Moisturizing Ingredients in Sunscreen

In sunscreen formulations, various types of ingredients are used to provide moisture and improve skin feel. These generally fall into categories like humectants, emollients, and occlusives.

• Humectants: These ingredients attract water from the air or deeper layers of the skin to the surface, helping to hydrate the skin. A very common and affordable humectant is Glycerin.
• Emollients: These ingredients help to soften and smooth the skin by filling in the gaps between skin cells. Many oils are emollients. Affordable oil-based emollients suitable for sunscreen include Mineral Oil and Fractionated Coconut Oil. Other natural oils like Babassu Oil and Vegetable Vaseline (Olus Oil) also function as emollients.
• Occlusives: These ingredients form a barrier on the skin surface to prevent water loss. While some oils can have occlusive properties, their primary function might be emollient.

Regarding the ingredients you previously listed:

• Cyclopentasiloxane (and) Dimethicone Crosspolymer (Silicone Gel) and Cyclopentasiloxane (and) Dimethicone (Silicone Blend) are silicones. They primarily help to improve the texture of the product and can form a barrier to prevent water evaporation from the skin, but they do not provide moisture themselves.
• Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate is a UV filter. While it is an oil-like substance and might offer some minimal occlusive effect (preventing water evaporation), its main purpose is not moisturizing.

For affordable moisturizing oils and humectants to use in sunscreen formulations, consider Glycerin, Mineral Oil, and Fractionated Coconut Oil. Other oils like Babassu Oil and Vegetable Vaseline (Olus Oil) are also good options with emollient properties.