Colorescience Total Protection No-Show Mineral Sunscreen SPF 50 Versus The Ordinary Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1%

Colorescience Total Protection No-Show Mineral Sunscreen SPF 50 Versus The Ordinary Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1%

This hybrid sunscreen covers the full UV range and blocks ~98% of UVB at SPF 50.

This oil-control serum is formulated around Niacinamide and Zinc PCA to balance excess oil and refine the look of pores.

What's inside

Key Ingredients

Benefits

Concerns

No concerns

Ingredients Side-by-side

Zinc Oxide 10%

Water

C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate

Butyloctyl Salicylate

Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride

Caprylyl Methicone

Isododecane

Polyglyceryl-3 Polyricinoleate

Polymethylsilsesquioxane

Propanediol

Tridecyl Salicylate

C13-15 Alkane

Polyglyceryl-3 Diisostearate

Silica

Maltodextrin

Polyglyceryl-4 Diisostearate/Polyhydroxystearate/Sebacate

Sodium Chloride

Disteardimonium Hectorite

Phenoxyethanol

Bisabolol

Lecithin

Ethylhexylglycerin

Allantoin

Tremella Fuciformis Sporocarp Extract

Dimethylmethoxy Chromanol

Caprylyl Glycol

Hexylene Glycol

Caesalpinia Spinosa Fruit Pod Extract

Tetrasodium Glutamate Diacetate

Helianthus Annuus Sprout Extract

Lauryl PEG-8 Dimethicone

Lauryl PEG-10 Tris(Trimethylsiloxy)Silylethyl Dimethicone

Sodium Hydroxide

Sodium Benzoate

Zinc Oxide 10%, Water, C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate, Butyloctyl Salicylate, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Caprylyl Methicone, Isododecane, Polyglyceryl-3 Polyricinoleate, Polymethylsilsesquioxane, Propanediol, Tridecyl Salicylate, C13-15 Alkane, Polyglyceryl-3 Diisostearate, Silica, Maltodextrin, Polyglyceryl-4 Diisostearate/Polyhydroxystearate/Sebacate, Sodium Chloride, Disteardimonium Hectorite, Phenoxyethanol, Bisabolol, Lecithin, Ethylhexylglycerin, Allantoin, Tremella Fuciformis Sporocarp Extract, Dimethylmethoxy Chromanol, Caprylyl Glycol, Hexylene Glycol, Caesalpinia Spinosa Fruit Pod Extract, Tetrasodium Glutamate Diacetate, Helianthus Annuus Sprout Extract, Lauryl PEG-8 Dimethicone, Lauryl PEG-10 Tris(Trimethylsiloxy)Silylethyl Dimethicone, Sodium Hydroxide, Sodium Benzoate

Niacinamide 10%

Pentylene Glycol

Zinc PCA 1%

Dimethyl Isosorbide

Tamarindus Indica Seed Gum

Xanthan Gum

Isoceteth-20

Ethoxydiglycol

Chlorphenesin

Water, Niacinamide 10%, Pentylene Glycol, Zinc PCA 1%, Dimethyl Isosorbide, Tamarindus Indica Seed Gum, Xanthan Gum, Isoceteth-20, Ethoxydiglycol, Phenoxyethanol, Chlorphenesin

Reviews

Alternatives

Ingredients Explained

These ingredients are found in both products.

Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.

Phenoxyethanol is one of the most widely used preservatives in skincare (and for good reason!).

It has a large spectrum of antimicrobial activity and especially effective bacteria, yeast, and mold while only having a weak effect on your skin's natural microbiome.

On a cellular level, it disrupts the cell membranes of microbes by poking holes that make the cell leak. This shuts down the chemical reactions the microbe needs to make energy so it can no longer survive.

Another perk of this ingredient is that it stays functional across a wide pH range (3-10).

You'll often see it paired with boosters like Ethylhexylglycerin; one study showed that a 1:9 ratio of Ethylhexylglycerin to Phenoxyethanol damages bacterial membranes as effectively as doubling the Phenoxyethanol concentration on its own.

Typical use concentrations range from 0.3-1% depending on the formula, and this ingredient is capped at 1% int the EU.

Safety-wise, the fear mongering does not hold up to the evidence. The EU's Scientific Committee on Consumer Safety and FDA consider it safe as a preservative at up to 1%, including for children of all ages.

Adverse systemic effects only showed up in animal studies at exposures roughly 200x higher than what people get from cosmetics. And despite its very widespread use, this ingredient is a rare sensitizer and allergic reactions are uncommon.

Water. 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!

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