This mineral sunscreen covers the full UV range and blocks ~98% of UVB at SPF 50.
This chemical sunscreen covers most of the UV range, lighter on the deep UVA that drives aging.
What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
PEG-12 Dimethicone/PPG-20 Crosspolymer
Zinc Oxide
Cosmetic Colorant
Coco-Caprylate
Emollient
Cyclopentasiloxane
Emollient
Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer
Skin Conditioning
Dicaprylyl Carbonate
EmollientC12-15 Alkyl Benzoate
AntimicrobialDecyl Oleate
Emollient
Propanediol
Solvent
Iron Oxides
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
BHT
Antioxidant
Gardenia Taitensis Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningDaucus Carota Sativa Seed Oil
Emollient
Oryza Sativa Germ Extract
EmollientRubus Idaeus Fruit Extract
AstringentPEG-12 Dimethicone/PPG-20 Crosspolymer, Zinc Oxide, Coco-Caprylate, Cyclopentasiloxane, Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Dicaprylyl Carbonate, C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate, Decyl Oleate, Propanediol, Iron Oxides, Tocopheryl Acetate, BHT, Gardenia Taitensis Flower Extract, Daucus Carota Sativa Seed Oil, Oryza Sativa Germ Extract, Rubus Idaeus Fruit Extract
Water
Skin ConditioningDimethicone
Emollient
Ethylhexyl Salicylate
UV Absorber
Octocrylene
UV Absorber
Glycerin
Humectant
Phenylbenzimidazole Sulfonic Acid
UV Absorber
Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane
UV Absorber
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingAcrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingNiacinamide
Smoothing
Steareth-21
CleansingSilica
Abrasive
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Polysorbate 20
Emulsifying
Steareth-2
EmulsifyingParfum
Masking
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Stearic Acid
Cleansing
Linoleamidopropyl Pg-Dimonium Chloride Phosphate
Propylene Glycol
Humectant
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Disodium EDTA
ChelatingPentylene Glycol
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Acetylated Hyaluronate
Humectant
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Sodium Lauroyl Lactylate
EmulsifyingSodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer
Humectant
Hydrolyzed Sodium Hyaluronate
Skin Conditioning
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningCeramide NP
Skin Conditioning
Ceramide AP
Skin Conditioning
Phytosphingosine
Skin Conditioning
Cholesterol
Emollient
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingCeramide EOP
Skin Conditioning
Alpha-Isomethyl Ionone
Perfuming
Benzyl Salicylate
Perfuming
Citronellol
Perfuming
Geraniol
Perfuming
Hexyl Cinnamal
Perfuming
Limonene
Perfuming
Linalool
Perfuming
Water, Dimethicone, Ethylhexyl Salicylate, Octocrylene, Glycerin, Phenylbenzimidazole Sulfonic Acid, Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane, Butylene Glycol, Sodium Hydroxide, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Niacinamide, Steareth-21, Silica, Caprylyl Glycol, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Polysorbate 20, Steareth-2, Parfum, Phenoxyethanol, Stearic Acid, Linoleamidopropyl Pg-Dimonium Chloride Phosphate, Propylene Glycol, Tocopheryl Acetate, Disodium EDTA, Pentylene Glycol, Sodium Acetylated Hyaluronate, Sodium Hyaluronate, Sodium Lauroyl Lactylate, Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer, Hydrolyzed Sodium Hyaluronate, Ethylhexylglycerin, Ceramide NP, Ceramide AP, Phytosphingosine, Cholesterol, Xanthan Gum, Carbomer, Ceramide EOP, Alpha-Isomethyl Ionone, Benzyl Salicylate, Citronellol, Geraniol, Hexyl Cinnamal, Limonene, Linalool
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Tocopheryl Acetate is a stable, shelf-friendly form of vitamin E.
Formulators love it because plain vitamin E oxidizes quickly once it hits air. This acetate version stays stable and resists going off, helping to extend a product's shelf life.
It's actually inactive on its own and works like a slow-release "storage" form; the enzymes in your skin called esterases gradually convert it into active vitamin E over time.
One in vivo study showed 5% of the acetate in the living layer of the epidermis converted to vitamin E after 5 days of application. This study also found the skin gained protection against UV damage even though the conversion was slow and small.
Once converted, vitamin E acts as a skin's main fat-soluble antioxidant that fights free radicals to protect skin from damage.
Topical vitamin E generally boosts the skin's photoprotection, and it reduced UV-damage in animal models.
This ingredient has some brightening potential but it's more of a prevention ingredient than spot-fader. Cell studies show it can slow down melanin production but it's worth noting that it's not the most powerful brightener out there.
Overall, it has a pretty solid safety profile and has been found to be non-irritating and non-comedogenic. Allergic reactions may happen but stay rare due to how widely the ingredient gets used.
The concentration will vary depending on the formula; industry data shows 0.1% in baby lotions, 3% in lipsticks, and 5% in foot powders. You can also find this ingredient at 100% in a pure vitamin E oil.
Most leave-on skincare keeps it at the lower end, often between 0.5-1%.
Learn more about Tocopheryl Acetate
