AHC Beauty Natural Perfection Double Shield Sun Stick SPF50+ PA++++ Versus Nature Republic California Aloe Fresh Powdery Sun Stick SPF50+ Pa++++
Updated on January 30, 2024
Overview
What they are
These products are both sunscreens. They have a total of 17 ingredients in common
Cool Features
They both contain exfoliants, SPF and Vitamin E
Suited For
They're both likely to be good for dry skin, sensitive skin and dark spots
Free From
They both do not contain any harsh alcohols, 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
AHC Beauty Natural Perfection Double Shield Sun Stick SPF50+ PA++++ 72 ingredients
Nature Republic California Aloe Fresh Powdery Sun Stick SPF50+ Pa++++ 31 ingredients
What's inside
What's inside
At a glance
Click on any of the items below to learn more
AHC Beauty Natural Perfection Double Shield Sun Stick SPF50+ PA++++ 72 ingredients
Nature Republic California Aloe Fresh Powdery Sun Stick SPF50+ Pa++++ 31 ingredients
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Dimethicone
Emollient
Vinyl Dimethicone/Methicone Silsesquioxane Crosspolymer
Polyethylene
Abrasive
Cetyl Ethylhexanoate
EmollientHomosalate
Skin Conditioning
Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate
UV Absorber
Hydrogenated Poly(C6-14 Olefin)
EmollientDicaprylyl Carbonate
EmollientEthylhexyl Salicylate
UV Absorber
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Ozokerite
Emulsion StabilisingDiethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl Benzoate
UV Filter
Bisabolol
Masking
Lauryl PEG-9 Polydimethylsiloxyethyl Dimethicone
Skin Conditioning
Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Oil
Masking
Citrus Nobilis Peel Oil
Masking
Dehydroacetic Acid
Preservative
Litsea Cubeba Fruit Oil
Masking
Water
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
Humectant
Argania Spinosa Kernel Oil
Emollient
Sea Water
HumectantLavandula Angustifolia Flower Water
Skin Conditioning
Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid
Humectant
Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil Unsaponifiables
Emollient
Cocos Nucifera Oil
Masking
Opuntia Ficus-Indica Stem Extract
Skin Conditioning
Glycerin
Humectant
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Dipropylene Glycol
MaskingPropanediol
Solvent
Xylitylglucoside
Humectant
Anhydroxylitol
Humectant
Pseudoalteromonas Ferment Extract
Humectant
Capryloyl Glycine
CleansingSodium Palmitoyl Proline
Skin ConditioningHexylene Glycol
EmulsifyingXylitol
Humectant
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Sarcosine
Skin ConditioningNymphaea Alba Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningEpilobium Fleischeri Extract
Skin ConditioningLactobacillus/Soybean Ferment Extract
Skin ConditioningCalendula Officinalis Flower Extract
Masking
Oryza Sativa Bran Extract
Skin Conditioning
Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
Antimicrobial
Dioscorea Japonica Root Extract
Skin ConditioningCinnamomum Zeylanicum Bark Extract
Antimicrobial
Tremella Fuciformis Extract
Humectant
Camellia Japonica Flower Extract
EmollientVanilla Tahitensis Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientNephelium Lappaceum Branch/Fruit/Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningLitchi Chinensis Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningGarcinia Mangostana Peel Extract
Skin ConditioningAloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract
Emollient
Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Fruit Extract
MaskingCentella Asiatica Extract
Cleansing
Salix Alba Bark Extract
Astringent
Origanum Vulgare Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningChamaecyparis Obtusa Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningCitric Acid
Buffering
Pentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningScutellaria Baicalensis Root Extract
AstringentPortulaca Oleracea Extract
Skin Conditioning
Cinnamomum Cassia Bark Extract
Masking
Glyceryl Caprylate
EmollientGardenia Taitensis Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningPotassium Sorbate
Preservative
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningOxygen
Skin ConditioningHelianthus Annuus Seed Oil
Emollient
Dimethicone, Vinyl Dimethicone/Methicone Silsesquioxane Crosspolymer, Polyethylene, Cetyl Ethylhexanoate, Homosalate, Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate, Hydrogenated Poly(C6-14 Olefin), Dicaprylyl Carbonate, Ethylhexyl Salicylate, Tocopheryl Acetate, Ozokerite, Diethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl Benzoate, Bisabolol, Lauryl PEG-9 Polydimethylsiloxyethyl Dimethicone, Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Oil, Citrus Nobilis Peel Oil, Dehydroacetic Acid, Litsea Cubeba Fruit Oil, Water, Butylene Glycol, Argania Spinosa Kernel Oil, Sea Water, Lavandula Angustifolia Flower Water, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil Unsaponifiables, Cocos Nucifera Oil, Opuntia Ficus-Indica Stem Extract, Glycerin, Tocopherol, Dipropylene Glycol, Propanediol, Xylitylglucoside, Anhydroxylitol, Pseudoalteromonas Ferment Extract, Capryloyl Glycine, Sodium Palmitoyl Proline, Hexylene Glycol, Xylitol, 1,2-Hexanediol, Sarcosine, Nymphaea Alba Flower Extract, Epilobium Fleischeri Extract, Lactobacillus/Soybean Ferment Extract, Calendula Officinalis Flower Extract, Oryza Sativa Bran Extract, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Dioscorea Japonica Root Extract, Cinnamomum Zeylanicum Bark Extract, Tremella Fuciformis Extract, Camellia Japonica Flower Extract, Vanilla Tahitensis Fruit Extract, Caprylyl Glycol, Nephelium Lappaceum Branch/Fruit/Leaf Extract, Litchi Chinensis Fruit Extract, Garcinia Mangostana Peel Extract, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract, Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Fruit Extract, Centella Asiatica Extract, Salix Alba Bark Extract, Origanum Vulgare Leaf Extract, Chamaecyparis Obtusa Leaf Extract, Citric Acid, Pentylene Glycol, Scutellaria Baicalensis Root Extract, Portulaca Oleracea Extract, Cinnamomum Cassia Bark Extract, Glyceryl Caprylate, Gardenia Taitensis Flower Extract, Potassium Sorbate, Ethylhexylglycerin, Oxygen, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil
Butylene Glycol Dicaprylate/Dicaprate
EmollientPolyethylene
Abrasive
Dimethicone
Emollient
Octocrylene
UV Absorber
Vinyl Dimethicone/Methicone Silsesquioxane Crosspolymer
Methyl Methacrylate Crosspolymer
Silica
Abrasive
Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate
UV Absorber
Cetyl Ethylhexanoate
EmollientDicaprylyl Carbonate
EmollientEthylhexyl Salicylate
UV Absorber
Diethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl Benzoate
UV Filter
Bis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine
Skin Conditioning
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Ozokerite
Emulsion StabilisingAloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract
Emollient
Morinda Citrifolia Extract
AstringentSea Water
HumectantHibiscus Rosa-Sinensis Flower/Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningBisabolol
Masking
Lauryl PEG-9 Polydimethylsiloxyethyl Dimethicone
Skin Conditioning
Dehydroacetic Acid
Preservative
Water
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
Humectant
Parfum
Masking
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Butylphenyl Methylpropional
Perfuming
Linalool
Perfuming
Limonene
Perfuming
Hexyl Cinnamal
Perfuming
Benzyl Salicylate
Perfuming
Butylene Glycol Dicaprylate/Dicaprate, Polyethylene, Dimethicone, Octocrylene, Vinyl Dimethicone/Methicone Silsesquioxane Crosspolymer, Methyl Methacrylate Crosspolymer, Silica, Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate, Cetyl Ethylhexanoate, Dicaprylyl Carbonate, Ethylhexyl Salicylate, Diethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl Benzoate, Bis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine, Tocopheryl Acetate, Ozokerite, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract, Morinda Citrifolia Extract, Sea Water, Hibiscus Rosa-Sinensis Flower/Leaf Extract, Bisabolol, Lauryl PEG-9 Polydimethylsiloxyethyl Dimethicone, Dehydroacetic Acid, Water, Butylene Glycol, Parfum, Phenoxyethanol, Butylphenyl Methylpropional, Linalool, Limonene, Hexyl Cinnamal, Benzyl Salicylate
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract is an extract of the leaves of the aloe, Aloe barbadensis, Liliaceae.
Aloe is one of the most well-known natural soothing ingredients, and for good reason. It’s full of water and has a cooling, calming effect on the skin, especially when it’s sunburned, itchy, or irritated. Aloe also helps your skin stay hydrated and smooth by mimicking what healthy skin naturally produces. On top of that, it contains vitamins and nutrients that support skin recovery.Â
It doesn’t protect you from the sun, but it can help your skin bounce back after too much time in it.
Let’s get into the details:
Aloe contains antioxidant Vitamins A, C, and E, which help fight off free radicals (unstable molecules from things like pollution that can damage your skin).
It’s also rich in polysaccharides, which are natural sugars that help hydrate the skin by acting like the skin’s own moisturizing agents. These, along with other sugars like monosaccharides, help form a protective barrier that locks in moisture.
Aloe works as both a humectant and an emollient. That means it draws water into the skin (humectant) and helps trap it there (emollient), making it an effective natural moisturizer.
You’ll also find a mix of other skin-supporting ingredients in aloe, including folic acid, choline, calcium, amino acids, fatty acids, and even Vitamin B12.
Out of the 420+ species of aloe, Aloe barbadensis is the most widely used in skincare products thanks to its gentle yet effective properties.
There are over 420 species of aloe but Aloe Barbadensis is the most commonly used for topical products.
Learn more about Aloe Barbadensis Leaf ExtractBisabolol is famous for its skin soothing properties. It does this by blocking inflammatory signals, helping to reduce your body's reaction to irritation.
This ingredient also interferes with the process of hyperpigmentation. This can help with reducing dark spots and uneven tone.
Bisabolol is an antioxidant. Antioxidants help fight free-radicals. Free-radicals are molecules that may damage your skin cells. By fighting these free-radicals, Bisabolol may slow down signs of aging.
Studies have shown Bisabolol to have antimicrobial properties and may be a fungicide. These properties help preserve a product's shelf life.
All these properties makes bisabolol a great skin barrier helper ingredient.
Bisabolol also helps the absorption of other ingredients.
Note: Synthetic Bisabolol has been shown to be less effective.
Learn more about BisabololButylene 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 GlycolCetyl Ethylhexanoate is an emollient ester. It comes from cetearyl alcohol and 2-ethylhexanoic acid.
Cetyl Ethylhexanoate is an emollient that adds a velvety feel to skin without being greasy or oily. Emollients help trap moisture into your skin, keeping your skin soft and hydrated.
Dehydroacetic Acid is fungicide and bactericide. It is used as a preservative in cosmetics. Preservatives help elongate the shelf life of a product.
Dehydroacetic Acid is not soluble in water.
Dicaprylyl Carbonate comes from carbonic acid and caprylyl alcohol, a fatty alcohol. It is an emollient and gives skin a velvet feel. The sources of Dicaprylyl Carbonate may be synthetic or from animals.
As an emollient, Dicaprylyl Carbonate creates a film on the skin. This film traps moisture in, keeping your skin soft and hydrated.
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 BenzoateDimethicone is a type of synthetic silicone created from natural materials such as quartz.
What it does:
Dimethicone comes in different viscosities:
Depending on the viscosity, dimethicone has different properties.
Ingredients lists don't always show which type is used, so we recommend reaching out to the brand if you have questions about the viscosity.
This ingredient is unlikely to cause irritation because it does not get absorbed into skin. However, people with silicone allergies should be careful about using this ingredient.
Note: Dimethicone may contribute to pilling. This is because it is not oil or water soluble, so pilling may occur when layered with products. When mixed with heavy oils in a formula, the outcome is also quite greasy.
Learn more about DimethiconeEthylhexyl Methoxycinnamate is an organic compound that provides UVB protection. It often goes by the more common name of octinoxate. It is created from methoxycinnamic acid and 2-ethylhexanol.
Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate absorbs UVB rays with wavelengths between 280-320 nm. UV absorbers protect your skin by using chemical reactions to convert UV rays into heat and energy.
UVB (290-320 nm) rays emit more energy than UVA rays. They are capable of damaging DNA, causing sunburns and are thought to be linked to skin cancer.
The state of Hawaii has banned sunscreens containing octinoxate due to its potential impact on coral reefs. More research is needed to bridge gaps in this research. The European Union allows higher levels of octinoxate in sunscreens than the US and Australia.
Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate is oil soluble. It is not stable and may lose efficacy when exposed to sunlight.
Learn more about Ethylhexyl MethoxycinnamateEthylhexyl 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 SalicylateLauryl PEG-9 Polydimethylsiloxyethyl Dimethicone is a type of silicone.
Ozokerite is a naturally occuring mineral wax. In cosmetics, ozokerite is used as a texture enhancer.
Ceresin wax is derived from this ingredient.
The melting point of ozokerite is 58-100 C.
Ozokerite is found all over the world including Scotland, the US, and India.
Learn more about OzokeritePolyethylene is a synthetic ingredient that helps the skin retain moisture. It is a polymer.
It is also typically used within product formulations to help bind solid ingredients together and thicken oil-based ingredients. When added to balms and emulsions, it helps increase the melting point temperature.
Tocopheryl Acetate is AKA Vitamin E. It is an antioxidant and protects your skin from free radicals. Free radicals damage the skin by breaking down collagen.
One study found using Tocopheryl Acetate with Vitamin C decreased the number of sunburned cells.
Tocopheryl Acetate is commonly found in both skincare and dietary supplements.
Learn more about Tocopheryl AcetateWe don't have a description for Vinyl Dimethicone/Methicone Silsesquioxane Crosspolymer yet.
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 WaterIngredient Ratings
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When to use
AHC Beauty Natural Perfection Double Shield Sun Stick SPF50+ PA++++ 72 ingredients
Nature Republic California Aloe Fresh Powdery Sun Stick SPF50+ Pa++++ 31 ingredients
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