What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Dimethicone
EmollientDimethicone Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingCyclopentasiloxane
EmollientPEG/PPG-18/18 Dimethicone
EmulsifyingZinc Oxide
Cosmetic ColorantCoco-Caprylate/Caprate
EmollientPolyglyceryl-3 Polyricinoleate
EmulsifyingIsostearic Acid
CleansingSilica
AbrasiveC12-15 Alkyl Benzoate
AntimicrobialGlycerin
HumectantTitanium Dioxide
Cosmetic ColorantCucumis Sativus Fruit Extract
EmollientPlankton Extract
Skin ConditioningSilica Silylate
EmollientPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningCI 77492
Cosmetic ColorantButyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin ConditioningOenothera Biennis Oil
EmollientRosa Canina Callus Lysate
AntioxidantLinum Usitatissimum Seed Oil
PerfumingCI 77499
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77491
Cosmetic ColorantDimethicone, Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Cyclopentasiloxane, PEG/PPG-18/18 Dimethicone, Zinc Oxide, Coco-Caprylate/Caprate, Polyglyceryl-3 Polyricinoleate, Isostearic Acid, Silica, C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate, Glycerin, Titanium Dioxide, Cucumis Sativus Fruit Extract, Plankton Extract, Silica Silylate, Phenoxyethanol, Ethylhexylglycerin, CI 77492, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Oenothera Biennis Oil, Rosa Canina Callus Lysate, Linum Usitatissimum Seed Oil, CI 77499, CI 77491
Zinc Oxide 20%
Cosmetic ColorantIsododecane
EmollientCoco-Caprylate/Caprate
EmollientButyloctyl Salicylate
Skin ConditioningCyclohexasiloxane
EmollientCyclopentasiloxane
EmollientTrihydroxystearin
Skin ConditioningPolymethylsilsesquioxane
Cetyl Dimethicone
EmollientSilica Silylate
EmollientPolysilicone-11
Polyglyceryl-3 Polyricinoleate
EmulsifyingHydroxyapatite
AbrasiveSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantGlycine Soja Oil
EmollientTitanium Dioxide
Cosmetic ColorantButyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin ConditioningOryza Sativa Extract
AbsorbentOryza Sativa Germ Extract
EmollientIsostearic Acid
CleansingMica
Cosmetic ColorantPolyglyceryl-3 Diisostearate
EmulsifyingEthylhexyl Palmitate
EmollientTin Oxide
AbrasiveEthyl Linoleate
EmollientSilica Dimethyl Silylate
EmollientAscorbyl Tetraisopalmitate
AntioxidantPentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
HumectantCI 77492
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77491
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77499
Cosmetic ColorantZinc Oxide 20%, Isododecane, Coco-Caprylate/Caprate, Butyloctyl Salicylate, Cyclohexasiloxane, Cyclopentasiloxane, Trihydroxystearin, Polymethylsilsesquioxane, Cetyl Dimethicone, Silica Silylate, Polysilicone-11, Polyglyceryl-3 Polyricinoleate, Hydroxyapatite, Sodium Hyaluronate, Tocopheryl Acetate, Glycine Soja Oil, Titanium Dioxide, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Oryza Sativa Extract, Oryza Sativa Germ Extract, Isostearic Acid, Mica, Polyglyceryl-3 Diisostearate, Ethylhexyl Palmitate, Tin Oxide, Ethyl Linoleate, Silica Dimethyl Silylate, Ascorbyl Tetraisopalmitate, Pentylene Glycol, Butylene Glycol, CI 77492, CI 77491, CI 77499
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 also known as shea butter. It is an effective skin hydrator and emollient.
Emollients help soothe and soften your skin. It does this by creating a protective film on your skin. This barrier helps trap moisture and keeps your skin hydrated. Emollients may be effective at treating dry or itchy skin.
Shea butter is rich in antioxidants. Antioxidants help fight free-radicals, or molecules that may harm the body. It is also full of fatty acids including stearic acid and linoleic acid. These acids help replenish the skin and keep skin moisturized.
While Shea Butter has an SPF rating of about 3-4, it is not a sunscreen replacement.
Shea butter may not be fungal acne safe. We recommend speaking with a professional if you have any concerns.
Learn more about Butyrospermum Parkii ButterCi 77491 is also hydrated iron III oxide. It's sole purpose is to give a red/pink hue to products.
Iron III oxides are classified as inorganic chemicals for coloring.
Synthetically created Ci 77491 is considered safer than those naturally found. This is because the synthetically created version may contain less impurities. Iron oxides are generally non-toxic and non-allergenic.
Learn more about CI 77491Ci 77492 is also hydrated iron III oxide. It's sole purpose is to give a yellow hue to products.
Iron III oxides are classified as inorganic chemicals for coloring.
Synthetically created Ci 77492 is considered safer than those naturally found. This is because the synthetically created version may contain less impurities. Iron oxides are generally non-toxic and non-allergenic.
Learn more about CI 77492Ci 77499 is also hydrated iron III oxide. It is created from mixing red and black iron oxides. This helps give shades of darkness to a product.
Iron III oxides are classified as inorganic chemicals for coloring.
Coco-Caprylate/Caprate is created from fatty coconut alcohol, caprylic acid, and capric 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/Caprate is absorbed quickly and leaves a silky feel.
Coco-Caprylate/Caprate may not be fungal acne safe.
Learn more about Coco-Caprylate/CaprateCyclopentasiloxane, or D5, is a silicone used to improve texture of products and trap moisture.
D5 is considered lightweight and volatile. Volatile means it evaporates quickly after application. Once evaporated, D5 leaves a thin barrier that helps keep skin hydrated.
It is also an emollient. Emollients help soften the skin and prevent water loss. Silicones create a silky texture in products. D5 helps other ingredients become more spreadable.
Studies show D5 is safe to use in skincare products. We recommend speaking with a skincare professional if you have concerns.
Learn more about CyclopentasiloxaneIsostearic acid is a saturated fatty acid. Its structure makes it a great surfactant.
Surfactants help decrease the surface tension between two liquids. This property also makes it an effective emulsifier. Emulsifiers help prevent waters and oils from separating in a product.
Isostearic Acid is created from oleic acid.
This ingredient may not be Malassezia folliculitis, or fungal-acne safe.
Learn more about Isostearic AcidThis ingredient is an emulsifier. It is created from Polyglycerin-3 and Ricinoleic Acid.
As an emulsifier, it prevents waters and oils from separating. According to a manufacturer this ingredient is fully biodegradable.
This ingredient may not be safe for Malassezia folliculitis due to its Ricinoleic Acid base. Ricinoleic Acid is a fatty acid derived from castor oil.
Learn more about Polyglyceryl-3 PolyricinoleateSilica Silylate is a siloxane polymer, meaning it is made up of silicon and oxygen atoms. It is not soluble in water.
This ingredient is a white powder with oil-absorbing, emollient, and anticaking properties.
Titanium dioxide is a mineral UV filter widely used in sunscreens and cosmetics.
It is one of only two UV filters officially classified as “mineral” by regulatory agencies, the other being zinc oxide.
Titanium dioxide provides broad-spectrum protection mostly in the UVB and UVAII range, with some protection in the UVAI range.
While its UVA protection isn’t as strong as zinc oxide’s, the difference is minor.
A common myth is that mineral UV filters reflect UV light. However, modern research shows titanium dioxide absorbs UV radiation like chemical filters (~95% absorption & 5% reflection).
Thanks to its non-irritating nature, titanium dioxide is suitable for sensitive, acne-prone, or redness-prone skin. It is unlikely to cause "eye sting" like other sunscreen ingredients.
A major drawback of this ingredient is its white cast and thick texture. This is why mineral sunscreens often leave a white cast and are less cosmetically elegant than chemical/hybrid sunscreens.
To improve white cast and spreadability, micronized or nano-sized titanium dioxide is often used.
There are ongoing concerns surrounding nano-titanium oxide's impact on marine ecosystems.
There is no conclusive evidence that any form of titanium oxide (or any other sunscreen ingredients) will cause harm to marine ecosystems or coral reefs. 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.
Nano mineral sunscreens once raised safety concerns about absorption into skin.
Extensive research has shown that they do not penetrate healthy or damaged skin; they remain safely on the surface and the top layer of dead skin (stratum corneum).
You'll likely find titanium dioxide bundled with alumina, silica, or dimethicone. These ingredients help make titanium dioxide highly photostable; this prevents it from interacting with other formula components under UV light.
Learn more about Titanium DioxideZinc 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