Abib Quick Sunstick Protection Bar SPF 50+ Versus MDSolarSciences Solar Stick Mineral Sunscreen SPF40
What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Homosalate 9.5%
Skin ConditioningOctocrylene 5%
UV AbsorberEthylhexyl Salicylate 4.5%
UV AbsorberButyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane 3%
UV AbsorberOctyldodecanol
EmollientButylene Glycol Dicaprylate/Dicaprate
EmollientDibutyl Lauroyl Glutamide
Skin ConditioningDiisostearyl Malate
EmollientDibutyl Ethylhexanoyl Glutamide
Skin ConditioningButyloctyl Salicylate
Skin ConditioningC12-15 Alkyl Benzoate
AntimicrobialDextrin Palmitate
EmulsifyingWater
Skin ConditioningSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantSqualane
EmollientCalophyllum Inophyllum Seed Oil
AntimicrobialArgania Spinosa Kernel Oil
EmollientOlea Europaea Fruit Oil
MaskingGlycerin
HumectantAloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract
EmollientHydrolyzed Vegetable Protein
Skin ConditioningMaltodextrin
AbsorbentButylene Glycol
HumectantPropanediol
SolventCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningCamellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialHydrogenated Lecithin
EmulsifyingCentella Asiatica Extract
CleansingCandida Bombicola/Glucose/Methyl Rapeseedate Ferment
AntimicrobialCeramide NP
Skin ConditioningCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientTocopherol
AntioxidantAcetyl Hexapeptide-8
HumectantCopper Tripeptide-1
Skin ConditioningHomosalate 9.5%, Octocrylene 5%, Ethylhexyl Salicylate 4.5%, Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane 3%, Octyldodecanol, Butylene Glycol Dicaprylate/Dicaprate, Dibutyl Lauroyl Glutamide, Diisostearyl Malate, Dibutyl Ethylhexanoyl Glutamide, Butyloctyl Salicylate, C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate, Dextrin Palmitate, Water, Sodium Hyaluronate, Squalane, Calophyllum Inophyllum Seed Oil, Argania Spinosa Kernel Oil, Olea Europaea Fruit Oil, Glycerin, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract, Hydrolyzed Vegetable Protein, Maltodextrin, Butylene Glycol, Propanediol, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, 1,2-Hexanediol, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Centella Asiatica Extract, Candida Bombicola/Glucose/Methyl Rapeseedate Ferment, Ceramide NP, Caprylyl Glycol, Tocopherol, Acetyl Hexapeptide-8, Copper Tripeptide-1
Titanium Dioxide 8.12%
Cosmetic ColorantZinc Oxide 6%
Cosmetic ColorantPolyethylene
AbrasiveDimethicone
EmollientButyloctyl Salicylate
Skin ConditioningPetrolatum
EmollientButyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin ConditioningC12-15 Alkyl Benzoate
AntimicrobialCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingMethyl Dihydroabietate
Acrylates/Ethylhexyl Acrylate/Dimethicone Methacrylate Copolymer
Skin ConditioningOctyldodecanol
EmollientTetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate
AntioxidantTocopherol
AntioxidantBehenyl Olivate
Emulsion StabilisingAluminum Hydroxide
EmollientStearic Acid
CleansingSorbitan Sesquioleate
EmulsifyingGlyceryl Isostearate
EmollientPolyhydroxystearic Acid
EmulsifyingCitric Acid
BufferingBenzylidene Dimethoxydimethylindanone
Skin ProtectingIron Oxides
Titanium Dioxide 8.12%, Zinc Oxide 6%, Polyethylene, Dimethicone, Butyloctyl Salicylate, Petrolatum, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Methyl Dihydroabietate, Acrylates/Ethylhexyl Acrylate/Dimethicone Methacrylate Copolymer, Octyldodecanol, Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate, Tocopherol, Behenyl Olivate, Aluminum Hydroxide, Stearic Acid, Sorbitan Sesquioleate, Glyceryl Isostearate, Polyhydroxystearic Acid, Citric Acid, Benzylidene Dimethoxydimethylindanone, Iron Oxides
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Butyloctyl Salicylate is a chemical UV filter structurally similar to octisalate. It is a photostabilizer, SPF booster, emollient and solvent. This ingredient helps evenly spread out ingredients.
According to a manufacturer, it is suitable for pairing with micro Titanium Dioxide, Zinc Oxide, and pigments.
Photostabilizers help stabilize UV-filters and prevents them from degrading quickly.
Learn more about Butyloctyl SalicylateC12-15 Alkyl Benzoate is made up of Benzoic Acid and long chain alcohols. It has a low molecular weight.
C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate is an emollient and texture enhancer. Due to its solubility, it is often used in sunscreens to help evenly distribute active ingredients.
As an emollient, C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate helps soften and hydrate your skin. Emollients create a film on your skin that traps moisture within.
This ingredient has been reported to cause eye irritation.
Learn more about C12-15 Alkyl BenzoateThis ingredient is a lightweight emollient, solvent, and texture enhancer. It is considered a skin-softener by helping the skin prevent moisture loss.
It helps thicken a product's formula and makes it easier to spread by dissolving clumping compounds.
Caprylic Triglyceride is made by combining glycerin with coconut oil, forming a clear liquid. Though it behaves like an oil, it is not technically one due to its chemical composition. It is very stable, resistant to oxidation, and unlikely to go rancid. In practice, that translates to a long shelf life and a consistently elegant skin feel.
While there is an assumption Caprylic Triglyceride can clog pores due to it being derived from coconut oil, there is no research supporting this. Be sure to patch test if you have concerns.
Fractionated coconut oil and MCT Oil are both listed as Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride according to INCI. This is because INCI names are based on the ingredient’s final chemical composition and not its marketing name or source.
Learn more about Caprylic/Capric TriglycerideOctyldodecanol is a fatty alcohol sourced from plant oils like coconut or palm (or made synthetically).
It is:
You'll likely see this in many BHA products because this is the go-to solvent for salicylic acid.
This ingredient is typically used at levels between 2-20%.
Regarding fungal acne:
In 2019, this ingredient was tested against multiple Malassezia species (the yeast that causes fungal acne) and showed no growth.
Tocopherol is a fat-soluble antioxidant known as Vitamin E.
You'll find this ingredient in the vast majority of skincare (for good reason). It works to neutralize free radicals, or unstable molecules generated by UV exposure, pollution, and other environmental stressors, before they can cause oxidative damage to your skin cells.
Topically applied tocopherol has been shown to protect against UV damage by ramping up the skin's own natural defense enzymes.
It also acts as a skin conditioning agent; some studies show that regular topical use can improve the skin's water-binding capacity over 2-4 weeks.
This ingredient is especially loved for being a team player. When combined with Vitamin C, the photoprotective effect of both ingredients roughly doubles and the combo also helps reduce UV-induced DNA damage.
This ingredient has some brightening potential but it's more of a prevention ingredient than spot-fader. Cell studies show it can slow down melanin production but it's worth noting that it's not the most powerful brightener out there.
In formulations, it also serves as a stabilizer that helps protect other oxidation-prone ingredients from degrading.
Concentrations usually range from 0.1-1% in most leave-on products.
Learn more about Tocopherol