What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingGlycerin
HumectantCetyl PEG/PPG-10/1 Dimethicone
EmulsifyingDimethicone
EmollientIsododecane
EmollientC9-12 Alkane
SolventDisteardimonium Hectorite
StabilisingTriethyl Citrate
MaskingDimethicone Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingTitanium Dioxide
Cosmetic ColorantSodium Chloride
MaskingTalc
AbrasiveEctoin
Skin ConditioningBetaine
HumectantNiacinamide
SmoothingSilica
AbrasiveC12-15 Alkyl Benzoate
AntimicrobialDimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer
Skin ConditioningTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeMyristyl Myristate
EmollientPolyglyceryl-4 Isostearate
EmulsifyingHexyl Laurate
EmollientBeeswax
Emulsion StabilisingBisabolol
AntioxidantPolyvinyl Alcohol
Sodium Polyacrylate
AbsorbentAluminum Hydroxide
EmollientCI 77288
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77492
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77491
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77499
Cosmetic ColorantWater, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Glycerin, Cetyl PEG/PPG-10/1 Dimethicone, Dimethicone, Isododecane, C9-12 Alkane, Disteardimonium Hectorite, Triethyl Citrate, Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Titanium Dioxide, Sodium Chloride, Talc, Ectoin, Betaine, Niacinamide, Silica, C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate, Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Tocopheryl Acetate, Phenoxyethanol, Myristyl Myristate, Polyglyceryl-4 Isostearate, Hexyl Laurate, Beeswax, Bisabolol, Polyvinyl Alcohol, Sodium Polyacrylate, Aluminum Hydroxide, CI 77288, CI 77492, CI 77491, CI 77499
Water
Skin ConditioningCyclopentasiloxane
EmollientDimethicone
EmollientCyclohexasiloxane
EmollientPEG-10 Dimethicone
Skin ConditioningTriethylhexanoin
MaskingEthylhexyl Methoxycinnamate
UV AbsorberBetaine
HumectantTitanium Dioxide
Cosmetic ColorantC12-15 Alkyl Benzoate
AntimicrobialCetyl PEG/PPG-10/1 Dimethicone
EmulsifyingDisteardimonium Hectorite
StabilisingPolyurethane-35
Glycerin
HumectantPolysorbate 80
EmulsifyingTribehenin
EmollientHydrated Silica
AbrasiveAluminum Hydroxide
EmollientMica
Cosmetic ColorantCamellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialHydrogen Dimethicone
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningPropylene Carbonate
SolventCeramide Ng
Skin ConditioningLactic Acid
BufferingTriethoxycaprylylsilane
Trimethoxycaprylylsilane
SmoothingCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientTin Oxide
AbrasivePhenylpropanol
MaskingPalmitoyl Hexapeptide-12
Skin ConditioningBHT
AntioxidantPentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate
AntioxidantMethylpropanediol
SolventPhenoxyethanol
PreservativePotassium Sorbate
PreservativeSodium Benzoate
MaskingCI 77491
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77492
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77499
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantWater, Cyclopentasiloxane, Dimethicone, Cyclohexasiloxane, PEG-10 Dimethicone, Triethylhexanoin, Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate, Betaine, Titanium Dioxide, C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate, Cetyl PEG/PPG-10/1 Dimethicone, Disteardimonium Hectorite, Polyurethane-35, Glycerin, Polysorbate 80, Tribehenin, Hydrated Silica, Aluminum Hydroxide, Mica, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Hydrogen Dimethicone, Ethylhexylglycerin, Propylene Carbonate, Ceramide Ng, Lactic Acid, Triethoxycaprylylsilane, Trimethoxycaprylylsilane, Caprylyl Glycol, Tin Oxide, Phenylpropanol, Palmitoyl Hexapeptide-12, BHT, Pentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate, Methylpropanediol, Phenoxyethanol, Potassium Sorbate, Sodium Benzoate, CI 77491, CI 77492, CI 77499, CI 77891
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Aluminum Hydroxide is a form of aluminum. It can be naturally found in nature as the mineral gibbsite. In cosmetics, Aluminum Hydroxide is used as a colorant, pH adjuster, and absorbent.
As a colorant, Aluminum Hydroxide may add opacity, or reduce the transparency. Aluminum hydroxide is contains both basic and acidic properties.
According to manufacturers, this ingredient is an emollient and humectant. This means it helps hydrate the skin.
In medicine, this ingredient is used to help relieve heartburn and help heal ulcers.
There is currently no credible scientific evidence linking aluminum hydroxide in cosmetics to increased cancer risk.
Major health organizations allow the use of aluminum hydroxide in personal care products and have not flagged it as a carcinogenic risk at typical usage levels.
Learn more about Aluminum HydroxideBetaine is a humectant. Like hyaluronic acid, it helps attract and retain moisture in the skin. It’s known for being gentle and for helping the skin maintain balanced hydration.
Betaine is mainly used to improve hydration and support calmer skin. It helps skin cells regulate water balance because it functions as an osmolyte.
Some studies suggest betaine may support making skin tone more even.
Fun fact: Betaine naturally exists in the skin and the body. In cosmetic products, it can be either plant-derived (most commonly from sugar beets) or synthetically produced for consistency and stability.
Betaine is also known as trimethylglycine.
Learn more about BetaineC12-15 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 silicone-based emulsifer that helps the water and oil phases play nicely together.
It's pretty effective because one end of the molecule loves oil and the other one loves water.
Besides holding formulas together, it also leaves a silky and lightweight feel on skin without the greasiness. A manufacturer also claims it can help with the controlled release of active ingredients.
The CIR Expert Panel found this ingredient to not be sensitizing in concentrations up to 15% in human maximazation testing and dimethicone-based compounds were not comedogenic.
It has a high molecular weight well above 1,000 g/mol which means it limits meaningful skin penetration.
A 2019 study specifically tested this ingredient and found no observable Malassezia growth in its presence.
Learn more about Cetyl PEG/PPG-10/1 DimethiconeCi 77491 is also hydrated iron III oxide. It's sole purpose is to give a red/pink hue to products.
Iron III oxides are classified as inorganic chemicals for coloring.
Synthetically created Ci 77491 is considered safer than those naturally found. This is because the synthetically created version may contain less impurities. Iron oxides are generally non-toxic and non-allergenic.
Learn more about CI 77491CI 77492 is also hydrated iron III oxide. It's sole purpose is to give a yellow hue to products.
Iron III oxides are classified as inorganic chemicals for coloring.
Synthetically created CI 77492 is considered safer than those naturally found. This is because the synthetically created version may contain less impurities. Iron oxides are generally non-toxic and non-allergenic.
Learn more about CI 77492Ci 77499 is also hydrated iron III oxide. It is created from mixing red and black iron oxides. This helps give shades of darkness to a product.
Iron III oxides are classified as inorganic chemicals for coloring.
Dimethicone is a type of synthetic silicone created from natural materials such as quartz. It is also known as polydimethylsiloxane.
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 DimethiconeDisteardimonium Hectorite comes from the clay mineral named hectorite. It is used to add thickness to a product.
It can also help stabilize a product by helping to disperse other ingredients.
Hectorite is a rare, white clay mineral.
Learn more about Disteardimonium HectoriteGlycerin (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 GlycerinPhenoxyethanol 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.
Titanium 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 DioxideWater. 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