What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Polyglyceryl-2 Triisostearate
EmulsifyingSynthetic Wax
AbrasiveDiisostearyl Malate
EmollientHydrogenated Polyisobutene
EmollientPolyisobutene
Phytosteryl/Isostearyl/Cetyl/Stearyl/Behenyl Dimer Dilinoleate
Skin ConditioningDimer Dilinoleyl Diisostearate
EmollientOctyldodecanol
EmollientBis-Behenyl/Isostearyl/Phytosteryl Dimer Dilinoleyl Dimer Dilinoleate
EmollientBis-Diglyceryl Polyacyladipate-2
EmollientSilica Dimethyl Silylate
EmollientEthylene/Propylene Copolymer
AbrasiveCalcium Aluminum Borosilicate
Calcium Titanium Borosilicate
AbrasiveTitanium Dioxide
Cosmetic ColorantSilica
AbrasiveDehydroacetic Acid
PreservativeButyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin ConditioningTin Oxide
AbrasiveCitric Acid
BufferingCI 45380
Cosmetic ColorantCI 42090
Cosmetic ColorantTocopherol
AntioxidantWater
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
Humectant1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningRetinyl Palmitate
Skin ConditioningBioflavonoids
Skin ConditioningAscorbic Acid
AntioxidantHesperidin
EmollientPolyglyceryl-2 Triisostearate, Synthetic Wax, Diisostearyl Malate, Hydrogenated Polyisobutene, Polyisobutene, Phytosteryl/Isostearyl/Cetyl/Stearyl/Behenyl Dimer Dilinoleate, Dimer Dilinoleyl Diisostearate, Octyldodecanol, Bis-Behenyl/Isostearyl/Phytosteryl Dimer Dilinoleyl Dimer Dilinoleate, Bis-Diglyceryl Polyacyladipate-2, Silica Dimethyl Silylate, Ethylene/Propylene Copolymer, Calcium Aluminum Borosilicate, Calcium Titanium Borosilicate, Titanium Dioxide, Silica, Dehydroacetic Acid, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Tin Oxide, Citric Acid, CI 45380, CI 42090, Tocopherol, Water, Butylene Glycol, 1,2-Hexanediol, Retinyl Palmitate, Bioflavonoids, Ascorbic Acid, Hesperidin
Polyglyceryl-2 Triisostearate
EmulsifyingPhytosteryl Isostearyl Dimer Dilinoleate
EmollientDiisostearyl Malate
EmollientPolyisobutene
Synthetic Wax
AbrasiveHelianthus Annuus Seed Oil
EmollientOlea Europaea Fruit Oil
MaskingMicrocrystalline Wax
Emulsion StabilisingSynthetic Beeswax
Emulsion StabilisingEthylene/Propylene Copolymer
Abrasive1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningCalcium Carbonate
AbrasiveTitanium Dioxide
Cosmetic ColorantCalcium Titanium Borosilicate
AbrasiveParfum
MaskingCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningPentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate
AntioxidantCI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantCI 15985
Cosmetic ColorantCI 73360
Cosmetic ColorantTocopherol
AntioxidantTin Oxide
AbrasiveWater
Skin ConditioningDiamond Powder
AbrasiveRuby Powder
Skin ConditioningSapphire Powder
Polyglyceryl-2 Triisostearate, Phytosteryl Isostearyl Dimer Dilinoleate, Diisostearyl Malate, Polyisobutene, Synthetic Wax, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Olea Europaea Fruit Oil, Microcrystalline Wax, Synthetic Beeswax, Ethylene/Propylene Copolymer, 1,2-Hexanediol, Calcium Carbonate, Titanium Dioxide, Calcium Titanium Borosilicate, Parfum, Caprylyl Glycol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Pentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate, CI 77891, CI 15985, CI 73360, Tocopherol, Tin Oxide, Water, Diamond Powder, Ruby Powder, Sapphire Powder
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
1,2-Hexanediol is a synthetic liquid and another multi-functional powerhouse.Ā
It is a:
- Humectant, drawing moisture into the skin
- Emollient, helping to soften skin
- Solvent, dispersing and stabilizing formulas
- Preservative booster, enhancing the antimicrobial activity of other preservativesĀ
Calcium Titanium Borosilicate is an exfoliant.
Diisostearyl Malate is an emollient and most often used in lip products. It comes from isostearyl alcohol, a fatty acid, and malic acid, an AHA.
As an emollient, Diisostearyl Malate helps create a thin film on your skin to trap moisture in. This helps keep your skin soft and smooth.
Ethylene/Propylene Copolymer is an exfoliant.
This ingredient is a form of glycerin with emulsifying and emollient properties.
As an emulsifier, this ingredient helps keep products together while adding a thick texture. The manufacturer states this ingredient has emollient properties. Emollients help keep the skin hydrated by trapping moisture in.
Polyglyceryl-2 Triisostearate is created by reacting diglycerin and isostearic acid. Due to the isostearic acid base, it may not be safe for Malassezia or fungal acne.
Learn more about Polyglyceryl-2 TriisostearatePolyisobutene is a synthetic polymer made from isobutene.
It is a film-forming agent and helps bind ingredients together.
Polyisobutene is not absorbed by the skin.
Learn more about PolyisobuteneSynthetic Wax is created from fossil fuels such as natural gas. It is used to enhance texture, adjust pH, and as an occlusive.
It may also be used as an abrasive ingredient to exfoliate the skin.
Synthetic Wax may not be fungal acne safe.
Learn more about Synthetic WaxTin Oxide is an inorganic oxide used to add opacity and volume to a product. In nature, it is already found in mineral form. The main ore of tin is an opaque and shiny mineral called casseterite.
Tin Oxide helps remove translucency in a product, or make it more opaque. Besides adding opacity, tin oxide is used for bulking to add volume.
Titanium dioxide is a mineral UV filter widely used in sunscreens and cosmetics.
It is one of only two UV filters officially classified as āmineralā 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 isnāt as strong as zinc oxideās, 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 DioxideTocopherol (also known as Vitamin E) is a common antioxidant used to help protect the skin from free-radicals and strengthen the skin barrier. It's also fat soluble - this means our skin is great at absorbing it.
Vitamin E also helps keep your natural skin lipids healthy. Your lipid skin barrier naturally consists of lipids, ceramides, and fatty acids. Vitamin E offers extra protection for your skinās lipid barrier, keeping your skin healthy and nourished.
Another benefit is a bit of UV protection. Vitamin E helps reduce the damage caused by UVB rays. (It should not replace your sunscreen). Combining it with Vitamin C can decrease sunburned cells and hyperpigmentation after UV exposure.
You might have noticed Vitamin E + C often paired together. This is because it is great at stabilizing Vitamin C. Using the two together helps increase the effectiveness of both ingredients.
There are often claims that Vitamin E can reduce/prevent scarring, but these claims haven't been confirmed by scientific research.
Learn more about TocopherolWater. 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 Water