Sun Bum Mineral - SPF 50 Versus Biossance Squalane + Zinc Sheer Mineral Sunscreen SPF 30 PA +++
Updated on March 15, 2024
Overview
What they are
These products are both vegan and cruelty-free sunscreens. They have a total of 9 ingredients in common
Cool Features
They both contain SPF
Suited For
They're both likely to be good for fighting acne and dry skin
Free From
They both do not contain any harsh alcohols, common allergens, parabens, silicones or 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
Sun Bum Mineral - SPF 50 27 ingredients
Biossance Squalane + Zinc Sheer Mineral Sunscreen SPF 30 PA +++ 23 ingredients
About this product
About this product
At a glance
Click on any of the items below to learn more
Sun Bum Mineral - SPF 50 27 ingredients
Biossance Squalane + Zinc Sheer Mineral Sunscreen SPF 30 PA +++ 23 ingredients
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Zinc Oxide 20%
Cosmetic Colorant
Water
Skin ConditioningCocos Nucifera Oil
Masking
Butyloctyl Salicylate
Skin Conditioning
Diheptyl Succinate
EmollientMethyl Dihydroabietate
Butyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin Conditioning
Parfum
Masking
Capryloyl Glycerin/Sebacic Acid Copolymer
Skin ConditioningSodium Stearoyl Glutamate
CleansingCetearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Theobroma Cacao Seed Butter
Emollient
Coco-Glucoside
CleansingTocopherol
Antioxidant
Microcrystalline Cellulose
AbsorbentCellulose Gum
Emulsion StabilisingBisabolol
Masking
Cetyl Alcohol
Emollient
Arachidyl Alcohol
EmollientBehenyl Alcohol
Emollient
Arachidyl Glucoside
EmulsifyingPolyhydroxystearic Acid
Emulsifying
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Sodium Gluconate
Skin ConditioningPhenoxyethanol
Preservative
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningCitric Acid
Buffering
Zinc Oxide 20%, Water, Cocos Nucifera Oil, Butyloctyl Salicylate, Diheptyl Succinate, Methyl Dihydroabietate, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Parfum, Capryloyl Glycerin/Sebacic Acid Copolymer, Sodium Stearoyl Glutamate, Cetearyl Alcohol, Theobroma Cacao Seed Butter, Coco-Glucoside, Tocopherol, Microcrystalline Cellulose, Cellulose Gum, Bisabolol, Cetyl Alcohol, Arachidyl Alcohol, Behenyl Alcohol, Arachidyl Glucoside, Polyhydroxystearic Acid, Sodium Hyaluronate, Sodium Gluconate, Phenoxyethanol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Citric Acid
Zinc Oxide
Cosmetic Colorant
Water
Skin ConditioningCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingSqualane
Emollient
Glycerin
Humectant
Cetearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Methyl Dihydroabietate
Sorbitan Olivate
Emulsifying
Coco-Glucoside
CleansingCetyl Palmitate
Emollient
Polyglyceryl-3 Polyricinoleate
Emulsifying
Caprylyl/Capryl Glucoside
CleansingNymphaea Alba Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningAcacia Senegal Gum
MaskingEthyl Ferulate
Antioxidant
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingSodium Gluconate
Skin ConditioningLecithin
EmollientSodium Palmitoyl Proline
Skin ConditioningPolyhydroxystearic Acid
Emulsifying
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningPhenoxyethanol
Preservative
Isostearic Acid
Cleansing
Zinc Oxide, Water, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Squalane, Glycerin, Cetearyl Alcohol, Methyl Dihydroabietate, Sorbitan Olivate, Coco-Glucoside, Cetyl Palmitate, Polyglyceryl-3 Polyricinoleate, Caprylyl/Capryl Glucoside, Nymphaea Alba Flower Extract, Acacia Senegal Gum, Ethyl Ferulate, Xanthan Gum, Sodium Gluconate, Lecithin, Sodium Palmitoyl Proline, Polyhydroxystearic Acid, Ethylhexylglycerin, Phenoxyethanol, Isostearic Acid
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Zinc 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 OxideWater. 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 WaterWe don't have a description for Methyl Dihydroabietate yet.
Cetearyl alcohol is a mixture of two fatty alcohols: cetyl alcohol and stearyl alcohol. It is mainly used as an emulsifier. Emulsifiers help prevent the separation of oils and products. Due to its composition, it can also be used to thicken a product or help create foam.
Cetearyl alcohol is an emollient. Emollients help soothe and hydrate the skin by trapping moisture.
Studies show Cetearyl alcohol is non-toxic and non-irritating. The FDA allows products labeled "alcohol-free" to have fatty alcohols.
This ingredient is usually derived from plant oils such as palm, vegetable, or coconut oils. There is debate on whether this ingredient will cause acne.
Due to the fatty acid base, this ingredient may not be Malassezia folliculitis safe.
Learn more about Cetearyl AlcoholCoco-Glucoside is a surfactant, or a cleansing ingredient. It is made from glucose and coconut oil.
Surfactants help gather dirt, oil, and other pollutants from your skin to be rinsed away.
This ingredient is considered gentle and non-comedogenic. However, it may still be irritating for some.
Learn more about Coco-GlucosidePolyhydroxystearic 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 AcidThis is the synthetic salt of gluconic acid, a form of PHA and mild exfoliant.
It is mainly used to stabilize oil and butter formulations from going bad. Sodium gluconate is a humectant, pH regulator, and chelating agent.
Chelating agents help neutralize unwanted metals from affecting the formulation.
Sodium gluconate is water-soluble.
Learn more about Sodium GluconatePhenoxyethanol 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.
Ethylhexylglycerin (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.
Ingredient Ratings
Here's what our community thinks of the ingredients in these products.
When to use
Sun Bum Mineral - SPF 50 27 ingredients
Biossance Squalane + Zinc Sheer Mineral Sunscreen SPF 30 PA +++ 23 ingredients
