What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
No concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningZinc Oxide
Cosmetic ColorantDiisopropyl Adipate
EmollientCoco-Caprylate/Caprate
EmollientEthylhexyl Methoxycrylene
Skin ConditioningC12-15 Alkyl Benzoate
AntimicrobialGlyceryl Oleate Citrate
EmulsifyingPropanediol
SolventDecyl Glucoside
CleansingPolyglyceryl-4 Isostearate
EmulsifyingSqualane
EmollientAluminum Starch Octenylsuccinate
AbsorbentCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingTriethoxycaprylylsilane
Magnesium Aluminum Silicate
AbsorbentSaccharide Isomerate
HumectantCitric Acid
BufferingSodium Citrate
BufferingHydroxyacetophenone
AntioxidantPotassium Cetyl Phosphate
EmulsifyingTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeCI 77492
Cosmetic ColorantPolyhydroxystearic Acid
EmulsifyingAmmonium Polyacryloyldimethyl Taurate
Emulsion StabilisingCI 77491
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77499
Cosmetic ColorantLactic Acid
BufferingSodium Hydroxide
BufferingWater, Zinc Oxide, Diisopropyl Adipate, Coco-Caprylate/Caprate, Ethylhexyl Methoxycrylene, C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate, Glyceryl Oleate Citrate, Propanediol, Decyl Glucoside, Polyglyceryl-4 Isostearate, Squalane, Aluminum Starch Octenylsuccinate, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Triethoxycaprylylsilane, Magnesium Aluminum Silicate, Saccharide Isomerate, Citric Acid, Sodium Citrate, Hydroxyacetophenone, Potassium Cetyl Phosphate, Tocopheryl Acetate, Phenoxyethanol, CI 77492, Polyhydroxystearic Acid, Ammonium Polyacryloyldimethyl Taurate, CI 77491, CI 77499, Lactic Acid, Sodium Hydroxide
Zinc Oxide 15%
Cosmetic ColorantWater
Skin ConditioningCoco-Caprylate/Caprate
EmollientHelianthus Annuus Seed Oil
EmollientC15-19 Alkane
SolventIsocetyl Stearoyl Stearate
EmollientUndecane
EmollientArgania Spinosa Kernel Oil
EmollientJojoba Esters
EmollientTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantTribehenin
EmollientTridecane
PerfumingGlyceryl Stearate
EmollientLeuconostoc/Radish Root Ferment Filtrate
AntimicrobialMica
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantGlycerin
HumectantLactobacillus
Skin ConditioningAloe Barbadensis Leaf
MaskingAcacia Senegal Gum
MaskingXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingViola Tricolor Extract
EmollientBisabolol
MaskingGlycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract
BleachingHyaluronic Acid
HumectantGlycosphingolipids
EmollientGlycolipids
Skin ConditioningCocos Nucifera Fruit Extract
EmollientSymphytum Officinale Leaf Extract
Skin Conditioning3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid
Skin ConditioningCI 77492
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77491
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77499
Cosmetic ColorantTin Oxide
AbrasiveZinc Oxide 15%, Water, Coco-Caprylate/Caprate, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, C15-19 Alkane, Isocetyl Stearoyl Stearate, Undecane, Argania Spinosa Kernel Oil, Jojoba Esters, Tocopheryl Acetate, Tribehenin, Tridecane, Glyceryl Stearate, Leuconostoc/Radish Root Ferment Filtrate, Mica, CI 77891, Glycerin, Lactobacillus, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf, Acacia Senegal Gum, Xanthan Gum, Viola Tricolor Extract, Bisabolol, Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract, Hyaluronic Acid, Glycosphingolipids, Glycolipids, Cocos Nucifera Fruit Extract, Symphytum Officinale Leaf Extract, 3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid, CI 77492, CI 77491, CI 77499, Tin Oxide
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Ci 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/CaprateTocopheryl 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 AcetateWater. 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 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