
Highlights
WHAT IS IT?
Sunscreen with multiple active ingredients
FEATURES
Lightweight, no white cast, acts as primer, water-based, fast absorption
BEST FOR
combination
CHECKS
Does not cause white marks or lumpy effect
Who Is It For?
All Genders No Specific Age Range MentionedWhat Does It Help With?
Sun Protection Lightweight Feel No White Cast Primer EffectBudget
Affordable (under $30)How To Use
Which routine should it be used in?
Instructions:
Key Information
What Nykaa E retail limited Says
Product Description:
Lightweight sunscreen with no white cast, acts as a good primer before makeup, very effective and fast-absorbing water-based sunscreen for oily and combination skin.
About the Brand:
Ingredients Overview
Ingredients List
aqua,cyclopentasiloxane,cyclopentasiloxane-(and)-peg/ppg-18/18-dimethicone,octyl-methoxycinnamate,homosalate,octisalate,zinc-oxide-(and)-c12-15-alkyl-benzoate-(and)-isostearic-acid-(and)-polyhydroxystearic-acid,caprylyl-methicone-(and)-peg-12-dimethicone/ppg-20-crosspolymer,dimethicone/vinyl-dimethicone-crosspolymer-(and)-silica,glycerin,polymethylsilsesquioxane,bis-ethylhexyloxyphenol-methoxyphenyl-triazine,sodium-chloride,phenoxyethanol-(and)-ethylhexylglycerin,magnesium-sulphate,3-o-ethyl-ascorbic-acid,papaya-extract,sodium-hyaluronate-(hylauronic-acid),glyceryl-glucoside
Key Ingredients
3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic acid, Papaya extract, Sodium Hyaluronate, Zinc Oxide
Ingredients Details
Cyclopentasiloxane
Common Name(s): Cyclopentasiloxane,cyclic volatile silicone,dry-touch carrier solvent
CAS Number: N/a
DESCRIPTION
What It Does: Provides a dry, weightless application vehicle that evaporates cleanly leaving actives and non-volatile silicones deposited on skin โ eliminating the residual heaviness of conventional liquid carrier solvents.
Why It's Used: Cyclosiloxanes are the unique volatile silicone solvents that dissolve non-volatile silicones (dimethicone, cyclomethicone), organic uv filters, and lipophilic actives, providing the sensory-superior dry-touch application experience in premium formulations.
How It Works: Cyclosiloxane vapour pressure (d5 cyclopentasiloxane ~0.3 mmhg at 25ยฐc) provides clean evaporation at body temperature. the cyclic ring structure provides lower boiling point than equivalent linear dimethicone, enabling faster evaporation while the ring conformation maintains the silicone's low surface energy for smooth application.
Typically Found In: Primers,antiperspirants,sunscreens
TECHNICAL DETAILS
Primary Category: Functional ingredient โ emollient
Secondary Functions: Barrier sealing,softening
Application Areas:
Facial Skincare
Body Care
Hair Care
Beard Care
Color Cosmetics (Makeup)
Dietary/Oral Supplements
Typical Concentration Range: 1%โ50%
SOURCING & ETHICS
Vegan Status: Yes
Halal Status: Yes
Source Notes: Plant-derived, synthetic or animal-derived. verify source.
SKIN COMPATIBILITY
Irritancy Rating: 1/5 โ very low
Comedogenicity Rating: 1/5 โ low; formulation-dependent
Sensitivity Concerns: Non-irritating.
Safe for Sensitive Skin: Yes
SAFETY & COMPATIBILITY
Safety Profile: Excellent safety profile. ewg score: 1.
Works Well With: Humectants,ceramides,actives as carrier
Avoid Combining With: No significant incompatibilities
SCIENTIFIC NOTE
Cyclopentasiloxane (d5) and cyclohexasiloxane (d6) are under eu regulatory review for potential environmental persistence (pbt assessment) โ formulators should monitor eu regulation 2018/35 implementation for restrictions in wash-off products.
Last Verified: Cosing database,eu cyclosiloxane regulatory review
Primary Sources: 2026-03-12
Glycerin
Common Name(s): Glycerol,glycerine,1,2,3-propanetriol
CAS Number: 56-81-5
DESCRIPTION
What It Does: Glycerin pulls water from the environment and deeper skin layers into the outer skin layer (epidermis), boosting moisture levels and keeping skin soft, smooth, and plump.
Why It's Used: It is used in virtually every moisturizer, serum, and cleanser because it is highly effective at hydrating skin, is well-tolerated by all skin types, and enhances the texture and spreadability of formulations.
How It Works: As a humectant, glycerin forms hydrogen bonds with water molecules, trapping them in the skin. it also reinforces the skin barrier by integrating into lipid structures between skin cells.
Typically Found In: Moisturizers,serums,cleansers,toners,sheet masks,sunscreens,body lotions,shampoos,conditioners
TECHNICAL DETAILS
Primary Category: Humectant
Secondary Functions: Skin barrier support,emollient,solvent
Application Areas:
Facial Skincare
Body Care
Hair Care
Beard Care
Color Cosmetics (Makeup)
Dietary/Oral Supplements
Typical Concentration Range: 1%โ30% (typical: 3โ10%)
SOURCING & ETHICS
Vegan Status: Yes โ plant-derived (coconut, soy, palm) or synthetic
Halal Status: Yes โ when plant-derived or synthetic; verify source with supplier
Source Notes: Derived from plant oils via hydrolysis or saponification; synthetic versions also available. palm-derived glycerin carries sustainability concerns.
SKIN COMPATIBILITY
Irritancy Rating: 1/5 โ very low; non-irritating at all standard concentrations
Comedogenicity Rating: 0/5 โ non-comedogenic
Sensitivity Concerns: Extremely rare allergic reactions; generally safe for all skin types including sensitive and baby skin
Safe for Sensitive Skin: Yes
SAFETY & COMPATIBILITY
Safety Profile: Widely recognized as safe. ewg hazard score: 1. no significant concerns for irritation, sensitization, or toxicity at typical concentrations (up to 50%).
Works Well With: Hyaluronic acid,ceramides,niacinamide,panthenol,urea,peptides,retinol,ahas/bhas
Avoid Combining With: No known incompatibilities at standard concentrations
SCIENTIFIC NOTE
Glycerin is an endogenous skin component found naturally in the stratum corneum. aquaporin-3 channels in keratinocytes facilitate glycerin transport, making it integral to natural skin hydration pathways.
Last Verified: Cosing database,cir safety assessment,ewg skin deep,inci decoder
Primary Sources: 2026-03-12
Homosalate
Common Name(s): Hms,3,3,5-trimethylcyclohexyl salicylate
CAS Number: 118-56-9
DESCRIPTION
What It Does: Provides uvb filtration and co-solvent function enabling higher uv filter concentrations in high-spf formulas.
Why It's Used: Spf enabler โ homosalate's co-solvent function dissolves other uv filters more completely, enabling higher concentrations and therefore higher achievable spf in fluid-texture formulations.
How It Works: Cyclohexyl salicylate absorbs uvb (ฮปmax 306nm, ฮตmax 4,290 โ moderate). also acts as oily co-solvent dissolving avobenzone, octinoxate, and other uv filters. photostable cyclohexyl structure.
Typically Found In: High-spf combination sunscreens
TECHNICAL DETAILS
Primary Category: Active ingredient โ cyclohexyl salicylate uvb filter
Secondary Functions: Skin conditioning
Application Areas:
Facial Skincare
Body Care
Hair Care
Beard Care
Color Cosmetics (Makeup)
Dietary/Oral Supplements
Typical Concentration Range: Up to 15% (eu), 10% (us fda)
SOURCING & ETHICS
Vegan Status: Yes โ synthetic
Halal Status: Yes
Source Notes: Commercially produced for cosmetic use. verify vegan/halal status with supplier.
SKIN COMPATIBILITY
Irritancy Rating: 1/5 โ very low
Comedogenicity Rating: 0/5 โ non-comedogenic
Sensitivity Concerns: Well-tolerated by most skin types.
Safe for Sensitive Skin: Yes
SAFETY & COMPATIBILITY
Safety Profile: Eu max 15% (sccs 2019 reduced limit). fda: 10%. potential endocrine activity at high concentrations. ewg score: 4.
Works Well With: Standard skincare actives
Avoid Combining With: No known significant incompatibilities
SCIENTIFIC NOTE
Homosalate's maximum concentration in eu was reduced from 10% to 15% in sccs opinion 2019 (counter-intuitively raised, not reduced) specifically to enable effective uv filter dissolution โ demonstrating that homosalate's primary value is as a co-solvent enabling other uv filters to function, not solely as a uv filter itself.
Last Verified: Cosing database,fda uv filter otc monograph,sccs homosalate opinion
Primary Sources: 2026-03-12
Octisalate
Common Name(s): Organic uv filter,uv absorbing sunscreen active,photoprotection
CAS Number: N/a
DESCRIPTION
What It Does: Absorbs uva (320โ400 nm) and/or uvb (290โ320 nm) photons with a high molar extinction coefficient, dissipates absorbed energy as vibrational heat, and contributes to the formulation's spf and critical wavelength.
Why It's Used: Organic uv filters are selected for their high molar extinction coefficient (>10,000 l/mol/cm for most commercial filters), specific spectral coverage complementing other filters in the system, and photostability under prolonged uv exposure.
How It Works: Aromatic ฯโฯ* and nโฯ* electronic transitions absorb uv photons exciting the chromophore to a singlet excited state (sโ). ultra-fast internal conversion (10โปยนยฒโ10โปยนยน s) dissipates excitation energy as heat rather than photochemical reactions, returning the molecule to the ground state for continued absorption.
Typically Found In: Sunscreens,spf formulas
TECHNICAL DETAILS
Primary Category: Active ingredient โ cosmetic active
Secondary Functions: Skin conditioning
Application Areas:
Facial Skincare
Body Care
Hair Care
Beard Care
Color Cosmetics (Makeup)
Dietary/Oral Supplements
Typical Concentration Range: Check local sunscreen limits
SOURCING & ETHICS
Vegan Status: Yes
Halal Status: Yes
Source Notes: Commercially produced for cosmetic use. verify vegan/halal status with supplier.
SKIN COMPATIBILITY
Irritancy Rating: 1/5 โ very low
Comedogenicity Rating: 0/5 โ non-comedogenic
Sensitivity Concerns: Well-tolerated by most skin types.
Safe for Sensitive Skin: Yes
SAFETY & COMPATIBILITY
Safety Profile: Good safety profile at recommended concentrations. ewg score: 1โ2.
Works Well With: Standard skincare actives
Avoid Combining With: No known significant incompatibilities
SCIENTIFIC NOTE
Organic uv filter photostability varies significantly โ avobenzone degrades rapidly alone but is stabilised by octocrylene (energy quenching) or triazine-class filters (direct stabilisation). filter combination selection must account for photostabilisation requirements of each component.
Last Verified: Cosing database,organic uv filter photostability combination review
Primary Sources: 2026-03-12