Vichy Capital Soleil Tinted 100% Mineral Sunscreen SPF 60 Versus Elementrē Tinted Mineral Sun Protection Cream SPF 50+
This sunscreen offers SPF 60 protection with a matte finish that helps control shine.
This mineral sunscreen covers the full UV range and blocks ~98% of UVB at SPF 50.
What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningIsododecane
EmollientDimethicone
EmollientC12-15 Alkyl Benzoate
AntimicrobialUndecane
EmollientStyrene/Acrylates Copolymer
Caprylyl Methicone
Skin ConditioningNylon-12
Butyloctyl Salicylate
Skin ConditioningPhenethyl Benzoate
EmollientDicaprylyl Carbonate
EmollientSilica
AbrasiveTriethylhexanoin
MaskingIsohexadecane
EmollientTridecane
PerfumingDicaprylyl Ether
EmollientTalc
AbrasiveDimethicone/PEG-10/15 Crosspolymer
Aluminum Hydroxide
EmollientStearic Acid
CleansingPEG-9 Polydimethylsiloxyethyl Dimethicone
EmulsifyingPentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningAlumina
AbrasiveAluminum Stearate
Cosmetic ColorantBenzoic Acid
MaskingBenzyl Benzoate
AntimicrobialCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientDipropylene Glycol
HumectantDisodium Stearoyl Glutamate
CleansingDisteardimonium Hectorite
StabilisingHelianthus Annuus Seed Oil
EmollientIron Oxides
Magnesium Sulfate
PEG-8 Laurate
EmulsifyingPhenoxyethanol
PreservativePolyhydroxystearic Acid
EmulsifyingPropylene Carbonate
SolventSodium Citrate
BufferingSodium Dodecylbenzenesulfonate
CleansingTocopherol
AntioxidantWater, Isododecane, Dimethicone, C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate, Undecane, Styrene/Acrylates Copolymer, Caprylyl Methicone, Nylon-12, Butyloctyl Salicylate, Phenethyl Benzoate, Dicaprylyl Carbonate, Silica, Triethylhexanoin, Isohexadecane, Tridecane, Dicaprylyl Ether, Talc, Dimethicone/PEG-10/15 Crosspolymer, Aluminum Hydroxide, Stearic Acid, PEG-9 Polydimethylsiloxyethyl Dimethicone, Pentylene Glycol, Alumina, Aluminum Stearate, Benzoic Acid, Benzyl Benzoate, Caprylyl Glycol, Dipropylene Glycol, Disodium Stearoyl Glutamate, Disteardimonium Hectorite, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Iron Oxides, Magnesium Sulfate, PEG-8 Laurate, Phenoxyethanol, Polyhydroxystearic Acid, Propylene Carbonate, Sodium Citrate, Sodium Dodecylbenzenesulfonate, Tocopherol
Water
Skin ConditioningC15-19 Alkane
SolventTitanium Dioxide
Cosmetic ColorantEthylhexyl Palmitate
EmollientPEG-30 Dipolyhydroxystearate
EmulsifyingOryza Sativa Starch
AbsorbentGlycerin
HumectantStearic Acid
CleansingAlumina
AbrasivePentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningPolyglyceryl-3 Diisostearate
EmulsifyingSilica
AbrasiveZinc Oxide
Cosmetic Colorant1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningCI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77492
Cosmetic ColorantMagnesium Sulfate
CI 77491
Cosmetic ColorantTrihydroxystearin
Skin ConditioningO-Cymen-5-Ol
AntimicrobialCI 77499
Cosmetic ColorantTriethoxycaprylylsilane
Water, C15-19 Alkane, Titanium Dioxide, Ethylhexyl Palmitate, PEG-30 Dipolyhydroxystearate, Oryza Sativa Starch, Glycerin, Stearic Acid, Alumina, Pentylene Glycol, Polyglyceryl-3 Diisostearate, Silica, Zinc Oxide, 1,2-Hexanediol, CI 77891, CI 77492, Magnesium Sulfate, CI 77491, Trihydroxystearin, O-Cymen-5-Ol, CI 77499, Triethoxycaprylylsilane
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Alumina (aka aluminum oxide) is an inorganic mineral powder refined from bauxite that works as a quiet workhorse in a formula.
It shows up often as an abrasive, absorbent, anticaking, bulking, and viscosity-controlling agent.
One of its most common jobs is acting as a pigment carrier and dispersant.
Alumina platelets are often blended with inorganic sunscreens like Titanium Dioxide (or with colorants) and then coated with a silicone such as Triethoxycaprylylsilane so the pigment spreads evenly and smoothly.
In makeup, it can also double as a light-diffusing powder or oil absorber to keep formulas from looking greasy.
The Cosmetic Ingredient Review Expert Panel has concluded alumina to be safe in present practices of use and concentration.
They note it's a stable, oxidized compound and scientific research has failed to establish links to health issues.
Concentrations vary depending on the product:
Learn more about AluminaMagnesium Sulfate is a salt. More specifically, it is an epsom salt, or the bath salt used to help relieve muscle aches.
Despite having ‘sulfate’ in the name, it isn’t a surfactant or cleansing agent like sodium lauryl sulfate. Unlike those sulfates, magnesium sulfate doesn’t have the same cleansing or foaming properties (it's simply a type of salt).
In cosmetics, Magnesium Sulfate is used to thicken a product or help dilute other solids. It is a non-reactive and non-irritating ingredient.
One study shows magnesium deficiency may lead to inflammation of the skin. Applying magnesium topically may help reduce inflammation.
You can find this ingredient in sea water or mineral deposits.
Learn more about Magnesium SulfatePentylene Glycol (1,2-pentanediol) is a multitasking little diol with three main roles in a formula:
Research on alkanediols (the family pentylene glycol belongs to) show they work by disrupting microbial cell membranes. This disruption helps the primary preservative system in a product work more effectively at lower doses.
On the safety side, the Cosmetic Ingredient Review Expert Panel has concluded this ingredient to be safe as used in current cosmetic practices + concentrations.
Typical use levels in a formula run about 1-5%.
Learn more about Pentylene GlycolSilica, also known as silicon dioxide, is a naturally occurring mineral. It is used as a fine, spherical, and porous powder in cosmetics.
Though it has exfoliant properties, the function of silica varies depending on the product.
The unique structure of silica enhances the spreadability and adds smoothness, making it a great texture enhancer.
It is also used as an active carrier, emulsifier, and mattifier due to its ability to absorb excess oil.
In some products, tiny microneedles called spicules are made from silica or hydrolyzed sponge. When you rub them in, they lightly polish away dead skin layers and enhance the penetration of active ingredients.
Learn more about SilicaStearic Acid is a fatty acid that is already found in your skin. It's one of the free fatty acids that works alongside ceramides and cholesterols to maintain your barrier.
In cosmetics, it is a multitasker:
Safety-wise, the CIR Expert Panel has concluded it to be safe in cosmetics when formulated to be non-irritating and non-sensitizing.
Free stearic acid is a C18 fatty acid that the Malassezia yeast can substrate, so this ingredient may not be fungal acne safe.
Learn more about Stearic AcidWater. 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 Water