingredients, and is considered non-sensitizing/non-irritating.
Fun fact: Allantoin is naturally occurring in comfrey root, beets, chamomile, and wheat sprouts. Our bodies even produce it as a byproduct of uric acid metabolism.
Learn more about AllantoinC12-15 Alkyl Benzoate is made up of Benzoic Acid and long chain alcohols. It has a low molecular weight.
C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate is an emollient and texture enhancer. Due to its solubility, it is often used in sunscreens to help evenly distribute active ingredients.
As an emollient, C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate helps soften and hydrate your skin. Emollients create a film on your skin that traps moisture within.
This ingredient has been reported to cause eye irritation.
Learn more about C12-15 Alkyl BenzoateThis ingredient is a lightweight 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. Though it behaves like an oil, it is not technically one due to its chemical composition. 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. Be sure to 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.
Learn more about Caprylic/Capric TriglycerideCaprylyl Glycol is a humectant, skin conditioner, emollient, and preservative booster derived from either caprylic acid or synthetically created.
Typical use levels vary from 0.3-1% as a preservative booster and go up to 2% to condition skin.
Because it is not a free-fatty acid or alcohol, this ingredient is fungal acne safe (there's nothing for Malassezia to feed on).
Learn more about Caprylyl GlycolGlycerin (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 GlycerinNiacinamide is a multitasking form of vitamin B3 that strengthens the skin barrier, reduces pores and dark spots, regulates oil, and improves signs of aging.
And the best part? It's gentle and well-tolerated by most skin types, including sensitive and reactive skin.
You might have heard of "niacin flush", or the reddening of skin that causes itchiness. Niacinamide has not been found to cause this.
In very rare cases, some individuals may not be able to tolerate niacinamide at all or experience an allergic reaction to it.
If you are experiencing flaking, irritation, and dryness with this ingredient, be sure to double check all your products as this ingredient can be found in all categories of skincare.
When incorporating niacinamide into your routine, look out for concentration amounts. Typically, 5% niacinamide provides benefits such as fading dark spots. However, if you have sensitive skin, it is better to begin with a smaller concentration.
When you apply niacinamide to your skin, your body converts it into nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD). NAD is an essential coenzyme that is already found in your cells as "fuel" and powers countless biological processes.
In your skin, NAD helps repair cell damage, produce new healthy cells, support collagen production, strengthen the skin barrier, and fight environmental stressors (like UV and pollution).
Our natural NAD levels start to decline with age, leading to slower skin repair, visible aging, and a weaker skin barrier. By providing your skin niacinamide, you're recharging your skin's NAD levels. This leads to stronger, healthier, and younger looking skin.
Another name for vitamin B3 is nicotinamide. This vitamin is water-soluble and our bodies don't store it. We obtain Vitamin B3 from either food or skincare. Meat, fish, wheat, yeast, and leafy greens contain vitamin B3.
The type of niacinamide used in skincare is synthetically created.
Learn more about NiacinamideWater. 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