Acnes Anti-Acne UV Tinted Milk Versus Wardah UV Shield Acne Calming Sunscreen Moisturizer SPF 35 PA+++
What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Cyclopentasiloxane
Emollient
Zinc Oxide
Cosmetic Colorant
Water
Skin ConditioningTalc
Abrasive
Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate
UV Absorber
Mica
Cosmetic ColorantEthylhexyl Salicylate
UV Absorber
Silica
Abrasive
Methylpropanediol
SolventPEG-10 Dimethicone
Skin Conditioning
Glycerin
Humectant
Ethylhexyl Triazone
UV Absorber
Polyglyceryl-4 Isostearate
Emulsifying
Dibutyl Adipate
EmollientPortulaca Oleracea Extract
Skin Conditioning
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Trimethylsiloxysilicate
Emollient
Diethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl Benzoate
UV Filter
Triethoxycaprylylsilane
Dipropylene Glycol
HumectantPhenoxyethanol
Preservative
Dimethicone
Emollient
CI 77492
Cosmetic ColorantSalicylic Acid
Masking
O-Cymen-5-Ol
Antimicrobial
Centella Asiatica Extract
Cleansing
PEG/PPG-18/18 Dimethicone
Emulsifying
Magnesium Sulfate
Amylopectin
Dextrin
AbsorbentEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingCI 77491
Cosmetic ColorantSodium Ascorbyl Phosphate
Antioxidant
Chondrus Crispus Extract
Skin Conditioning
BHT
Antioxidant
CI 77499
Cosmetic ColorantRosmarinus Officinalis Extract
AntimicrobialTocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Pyridoxine Hcl
Skin ConditioningStearyl Glycyrrhetinate
Skin ConditioningButyl Avocadate
Skin Conditioning
Candida Bombicola/Glucose/Methyl Rapeseedate Ferment
AntimicrobialPropylene Glycol
Humectant
Chlorphenesin
Antimicrobial
Asiaticoside
Antioxidant
Madecassic Acid
Skin Conditioning
Asiatic Acid
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Dehydroacetate
Preservative
Citric Acid
Buffering
Potassium Sorbate
Preservative
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Cyclopentasiloxane, Zinc Oxide, Water, Talc, Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate, Mica, Ethylhexyl Salicylate, Silica, Methylpropanediol, PEG-10 Dimethicone, Glycerin, Ethylhexyl Triazone, Polyglyceryl-4 Isostearate, Dibutyl Adipate, Portulaca Oleracea Extract, Butylene Glycol, Trimethylsiloxysilicate, Diethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl Benzoate, Triethoxycaprylylsilane, Dipropylene Glycol, Phenoxyethanol, Dimethicone, CI 77492, Salicylic Acid, O-Cymen-5-Ol, Centella Asiatica Extract, PEG/PPG-18/18 Dimethicone, Magnesium Sulfate, Amylopectin, Dextrin, Ethylhexylglycerin, Xanthan Gum, CI 77491, Sodium Ascorbyl Phosphate, Chondrus Crispus Extract, BHT, CI 77499, Rosmarinus Officinalis Extract, Tocopheryl Acetate, Pyridoxine Hcl, Stearyl Glycyrrhetinate, Butyl Avocadate, Candida Bombicola/Glucose/Methyl Rapeseedate Ferment, Propylene Glycol, Chlorphenesin, Asiaticoside, Madecassic Acid, Asiatic Acid, Sodium Dehydroacetate, Citric Acid, Potassium Sorbate, Tocopherol
Water
Skin ConditioningEthylhexyl Methoxycinnamate
UV Absorber
Niacinamide
Smoothing
Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane
UV Absorber
Aluminum Starch Octenylsuccinate
Absorbent
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Cetearyl Olivate
Propanediol
Solvent
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Octocrylene
UV Absorber
Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingSorbitan Olivate
Emulsifying
Polymethyl Methacrylate
Aminomethyl Propanol
BufferingAllantoin
Skin Conditioning
Panthenol
Skin Conditioning
Salicylic Acid
Masking
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingTriethylene Glycol
Masking
Ethylhexyl Triazone
UV Absorber
Tetrasodium EDTA
Lecithin
Emollient
BHT
Antioxidant
Water, Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate, Niacinamide, Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane, Aluminum Starch Octenylsuccinate, Phenoxyethanol, Cetearyl Olivate, Propanediol, Butylene Glycol, Octocrylene, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Sorbitan Olivate, Polymethyl Methacrylate, Aminomethyl Propanol, Allantoin, Panthenol, Salicylic Acid, Xanthan Gum, Triethylene Glycol, Ethylhexyl Triazone, Tetrasodium EDTA, Lecithin, BHT
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
BHT is a synthetic antioxidant and preservative.
As an antioxidant, it helps your body fight off free-radicals. Free-radicals are molecules that may damage your skin cells.
As a preservative, it is used to stabilize products and prevent them from degrading. Specifically, BHT prevents degradation from oxidation.
The concerns related to BHT come from oral studies; this ingredient is currently allowed for use by both the FDA and EU.
However, it was recently restricted for use in the UK as of April 2024.
Learn more about BHTButylene 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 GlycolThis ingredient is also known as Octinoxate and is one of the oldest and most widely used chemical UV filters in skincare.
It has a simple job: soap up UVB radiation (290-320 nm), the wavelengths responsible for sunburn and a big chunk of long-term sun damage.
In formulas, it's always paired with a separate UVA filter because octinoxate solely protects skin from UVB.
Because it's an oil-soluble liquid, it's easy to blend into the oil phase of lotions/creams and gives a cosmetically elegant feel.
The one quirk about formulating this ingredient is photostability; the molecule slowly changes shape into a less effective version when sunlight hits it. So the longer you're in the sun, the weaker its protection gets. The drop can be more than 30% in some formulas.
It also doesn't play nice with Avobenzone (the common UVA filter) since avobenzone destabilizes octinoxate and the two degrade each other. But don't worry: brands have solved this issue by adding photostabilizers like Tinosorb S to prevent degradation and keep SPF stable under heavy UV exposure.
The maximum allowed level is 10% in the EU and Australia, 7.5% in the US and Canada, and 20% in Japan.
The Cosmetic Ingredient Review Panel has concluded this ingredient to be safe in cosmetics up to 10%.
One last thing worth knowing for context:
Octinoxate has been the subject of ongoing review in Europe where the Scientific Committee on Consumer Safety's (SCCS) 2025 final opinion is that this ingredient is an endocrine-active substance.
Lab and animal studies suggest it can act a bit like a hormone in the body (mildly mimicking estrogen and slightly blocking male hormones). It's important to know this hasn't really been shown to happen in everyday human use.
This ingredient is also banned in Hawaii over coral reef concerns.
Learn more about Ethylhexyl MethoxycinnamateEthylhexyl Triazone (aka Octyl Triazone) is an oil-soluble organic UVB filter. It has peak absorption around 314 nm, right in the middle of the UVB range.
This ingredient is described as one of the most effective UVB filters available and small concentrations are enough to deliver a high SPF thanks to its strong UV absorbing power.
Formulators love it for its stability; its ability to filter UV stays practically unchanged even under intense radiation and it can also help boost the photostability of less stable filters like avobenzone.
It's also a great pick for water resistant products because it's insoluble in water and has a good affinity for keratin.
Because it's a big, heavy molecule, the European Scientific Committee has found to to have very low dermal penetration and negative results for allergenicity.
In vitro testing also showed a low absorption rate and clean results on irritation.
Typical use levels are 1-5% with 5% being the maximum in the EU, Japan, and other markets that allow it. However, this ingredient is not approved yet in the US or Canada.
Learn more about Ethylhexyl TriazonePhenoxyethanol is a preservative that has germicide, antimicrobial, and aromatic properties. Studies show that phenoxyethanol can prevent microbial growth. By itself, it has a scent that is similar to that of a rose.
It's often used in formulations along with Caprylyl Glycol to preserve the shelf life of products.
Salicylic Acid (also known as beta hydroxy acid or BHA) is a well-known ingredient for treating skin that struggles with acne and clogged pores. It exfoliates both the skin's surface and deep within the pores to help clear out buildup, control oil, and reduce inflammation.
Unlike AHAs (alpha hydroxy acids), salicylic acid is oil-soluble. This allows it to penetrate into pores which makes it especially effective for treating blackheads and preventing future breakouts.
Salicylic acid is also known for its soothing properties. It has a similar structure to aspirin and can calm inflamed or irritated skin, making it a good option for acne-prone skin that is also sensitive.
Concentrations of 0.5-2% are recognized by the U.S. FDA as an over-the-counter topical acne product.
It can cause irritation and/or dryness if one's skin already has a compromised moisture barrier, so it's best to focus on repairing that before introducing this ingredient into your routine.
While salicylic acid does not increase sun sensitivity, itβs still important to wear sunscreen daily to protect your skin.
If you are looking for the ingredient called BHA or Butylated Hydroxyanisole, click here.
Learn more about Salicylic AcidWater. 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. Remember to stay hydrated!
Learn more about WaterXanthan 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
