
Highlights
WHAT IS IT?
Sun Block with mineral sunscreen using Micronized Zinc Oxide technology
FEATURES
Invisible light-weight finish, mineral sunscreen, physical defense, water resistant for 120 minutes, defends against UV rays, helps prevent skin aging, soothes and respects skin barrier, suitable for all skin types, clinically proven gentle on sensitive skin
BEST FOR
sensitive
CHECKS
No added fragrance, won't clog pores, non-irritating, won't sting eyes
Who Is It For?
What Does It Help With?
Protects From Harmful Uv Rays Prevents Sunburn Helps Prevent Skin Ageing Due To Sun Exposure Defends Against 5 Signs Of Skin SensitivityBudget
Premium ($76-$150)How To Use
Which routine should it be used in?
Instructions:
Key Information
What CETAPHIL Says
Product Description:
Invisible light-weight finish, mineral sunscreen, powered by Micronized Zinc Oxide technology for physical defense with 120 minutes of water resistance. Defends against harmful UV rays/sunburn & helps prevent skin ageing due to sun exposure. Provides high level of sun protection while soothing and respecting skin barrier. Suitable for all skin types. Clinically proven to be gentle on sensitive skin.
About the Brand:
Ingredients Overview
Ingredients List
AQUA,ZINC-OXIDE,ISOPROPYL-PALMITATE,ISOHEXADECANE,BUTYLOCTYL-SALICYLATE,POLYGLYCERYL-2-DIPOLYHYDROXYSTEARATE,POLYGLYCERYL-3-DIISOSTEARATE,ISODODECANE,MAGNESIUM-SULFATE,STEARIC-ACID,POLYHYDROXYSTEARIC-ACID,PHENOXYETHANOL,BENZYL-ALCOHOL,CITRIC-ACID,GLYCERYL-BEHENATE,DISTEARDIMONIUM-HECTORITE,CAPRYLYL-GLYCOL,PROPYLENE-CARBONATE,SORBIC-ACID,SIMMONDSIA-CHINENSIS-SEED-OIL
Key Ingredients
Zinc Oxide, Micronized Zinc Oxide
Ingredients Details
Isododecane
Common Name(s): Permethyl 99a,c12 isoparaffin,volatile hydrocarbon
CAS Number: 31807-55-3
DESCRIPTION
What It Does: Provides quick-dry volatile hydrocarbon carrier for colour cosmetics with complete evaporation and no residue.
Why It's Used: Primary colour cosmetic carrier โ isododecane's volatility and excellent pigment dispersion combined with complete evaporation make it the standard carrier for long-wear foundations and colour cosmetics.
How It Works: Volatile isoparaffin (bp 177-188ยฐc) evaporates from skin within 10-20 minutes. excellent pigment dispersion for colour cosmetics. spreading enhancement from low surface tension. no residue after evaporation provides clean, long-wear finish.
Typically Found In: Long-wear foundations,colour cosmetics,primers,sunscreens
TECHNICAL DETAILS
Primary Category: Functional ingredient โ volatile hydrocarbon
Secondary Functions: Barrier sealing,softening
Application Areas:
Facial Skincare
Body Care
Hair Care
Beard Care
Color Cosmetics (Makeup)
Dietary/Oral Supplements
Typical Concentration Range: 5%โ60%
SOURCING & ETHICS
Vegan Status: Yes โ synthetic
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
Isododecane's position as the preferred colour cosmetic carrier arises from a unique combination of properties that no other solvent provides simultaneously: volatility (complete evaporation for clean finish), pigment dispersion (superior to water or alcohols), compatibility with silicones (unlike many solvents), and skin safety (inert hydrocarbon without irritation potential of polar solvents).
Last Verified: Cosing database,cir safety assessment
Primary Sources: 2026-03-12
Isohexadecane
Common Name(s): Permethyl 101a,c16 isoparaffin
DESCRIPTION
What It Does: Provides ultra-lightweight dry-touch emolliency with excellent pigment dispersion for lightweight formulations.
Why It's Used: Premium lightweight emollient for dry-touch formulations โ isohexadecane's highly branched structure provides the lightest, driest application feel of common cosmetic hydrocarbons.
How It Works: Highly branched c16 isoparaffin provides very low surface tension for fast spreading. completely non-polar structure provides no water retention (dry feel). excellent pigment wetting for colour cosmetics. very low viscosity (2.5 cst) for fluid application.
Typically Found In: Lightweight foundations,sunscreens,colour cosmetics,dry-touch products
TECHNICAL DETAILS
Primary Category: Functional ingredient โ branched hydrocarbon 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%โ30%
SOURCING & ETHICS
Vegan Status: Yes โ synthetic hydrocarbon
Halal Status: Yes
Source Notes: Plant-derived, synthetic or animal-derived. verify source.
SKIN COMPATIBILITY
Irritancy Rating: 1/5 โ very low
Comedogenicity Rating: 0/5 โ non-comedogenic
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
Isohexadecane's highly branched structure (methyl-substituted hexadecane) prevents the close molecular packing that creates liquid crystalline phases in linear hydrocarbons, resulting in a permanently disordered liquid state with very low viscosity and surface tension. this structural disorder from branching is the molecular basis for the lighter, faster-spreading application feel vs equivalent linear hydrocarbons.
Last Verified: Cosing database,cir safety assessment
Primary Sources: 2026-03-12
Phenoxyethanol
Common Name(s): 2-phenoxyethanol,rose ether,ethylene glycol monophenyl ether
CAS Number: 122-99-6
DESCRIPTION
What It Does: Prevents microbial contamination and spoilage in cosmetic formulations.
Why It's Used: The benchmark cosmetic preservative โ eu-permitted up to 1%, effective against virtually all cosmetically relevant microorganisms, and excellent tolerability.
How It Works: Phenol ring provides broad antimicrobial activity via disruption of bacterial and fungal cell membranes and inhibition of enzymatic activity. effective against gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria, yeasts (candida), and molds (aspergillus). activity ph range: 3-9.
Typically Found In: All cosmetic formulations as primary preservative
TECHNICAL DETAILS
Primary Category: Functional ingredient โ broad-spectrum preservative
Secondary Functions: Skin conditioning
Application Areas:
Facial Skincare
Body Care
Hair Care
Beard Care
Color Cosmetics (Makeup)
Dietary/Oral Supplements
Typical Concentration Range: 0.1%โ1% (eu max 1%)
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 cosmetics regulation max 1%. sccs assessed as safe at โค1%. avoid use around eyes in baby products per some country regulations. ewg score: 4.
Works Well With: Standard skincare actives
Avoid Combining With: No known significant incompatibilities
SCIENTIFIC NOTE
Phenoxyethanol's widespread adoption as the primary cosmetic preservative followed the phaseout of parabens from many formulations in the 2000s-2010s. despite having a comparable or better safety profile to parabens, it is often cited in 'free-from' formulations โ a consumer perception issue rather than a scientific safety concern.
Last Verified: Cosing database,sccs opinion on phenoxyethanol,cir safety assessment
Primary Sources: 2026-03-12