Versus

A'Pieu Pure Block Daily Sun Cream EX SPF 50+ PA++++ Versus Mary & May Cica Soothing Sun Cream SPF50+ PA++++

Sunscreen
Sunscreen
Korean Brand South Korea
Korean Brand South Korea

Updated on May 13, 2024

Overview

What they are

These products are both sunscreens. They have a total of 11 ingredients in common

Cool Features

They both contain SPF and Vitamin E

Suited For

They're both likely to be good for anti aging, dry skin, brightening skin, sensitive skin, oily skin, reducing pores and scar healing

Free From

They both do not contain any oils, parabens or sulfates

What's Inside

They both contain fragrances and silicones

We independently verify ingredients, and our claims are backed by peer-reviewed research. Spot a product that needs an update? Let us know.

Ingredient Info

Click any item below to learn more and see relevant ingredients

What's inside (and what isn't)

What's inside (and what isn't)

At a glance

Click on any of the items below to learn more

Key Ingredients

Benefits

Concerns

Key Ingredients

Benefits

Concerns

Ingredients Side-by-side

found in both products
Pure Block Daily Sun Cream EX SPF 50+ PA++++

Ethylhexyl Salicylate

UV Absorber
0 / 0 Chemical UV Filter IconNon-Reef-Safe IconMay worsen Rosacea Icon

Butylene Glycol

Humectant
1 / 0 Helps hydrate Dry Skin Icon

Glyceryl Stearate

Emollient
1 / 0 Not safe for Fungal Acne Icon

Bis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine

Skin Conditioning
Chemical UV Filter Icon

Sea Water

Humectant

Sorbitan Stearate

Emulsifying
0 / 1 Not safe for Fungal Acne Icon

Caprylyl Glycol

Emollient

Cetearyl Alcohol

Emollient
2 / 1 Fatty Alcohol IconMay worsen Oily Skin IconBad for Acne Prone Skin IconNot safe for Fungal Acne Icon

Panthenol

Skin Conditioning
0 / 0 Helps hydrate Dry Skin IconHelps reduce Skin Redness IconHelps reduce irritation IconGood for Scar Healing Icon

Ethylhexylglycerin

Skin Conditioning

Parfum

Masking
Fragrance IconMay worsen Eczema IconMay worsen Rosacea Icon

Propylene Glycol

Humectant
0 / 0 Helps hydrate Dry Skin IconMay worsen Eczema IconMay worsen Rosacea Icon

Glycerin

Humectant
0 / 0 Helps hydrate Dry Skin IconGood for Scar Healing IconHelps brighten skin Icon

Malpighia Emarginata Fruit Extract

Skin Conditioning

Rosa Damascena Flower Water

Masking
Helps reduce irritation Icon

Phenoxyethanol

Preservative
Preservative Icon

Oryza Sativa Bran Extract

Skin Conditioning
Helps hydrate Dry Skin Icon

Citric Acid

Buffering
AHA IconGood for Oily Skin IconGood for Skin Texture IconGood for Minimizing Pores IconGood for Scar Healing IconHelps brighten skin IconMay worsen Rosacea Icon

Sodium Benzoate

Masking
Preservative Icon

Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract

Emollient
Helps hydrate Dry Skin IconHelps reduce Skin Redness IconHelps reduce irritation Icon

Citrullus Lanatus Fruit Extract

Skin Conditioning
Helps reduce irritation Icon

Potassium Sorbate

Preservative
Preservative Icon

Limonene

Perfuming
Fragrance IconMay cause irritation IconEU Allergen IconMay worsen Eczema IconMay worsen Rosacea Icon

Linalool

Perfuming
Fragrance IconMay cause irritation IconEU Allergen IconMay worsen Eczema IconMay worsen Rosacea Icon

Water

Skin Conditioning

Sorbitan Olivate

Emulsifying
Not safe for Fungal Acne Icon

Citrus Aurantifolia Flower Extract

Astringent

Diethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl Benzoate

UV Filter
Chemical UV Filter Icon

Nylon-12

Non-Reef-Safe Icon

PPG-17/Ipdi/Dmpa Copolymer

Polyisobutene

Acrylates Copolymer

Polyacrylate-13

Cetearyl Olivate

Not safe for Fungal Acne Icon

Ethylhexyl Palmitate

Emollient
2-3 / 0 May worsen Oily Skin IconBad for Acne Prone Skin IconNot safe for Fungal Acne Icon

Hexylene Glycol

Emulsifying
0-2 / 0-1

Propanediol

Solvent
Helps hydrate Dry Skin Icon

Xanthan Gum

Emulsifying

Prunus Persica Flower Extract

Moisturising

Citrulline

Skin Conditioning

Punica Granatum Flower Extract

Skin Conditioning
Helps reduce irritation IconGood for Scar Healing Icon

Pyrus Malus Flower Extract

Skin Conditioning

1,2-Hexanediol

Skin Conditioning
Helps hydrate Dry Skin Icon

Ceramide AP

Skin Conditioning
Ceramide IconHelps hydrate Dry Skin IconHelps reduce irritation IconHelps with Anti-Aging Icon

Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer

Emulsion Stabilising

Isohexadecane

Emollient

Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate

UV Absorber
0 / 0 Chemical UV Filter IconMay cause irritation IconNon-Reef-Safe Icon

Butyloctyl Salicylate

Skin Conditioning
Non-Reef-Safe Icon

Methyl Methacrylate Crosspolymer

Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Flower Extract

Skin Conditioning

Prunus Avium Flower Extract

Skin Conditioning

C20-22 Alcohols

Emulsion Stabilising

Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane

UV Absorber
Chemical UV Filter IconMay cause irritation IconMay worsen Rosacea Icon

Benzotriazolyl Dodecyl P-Cresol

UV Absorber

Isopropyl Myristate

Emollient
3-5 / 3 May worsen Oily Skin IconBad for Acne Prone Skin IconNot safe for Fungal Acne Icon

Lecithin

Emollient
Helps hydrate Dry Skin Icon

Sorbitan Isostearate

Emulsifying
1-2 / 0 Not safe for Fungal Acne Icon

Aluminum Hydroxide

Emollient

Sorbitan Oleate

Emulsifying
3 / 0 Bad for Acne Prone Skin IconNot safe for Fungal Acne Icon

Tocopheryl Acetate

Antioxidant
0 / 0 Vitamin E IconAntioxidant Icon

Isostearic Acid

Cleansing
Bad for Acne Prone Skin IconNot safe for Fungal Acne Icon

BHT

Antioxidant
Antioxidant Icon

Butylphenyl Methylpropional

Perfuming
Fragrance IconMay cause irritation IconEU Allergen Icon

Polysorbate 60

Emulsifying
Not safe for Fungal Acne Icon

Polyhydroxystearic Acid

Emulsifying
Not safe for Fungal Acne Icon

Polysorbate 20

Emulsifying
0 / 0 Not safe for Fungal Acne Icon

Polyglyceryl-3 Polyricinoleate

Emulsifying
Not safe for Fungal Acne Icon

Phenylbenzimidazole Sulfonic Acid

UV Absorber
Chemical UV Filter Icon

Disodium EDTA

PEG-100 Stearate

0 / 0 Not safe for Fungal Acne Icon

Dimethicone

Emollient
1 / 0 Silicon Icon

Stearic Acid

Cleansing
2-3 / 0 May worsen Oily Skin IconNot safe for Fungal Acne Icon

Sodium Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer

Emulsion Stabilising

Polysorbate 80

Emulsifying
0 / 0 May worsen Oily Skin IconNot safe for Fungal Acne Icon

Portulaca Oleracea Extract

Skin Conditioning
Helps hydrate Dry Skin IconHelps reduce irritation Icon

Eucalyptus Globulus Leaf Extract

Perfuming
Fragrance Icon

Homosalate

Skin Conditioning
Chemical UV Filter IconNon-Reef-Safe Icon

Titanium Dioxide

Cosmetic Colorant
0 / 0 Mineral UV Filter IconNon-Reef-Safe Icon

C20-22 Alkyl Phosphate

Emulsifying

Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride

Masking
Helps hydrate Dry Skin Icon

Sodium Hydroxide

Buffering

Tromethamine

Buffering

Ethylhexyl Salicylate, Butylene Glycol, Glyceryl Stearate, Bis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine, Sea Water, Sorbitan Stearate, Caprylyl Glycol, Cetearyl Alcohol, Panthenol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Parfum, Propylene Glycol, Glycerin, Malpighia Emarginata Fruit Extract, Rosa Damascena Flower Water, Phenoxyethanol, Oryza Sativa Bran Extract, Citric Acid, Sodium Benzoate, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract, Citrullus Lanatus Fruit Extract, Potassium Sorbate, Limonene, Linalool, Water, Sorbitan Olivate, Citrus Aurantifolia Flower Extract, Diethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl Benzoate, Nylon-12, PPG-17/Ipdi/Dmpa Copolymer, Polyisobutene, Acrylates Copolymer, Polyacrylate-13, Cetearyl Olivate, Ethylhexyl Palmitate, Hexylene Glycol, Propanediol, Xanthan Gum, Prunus Persica Flower Extract, Citrulline, Punica Granatum Flower Extract, Pyrus Malus Flower Extract, 1,2-Hexanediol, Ceramide AP, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Isohexadecane, Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate, Butyloctyl Salicylate, Methyl Methacrylate Crosspolymer, Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Flower Extract, Prunus Avium Flower Extract, C20-22 Alcohols, Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane, Benzotriazolyl Dodecyl P-Cresol, Isopropyl Myristate, Lecithin, Sorbitan Isostearate, Aluminum Hydroxide, Sorbitan Oleate, Tocopheryl Acetate, Isostearic Acid, BHT, Butylphenyl Methylpropional, Polysorbate 60, Polyhydroxystearic Acid, Polysorbate 20, Polyglyceryl-3 Polyricinoleate, Phenylbenzimidazole Sulfonic Acid, Disodium EDTA, PEG-100 Stearate, Dimethicone, Stearic Acid, Sodium Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Polysorbate 80, Portulaca Oleracea Extract, Eucalyptus Globulus Leaf Extract, Homosalate, Titanium Dioxide, C20-22 Alkyl Phosphate, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Sodium Hydroxide, Tromethamine

Cica Soothing Sun Cream SPF50+ PA++++

Ingredients Explained

These ingredients are found in both products.

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

Humectant, Masking, Skin Conditioning

Butylene Glycol (or BG) is used within cosmetic products for a few different reasons:

Overall, Butylene Glycol is a safe and well-rounded ingredient that works well with other ingredients.

Though this ingredient works well with most skin types, some people with sensitive skin may experience a reaction such as allergic rashes, closed comedones, or itchiness.

Learn more about Butylene Glycol
Skin Conditioning

Ethylhexylglycerin (we can't pronounce this either) is commonly used as a preservative and skin softener. It is derived from glyceryl.

You might see Ethylhexylglycerin often paired with other preservatives such as phenoxyethanol. Ethylhexylglycerin has been found to increase the effectiveness of these other preservatives.

Masking, Perfuming

Parfum is a catch-all term for an ingredient or more that is used to give a scent to products.

Also called "fragrance", this ingredient can be a blend of hundreds of chemicals or plant oils. This means every product with "fragrance" or "parfum" in the ingredients list is a different mixture.

For instance, Habanolide is a proprietary trade name for a specific aroma chemical. When used as a fragrance ingredient in cosmetics, most aroma chemicals fall under the broad labeling category of “FRAGRANCE” or “PARFUM” according to EU and US regulations.

The term 'parfum' or 'fragrance' is not regulated in many countries. In many cases, it is up to the brand to define this term.

For instance, many brands choose to label themselves as "fragrance-free" because they are not using synthetic fragrances. However, their products may still contain ingredients such as essential oils that are considered a fragrance by INCI standards.

One example is Calendula flower extract. Calendula is an essential oil that still imparts a scent or 'fragrance'.

Depending on the blend, the ingredients in the mixture can cause allergies and sensitivities on the skin. Some ingredients that are known EU allergens include linalool and citronellol.

Parfum can also be used to mask or cover an unpleasant scent.

The bottom line is: not all fragrances/parfum/ingredients are created equally. If you are worried about fragrances, we recommend taking a closer look at an ingredient. And of course, we always recommend speaking with a professional.

Learn more about Parfum
Humectant, Skin Conditioning, Skin Protecting

Glycerin is already naturally found in your skin. It helps moisturize and protect your skin.

A study from 2016 found glycerin to be more effective as a humectant than AHAs and hyaluronic acid.

As a humectant, it helps the skin stay hydrated by pulling moisture to your skin. The low molecular weight of glycerin allows it to pull moisture into the deeper layers of your skin.

Hydrated skin improves your skin barrier; Your skin barrier helps protect against irritants and bacteria.

Glycerin has also been found to have antimicrobial and antiviral properties. Due to these properties, glycerin is often used in wound and burn treatments.

In cosmetics, glycerin is usually derived from plants such as soybean or palm. However, it can also be sourced from animals, such as tallow or animal fat.

This ingredient is organic, colorless, odorless, and non-toxic.

Glycerin is the name for this ingredient in American English. British English uses Glycerol/Glycerine.

Learn more about Glycerin
Skin Conditioning, Solvent

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. Stay hydrated!

Learn more about Water

Diethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl Benzoate (DHHB) is a chemical UV-A absorber. It is formulated for high UVA protection (320-400 nm).

DHHB is well-liked for:

DHHB has been approved by the EU, Japan, Taiwan, and South America for use up to 10%. Unfortunately, it has not been approved for use in the US or Canada due to slow regulatory processes.

This ingredient is soluble in oils, fats, and lipids.

Learn more about Diethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl Benzoate
Solvent

Propanediol is an all-star ingredient. It softens, hydrates, and smooths the skin. 

It’s often used to:

Propanediol is not likely to cause sensitivity and considered safe to use. It is derived from corn or petroleum with a clear color and no scent.

Learn more about Propanediol
Emulsifying, Emulsion Stabilising, Gel Forming

Xanthan gum is used as a stabilizer and thickener within cosmetic products. It helps give products a sticky, thick feeling - preventing them from being too runny.

On the technical side of things, xanthan gum is a polysaccharide - a combination consisting of multiple sugar molecules bonded together.

Xanthan gum is a pretty common and great ingredient. It is a natural, non-toxic, non-irritating ingredient that is also commonly used in food products.

Learn more about Xanthan Gum
Skin Conditioning, Solvent

1,2-Hexanediol is a synthetic liquid and another multi-functional powerhouse. 

It is a:

  • Humectant, drawing moisture into the skin
  • Emollient, helping to soften skin
  • Solvent, dispersing and stabilizing formulas
  • Preservative booster, enhancing the antimicrobial activity of other preservatives 

Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer is a synthetic polymer. It is used to thicken and improve the texture of products. Due to its properties, it can prevent water and oil ingredients from separating.

Buffering, Masking

Tromethamine helps balance the pH and improve the texture of a product. It is synthetically created.

As an emulsifier, Tromethamine prevents oil and water ingredients from separating. This helps stabilize the product and elongate a product's shelf life. Tromethamine also makes a product thicker.

Tromethamine helps balance the pH level of a product. Normal pH level of skin is slightly acidic (~4.75-5.5). The acidity of our skin is maintained by our glands and skin biome. Being slightly acidic allows our skin to create an "acid mantle". This acid mantle is a thin barrier that protects our skin from bacteria and contaminants.

Oral Tromethanmine is an anti-inflammatory drug but plays the role of masking, adding fragrance, and/or balancing pH in skincare.

1,3-Propanediol, 2-amino-2-(hydroxymethyl)-

Learn more about Tromethamine

When to use

39 Routines
97% use in am
3% use in pm
95% use every day
When to use See routines that use it ->

Reviews

Here's what our community thinks

A'Pieu Pure Block Daily Sun Cream EX SPF 50+ PA++++ 82 ingredients

Pure Block Daily Sun Cream EX SPF 50+ PA++++ hasn't been rated yet.
Rate it now

Mary & May Cica Soothing Sun Cream SPF50+ PA++++ 42 ingredients

4.3 /5
from 3 ratings
Light (3) Works Well (2) Absorbs Well (1)
maria_bg's avatar

Maria

7 months ago
Review

It's light and has no white cast. It didn't broke me out and it's okey to use it around my eyes too. I have sensitive acne prone skin type.

#light
#absorbs well
#works well
AyeChanKhinHtun's avatar

AyeChanKhinHtun

1 year ago
Review

I like the ingredients and the slight scent isn't overwhelming. It feels like a moisturizer so I like using this a lot. However, my skin can get sensitive so it stings on some days and makes my eyes water a little. I liked it but don't think I'll repurchase for these reasons.

#light
#light scent