What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Zinc Oxide 15%
Cosmetic ColorantWater
Skin ConditioningCoco-Caprylate/Caprate
EmollientVitis Vinifera Seed Oil
EmollientC15-19 Alkane
SolventIsocetyl Stearoyl Stearate
EmollientArgania Spinosa Kernel Oil
EmollientTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantSodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer
HumectantJojoba Esters
EmollientTribehenin
EmollientBeeswax
Emulsion StabilisingGlyceryl Stearate
EmollientLeuconostoc/Radish Root Ferment Filtrate
AntimicrobialGlycerin
HumectantLactobacillus
Skin ConditioningAcacia Senegal Gum
MaskingXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingViola Tricolor Extract
EmollientBisabolol
MaskingGlycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract
BleachingSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantAloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract
EmollientCocos Nucifera Fruit Extract
EmollientTitanium Dioxide
Cosmetic ColorantIron Oxides
Mica
Cosmetic ColorantZinc Oxide 15%, Water, Coco-Caprylate/Caprate, Vitis Vinifera Seed Oil, C15-19 Alkane, Isocetyl Stearoyl Stearate, Argania Spinosa Kernel Oil, Tocopheryl Acetate, Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer, Jojoba Esters, Tribehenin, Beeswax, Glyceryl Stearate, Leuconostoc/Radish Root Ferment Filtrate, Glycerin, Lactobacillus, Acacia Senegal Gum, Xanthan Gum, Viola Tricolor Extract, Bisabolol, Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract, Sodium Hyaluronate, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract, Cocos Nucifera Fruit Extract, Titanium Dioxide, Iron Oxides, Mica
Zinc Oxide 20%
Cosmetic ColorantWater
Skin ConditioningCoco-Caprylate/Caprate
EmollientCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingPolyglyceryl-3 Polyricinoleate
EmulsifyingSilica
AbrasiveRicinus Communis Seed Oil
MaskingGlycerin
HumectantShea Butter Ethyl Esters
EmollientDisteardimonium Hectorite
StabilisingBrassica Oleracea Italica Seed Oil
EmollientPolyglyceryl-3 Diisostearate
EmulsifyingMagnesium Sulfate
Isostearic Acid
CleansingLecithin
EmollientPolyhydroxystearic Acid
EmulsifyingGluconolactone
Skin ConditioningArgania Spinosa Kernel Oil
EmollientTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantIsoamyl Laurate
EmollientC12-15 Alkyl Benzoate
AntimicrobialCocos Nucifera Oil
MaskingCucurbita Pepo Seed Oil
EmollientTetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate
AntioxidantGlyceryl Caprylate
EmollientSodium Benzoate
MaskingTribehenin
EmollientPunica Granatum Seed Oil
EmollientBisabolol
MaskingIsoamyl Cocoate
Glyceryl Undecylenate
EmollientPhytic Acid
Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice
Skin ConditioningCeramide Ng
Skin ConditioningCalendula Officinalis Flower Extract
MaskingChamomilla Recutita Flower Extract
MaskingPanax Quinquefolius Root Extract
AstringentCalcium Gluconate
HumectantCamellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialHydroxypropyl Cyclodextrin
MaskingAlgae Extract
EmollientPalmitoyl Tripeptide-38
Skin ConditioningPalmitoyl Hexapeptide-12
Skin ConditioningCI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77492
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77491
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77499
Cosmetic ColorantZinc Oxide 20%, Water, Coco-Caprylate/Caprate, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Polyglyceryl-3 Polyricinoleate, Silica, Ricinus Communis Seed Oil, Glycerin, Shea Butter Ethyl Esters, Disteardimonium Hectorite, Brassica Oleracea Italica Seed Oil, Polyglyceryl-3 Diisostearate, Magnesium Sulfate, Isostearic Acid, Lecithin, Polyhydroxystearic Acid, Gluconolactone, Argania Spinosa Kernel Oil, Tocopheryl Acetate, Isoamyl Laurate, C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate, Cocos Nucifera Oil, Cucurbita Pepo Seed Oil, Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate, Glyceryl Caprylate, Sodium Benzoate, Tribehenin, Punica Granatum Seed Oil, Bisabolol, Isoamyl Cocoate, Glyceryl Undecylenate, Phytic Acid, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Ceramide Ng, Calendula Officinalis Flower Extract, Chamomilla Recutita Flower Extract, Panax Quinquefolius Root Extract, Calcium Gluconate, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Hydroxypropyl Cyclodextrin, Algae Extract, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-38, Palmitoyl Hexapeptide-12, CI 77891, CI 77492, CI 77491, CI 77499
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
You may know this ingredient as argan oil. Argan Oil has antioxidant, hydrating, and soothing properties.
Studies have shown argan oil can help fight again radical damage from the sun. This makes it effective at preventing hyperpigmentation.
Large amounts of vitamin E found in argan oil helps the skin retain water. Argan oil also contains fatty acids such as linoleic acid, oleic acid, and palmitic acid. It is also a good source of lipids.
Another benefit of argan oil is skin-soothing. It can help reduce inflammation-related skin symptoms.
Argan Oil is effective at regulating sebum production in pores. This can make it effective at treating hormonal acne.
Traditionally, argan oil was used for its antibacterial and antifungal properties. However, argan oil contains fatty acids that may make it not fungal-acne safe.
Argan Trees are native to Morocco.
Learn more about Argania Spinosa Kernel OilBisabolol is famous for its skin soothing properties. It does this by blocking inflammatory signals, helping to reduce your body's reaction to irritation.
This ingredient also interferes with the process of hyperpigmentation. This can help with reducing dark spots and uneven tone.
Bisabolol is an antioxidant. Antioxidants help fight free-radicals. Free-radicals are molecules that may damage your skin cells. By fighting these free-radicals, Bisabolol may slow down signs of aging.
Studies have shown Bisabolol to have antimicrobial properties and may be a fungicide. These properties help preserve a product's shelf life.
All these properties makes bisabolol a great skin barrier helper ingredient.
Bisabolol also helps the absorption of other ingredients.
Note: Synthetic Bisabolol has been shown to be less effective.
Learn more about BisabololCoco-Caprylate/Caprate is created from fatty coconut alcohol, caprylic acid, and capric acid.
It is a lightweight emollient. Emollients create a thin barrier on the skin to trap moisture in. This helps keep your skin hydrated and soft.
Once applied, Coco-Caprylate/Caprate is absorbed quickly and leaves a silky feel.
Coco-Caprylate/Caprate may not be fungal acne safe.
Learn more about Coco-Caprylate/CaprateGlycerin 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 GlycerinTocopheryl 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 AcetateTribehenin comes from glycerin and behenic acid.
It is used as an emollient, or moisturizer. Emollients form a thin barrier on skin to prevent moisture from escaping.
This ingredient may not be Malassezia folliculitis, or fungal-acne safe.
Learn more about TribeheninWater. 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. It also has skin protectant and skin soothing properties.
Zinc oxide is one of the most effective broad-spectrum UV filters. It protects against UVB, UVAII, and UVAI. In comparison to its counterpart titanium dioxide, zinc oxide provides uniform and extended UVA protection.
Another great benefit? This ingredient is highly photostable so it won't degrade easily under sunlight.
A common myth is that mineral UV filters are widely believed to primarily reflect UV light.
However, modern research shows titanium dioxide absorbs UV radiation like chemical filters (~95% absorption & 5% reflection).
Zinc oxide has great skin soothing properties so you'll likely find this in sunscreens formulated for sensitive skin or babies/children. It is unlikely to cause "eye sting" like other sunscreen ingredients.
Regulatory agencies consider zinc oxide to be non-toxic and safe. It has also been shown to not penetrate the skin.
Unfortunately, this ingredient does leave a visible white cast. This is why mineral sunscreens are often less cosmetically elegant than chemical or hybrid ones.
In cosmetics, zinc oxide can be found in both non-nano and nano-sized forms. The nano version is used to reduce white cast and improve the texture of sunscreen formulas.
There are ongoing concerns surrounding nano-zinc oxide's impact on marine ecosystems and whether it can be absorbed into skin.
Regarding marine ecosystems and coral reefs, there is no conclusive evidence that any form of zinc oxide (or any other sunscreen ingredients) will cause harm. 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.
There has also been some stir about whether micronized or nano zinc oxide has potential photoxicity and absorption through the skin/lungs.
An in-vitro (done in a test tube or petri dish) study demonstrated micronized zinc oxide to have potential phototoxicity. There's no need to fret; the EU Commission's Scientific Committee on Consumer Safety has stated, "The relevance of these findings needs to be clarified by appropriate investigations in vivo." Or in other words, further studies done on living organisms are needed to prove this.
Current research shows zinc oxide nanoparticles do not penetrate intact or sunburned skin. They either remain on the surface or in the outermost layer of dead skin (stratum corneum).
Zinc oxide is one of only two classified mineral UV filters with titanium dioxide being the other one.
Fun fact: 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 Oxide