Wishcare 5% Niacinamide Oil Balance Fluid Sunscreen SPF50 PA++++ Versus Kay Beauty Hydrating Foundation
What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningCyclopentasiloxane
Emollient
Ethylhexyl Salicylate
UV Absorber
Niacinamide
Smoothing
Silica
Abrasive
Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane
UV Absorber
Octocrylene
UV Absorber
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Glycerin
Humectant
Homosalate
Skin Conditioning
Tapioca Starch
Neopentyl Glycol Diheptanoate
EmollientAmps/Hema Crosspolymer
C13-15 Alkane
SolventCoco-Glucoside
Cleansing
Octyldodecanol
Emollient
Polysorbate 20
Emulsifying
Zinc Oxide
Cosmetic Colorant
Titanium Dioxide
Cosmetic Colorant
Avena Sativa Kernel Extract
Abrasive
Zinc PCA
Humectant
Sorbitan Olivate
Emulsifying
Ceramide AP
Skin Conditioning
Ceramide NP
Skin Conditioning
Ceramide Eos
Skin Conditioning
Panthenol
Skin Conditioning
Centella Asiatica Extract
Cleansing
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningPhenoxyethanol
Preservative
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingTocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Hyaluronic Acid
Humectant
Citric Acid
Buffering
Water, Cyclopentasiloxane, Ethylhexyl Salicylate, Niacinamide, Silica, Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane, Octocrylene, Butylene Glycol, Glycerin, Homosalate, Tapioca Starch, Neopentyl Glycol Diheptanoate, Amps/Hema Crosspolymer, C13-15 Alkane, Coco-Glucoside, Octyldodecanol, Polysorbate 20, Zinc Oxide, Titanium Dioxide, Avena Sativa Kernel Extract, Zinc PCA, Sorbitan Olivate, Ceramide AP, Ceramide NP, Ceramide Eos, Panthenol, Centella Asiatica Extract, Ethylhexylglycerin, Phenoxyethanol, Xanthan Gum, Tocopheryl Acetate, Hyaluronic Acid, Citric Acid
Water
Skin ConditioningCyclopentasiloxane
Emollient
Talc
Abrasive
Isononyl Isononanoate
EmollientButylene Glycol
Humectant
Behenyl Dimethicone
Skin Conditioning
Cetyl PEG/PPG-10/1 Dimethicone
Emulsifying
Octyldodecanol
Emollient
Disteardimonium Hectorite
StabilisingPhenoxyethanol
Preservative
Hydrogen Dimethicone
Sodium Dehydroacetate
Preservative
Glycerin
Humectant
Pentylene Glycol
Skin Conditioning
Aluminum Hydroxide
EmollientDisodium EDTA
Triethoxycaprylylsilane
Citric Acid
Buffering
Fructose
Humectant
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingUrea
Buffering
Allantoin
Skin Conditioning
Maltose
MaskingMangifera Indica Seed Butter
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Chloride
MaskingSodium Lactate
Buffering
Sodium PCA
Humectant
Trehalose
Humectant
Tropolone
Skin ConditioningPersea Gratissima Oil
Skin Conditioning
Phytosterols
Skin Conditioning
Glucose
Humectant
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Olea Europaea Fruit Oil
Masking
Sorbitan Oleate
Emulsifying
Ascorbyl Palmitate
Antioxidant
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Water, Cyclopentasiloxane, Talc, Isononyl Isononanoate, Butylene Glycol, Behenyl Dimethicone, Cetyl PEG/PPG-10/1 Dimethicone, Octyldodecanol, Disteardimonium Hectorite, Phenoxyethanol, Hydrogen Dimethicone, Sodium Dehydroacetate, Glycerin, Pentylene Glycol, Aluminum Hydroxide, Disodium EDTA, Triethoxycaprylylsilane, Citric Acid, Fructose, Sodium Hydroxide, Urea, Allantoin, Maltose, Mangifera Indica Seed Butter, Sodium Chloride, Sodium Lactate, Sodium PCA, Trehalose, Tropolone, Persea Gratissima Oil, Phytosterols, Glucose, Sodium Hyaluronate, Olea Europaea Fruit Oil, Sorbitan Oleate, Ascorbyl Palmitate, Tocopheryl Acetate
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Butylene Glycol (or BG) is used within cosmetic products for a few different reasons:
Overall, Butylene Glycol is a safe and well-rounded ingredient that works well with other ingredients.
Though this ingredient works well with most skin types, some people with sensitive skin may experience a reaction such as allergic rashes, closed comedones, or itchiness.
Learn more about Butylene GlycolCitric Acid is an alpha hydroxy acid (AHA) naturally found in citrus fruits like oranges, lemons, and limes.
Like other AHAs, citric acid can exfoliate skin by breaking down the bonds that hold dead skin cells together. This helps reveal smoother and brighter skin underneath.
However, this exfoliating effect only happens at high concentrations (20%) which can be hard to find in cosmetic products.
Due to this, citric acid is usually included in small amounts as a pH adjuster. This helps keep products slightly more acidic and compatible with skin's natural pH.
In skincare formulas, citric acid can:
While it can provide some skin benefits, research shows lactic acid and glycolic acid are generally more effective and less irritating exfoliants.
Most citric acid used in skincare today is made by fermenting sugars (usually from molasses). This synthetic version is identical to the natural citrus form but easier to stabilize and use in formulations.
Read more about some other popular AHA's here:
Learn more about Citric AcidCyclopentasiloxane, 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 CyclopentasiloxaneGlycerin (or glycerol) is a compound naturally found in your skin. It's a powerhouse humectant that pulls water into the stratum corneum.
Topically, glycerin does several things at once:
Your skin makes glycerin on its own (mostly from sebaceous oil breakdown) and shuttles it to your outermost layer of skin, or your epidermis, via aquaporin-3.
Aquaporin-3 is a transporter that is essential for normal skin hydration, elasticity, and repair. Interestingly, mice lacking in AQP3 have dry and less elastic skin that can be fully corrected with glycerin.
This ingredient is non-irritating, plays well with almost every ingredient, and works across all skin types. Typical use is anywhere between 3-10% but can go up to 79% in some leave-on products.
Just know very high concentrations (>40%) can feel tacky in low humidity.
Glycerin is the name for this ingredient in American English. British English uses Glycerol/Glycerine.
Learn more about GlycerinOctyldodecanol is a fatty alcohol sourced from plant oils like coconut or palm (or made synthetically).
It is:
You'll likely see this in many BHA products because this is the go-to solvent for salicylic acid.
This ingredient is typically used at levels between 2-20%.
Regarding fungal acne:
In 2019, this ingredient was tested against multiple Malassezia species (the yeast that causes fungal acne) and showed no growth.
Phenoxyethanol is a preservative that has germicide, antimicrobial, and aromatic properties. Studies show that phenoxyethanol can prevent microbial growth. By itself, it has a scent that is similar to that of a rose.
It's often used in formulations along with Caprylyl Glycol to preserve the shelf life of products.
Tocopheryl 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. Remember to stay hydrated!
Learn more about Water
