What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Cyclopentasiloxane
EmollientWater
Skin ConditioningEthylhexyl Methoxycinnamate
UV AbsorberZinc Oxide
Cosmetic ColorantTriethylhexanoin
MaskingDiglycerin
HumectantTitanium Dioxide
Cosmetic ColorantMethyl Methacrylate Crosspolymer
Trimethylsiloxysilicate
EmollientDiethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl Benzoate
UV FilterSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantSodium Ascorbyl Phosphate
AntioxidantGlycyrrhetinic Acid
Skin ConditioningLauryl PEG-9 Polydimethylsiloxyethyl Dimethicone
Skin ConditioningSilica
AbrasiveHydrogen Dimethicone
Polyglyceryl-2 Triisostearate
Emulsifying1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningMethylparaben
PreservativeAluminum Hydroxide
EmollientPanthenol
Skin ConditioningVinyl Dimethicone/Lauryl Dimethicone Crosspolymer
Disodium EDTA
Cyclopentasiloxane, Water, Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate, Zinc Oxide, Triethylhexanoin, Diglycerin, Titanium Dioxide, Methyl Methacrylate Crosspolymer, Trimethylsiloxysilicate, Diethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl Benzoate, Sodium Hyaluronate, Tocopheryl Acetate, Sodium Ascorbyl Phosphate, Glycyrrhetinic Acid, Lauryl PEG-9 Polydimethylsiloxyethyl Dimethicone, Silica, Hydrogen Dimethicone, Polyglyceryl-2 Triisostearate, 1,2-Hexanediol, Methylparaben, Aluminum Hydroxide, Panthenol, Vinyl Dimethicone/Lauryl Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Disodium EDTA
Water
Skin ConditioningButyloctyl Salicylate
Skin ConditioningDibutyl Adipate
EmollientPropanediol
SolventButylene Glycol
HumectantBis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine
Skin ConditioningEthylhexyl Triazone
UV AbsorberDicaprylyl Carbonate
EmollientTitanium Dioxide
Cosmetic ColorantDiethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl Benzoate
UV FilterHydrogenated Poly(C6-14 Olefin)
Emollient1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningCentella Asiatica Extract
CleansingPolyglyceryl-2 Stearate
EmulsifyingAluminum Hydroxide
EmollientGlyceryl Stearate
EmollientStearyl Alcohol
EmollientSodium Polyacrylate
AbsorbentStearic Acid
CleansingPolyhydroxystearic Acid
EmulsifyingBehenyl Alcohol
EmollientPolymethylsilsesquioxane
Ethylhexyl Stearate
EmollientAmmonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer
Caprylyl Glycol
EmollientTrideceth-6
EmulsifyingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingMadecassoside
AntioxidantAsiaticoside
AntioxidantAsiatic Acid
Skin ConditioningMadecassic Acid
Skin ConditioningWater, Butyloctyl Salicylate, Dibutyl Adipate, Propanediol, Butylene Glycol, Bis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine, Ethylhexyl Triazone, Dicaprylyl Carbonate, Titanium Dioxide, Diethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl Benzoate, Hydrogenated Poly(C6-14 Olefin), 1,2-Hexanediol, Centella Asiatica Extract, Polyglyceryl-2 Stearate, Aluminum Hydroxide, Glyceryl Stearate, Stearyl Alcohol, Sodium Polyacrylate, Stearic Acid, Polyhydroxystearic Acid, Behenyl Alcohol, Polymethylsilsesquioxane, Ethylhexyl Stearate, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer, Caprylyl Glycol, Trideceth-6, Ethylhexylglycerin, Xanthan Gum, Madecassoside, Asiaticoside, Asiatic Acid, Madecassic Acid
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
1,2-Hexanediol is a synthetic liquid and another multi-functional powerhouse.Ā
It is a:
- Humectant, drawing moisture into the skin
- Emollient, helping to soften skin
- Solvent, dispersing and stabilizing formulas
- Preservative booster, enhancing the antimicrobial activity of other preservativesĀ
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 HydroxideDiethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl Benzoate (DHHB) is a chemical UV-A absorber. It is formulated for high UVA protection (320-400 nm).
DHHB is well-liked for:
DHHB has been approved by the EU, Japan, Taiwan, and South America for use up to 10%. Unfortunately, it has not been approved for use in the US or Canada due to slow regulatory processes.
This ingredient is soluble in oils, fats, and lipids.
Learn more about Diethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl BenzoateTitanium dioxide is a mineral UV filter widely used in sunscreens and cosmetics.
It is one of only two UV filters officially classified as āmineralā 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 isnāt as strong as zinc oxideās, 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. Stay hydrated!
Learn more about Water