What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Homosalate 9%
Skin ConditioningTitanium Dioxide 1.8%
Cosmetic ColorantZinc Oxide 0.9%
Cosmetic ColorantWater
Skin ConditioningDimethicone
EmollientTalc
AbrasiveC12-15 Alkyl Benzoate
AntimicrobialIsododecane
EmollientCetyl PEG/PPG-10/1 Dimethicone
EmulsifyingIsopentyldiol
HumectantSorbitol
HumectantTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeSodium Chloride
MaskingDimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer
Skin ConditioningMagnesium Sulfate
Sodium Dehydroacetate
PreservativeHydrogen Dimethicone
Potassium Sorbate
PreservativeDisteardimonium Hectorite
StabilisingLecithin
EmollientBenzoic Acid
MaskingAluminum Hydroxide
EmollientAlumina
AbrasiveDehydroacetic Acid
PreservativePropylene Carbonate
SolventHelianthus Annuus Seed Oil
EmollientTriethoxycaprylylsilane
Tocopherol
AntioxidantEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningAscorbyl Palmitate
AntioxidantCitric Acid
BufferingGardenia Florida Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningNelumbo Nucifera Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningNymphaea Odorata Root Extract
RefreshingCI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantIron Oxides
Homosalate 9%, Titanium Dioxide 1.8%, Zinc Oxide 0.9%, Water, Dimethicone, Talc, C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate, Isododecane, Cetyl PEG/PPG-10/1 Dimethicone, Isopentyldiol, Sorbitol, Tocopheryl Acetate, Phenoxyethanol, Sodium Chloride, Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Magnesium Sulfate, Sodium Dehydroacetate, Hydrogen Dimethicone, Potassium Sorbate, Disteardimonium Hectorite, Lecithin, Benzoic Acid, Aluminum Hydroxide, Alumina, Dehydroacetic Acid, Propylene Carbonate, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Triethoxycaprylylsilane, Tocopherol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Ascorbyl Palmitate, Citric Acid, Gardenia Florida Fruit Extract, Nelumbo Nucifera Flower Extract, Nymphaea Odorata Root Extract, CI 77891, Iron Oxides
Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane 3%
UV AbsorberHomosalate 5%
Skin ConditioningEthylhexyl Salicylate 5%
UV AbsorberOctocrylene 3%
UV AbsorberWater
Skin ConditioningButyloctyl Salicylate
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
HumectantOctyldodecyl Neopentanoate
EmollientDimethicone
EmollientGlyceryl Stearate
EmollientPEG-100 Stearate
Glycerin
HumectantAscophyllum Nodosum Extract
Skin ConditioningSilica
AbrasiveEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningCetearyl Alcohol
EmollientCoco-Glucoside
CleansingCitric Acid
BufferingBatyl Alcohol
EmollientBis-PEG/PPG-14/14 Dimethicone
EmollientAcrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingDisodium EDTA
Potassium Hydroxide
BufferingTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantTetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate
AntioxidantXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingSaccharide Isomerate
HumectantSodium Citrate
BufferingTin Oxide
AbrasivePhenoxyethanol
PreservativePotassium Sorbate
PreservativeIron Oxides
Mica
Cosmetic ColorantTitanium Dioxide
Cosmetic ColorantButyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane 3%, Homosalate 5%, Ethylhexyl Salicylate 5%, Octocrylene 3%, Water, Butyloctyl Salicylate, Butylene Glycol, Octyldodecyl Neopentanoate, Dimethicone, Glyceryl Stearate, PEG-100 Stearate, Glycerin, Ascophyllum Nodosum Extract, Silica, Ethylhexylglycerin, Cetearyl Alcohol, Coco-Glucoside, Citric Acid, Batyl Alcohol, Bis-PEG/PPG-14/14 Dimethicone, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Disodium EDTA, Potassium Hydroxide, Tocopheryl Acetate, Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate, Xanthan Gum, Saccharide Isomerate, Sodium Citrate, Tin Oxide, Phenoxyethanol, Potassium Sorbate, Iron Oxides, Mica, Titanium Dioxide
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Citric Acid is an alpha hydroxy acid (AHA) naturally found in citrus fruits like oranges, lemons, and limes.
Like other AHAs, citric acid can exfoliate skin by breaking down the bonds that hold dead skin cells together. This helps reveal smoother and brighter skin underneath.
However, this exfoliating effect only happens at high concentrations (20%) which can be hard to find in cosmetic products.
Due to this, citric acid is usually included in small amounts as a pH adjuster. This helps keep products slightly more acidic and compatible with skin's natural pH.
In skincare formulas, citric acid can:
While it can provide some skin benefits, research shows lactic acid and glycolic acid are generally more effective and less irritating exfoliants.
Most citric acid used in skincare today is made by fermenting sugars (usually from molasses). This synthetic version is identical to the natural citrus form but easier to stabilize and use in formulations.
Read more about some other popular AHA's here:
Learn more about Citric AcidDimethicone is a type of synthetic silicone created from natural materials such as quartz.
What it does:
Dimethicone comes in different viscosities:
Depending on the viscosity, dimethicone has different properties.
Ingredients lists don't always show which type is used, so we recommend reaching out to the brand if you have questions about the viscosity.
This ingredient is unlikely to cause irritation because it does not get absorbed into skin. However, people with silicone allergies should be careful about using this ingredient.
Note: Dimethicone may contribute to pilling. This is because it is not oil or water soluble, so pilling may occur when layered with products. When mixed with heavy oils in a formula, the outcome is also quite greasy.
Learn more about DimethiconeEthylhexylglycerin (we can't pronounce this either) is commonly used as a preservative and skin softener. It is derived from glyceryl.
You might see Ethylhexylglycerin often paired with other preservatives such as phenoxyethanol. Ethylhexylglycerin has been found to increase the effectiveness of these other preservatives.
Homosalate is a chemical sunscreen filter that provides protection in the UV-B range (280nm - 320 nm), with a peak protection at 306 nm. It is internationally approved for use in sunscreens.
Homosalate is not photo-stable, meaning it's strength as a UV filter degrades over time with exposure to the sun. Because of this, it's often used in combination with other chemical sunscreen filters as avobenzone (which protects from the UV-A range). Homosalate also helps act as a solvent for harder-to-dissolve UV filters.
(Part of the reason that sunscreens need to be frequently re-applied is due to the photo instability of many chemical sunscreen filters)
Currently, homosalate is approved in concentrations up to 10% in the EU and 15% in the US. The FDA is currently doing further research on the effects of homosalate, and it is possible that these approved concentrations will change in the future.
Learn more about HomosalatePhenoxyethanol 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.
Potassium 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 SorbateTitanium 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 WaterThis ingredient is a combination of red, black, and yellow iron oxide pigments. This combination of colors is usually found in foundation, because it results in a "skin" color.