so natural So Vegan Calming Sun Cream SPF50+ PA++++ Versus Botanity Zinc Light Sun Lotion SPF50+ PA++++
Updated on March 28, 2025
Overview
What they are
These products are both cruelty-free sunscreens. They have a total of 15 ingredients in common
Cool Features
They both contain SPF and Vitamin E
Suited For
They're both likely to be good for fighting acne, anti aging, dry skin, sensitive skin and scar healing
Free From
They both do not contain any harsh alcohols or parabens
What's Inside
They both contain silicones and sulfates
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
so natural So Vegan Calming Sun Cream SPF50+ PA++++ 46 ingredients
Botanity Zinc Light Sun Lotion SPF50+ PA++++ 30 ingredients
About this product
About this product
At a glance
Click on any of the items below to learn more
so natural So Vegan Calming Sun Cream SPF50+ PA++++ 46 ingredients
Botanity Zinc Light Sun Lotion SPF50+ PA++++ 30 ingredients
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningZinc Oxide
Cosmetic Colorant
Methyl Trimethicone
Skin Conditioning
Isononyl Isononanoate
EmollientButyloctyl Salicylate
Skin Conditioning
Propanediol
SolventAcrylates Copolymer
CI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantC12-15 Alkyl Benzoate
AntimicrobialDiphenylsiloxy Phenyl Trimethicone
Skin Conditioning
Polyglyceryl-3 Polydimethylsiloxyethyl Dimethicone
Skin Conditioning
Dicaprylyl Ether
EmollientIsododecane
EmollientPolyhydroxystearic Acid
Emulsifying
Polyglyceryl-2 Dipolyhydroxystearate
Skin Conditioning
Acrylates/Polytrimethylsiloxymethacrylate Copolymer
Skin ConditioningPolyglyceryl-2 Isostearate
Emulsifying
Disteardimonium Hectorite
StabilisingCitrus Aurantium Bergamia Fruit Oil
Masking
Eucalyptus Dives Leaf Oil
Perfuming
Hibiscus Syriacus Flower Extract
Antioxidant
Centella Asiatica Extract
Cleansing
Peat Extract
Skin ConditioningMagnesium Sulfate
Polymethyl Methacrylate
Lauryl Polyglyceryl-3 Polydimethylsiloxyethyl Dimethicone
Skin Conditioning
Methyl Methacrylate Crosspolymer
Poly C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate
Emulsion StabilisingCoco-Caprylate/Caprate
Emollient
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningDextrin Palmitate
Emulsifying
Triethoxycaprylylsilane
Polyglyceryl-6 Polyricinoleate
Emulsifying
Aluminum Hydroxide
EmollientStearic Acid
Cleansing
Sorbitan Isostearate
Emulsifying
Caprylyl Glycol
EmollientPolyamide-8
EmollientButylene Glycol Dicaprylate/Dicaprate
EmollientTocopherol
Antioxidant
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Pentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate
Antioxidant
Limonene
Perfuming
Linalool
Perfuming
CI 77288
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77492
Cosmetic ColorantWater, Zinc Oxide, Methyl Trimethicone, Isononyl Isononanoate, Butyloctyl Salicylate, Propanediol, Acrylates Copolymer, CI 77891, C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate, Diphenylsiloxy Phenyl Trimethicone, Polyglyceryl-3 Polydimethylsiloxyethyl Dimethicone, Dicaprylyl Ether, Isododecane, Polyhydroxystearic Acid, Polyglyceryl-2 Dipolyhydroxystearate, Acrylates/Polytrimethylsiloxymethacrylate Copolymer, Polyglyceryl-2 Isostearate, Disteardimonium Hectorite, Citrus Aurantium Bergamia Fruit Oil, Eucalyptus Dives Leaf Oil, Hibiscus Syriacus Flower Extract, Centella Asiatica Extract, Peat Extract, Magnesium Sulfate, Polymethyl Methacrylate, Lauryl Polyglyceryl-3 Polydimethylsiloxyethyl Dimethicone, Methyl Methacrylate Crosspolymer, Poly C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate, Coco-Caprylate/Caprate, 1,2-Hexanediol, Dextrin Palmitate, Triethoxycaprylylsilane, Polyglyceryl-6 Polyricinoleate, Aluminum Hydroxide, Stearic Acid, Sorbitan Isostearate, Caprylyl Glycol, Polyamide-8, Butylene Glycol Dicaprylate/Dicaprate, Tocopherol, Butylene Glycol, Pentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate, Limonene, Linalool, CI 77288, CI 77492
Water
Skin ConditioningZinc Oxide 17.4%
Cosmetic Colorant
Propylheptyl Caprylate
EmollientC12-15 Alkyl Benzoate
AntimicrobialButylene Glycol
Humectant
Disiloxane
Skin Conditioning
Lauryl Polyglyceryl-3 Polydimethylsiloxyethyl Dimethicone
Skin Conditioning
Calamine
AbsorbentNiacinamide
Smoothing
Isododecane
EmollientIsotridecyl Isononanoate
EmollientPolyglyceryl-3 Polydimethylsiloxyethyl Dimethicone
Skin Conditioning
Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
Antimicrobial
Ginkgo Biloba Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningCamellia Euryoides Leaf Extract
EmollientRosa Rugosa Leaf Extract
HumectantSprout Extract
Antioxidant
Brassica Oleracea Italica Extract
AstringentMedicago Sativa Extract
TonicDisteardimonium Hectorite
StabilisingMagnesium Sulfate
Methyl Methacrylate Crosspolymer
Triethoxycaprylylsilane
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningPolyhydroxystearic Acid
Emulsifying
Glyceryl Caprylate
EmollientCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningAdenosine
Skin Conditioning
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Water, Zinc Oxide 17.4%, Propylheptyl Caprylate, C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate, Butylene Glycol, Disiloxane, Lauryl Polyglyceryl-3 Polydimethylsiloxyethyl Dimethicone, Calamine, Niacinamide, Isododecane, Isotridecyl Isononanoate, Polyglyceryl-3 Polydimethylsiloxyethyl Dimethicone, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Ginkgo Biloba Leaf Extract, Camellia Euryoides Leaf Extract, Rosa Rugosa Leaf Extract, Sprout Extract, Brassica Oleracea Italica Extract, Medicago Sativa Extract, Disteardimonium Hectorite, Magnesium Sulfate, Methyl Methacrylate Crosspolymer, Triethoxycaprylylsilane, 1,2-Hexanediol, Polyhydroxystearic Acid, Glyceryl Caprylate, Caprylyl Glycol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Adenosine, Tocopherol
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Water. 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 OxideC12-15 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 BenzoatePolyglyceryl-3 Polydimethylsiloxyethyl Dimethicone is a type of silicone.
Isododecane is a fragrance, emollient, and solvent.
As an emollient, it helps your skin stay soft and hydrated. Emollients help trap moisture into your skin.
Isododecane's role as a solvent makes it a great texture enhancer. It spreads smoothly on skin and does not leave a sticky feeling behind. Isododecane also helps prevent color transfer in makeup products.
Isododecane is not absorbed into skin.
Learn more about IsododecanePolyhydroxystearic 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 AcidDisteardimonium 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 HectoriteMagnesium Sulfate is a salt. It can be naturally found in sea water or mineral deposits.
In cosmetics, Magnesium Sulfate is used to thicken a product or help dilute other solids. It is a non-reactive and non-irritating ingredient.
You might recognize Magnesium Sulfate as epsom salt, or the bath salt used to help relieve muscle aches.
One study shows magnesium deficiency may lead to inflammation of the skin. Applying magnesium topically may help reduce inflammation.
Learn more about Magnesium SulfateLauryl Polyglyceryl-3 Polydimethylsiloxyethyl Dimethicone is a type of silicone.
This ingredient comes as a powder made up of small, porous, microbeads. It is used to add a silky feel to products and also helps absorb oil.
1,2-Hexanediol is a synthetic liquid and another multi-functional powerhouse.
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 preservatives
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 TriethoxycaprylylsilaneCaprylyl Glycol is a humectant and emollient, meaning it attracts and preserves moisture.
It is a common ingredient in many products, especially those designed to hydrate skin. The primary benefits are retaining moisture, skin softening, and promoting a healthy skin barrier.
Though Caprylyl Glycol is an alcohol derived from fatty acids, it is not the kind that can dry out skin.
This ingredient is also used as a preservative to extend the life of products. It has slight antimicrobial properties.
Learn more about Caprylyl GlycolTocopherol (also known as Vitamin E) is a common antioxidant used to help protect the skin from free-radicals and strengthen the skin barrier. It's also fat soluble - this means our skin is great at absorbing it.
Vitamin E also helps keep your natural skin lipids healthy. Your lipid skin barrier naturally consists of lipids, ceramides, and fatty acids. Vitamin E offers extra protection for your skin’s lipid barrier, keeping your skin healthy and nourished.
Another benefit is a bit of UV protection. Vitamin E helps reduce the damage caused by UVB rays. (It should not replace your sunscreen). Combining it with Vitamin C can decrease sunburned cells and hyperpigmentation after UV exposure.
You might have noticed Vitamin E + C often paired together. This is because it is great at stabilizing Vitamin C. Using the two together helps increase the effectiveness of both ingredients.
There are often claims that Vitamin E can reduce/prevent scarring, but these claims haven't been confirmed by scientific research.
Learn more about TocopherolButylene Glycol (or BG) is used within cosmetic products for a few different reasons:
- It is a solvent, meaning that it helps to dissolve other ingredients. This also enhances the absorption of the product into one's skin.
- It is a humectant, which means that it helps attract moisture into the skin.
- It helps improve product application.
- It has mild preservative properties.
Overall, Butylene Glycol is a safe and well-rounded ingredient that works well with other ingredients.
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