What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
PEG-12 Dimethicone/PPG-20 Crosspolymer
Zinc Oxide
Cosmetic ColorantCoco-Caprylate
EmollientCyclopentasiloxane
EmollientDimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer
Skin ConditioningDicaprylyl Carbonate
EmollientC12-15 Alkyl Benzoate
AntimicrobialDecyl Oleate
EmollientPropanediol
SolventIron Oxides
Tocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantBHT
AntioxidantGardenia Taitensis Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningDaucus Carota Sativa Seed Oil
EmollientOryza 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 ConditioningEthylhexyl Salicylate
UV AbsorberButyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane
UV AbsorberOctocrylene
UV AbsorberGlycerin
HumectantBetaine
HumectantCoco-Caprylate
EmollientZinc Oxide
Cosmetic ColorantStearic Acid
CleansingPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeCetyl Alcohol
EmollientGlyceryl Stearate
EmollientAmmonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer
Propylene Glycol
HumectantMenthol
MaskingMethyl Diisopropyl Propionamide
MaskingEthyl Menthane Carboxamide
TonicMenthyl Lactate
MaskingHydroxypropylcellulose
EmulsifyingTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantAloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract
EmollientChamomilla Recutita Flower Extract
MaskingAvena Sativa Kernel Extract
AbrasiveCaesalpinia Spinosa Fruit Extract
Skin ProtectingHelianthus Annuus Sprout Extract
Skin ConditioningCitrus Aurantium Dulcis Peel Oil
MaskingRosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Oil
MaskingSodium Benzoate
MaskingDisodium EDTA
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingWater, Ethylhexyl Salicylate, Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane, Octocrylene, Glycerin, Betaine, Coco-Caprylate, Zinc Oxide, Stearic Acid, Phenoxyethanol, Cetyl Alcohol, Glyceryl Stearate, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer, Propylene Glycol, Menthol, Methyl Diisopropyl Propionamide, Ethyl Menthane Carboxamide, Menthyl Lactate, Hydroxypropylcellulose, Tocopheryl Acetate, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract, Chamomilla Recutita Flower Extract, Avena Sativa Kernel Extract, Caesalpinia Spinosa Fruit Extract, Helianthus Annuus Sprout Extract, Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Peel Oil, Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Oil, Sodium Benzoate, Disodium EDTA, Sodium Hydroxide
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Coco-Caprylate is created from fatty coconut alcohol and caprylic 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 is absorbed quickly and leaves a silky feel. It may help solubilize other ingredients, or help other ingredients be dispersed evenly.
Coco-Caprylate may not be fungal acne safe.
Learn more about Coco-CaprylateTocopheryl 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 AcetateZinc 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