Koa

Koa Mineral Sunscreen untinted

Name: Koa - Mineral Sunscreen untinted
Brand: Koa

Efficacy75/100IrritancyLow

See all ingredients

Works for

Moisturizing

C12-15 alkyl benzoate, Isododecane + 9 more

Works

This product can help soften the skin and reduce its moisture loss with emollients and occlusives: dimethicone, octyldodecyl neopentanoate.

Keep in mind that this product does not contain effective ingredients to attract water to the upper layer of the skin. This is why an additional product with humectants like glycerin or hyaluronic acid can be helpful (apply it before this product for the best results).

C12-15 alkyl benzoateKey active· EmollientEffect: MediumEnhances the product texture and makes it more spreadable. Helps reduce water loss from the outer layer of skin. Extands the shelf life by preventing bacteria growth~7.1–8.7%

IsododecaneKey active· Emollient, OcclusiveEffect: MediumAn emollient that helps soften the skin and can decrease moisture loss. Helps create a nice product texture~3.3–4%

PolymethylsilsesquioxaneKey activeEffect: HighA silicone that improves product texture and helps dissolve other ingredients. Can form a non-greasy film on the skin to prevent moisture loss~2–2.4%

Octyldodecyl neopentanoateKey active· EmollientEffect: HighAn emollient that helps soften the skin. Often used to stabilize other ingredients, for example, sunscreen~1.5–1.9%

DimethiconeKey active· Emollient, OcclusiveEffect: HighA silicone that helps to reduce water loss from the surface of the skin. Can temporarily "fill in" lines and wrinkles, absorb oil, and create a nice product finish~0.65–1%

Dimethicone crosspolymerKey activeEffect: MediumUsed to create a thicker product texture. Helps soften the upper layer of the skin and might be able to prevent moisture loss from its surface~0.5–0.75%

C15-19 alkaneEffect: LowHelps soften the upper layer of the skin and create a nice product texture~1.2–1.5%

Caprylyl methiconeEffect: LowA type of silicone that helps to soften the upper layer of the skin and create a nice product finish on the skin~1.1–1.3%

TocopherolEffect: Low, below effective dosePure form of vitamin E. Can help moisturise and protect the skin from free radicals. Often used to help stabilise other ingredients or the formula itself~0.2–0.35%

NiacinamideUnder-dosedIs proven to be effective in reducing blemishes, evening out skin tone and helping to improve lines and wrinkles. It helps the skin to repair sun damage, calm down inflammation and keep maintain good levels of moisture. The concentration of about 2% is effective for supporting the skin barrier and evening out the skin tone. Concentration of 4-6% is better for helping with acne and balancing the sebum production~0.8–1.2%

AllantoinUnder-dosedHelps calm down inflammation in skin and can help reduce itching. Helps to repair the skin barrier and keep skin hydrated~0.3–0.55%

Can it cause trouble?

Irritancy

3 flagged ingredients

Low risk

We flag 3 ingredients with irritancy potential; the product's overall irritancy is low. The table lists each ingredient's own rating.

IngredientFunctionIrritationEst. amount

Butyloctyl salicylateA synthetic ester of salicylic acid that is used to help disperse pigments and boost effectiveness of sunscreen ingredients. It is able to absorb UV light (working as an organic, or chemical filter), but is not approved as a sunscreen ingredient on its ownMedium~5.3–6.4%est.

Lauryl peg-8 dimethiconeA type of silicone that helps water and oil mix togetherMedium~2.4–2.9%est.

Trilaureth-4 phosphateHelps oil and water mix togetherMedium~0.45–0.65%est.

Comedogenic

Clean of flagged comedogenic ingredients

None flagged

Alternatives

Cheaper, or higher on efficacy

Manyo Panthe-Calming Sun Cream

Higher efficacy · 100/10079% match

Fenty Skin Watch Ya Tone 5% Niacinamide Dark Spot Serum with Vitamin C

Higher efficacy · 100/10078% match

$44.95

View all alternatives

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Ingredients

Filter by role to see what each ingredient is doing.

Zinc oxide12%

Formula

Irritation risk: Low

Works for

Sun protection

A broad spectrum sunblock (protects from both UVA and UVB rays). Is suitable for most sensitive skins. In small concentrations, can be used as a colorant

More about Zinc oxide

Water~45–55%

Formula

Irritation risk: Low

Plain old water

More about Water

C12-15 alkyl benzoate~7.1–8.7%

Key active

Irritation risk: Low

Works for

Moisturizing

Enhances the product texture and makes it more spreadable. Helps reduce water loss from the outer layer of skin. Extands the shelf life by preventing bacteria growth

More about C12-15 alkyl benzoate

Butyloctyl salicylate~5.3–6.4%

Irritant · medium

Irritation risk: Medium

Works for

Sun protection

A synthetic ester of salicylic acid that is used to help disperse pigments and boost effectiveness of sunscreen ingredients. It is able to absorb UV light (working as an organic, or chemical filter), but is not approved as a sunscreen ingredient on its own

More about Butyloctyl salicylate

Isododecane~3.3–4%

Key active

Irritation risk: Low

Works for

Moisturizing

An emollient that helps soften the skin and can decrease moisture loss. Helps create a nice product texture

More about Isododecane

Lauryl peg-8 dimethicone~2.4–2.9%

Irritant · medium

Irritation risk: Medium

Works for

Cleansing

A type of silicone that helps water and oil mix together

More about Lauryl peg-8 dimethicone

Polymethylsilsesquioxane~2–2.4%

Key active

Irritation risk: Low

Works for

Moisturizing

A silicone that improves product texture and helps dissolve other ingredients. Can form a non-greasy film on the skin to prevent moisture loss

More about Polymethylsilsesquioxane

Propanediol~1.7–2.1%

Formula

Irritation risk: Low

Acts as a solvent for other ingredients. Speeds up the absorption of other ingredients into the skin

More about Propanediol

Octyldodecyl neopentanoate~1.5–1.9%

Key active

Irritation risk: Low

Works for

Moisturizing

An emollient that helps soften the skin. Often used to stabilize other ingredients, for example, sunscreen

More about Octyldodecyl neopentanoate

C15-19 alkane~1.2–1.5%

Formula

Irritation risk: Low

Works for

Moisturizing

Helps soften the upper layer of the skin and create a nice product texture

More about C15-19 alkane

Caprylyl methicone~1.1–1.3%

Formula

Irritation risk: Low

Works for

Moisturizing

A type of silicone that helps to soften the upper layer of the skin and create a nice product finish on the skin

More about Caprylyl methicone

Niacinamide~0.8–1.2%

Under-dosed

Irritation risk: Low

Works for

Evens skin toneAnti-blemishAnti-agingMoisturizingReduces irritationAnti-inflammatoryReduces rednessAntibacterial

Is proven to be effective in reducing blemishes, evening out skin tone and helping to improve lines and wrinkles. It helps the skin to repair sun damage, calm down inflammation and keep maintain good levels of moisture. The concentration of about 2% is effective for supporting the skin barrier and evening out the skin tone. Concentration of 4-6% is better for helping with acne and balancing the sebum production

More about Niacinamide

Lauryl peg-10 tris(trimethylsiloxy)silylethyl dimethicone~0.7–1.05%

Formula

Irritation risk: Low

Works for

Cleansing

More about Lauryl peg-10 tris(trimethylsiloxy)silylethyl dimethicone

Dimethicone~0.65–1%

Key active

Irritation risk: Low

Works for

MoisturizingMattifying

A silicone that helps to reduce water loss from the surface of the skin. Can temporarily "fill in" lines and wrinkles, absorb oil, and create a nice product finish

More about Dimethicone

Dimethicone crosspolymer~0.5–0.75%

Key active

Irritation risk: Low

Works for

Moisturizing

Used to create a thicker product texture. Helps soften the upper layer of the skin and might be able to prevent moisture loss from its surface

More about Dimethicone crosspolymer

Trilaureth-4 phosphate~0.45–0.65%

Irritant · medium

Irritation risk: Medium

Works for

Cleansing

Helps oil and water mix together

More about Trilaureth-4 phosphate

Allantoin~0.3–0.55%

Under-dosed

Irritation risk: Low

Works for

MoisturizingAnti-inflammatoryReduces irritationReduces rednessAnti-blemishExfoliation

Helps calm down inflammation in skin and can help reduce itching. Helps to repair the skin barrier and keep skin hydrated

More about Allantoin

Bisabolol~0.2–0.4%

Formula

Irritation risk: Low

Works for

Reduces irritationAnti-inflammatoryAnti-oxidation

An active component of chamomile plant that historically has been used to calm down irritated skin. A recent study shows that bisabolol indeed can have some anti-inflammatory effect on skin, even though conclusive data is lacking. Bisabolol has a sweet floral scent and can be added to products for its aromatic properties

More about Bisabolol

Tocopherol~0.2–0.35%

Formula

Irritation risk: Low

Works for

Anti-oxidationAnti-inflammatoryAnti-agingMoisturizing

Pure form of vitamin E. Can help moisturise and protect the skin from free radicals. Often used to help stabilise other ingredients or the formula itself

More about Tocopherol

Sodium chloride~0.15–0.3%

Formula

Irritation risk: Low

Used to stabilize mixtures of oil and water, and create thicker, gel-like product textures

More about Sodium chloride

Phenoxyethanol~0.15–0.25%

Formula

Irritation risk: Low

A preservative. It helps prevent bacterial growth in cosmetic products

More about Phenoxyethanol

Tetrasodium glutamate diacetate~0.1–0.15%

Formula

Irritation risk: Low

Helps stabilize the product formulation

More about Tetrasodium glutamate diacetate

Peg-10~0.1–0.15%

Formula

Irritation risk: Low

More about Peg-10

Ingredient list view

Zinc oxide, Water, C12-15 alkyl benzoate, Butyloctyl salicylate, Isododecane, Lauryl peg-8 dimethicone, Polymethylsilsesquioxane, Propanediol, Octyldodecyl neopentanoate, C15-19 alkane, Caprylyl methicone, Niacinamide, Lauryl peg-10 tris(trimethylsiloxy)silylethyl dimethicone, Dimethicone, Dimethicone crosspolymer, Trilaureth-4 phosphate, Allantoin, Bisabolol, Tocopherol, Sodium chloride, Phenoxyethanol, Tetrasodium glutamate diacetate, Peg-10

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Worth comparing, line by line.

Match % combines shared ingredients, the first five ingredients, shared actives and hero ingredients, irritancy (lower counts in the alternative's favour), texture and body area. Only products in the same routine step are compared.

Side-by-side comparison of this product against its closest alternatives
	KoaMineral Sunscreen untintedYOUR PRODUCT	ManyoPanthe-Calming Sun Cream	Fenty SkinWatch Ya Tone 5% Niacinamide Dark Spot Serum with Vitamin C	6.5 gSPF Radiance Powder Deep
Match	—	79%	78%	78%
Price	—	—	$44.95	—
Shared key ingredients	—	5 of 9	4 of 9	5 of 9
Key difference	—	Adenosine	3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid	Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Irritancy	Low	Low	Low	Low
Drying alcohol	—	—	—	—
	View product	Shop	Shop	Shop

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Product summary

"Koa - Mineral Sunscreen untinted" could be helpful for: Moisturizing, but its actives are not the most effective or are not well-studied.

Sources cited in this review

Every concentration estimate and effectiveness label is anchored to one of these 15 studies and safety reviews.

1
A review of inorganic UV filters zinc oxide and titanium dioxideonlinelibrary.wiley.com
2
Risk assessment of zinc oxide, a cosmetic ingredient used as a UV filter of sunscreensncbi.nlm.nih.gov
3
Characterization of the UVA protection provided by avobenzone, zinc oxide, and titanium dioxide in broad-spectrum sunscreen productsncbi.nlm.nih.gov
4
Ultraviolet Protection Properties of Commercial Sunscreens and Sunscreens Containing Zno Nanorodsiopscience.iop.org
5
ZnO nanoparticles and organic chemical UV-filters are equally well tolerated by human immune cellsncbi.nlm.nih.gov
6
Safety assessment of Salicylic Acid, Butyloctyl Salicylate, Calcium Salicylate, C12-15 Alkyl Salicylate, Capryloyl Salicylic Acid, Hexyldodecyl Salicylate, Isocetyl Salicylate, Isodecyl Salicylate, Magnesium Salicylate, MEA-Salicylate, Ethylhexyl Salicylate, Potassium Salicylate, Methyl Salicylate, Myristyl Salicylate, Sodium Salicylate, TEA-Salicylate, and Tridecyl Salicylatencbi.nlm.nih.gov
7
Amended Safety Assessment of Alkyl Esters as Used in Cosmeticscir-safety.org
8
Niacinamide - mechanisms of action and its topical use in dermatologyncbi.nlm.nih.gov
9
Gehring, W. (2004). Nicotinic acid/niacinamide and the skin. Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 3(2), 88–93. doi:10.1111/j.1473-2130.2004.00115.x ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
10
Dimethicone as a protective ingredient in topical medicationsjaad.org
11
Final Report on the Safety Assessment of Dimethicone Copolyoljournals.sagepub.com
12
Profile of wound healing process induced by allantoinscielo.br
13
α-(-)-Bisabolol Reduces Pro-Inflammatory Cytokine Production and Ameliorates Skin Inflammationresearchgate.net
14
Vitamin E in dermatologyncbi.nlm.nih.gov
15
Vitamin E and Skin Healthlpi.oregonstate.edu

KoaMineral Sunscreen untinted

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