What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Zinc Oxide
Cosmetic ColorantPhenethyl Alcohol
MaskingWater
Skin ConditioningCoco-Caprylate
EmollientDiisopropyl Adipate
EmollientGalactoarabinan
Titanium Dioxide
Cosmetic ColorantPolyglyceryl-3 Polyricinoleate
EmulsifyingCetyl Palmitate
EmollientSorbitan Palmitate
EmulsifyingSorbitan Olivate
EmulsifyingSimmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil
EmollientPolyglyceryl-3 Diisostearate
EmulsifyingHydrolyzed Jojoba Esters
Skin ConditioningVp/Eicosene Copolymer
Silica Dimethyl Silylate
EmollientGlycerin
HumectantIron Oxides
Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice
Skin ConditioningCamellia Oleifera Leaf Extract
AstringentPolyhydroxystearic Acid
EmulsifyingCamellia Sinensis Extract
AntioxidantTocopherol
AntioxidantXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingMagnesium Sulfate
Caprylyl Glycol
EmollientGlyceryl Caprylate
EmollientZinc Oxide, Phenethyl Alcohol, Water, Coco-Caprylate, Diisopropyl Adipate, Galactoarabinan, Titanium Dioxide, Polyglyceryl-3 Polyricinoleate, Cetyl Palmitate, Sorbitan Palmitate, Sorbitan Olivate, Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil, Polyglyceryl-3 Diisostearate, Hydrolyzed Jojoba Esters, Vp/Eicosene Copolymer, Silica Dimethyl Silylate, Glycerin, Iron Oxides, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Camellia Oleifera Leaf Extract, Polyhydroxystearic Acid, Camellia Sinensis Extract, Tocopherol, Xanthan Gum, Magnesium Sulfate, Caprylyl Glycol, Glyceryl Caprylate
Zinc Oxide 21%
Cosmetic ColorantWater
Skin ConditioningCoco-Caprylate/Caprate
EmollientCetearyl Alcohol
EmollientPropanediol
SolventStearyl Alcohol
EmollientPolyhydroxystearic Acid
EmulsifyingGlyceryl Stearate
EmollientCetearyl Olivate
Sorbitan Olivate
EmulsifyingCaprylhydroxamic Acid
Glyceryl Caprylate
EmollientGlycerin
HumectantXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingEquisetum Arvense Extract
AstringentRosmarinus Officinalis Extract
AntimicrobialCentella Asiatica Extract
CleansingAesculus Hippocastanum Extract
AntioxidantCamellia Sinensis Extract
AntioxidantOlea Europaea Bud Extract
AntioxidantTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantPotassium Sorbate
PreservativeSodium Phytate
Citrus Nobilis Peel Oil
MaskingCarthamus Tinctorius Seed Oil
MaskingHelianthus Annuus Flower
Skin ConditioningSilica
AbrasiveMica
Cosmetic ColorantTriethoxycaprylylsilane
Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialIron Oxides
Zinc Oxide 21%, Water, Coco-Caprylate/Caprate, Cetearyl Alcohol, Propanediol, Stearyl Alcohol, Polyhydroxystearic Acid, Glyceryl Stearate, Cetearyl Olivate, Sorbitan Olivate, Caprylhydroxamic Acid, Glyceryl Caprylate, Glycerin, Xanthan Gum, Equisetum Arvense Extract, Rosmarinus Officinalis Extract, Centella Asiatica Extract, Aesculus Hippocastanum Extract, Camellia Sinensis Extract, Olea Europaea Bud Extract, Tocopheryl Acetate, Potassium Sorbate, Sodium Phytate, Citrus Nobilis Peel Oil, Carthamus Tinctorius Seed Oil, Helianthus Annuus Flower, Silica, Mica, Triethoxycaprylylsilane, Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract, Iron Oxides
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Camellia Sinensis Extract is from the oil in tea plant leaves. The leaves give us various types of tea: green, black, oolong, and white.
Camellia Sinensis leaves have many benefits. It contains polyphenols, a strong antioxidant. Antioxidants help fight off free-radical molecules that damage skin cells. The antioxidants in green tea neutralize free-radicals from the sun. This gives the skin some extra UV protection, but should not replace sunscreen.
Many components of tea have anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties. Polyphenols and L-theanine help soothe the skin and reduce irritation. L-theanine is an amino acid that makes up most of the amino acids found in tea leaves. The caffeine in Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract helps calm inflamed blood vessels.
Tea leaves also contain Vitamin Bs, linoleic acid, magnesium, calcium, iron, and zinc.
Research has shown both drinking Camellia Sinensis Leaf Tea and applying it to the skin can help boost skin elasticity and hydration. Studies also show using tea extract may reduce sebum, or oil, production.
Learn more about Camellia Sinensis ExtractGlycerin is already naturally found in your skin. It helps moisturize and protect your skin.
A study from 2016 found glycerin to be more effective as a humectant than AHAs and hyaluronic acid.
As a humectant, it helps the skin stay hydrated by pulling moisture to your skin. The low molecular weight of glycerin allows it to pull moisture into the deeper layers of your skin.
Hydrated skin improves your skin barrier; Your skin barrier helps protect against irritants and bacteria.
Glycerin has also been found to have antimicrobial and antiviral properties. Due to these properties, glycerin is often used in wound and burn treatments.
In cosmetics, glycerin is usually derived from plants such as soybean or palm. However, it can also be sourced from animals, such as tallow or animal fat.
This ingredient is organic, colorless, odorless, and non-toxic.
Glycerin is the name for this ingredient in American English. British English uses Glycerol/Glycerine.
Learn more about GlycerinGlyceryl Caprylate comes from glycerin and caprylic acid, a fatty acid from coconut. It has emollient and emulsifier properties.
As an emollient, it helps hydrate your skin. Emollients work by creating a barrier on your skin to trap moisture in, helping to keep your skin soft and smooth.
On the other hand, emulsifiers prevent ingredients (such as oil and water) from separating.
Learn more about Glyceryl CaprylatePolyhydroxystearic Acid is a soft wax made from castor oil.
It is is a texture thickener, emulsifier, and film-former. Emulsifiers prevent ingredients from separating, such as oils and waters.
Polyhydroxystearic Acid may not be fungal acne safe.
Learn more about Polyhydroxystearic AcidSorbitan Olivate is created from the fatty acids in olive oil and sorbitol.
This ingredient is an oil in water emulsifier. It helps stabilize a product by preventing oils and waters from separating. Sorbitan Olivate also helps hydrate the skin.
Manufacturers sell sorbitan olivate under the name OliveM 1000. OliveM 1000 a multifunctional ingredient. It is self-emulsifying. According to a manufacturer, OliveM 1000 does not disrupt natural skin biome.
Due to its olive oil base, this ingredient may not be fungal-acne safe.
Learn more about Sorbitan OlivateWater. 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 WaterXanthan gum is used as a stabilizer and thickener within cosmetic products. It helps give products a sticky, thick feeling - preventing them from being too runny.
On the technical side of things, xanthan gum is a polysaccharide - a combination consisting of multiple sugar molecules bonded together.
Xanthan gum is a pretty common and great ingredient. It is a natural, non-toxic, non-irritating ingredient that is also commonly used in food products.
Learn more about Xanthan GumZinc 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 OxideThis 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.