ACO Sun Protect Water SPF25 Versus COOLA Full Spectrum 360° Refreshing Water Mist Sunscreen SPF 18
Updated on December 05, 2023
Overview
What they are
These products are both cruelty-free and fungal acne (malassezia) safe sunscreens. They have a total of 5 ingredients in common
Cool Features
They both contain hyaluronic acid and SPF
Suited For
They're both likely to be good for dry skin
Free From
They both do not contain any parabens, silicones or sulfates
What's Inside
They both contain fragrances
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
ACO Sun Protect Water SPF25 24 ingredients
COOLA Full Spectrum 360° Refreshing Water Mist Sunscreen SPF 18 33 ingredients
About this product
About this product
At a glance
Click on any of the items below to learn more
ACO Sun Protect Water SPF25 24 ingredients
COOLA Full Spectrum 360° Refreshing Water Mist Sunscreen SPF 18 33 ingredients
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningDicaprylyl Ether
EmollientOctocrylene
UV Absorber
Alcohol Denat.
Antimicrobial
Propylheptyl Caprylate
EmollientButyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane
UV Absorber
Ethylhexyl Salicylate
UV Absorber
Bis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine
Skin Conditioning
Diethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl Benzoate
UV Filter
Ethylhexyl Triazone
UV Absorber
Glycerin
Humectant
Propanediol
SolventDiglycerin
HumectantHydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid
Humectant
Sodium Chloride
Masking
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Poly C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate
Emulsion StabilisingPolyglycerin-3
HumectantPolyglycerin-4
HumectantCitric Acid
Buffering
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
Parfum
Masking
Water, Dicaprylyl Ether, Octocrylene, Alcohol Denat., Propylheptyl Caprylate, Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane, Ethylhexyl Salicylate, Bis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine, Diethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl Benzoate, Ethylhexyl Triazone, Glycerin, Propanediol, Diglycerin, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, Sodium Chloride, Tocopheryl Acetate, Poly C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate, Polyglycerin-3, Polyglycerin-4, Citric Acid, Tocopherol, Phenoxyethanol, Sodium Benzoate, Parfum
Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane 2%
UV Absorber
Homosalate 10%
Skin Conditioning
Ethylhexyl Salicylate 5%
UV Absorber
Octocrylene 5.5%
UV Absorber
Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract
Emollient
Anisaldehyde
Masking
Benzyl Acetate
Masking
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientCocos Nucifera Water
MaskingDelta-Decalactone
Masking
Didecyldimonium Chloride
EmulsifyingEthyl Butyrate
Perfuming
Gamma-Nonalactone
Masking
Gamma-Octalactone
Perfuming
Heliotropine
Masking
Jasminum Sambac Leaf Cell Extract
Masking
Juniperus Mexicana Oil
Masking
Methyl Benzoate
Perfuming
Methylpropanediol
SolventNerolidol
Perfuming
Polyquaternium-80
CleansingPropanediol
SolventSchinus Molle Extract
Skin ProtectingSodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Sodium Phytate
Theobroma Cacao Seed Extract
Antioxidant
Tridecane
Perfuming
Triethyl Citrate
Masking
Undecane
EmollientVanillin
Masking
Water
Skin ConditioningButyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane 2%, Homosalate 10%, Ethylhexyl Salicylate 5%, Octocrylene 5.5%, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract, Anisaldehyde, Benzyl Acetate, Butylene Glycol, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Caprylyl Glycol, Cocos Nucifera Water, Delta-Decalactone, Didecyldimonium Chloride, Ethyl Butyrate, Gamma-Nonalactone, Gamma-Octalactone, Heliotropine, Jasminum Sambac Leaf Cell Extract, Juniperus Mexicana Oil, Methyl Benzoate, Methylpropanediol, Nerolidol, Polyquaternium-80, Propanediol, Schinus Molle Extract, Sodium Hyaluronate, Sodium Phytate, Theobroma Cacao Seed Extract, Tridecane, Triethyl Citrate, Undecane, Vanillin, Water
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
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 WaterOctocrylene protects skin from sun damage. It absorbs UV-B with peak absorption of 304 nm. It is a common sunscreen ingredient and often paired with avobenzone, a UVA filter. This is because octocrylene stabilizes other sunscreen ingredients by protecting them from degradation when exposed to sunlight. Octocrylene is a photostable ingredient and loses about 10% of SPF in 95 minutes.
Octocrylene also acts as an emollient, meaning it helps skin retain moisture and softens skin. It is oil-soluble and hydrophobic, enhancing water-resistant properties in a product.
Those who are using ketoprofen, a topical anti-inflammatory drug, may experience an allergic reaction when using octocrylene. It is best to speak with a healthcare professional about using sunscreens with octocrylene.
The EU allows a maximum of these concentrations:
Learn more about OctocryleneAlso known as Avobenzone, this ingredient is a chemical sunscreen filter that provides protection in the UV-A range.
Avobenzone is globally approved and is the most commonly used UV-A filter in the world.
Studies have found that avobenzone becomes ineffective when exposed to UV light (it is not photostable; meaning that it breaks down in sunlight). Because of this, formulations that include avobenzone will usually contain stabilizers such as octocrylene.
However, some modern formulations (looking at you, EU!) are able to stabilize avobenzone by coating the molecules.
Avobenzone does not protect against the UV-B range, so it's important to check that the sunscreen you're using contains other UV filters that do!
The highest concentration of avobenzone permitted is 3% in the US, and 5% in the EU.
Learn more about Butyl MethoxydibenzoylmethaneEthylhexyl Salicylate is an organic compound used to block UV rays. It primarily absorbs UVB rays but offers a small amount of UVA protection as well.
Commonly found in sunscreens, Ethylhexyl Salicylate is created from salicylic acid and 2-ethylhexanol. You might know salicylic acid as the effective acne fighter ingredient and BHA.
The ethylhexanol in this ingredient is a fatty alcohol and helps hydrate your skin, similar to oils. It is an emollient, which means it traps moisture into the skin.
According to manufacturers, Ethylhexyl Salicylate absorbs UV wavelength of 295-315 nm, with a peak absorption at 307-310 nm. UVA rays are linked to long term skin damage, such as hyperpigmentation. UVB rays emit more energy and are capable of damaging our DNA. UVB rays cause sunburn.
Learn more about Ethylhexyl SalicylatePropanediol 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 PropanediolIngredient Ratings
Here's what our community thinks of the ingredients in these products.
When to use
ACO Sun Protect Water SPF25 24 ingredients
COOLA Full Spectrum 360° Refreshing Water Mist Sunscreen SPF 18 33 ingredients
Reviews
Here's what our community thinks
ACO Sun Protect Water SPF25 24 ingredients
COOLA Full Spectrum 360° Refreshing Water Mist Sunscreen SPF 18 33 ingredients
This is a perfect way to top off my SPF before going outside! Also a great way to cover weird areas like my ears with a mist instead of trying to rub liquid sunscreen on my piercings. Nice glass bottle, sustainable. I just wish it was mineral, didn’t smell like chemical sunscreens, and that it was higher coverage than 18spf. EDIT - the nozzle clogged after only using a few times.
