What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningHydrogen Dimethicone
Isodecyl Neopentanoate
EmollientTitanium Dioxide
Cosmetic ColorantIsopropyl Myristate
EmollientPropylene Glycol
HumectantZinc Oxide
Cosmetic ColorantEthylhexyl Methoxycinnamate
UV AbsorberButyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane
UV AbsorberBenzophenone-3
UV AbsorberPhospholipids
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
HumectantCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingOctocrylene
UV AbsorberCyclopentasiloxane
EmollientAcrylates Copolymer
Sodium Acrylates/Beheneth-25 Methacrylate Crosspolymer
Skin ConditioningHydrogenated Polydecene
EmollientLauryl Glucoside
CleansingGlyceryl Stearate
EmollientGlycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract
BleachingHydroxypropyltrimonium Hyaluronate
Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid
HumectantHyaluronic Acid
HumectantHydrolyzed Sodium Hyaluronate
Skin ConditioningSodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer
HumectantPentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningSodium Retinoyl Hyaluronate
Zinc Hydrolyzed Hyaluronate
HumectantSodium Acetylated Hyaluronate
HumectantPropanediol
SolventDimethylsilanol Hyaluronate
HumectantSodium Benzoate
MaskingAscorbyl Propyl Hyaluronate
Skin ConditioningPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningPPG-20 Methyl Glucose Ether
Skin ConditioningMethyl Glucose Dioleate
EmollientPEG-100 Stearate
Dimethicone
EmollientNeopentyl Glycol Diethylhexanoate
EmollientCetearyl Alcohol
EmollientTriethanolamine
BufferingPolymethylsilsesquioxane
Carbomer
Emulsion StabilisingTetrasodium EDTA
Water, Hydrogen Dimethicone, Isodecyl Neopentanoate, Titanium Dioxide, Isopropyl Myristate, Propylene Glycol, Zinc Oxide, Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate, Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane, Benzophenone-3, Phospholipids, Butylene Glycol, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Octocrylene, Cyclopentasiloxane, Acrylates Copolymer, Sodium Acrylates/Beheneth-25 Methacrylate Crosspolymer, Hydrogenated Polydecene, Lauryl Glucoside, Glyceryl Stearate, Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract, Hydroxypropyltrimonium Hyaluronate, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, Hyaluronic Acid, Hydrolyzed Sodium Hyaluronate, Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer, Pentylene Glycol, Sodium Retinoyl Hyaluronate, Zinc Hydrolyzed Hyaluronate, Sodium Acetylated Hyaluronate, Propanediol, Dimethylsilanol Hyaluronate, Sodium Benzoate, Ascorbyl Propyl Hyaluronate, Phenoxyethanol, Ethylhexylglycerin, PPG-20 Methyl Glucose Ether, Methyl Glucose Dioleate, PEG-100 Stearate, Dimethicone, Neopentyl Glycol Diethylhexanoate, Cetearyl Alcohol, Triethanolamine, Polymethylsilsesquioxane, Carbomer, Tetrasodium EDTA
Water
Skin ConditioningZinc Oxide
Cosmetic ColorantCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingButyloctyl Salicylate
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantPolyhydroxystearic Acid
EmulsifyingCetearyl Alcohol
EmollientPhenoxyethanol
PreservativePolyurethane-62
Benzyl Alcohol
PerfumingSaccharide Isomerate
HumectantCitric Acid
BufferingPropanediol
SolventLecithin
EmollientXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingCI 77492
Cosmetic ColorantSodium Phytate
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningTrideceth-6
EmulsifyingTocopherol
AntioxidantCI 77499
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77491
Cosmetic ColorantAlcohol
AntimicrobialHelianthus Annuus Seed Oil
EmollientSodium Citrate
BufferingErythritol
HumectantHibiscus Esculentus Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningWater, Zinc Oxide, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Butyloctyl Salicylate, Glycerin, Polyhydroxystearic Acid, Cetearyl Alcohol, Phenoxyethanol, Polyurethane-62, Benzyl Alcohol, Saccharide Isomerate, Citric Acid, Propanediol, Lecithin, Xanthan Gum, CI 77492, Sodium Phytate, Ethylhexylglycerin, Trideceth-6, Tocopherol, CI 77499, CI 77491, Alcohol, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Sodium Citrate, Erythritol, Hibiscus Esculentus Fruit Extract
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
This ingredient is a lightweight emollient, solvent, and texture enhancer. It is considered a skin-softener by helping the skin prevent moisture loss.
It helps thicken a product's formula and makes it easier to spread by dissolving clumping compounds.
Caprylic Triglyceride is made by combining glycerin with coconut oil, forming a clear liquid. Though it behaves like an oil, it is not technically one due to its chemical composition. It is very stable, resistant to oxidation, and unlikely to go rancid. In practice, that translates to a long shelf life and a consistently elegant skin feel.
While there is an assumption Caprylic Triglyceride can clog pores due to it being derived from coconut oil, there is no research supporting this. Be sure to patch test if you have concerns.
Fractionated coconut oil and MCT Oil are both listed as Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride according to INCI. This is because INCI names are based on the ingredient’s final chemical composition and not its marketing name or source.
Learn more about Caprylic/Capric TriglycerideCetearyl alcohol is a waxy mixture of two fatty alcohols: cetyl alcohol and stearyl alcohol. It is an emollient and emulsifier.
Despite having "alcohol" in its name, it has nothing to do with drying solvent alcohols; the FDA also allows "alcohol-free" products to contain fatty alcohols like this ingredient.
It plays several roles in a formula:
Typical use levels for this ingredient sit around 1-10% and the Cosmetic Ingredient Review Expert Panel has affirmed safety at concentrations up to 25% in leave-on products.
Multiple assessments have found it to be non-irritating and non-sensitizing to most people.
However, there have been some cases of allergic contact dermatitis in patients with chronically compromised skin barriers.
Cetearyl alcohol has a comedogenic rating of 2 and irritancy rating of 1. Both of these numbers come from the 1989 study that used rabbit ears; a "2" means mildly comedogenic and a "1" means low irritancy.
Here's the catch: rabbit skin is more sensitive than human skin and throws a lot of false positives. A 1996 reappraisal found that ingredients rated 1-2 in the rabbit ear tests are generally safe for humans.
Remember comedogenic ratings are unable to assess the entire formula of a product or how it will react on your skin. Just be sure to patch test if you are unsure about certain ingredients.
This ingredient is not fungal acne safe. Cetearyl alcohol is a fatty alcohol with chain lengths that fall within the range that Malassezia can metabolize.
Learn more about Cetearyl AlcoholEthylhexylglycerin is created from glycerin. It is a multitasker ingredient that:
The CIR Expert Panel found minimal skin absorption or sensitization of any kind in a safety assessment. Though this ingredient is considered well-tolerated, a small number of cases of allergic dermatitis have been published since 2002. Just be sure to patch test if you are unsure.
Industry-reported use ranges from 8% in rinse-off products and 2% in leave-on formulations.
Learn more about EthylhexylglycerinPhenoxyethanol 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.
Propanediol is an all-star ingredient. It softens, hydrates, and smooths the skin.Â
It’s often used to:
Propanediol is not likely to cause sensitivity and considered safe to use. It is derived from corn or petroleum with a clear color and no scent.
Learn more about PropanediolWater. 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. Remember to 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