What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
No concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Zinc Oxide 12%
Cosmetic Colorant
Water
Skin ConditioningC12-15 Alkyl Benzoate
AntimicrobialCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Jojoba Esters
Emollient
Propanediol
Solvent
Tridecyl Salicylate
Skin ConditioningPolyglyceryl-4 Diisostearate/Polyhydroxystearate/Sebacate
Emulsifying
Methylheptyl Isostearate
Skin ConditioningNiacinamide
Smoothing
Nylon-12
Methylpropanediol
SolventSilica
Abrasive
Coco-Caprylate
Emollient
Sodium Chloride
MaskingPolyglyceryl-2 Dipolyhydroxystearate
Skin Conditioning
Bisabolol
Antioxidant
Allantoin
Skin Conditioning
Oryza Sativa Bran Extract
Skin Conditioning
Lecithin
Emollient
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Glycerin
Humectant
Helianthus Annuus Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningTetrasodium Glutamate Diacetate
Phenylpropanol
Masking
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialChamomilla Recutita Flower Extract
Masking
Calendula Officinalis Flower Extract
Masking
Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
Antimicrobial
Potassium Sorbate
Preservative
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingTitanium Dioxide
Cosmetic Colorant
Iron 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 ConditioningAloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract
Emollient
Dibutyl Adipate
EmollientDiethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl Benzoate
UV Filter
Ethylhexyl Triazone
UV Absorber
Distarch Phosphate
AbsorbentGlycerin
Humectant
Bis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine
Skin Conditioning
Diethylhexyl Butamido Triazone
UV Absorber
Glyceryl Stearate
Emollient
Anthemis Nobilis Flower Water
Masking
Pyrus Malus Fruit Water
MaskingCeteareth-20
CleansingBrassica Campestris Seed Oil
Skin Conditioning
Brassica Napus Seed Oil
Emollient
Acrylates/C12-22 Alkyl Methacrylate Copolymer
Triticum Vulgare Germ Oil
Emollient
Cetyl Palmitate
Emollient
Ceteareth-12
EmulsifyingCetearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Cucumis Sativus Fruit Extract
Emollient
Sodium Levulinate
Skin ConditioningHippophae Rhamnoides Fruit Oil
Skin Protecting
Saccharide Isomerate
Humectant
Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingArginine
Masking
Hydrolyzed Wheat Protein
Skin ConditioningCoco-Glucoside
Cleansing
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Disodium Lauryl Sulfosuccinate
CleansingTocopherol
Antioxidant
Parfum
Masking
Sorbic Acid
Preservative
Citric Acid
Buffering
Sodium Citrate
BufferingSodium Hydroxide
BufferingPhenoxyethanol
Preservative
Potassium Sorbate
Preservative
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
Water, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract, Dibutyl Adipate, Diethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl Benzoate, Ethylhexyl Triazone, Distarch Phosphate, Glycerin, Bis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine, Diethylhexyl Butamido Triazone, Glyceryl Stearate, Anthemis Nobilis Flower Water, Pyrus Malus Fruit Water, Ceteareth-20, Brassica Campestris Seed Oil, Brassica Napus Seed Oil, Acrylates/C12-22 Alkyl Methacrylate Copolymer, Triticum Vulgare Germ Oil, Cetyl Palmitate, Ceteareth-12, Cetearyl Alcohol, Cucumis Sativus Fruit Extract, Sodium Levulinate, Hippophae Rhamnoides Fruit Oil, Saccharide Isomerate, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Xanthan Gum, Arginine, Hydrolyzed Wheat Protein, Coco-Glucoside, Tocopheryl Acetate, Disodium Lauryl Sulfosuccinate, Tocopherol, Parfum, Sorbic Acid, Citric Acid, Sodium Citrate, Sodium Hydroxide, Phenoxyethanol, Potassium Sorbate, Sodium Benzoate
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Glycerin (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 GlycerinPotassium Sorbate is a preservative used to prevent yeast and mold in products. It is commonly found in both cosmetic and food products.
This ingredient comes from potassium salt derived from sorbic acid. Sorbic acid is a natural antibiotic and effective against fungus.
Both potassium sorbate and sorbic acid can be found in baked goods, cheeses, dried meats, dried fruit, ice cream, pickles, wine, yogurt, and more.
You'll often find this ingredient used with other preservatives.
Learn more about Potassium SorbateSodium Benzoate is a preservative. It's used in both cosmetic and food products to inhibit the growth of mold and bacteria. It is typically produced synthetically.
Both the US FDA and EU Health Committee have approved the use of sodium benzoate. In the US, levels of 0.1% (of the total product) are allowed.
Sodium benzoate works as a preservative by inhibiting the growth of bacteria inside of cells. It prevents the cell from fermenting a type of sugar using an enzyme called phosphofructokinase.
It is the salt of benzoic acid. Foods containing sodium benzoate include soda, salad dressings, condiments, fruit juices, wines, and snack foods.
Studies for using ascorbic acid and sodium benzoate in cosmetics are lacking, especially in skincare routines with multiple steps.
We always recommend speaking with a professional, such as a dermatologist, if you have any concerns.
Learn more about Sodium BenzoateSodium Hydroxide is also known as lye or caustic soda. It is used to adjust the pH of products; many ingredients require a specific pH to be effective.
In small amounts, sodium hydroxide is considered safe to use. However, large amounts may cause chemical burns due to its high alkaline.
Your skin has a natural pH and acid mantle. This acid mantle helps prevent harmful bacteria from breaking through. The acid mantle also helps keep your skin hydrated.
"Alkaline" refers to a high pH level. A low pH level would be considered acidic.
Learn more about Sodium HydroxideTocopherol 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 TocopherolWater. 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
