Vichy Capital Soleil Tinted 100% Mineral Sunscreen SPF 60 Versus Odacité California SPF 50 Tinted Mineral Drops
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
Emollient
C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate
AntimicrobialUndecane
EmollientStyrene/Acrylates Copolymer
Caprylyl Methicone
Skin Conditioning
Nylon-12
Butyloctyl Salicylate
Skin Conditioning
Phenethyl Benzoate
Emollient
Dicaprylyl Carbonate
EmollientSilica
Abrasive
Triethylhexanoin
MaskingIsohexadecane
EmollientTridecane
Perfuming
Dicaprylyl Ether
Emollient
Talc
Abrasive
Dimethicone/PEG-10/15 Crosspolymer
Aluminum Hydroxide
EmollientStearic Acid
Cleansing
PEG-9 Polydimethylsiloxyethyl Dimethicone
Emulsifying
Pentylene Glycol
Skin Conditioning
Alumina
Abrasive
Aluminum Stearate
Cosmetic ColorantBenzoic Acid
Masking
Benzyl Benzoate
Antimicrobial
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Dipropylene Glycol
HumectantDisodium Stearoyl Glutamate
CleansingDisteardimonium Hectorite
StabilisingHelianthus Annuus Seed Oil
Emollient
Iron Oxides
Magnesium Sulfate
PEG-8 Laurate
Emulsifying
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Polyhydroxystearic Acid
Emulsifying
Propylene Carbonate
SolventSodium Citrate
BufferingSodium Dodecylbenzenesulfonate
CleansingTocopherol
Antioxidant
Water, 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
Zinc Oxide 12%
Cosmetic Colorant
Water
Skin ConditioningC12-15 Alkyl Benzoate
AntimicrobialCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Jojoba Esters
Emollient
Propanediol
Solvent
Tridecyl Salicylate
Skin ConditioningPolyglyceryl-4 Diisostearate/Polyhydroxystearate/Sebacate
Emulsifying
Methylheptyl Isostearate
Skin ConditioningNiacinamide
Smoothing
Nylon-12
Methylpropanediol
SolventSilica
Abrasive
Coco-Caprylate
Emollient
Sodium Chloride
MaskingPolyglyceryl-2 Dipolyhydroxystearate
Skin Conditioning
Bisabolol
Antioxidant
Allantoin
Skin Conditioning
Oryza Sativa Bran Extract
Skin Conditioning
Lecithin
Emollient
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Glycerin
Humectant
Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil
Emollient
Helianthus Annuus Extract
Emollient
Tetrasodium Glutamate Diacetate
Phenylpropanol
Masking
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialChamomilla Recutita Flower Extract
Masking
Calendula Officinalis Flower Extract
Masking
Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
Antimicrobial
Potassium Sorbate
Preservative
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingTitanium Dioxide
Cosmetic Colorant
CI 77492
Cosmetic ColorantIron Oxides
CI 77491
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77499
Cosmetic ColorantZinc Oxide 12%, Water, C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Jojoba Esters, Propanediol, Tridecyl Salicylate, Polyglyceryl-4 Diisostearate/Polyhydroxystearate/Sebacate, Methylheptyl Isostearate, Niacinamide, Nylon-12, Methylpropanediol, Silica, Coco-Caprylate, Sodium Chloride, Polyglyceryl-2 Dipolyhydroxystearate, Bisabolol, Allantoin, Oryza Sativa Bran Extract, Lecithin, Caprylyl Glycol, Glycerin, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Helianthus Annuus Extract, Tetrasodium Glutamate Diacetate, Phenylpropanol, Tocopherol, Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract, Chamomilla Recutita Flower Extract, Calendula Officinalis Flower Extract, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Potassium Sorbate, Sodium Benzoate, Sodium Hydroxide, Titanium Dioxide, CI 77492, Iron Oxides, 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.
C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate is a lightweight emollient made by combinig benzoic acid with fatty alcohols that are 12-15 carbons long.
In cosmetics, it plays several roles:
The Cosmetic Review Expert Panel has concluded the alkyl benzoate group to be safe as used in cosmetics; it wasn't found to be a skin irritant and unlikely to be absorbed due to its low water solubility.
This report recorded almost 1000 reported uses with concentrations up to 59% in leave-on products but your cosmetics will typically use 0.5-15% depending on the product.
It's often called a "SPF booster": this is because it keeps UV filters properly dissolved and evenly distributed to support a sunscreen's performance. It doesn't actually raise SPF on its own.
Overall, this ingredient is well tolerated.
This ingredient is fungal acne safe because it is an ester of benzoic acid.
Think of this ingredient as two parts stuck together: an oily part and an acid part. Malassezia only gets a meal when it can snip off a fatty acid to eat. With C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate, the acid part is benzoic acid, which isn't a fatty acid and which the yeast can't use as food.
Benzoic acid is actually used as a preservative to stop yeast from growing.
The oily part is a blend of C12-15 fatty alcohols but fatty alcohols in this size range can support only a little Malassezia growth (mostly for one species of Malassezia as well).
In the ingredient, those alcohols stay locked inside the molecule. The yeast can only reach them by snipping the benzoate bond, and that type of bond is harder for it to cut than a normal fatty bond.
So not much gets released. And whatever does get snipped comes packaged with benzoic acid, which discourages yeast growth.
Learn more about C12-15 Alkyl BenzoateCaprylyl Glycol is a humectant, skin conditioner, emollient, and preservative booster derived from either caprylic acid or synthetically created.
Typical use levels vary from 0.3-1% as a preservative booster and go up to 2% to condition skin.
Because it is not a free-fatty acid, this ingredient is fungal acne safe (there's nothing for Malassezia to feed on).
Learn more about Caprylyl GlycolHelianthus Annuus Seed Oil is a plant oil derived from the seeds of a sunflower.
It is rich in fatty acids, primarily linoleic acid and oleic acid. This gives it emollient and skin conditioning properties.
The reason this ingredient is so effective is because it forms a thin film on the skin that reduces transepidermal water loss (TEWL) while supplying linoleic acid to the stratum corneum to improve barrier strength.
The high linoleic acid content is particularly noteworthy for acne-prone skin.
Research suggests that acne-prone skin tends to be deficient in linoleic acid in sebum. Topical application may help replenish this to support a healthier follicular environment and less comedone-promoting sebum.
One randomized study found sunflower seed oil preserved skin barrier integrity in adult volunteers with and without atopic dermatitis (outperforming olive oil).
This ingredient is well-studied, gentle, and an effective emollient suitable for most skin types.
On fungal acne: This ingredient may not be Fungal acne (Malassezia folliculitis) safe. This is because it contains fatty acids with carbon chain lengths in the C11-C24 range.
Learn more about Helianthus Annuus Seed OilNylon-12 is a polymer. It is derived from 12-aminododecanoic acid, an omega-amino fatty acid
According to a manufacturer, it is a talc substitute. Like talc, nylon-12 gives products a satin feel. The manufacturer also claims this ingredients does not block pores and has moderate oil absorption.
This ingredient may not be reef-safe.
Learn more about Nylon-12Silica, 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 SilicaTocopherol is a fat-soluble antioxidant known as Vitamin E.
You'll find this ingredient in the vast majority of skincare (for good reason). It works to neutralize free radicals, or unstable molecules generated by UV exposure, pollution, and other environmental stressors, before they can cause oxidative damage to your skin cells.
Topically applied tocopherol has been shown to protect against UV damage by ramping up the skin's own natural defense enzymes.
It also acts as a skin conditioning agent; some studies show that regular topical use can improve the skin's water-binding capacity over 2-4 weeks.
This ingredient is especially loved for being a team player. When combined with Vitamin C, the photoprotective effect of both ingredients roughly doubles and the combo also helps reduce UV-induced DNA damage.
This ingredient has some brightening potential but it's more of a prevention ingredient than spot-fader. Cell studies show it can slow down melanin production but it's worth noting that it's not the most powerful brightener out there.
In formulations, it also serves as a stabilizer that helps protect other oxidation-prone ingredients from degrading.
Concentrations usually range from 0.1-1% in most leave-on products.
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. Remember to stay hydrated!
Learn more about WaterThis ingredient is a combination of red, black, and yellow iron oxide pigments. This combination of colors is usually found in foundation, because it results in a "skin" color.
The EU typically uses CI numbers for colorants when applicable, such as CI 77489. In the US, iron oxides are regulated as color additives and "iron oxides" is the most commonly used name in US cosmetic practice.
A 2021 paper looked at skincare formulations containing iron oxides and found that they reduced transmission of blue light when measured optically. In simple terms, the pigment particles helped block or scatter part of the visible light spectrum in lab testing and the authors suggest this could translate into better protection against blue-light-related skin effects.
There is also clinical and experimental research showing that tinted products containing iron oxides can reduce visible light-induced pigmentation:
Please note, whether a product reduces visible or blue light depends on things like:
In the EU's CosIng database, iron oxides are only listed as a colorant. CosIng groups ingredients by their main cosmetic role, such as colorant, preservative, or UV filter.
Though studies say iron oxides can "attenuate blue light", they're describing an optical property and not an officially recognized cosmetic function.
So CosIng isn’t contradicting the research. It’s just classifying iron oxides by what they officially are: pigments that add color.
Learn more about Iron Oxides
