Olay Sensitive Mineral Zinc Oxide Sunscreen SPF 30 Versus Aveeno Protect + Soothe Face Mineral Sunscreen SPF 30 - USA
Updated on April 15, 2025
Overview
What they are
These products are both sunscreens. They have a total of 11 ingredients in common
Cool Features
They both contain SPF
Suited For
They're both likely to be good for fighting acne, dry skin, brightening skin, sensitive skin and scar healing
Free From
They both do not contain any harsh alcohols, common allergens, fragrances, oils, parabens or sulfates
What's Inside
They both contain silicones
We independently verify ingredients, and our claims are backed by peer-reviewed research. Spot a product that needs an update? Let us know.
Ingredient Info
Olay Sensitive Mineral Zinc Oxide Sunscreen SPF 30 21 ingredients
Aveeno Protect + Soothe Face Mineral Sunscreen SPF 30 26 ingredients
What's inside (and what isn't)
What's inside (and what isn't)
At a glance
Click on any of the items below to learn more
Olay Sensitive Mineral Zinc Oxide Sunscreen SPF 30 21 ingredients
Aveeno Protect + Soothe Face Mineral Sunscreen SPF 30 26 ingredients
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Zinc Oxide 17.5%
Cosmetic Colorant
Water
Skin ConditioningCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Isohexadecane
EmollientGlycerin
Humectant
Steareth-21
CleansingPolyhydroxystearic Acid
Emulsifying
Colloidal Oatmeal
Absorbent
Niacinamide
Smoothing
Palmitoyl Pentapeptide-4
Skin Conditioning
Hydroxyacetophenone
Antioxidant
C13-14 Isoparaffin
Emollient
Steareth-2
EmulsifyingLaureth-7
EmulsifyingStearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Behenyl Alcohol
Emollient
Cetyl Alcohol
Emollient
Disodium EDTA
Polyacrylamide
Triethoxycaprylylsilane
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Zinc Oxide 17.5%, Water, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Isohexadecane, Glycerin, Steareth-21, Polyhydroxystearic Acid, Colloidal Oatmeal, Niacinamide, Palmitoyl Pentapeptide-4, Hydroxyacetophenone, C13-14 Isoparaffin, Steareth-2, Laureth-7, Stearyl Alcohol, Behenyl Alcohol, Cetyl Alcohol, Disodium EDTA, Polyacrylamide, Triethoxycaprylylsilane, Phenoxyethanol
Titanium Dioxide 6.5%
Cosmetic Colorant
Zinc Oxide 18.7%
Cosmetic Colorant
Water
Skin ConditioningIsohexadecane
EmollientC12-15 Alkyl Benzoate
AntimicrobialEthylhexyl Methoxycrylene
Skin ConditioningBehenyl Alcohol
Emollient
Steareth-21
CleansingGlyceryl Stearate
Emollient
PEG-100 Stearate
Calcium Aluminum Borosilicate
Euphorbia Cerifera Wax
Polyhydroxystearic Acid
Emulsifying
Cetyl Alcohol
Emollient
Triethoxycaprylylsilane
Aluminum Hydroxide
EmollientXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingStearic Acid
Cleansing
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
Humectant
Chlorphenesin
Antimicrobial
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Disodium EDTA
Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract
Emollient
Avena Sativa Kernel Extract
Abrasive
Titanium Dioxide 6.5%, Zinc Oxide 18.7%, Water, Isohexadecane, C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate, Ethylhexyl Methoxycrylene, Behenyl Alcohol, Steareth-21, Glyceryl Stearate, PEG-100 Stearate, Calcium Aluminum Borosilicate, Euphorbia Cerifera Wax, Polyhydroxystearic Acid, Cetyl Alcohol, Triethoxycaprylylsilane, Aluminum Hydroxide, Xanthan Gum, Stearic Acid, Phenoxyethanol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Glycerin, Chlorphenesin, Tocopheryl Acetate, Disodium EDTA, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract, Avena Sativa Kernel Extract
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Behenyl Alcohol is a type of fatty alcohol (these are different from the drying, solvent alcohols).
Fatty Alcohols have hydrating properties and are most often used as an emollient or to thicken a product. They are usually derived from natural fats and oils; behenyl alcohol is derived from the fats of vegetable oils.
Emollients help keep your skin soft and hydrated by creating a film that traps moisture in.
In 2000, Behenyl Alcohol was approved by the US as medicine to reduce the duration of cold sores.
Learn more about Behenyl AlcoholCetyl Alcohol is a fatty alcohol. Fatty Alcohols are most often used as an emollient or to thicken a product.
Its main roles are:
Though it has "alcohol" in the name, it is not related to denatured alcohol or ethyl alcohol.
The FDA allows products labeled "alcohol-free" to have fatty alcohols.
Learn more about Cetyl AlcoholDisodium EDTA plays a role in making products more stable by aiding other preservatives.
It is a chelating agent, meaning it neutralizes metal ions that may be found in a product.
Disodium EDTA is a salt of edetic acid and is found to be safe in cosmetic ingredients.
Learn more about Disodium EDTAGlycerin is already naturally found in your skin. It helps moisturize and protect your skin.
A study from 2016 found glycerin to be more effective as a humectant than AHAs and hyaluronic acid.
As a humectant, it helps the skin stay hydrated by pulling moisture to your skin. The low molecular weight of glycerin allows it to pull moisture into the deeper layers of your skin.
Hydrated skin improves your skin barrier; Your skin barrier helps protect against irritants and bacteria.
Glycerin has also been found to have antimicrobial and antiviral properties. Due to these properties, glycerin is often used in wound and burn treatments.
In cosmetics, glycerin is usually derived from plants such as soybean or palm. However, it can also be sourced from animals, such as tallow or animal fat.
This ingredient is organic, colorless, odorless, and non-toxic.
Glycerin is the name for this ingredient in American English. British English uses Glycerol/Glycerine.
Learn more about GlycerinIsohexadecane is added to enhance texture, emulsify, and to help cleanse. It is an isoparrafin. It is a component of petrolatum.
Due to its large size, Isohexadecane is not absorbed by the skin. Instead, it sits on top and acts as an emollient. Emollients help keep your skin soft and smooth by trapping moisture within.
Isohexadecane is often used in products designed to help oily skin. It is lightweight and non-greasy while helping to moisturize. When mixed with silicones, it gives a product a silky feel.
Learn more about IsohexadecanePhenoxyethanol is a preservative that has germicide, antimicrobial, and aromatic properties. Studies show that phenoxyethanol can prevent microbial growth. By itself, it has a scent that is similar to that of a rose.
It's often used in formulations along with Caprylyl Glycol to preserve the shelf life of products.
Polyhydroxystearic 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 AcidWe don't have a description for Steareth-21 yet.
Triethoxycaprylylsilane is a silicone used to bind and stabilize ingredients.
As an emulsifier, it helps prevent ingredients from separating. This can help elongate the shelf life of products.
Triethoxycaprylylsilane is often used to coat mineral sunscreens ingredients to help give a better feel. It also helps reduce oxidative stress in sunscreens.
Learn more about TriethoxycaprylylsilaneWater. 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. While it is most commonly man-made for cosmetics, it can naturally occur in zincite, a rare mineral.
Today, traditional and nano-sized zinc oxide can be found in beauty products. Nano-sized zinc oxide can enhance a product's UV protection. While it is not believed to have a negative effect on skin, nano-zinc oxide may be harmful to coral reefs - though the verdict is not entirely out on this one.
Zinc Oxide also has antibacterial and calming properties. It is not water soluble.
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 OxideIngredient Ratings
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When to use
Olay Sensitive Mineral Zinc Oxide Sunscreen SPF 30 21 ingredients
Aveeno Protect + Soothe Face Mineral Sunscreen SPF 30 26 ingredients
Reviews
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