What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantC13-16 Isoparaffin
SolventIsododecane
EmollientTrimethylsiloxysilicate
EmollientIsononyl Isononanoate
EmollientZinc Oxide
Cosmetic ColorantCetyl PEG/PPG-10/1 Dimethicone
EmulsifyingDimethicone
EmollientSodium Chloride
MaskingPolyglyceryl-3 Polyricinoleate
Emulsifying1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningHydroxyacetophenone
AntioxidantSorbitan Sesquioleate
EmulsifyingDimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer
Skin ConditioningTriethoxycaprylylsilane
Silica
AbrasiveAlumina
AbrasiveDisteardimonium Hectorite
StabilisingParfum
MaskingPolyglyceryl-3 Ricinoleate
EmulsifyingCamellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialOlea Europaea Fruit Oil
MaskingButylene Glycol
HumectantCeramide NP
Skin ConditioningCentella Asiatica Extract
CleansingLactobacillus/Soybean Ferment Extract
Skin ConditioningViscum Album Leaf Extract
SoothingImperata Cylindrica Root Extract
Skin ConditioningPolygonum Cuspidatum Root Extract
AntioxidantScutellaria Baicalensis Root Extract
AstringentGlycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract
BleachingRosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialChamomilla Recutita Leaf Extract
MaskingCI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77492
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77491
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77499
Cosmetic ColorantWater, Glycerin, C13-16 Isoparaffin, Isododecane, Trimethylsiloxysilicate, Isononyl Isononanoate, Zinc Oxide, Cetyl PEG/PPG-10/1 Dimethicone, Dimethicone, Sodium Chloride, Polyglyceryl-3 Polyricinoleate, 1,2-Hexanediol, Hydroxyacetophenone, Sorbitan Sesquioleate, Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Triethoxycaprylylsilane, Silica, Alumina, Disteardimonium Hectorite, Parfum, Polyglyceryl-3 Ricinoleate, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Olea Europaea Fruit Oil, Butylene Glycol, Ceramide NP, Centella Asiatica Extract, Lactobacillus/Soybean Ferment Extract, Viscum Album Leaf Extract, Imperata Cylindrica Root Extract, Polygonum Cuspidatum Root Extract, Scutellaria Baicalensis Root Extract, Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract, Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract, Chamomilla Recutita Leaf Extract, CI 77891, CI 77492, CI 77491, CI 77499
Water
Skin ConditioningTitanium Dioxide
Cosmetic ColorantEthylhexyl Methoxycinnamate
UV AbsorberEthylhexyl Palmitate
EmollientMethyl Trimethicone
Skin ConditioningZinc Oxide
Cosmetic ColorantPentaerythrityl Tetraethylhexanoate
EmollientCetyl Ethylhexanoate
EmollientDicaprylyl Carbonate
EmollientDimethicone
EmollientCetyl PEG/PPG-10/1 Dimethicone
EmulsifyingGlycerin
HumectantPentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningCI 77492
Cosmetic ColorantLauryl PEG-8 Dimethicone
Butylene Glycol
HumectantTrimethylsiloxysilicate
EmollientDisteardimonium Hectorite
StabilisingDimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer
Skin ConditioningMagnesium Sulfate
Synthetic Fluorphlogopite
Phenoxyethanol
PreservativeGlyceryl Tribehenate/Isostearate/Eicosandioate
EmollientCI 77491
Cosmetic ColorantNylon-12
Aluminum Hydroxide
EmollientSilica
AbrasiveBetaine
HumectantStearic Acid
CleansingCI 77499
Cosmetic ColorantTriethoxycaprylylsilane
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningDisodium EDTA
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningTocopherol
AntioxidantAllantoin
Skin ConditioningCaffeine
Skin ConditioningWater, Titanium Dioxide, Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate, Ethylhexyl Palmitate, Methyl Trimethicone, Zinc Oxide, Pentaerythrityl Tetraethylhexanoate, Cetyl Ethylhexanoate, Dicaprylyl Carbonate, Dimethicone, Cetyl PEG/PPG-10/1 Dimethicone, Glycerin, Pentylene Glycol, CI 77492, Lauryl PEG-8 Dimethicone, Butylene Glycol, Trimethylsiloxysilicate, Disteardimonium Hectorite, Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Magnesium Sulfate, Synthetic Fluorphlogopite, Phenoxyethanol, Glyceryl Tribehenate/Isostearate/Eicosandioate, CI 77491, Nylon-12, Aluminum Hydroxide, Silica, Betaine, Stearic Acid, CI 77499, Triethoxycaprylylsilane, Ethylhexylglycerin, Disodium EDTA, 1,2-Hexanediol, Tocopherol, Allantoin, Caffeine
Reviews
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.Â
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 preservativesÂ
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 GlycolThis ingredient is a silicone-based emulsifer that helps the water and oil phases play nicely together. It's so effective because one end of the molecule loves oil and the other one loves water.
Besides holding formulas together, it also leaves a silky and lightweight feel on skin without the greasiness. A manufacturer also claims it can help with the controlled release of active ingredients.
The CIR Expert Panel found this ingredient to not be sensitizing in concentrations up to 15% in human maximazation testing and dimethicone-based compounds were not comedogenic.
It has a high molecular weight well above 1,000 g/mol which means it limits meaningful skin penetration.
A 2019 study specifically tested this ingredient and found no observable Malassezia growth in its presence.
Learn more about Cetyl PEG/PPG-10/1 DimethiconeCi 77491 is also hydrated iron III oxide. It's sole purpose is to give a red/pink hue to products.
Iron III oxides are classified as inorganic chemicals for coloring.
Synthetically created Ci 77491 is considered safer than those naturally found. This is because the synthetically created version may contain less impurities. Iron oxides are generally non-toxic and non-allergenic.
Learn more about CI 77491CI 77492 is also hydrated iron III oxide. It's sole purpose is to give a yellow hue to products.
Iron III oxides are classified as inorganic chemicals for coloring.
Synthetically created CI 77492 is considered safer than those naturally found. This is because the synthetically created version may contain less impurities. Iron oxides are generally non-toxic and non-allergenic.
Learn more about CI 77492Ci 77499 is also hydrated iron III oxide. It is created from mixing red and black iron oxides. This helps give shades of darkness to a product.
Iron III oxides are classified as inorganic chemicals for coloring.
Dimethicone is a type of synthetic silicone created from natural materials such as quartz. It is also known as polydimethylsiloxane.
What it does:
Dimethicone comes in different viscosities:
Depending on the viscosity, dimethicone has different properties.
Ingredients lists don't always show which type is used, so we recommend reaching out to the brand if you have questions about the viscosity.
This ingredient is unlikely to cause irritation because it does not get absorbed into skin. However, people with silicone allergies should be careful about using this ingredient.
Note: Dimethicone may contribute to pilling. This is because it is not oil or water soluble, so pilling may occur when layered with products. When mixed with heavy oils in a formula, the outcome is also quite greasy.
Learn more about DimethiconeThis ingredient is a silicone elastomer that works as a texture enhancer, adds a silky slip, and also helps absorb excess oil.
Because it's a large macromolecule that's insoluble in water and chemically inert, it's not expected to penetrate or be absorbed into skin.
Human patch tests with a facial lotion containing 1% of this ingredient found no sensitization.
Learn more about Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone CrosspolymerDisteardimonium Hectorite comes from the clay mineral named hectorite. It is used to add thickness to a product.
It can also help stabilize a product by helping to disperse other ingredients.
Hectorite is a rare, white clay mineral.
Learn more about Disteardimonium HectoriteGlycerin (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 GlycerinSilica, 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 SilicaTriethoxycaprylylsilane is a silicon-based surface modifier that makes sunscreens feel silky and makeup stay put.
Its main job is to coat mineral particles like titanium dioxide, zinc oxide, and color pigments in a thin, oily layer so they spread smoothly, don't clump, and stick to skin better.
This ingredient is typically used at low levels (up to 2.5% in eyeshadow and 1% in lipstick).
Learn more about TriethoxycaprylylsilaneThis silicone is an emollient. Emollients create a thin film on the skin to prevent moisture from escaping.
It is not soluble in water and helps increase water-resistance in products.
According to a manufacturer, it can blend seamlessly with silicone oils, such as Cyclopentasiloxane.
Learn more about TrimethylsiloxysilicateWater. 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 WaterZinc 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 Oxide