Versus

AHC Beauty Safe On Light Sun Serum SPF50+ PA++++ Versus Zitsticka MEGASHADE Breakout-Proof SPF 50 Serum

Sunscreen
Sunscreen
Korean Brand South Korea
American Brand United States

Overview

What they are

These products are both vegan sunscreens. They have a total of 8 ingredients in common

Cool Features

They both contain ceramides, exfoliants, hyaluronic acid, niacinamide and SPF

Suited For

They're both likely to be good for fighting acne, anti aging, dry skin, brightening skin, sensitive skin, oily skin, reducing pores, scar healing, dark spots and better texture

Free From

They both do not contain any common allergens, parabens or sulfates

What's Inside

They both contain fragrances, oils 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

About this product

About this product

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
Safe On Light Sun Serum SPF50+ PA++++

Water

Skin Conditioning

Dibutyl Adipate

Emollient

Diethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl Benzoate

UV Filter
Chemical UV Filter Icon

Bis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine

Skin Conditioning
Chemical UV Filter Icon

Alcohol Denat.

Antimicrobial
Alcohol IconCan worsen Dry Skin IconMay worsen Oily Skin IconMay cause irritation IconMay worsen Eczema IconMay worsen Rosacea Icon

Niacinamide

Smoothing
Niacinamide IconGood for Oily Skin IconHelps reduce Skin Redness IconHelps reduce irritation IconGood for Minimizing Pores IconHelps with Anti-Aging IconGood for Dark Spots IconGood for Scar Healing IconHelps fight Acne IconHelps brighten skin Icon

Butyloctyl Salicylate

Skin Conditioning
Non-Reef-Safe Icon

Ethylhexyl Triazone

UV Absorber
Chemical UV Filter Icon

Butylene Glycol

Humectant
1 / 0 Helps hydrate Dry Skin Icon

Eclipta Prostrata Extract

Skin Conditioning

Melia Azadirachta Leaf Extract

Skin Conditioning

Moringa Oleifera Seed Oil

Emollient
Oil IconNot safe for Fungal Acne Icon

Peucedanum Graveolens Extract

Tonic

Citrus Aurantium Bergamia Fruit Oil

Masking
Fragrance IconOil Icon

Hibiscus Abelmoschus Seed Extract

Masking
Fragrance Icon

Thymus Serpyllum Extract

Skin Conditioning

Achillea Millefolium Extract

Cleansing

Alpha-Arbutin

Antioxidant
Antioxidant IconGood for Dark Spots IconGood for Scar Healing Icon

Crithmum Maritimum Callus Culture Filtrate

Skin Protecting

Phyllanthus Emblica Fruit Extract

Humectant

Camellia Sinensis Seed Oil

Humectant
Oil IconNot safe for Fungal Acne Icon

Caesalpinia Spinosa Fruit Extract

Skin Protecting

Xylitylglucoside

Humectant

Gossypium Herbaceum Extract

Skin Conditioning

Kappaphycus Alvarezii Extract

Skin Conditioning

Xylitol

Humectant

Yeast Ferment Extract

Skin Conditioning

Cichorium Intybus Root Extract

Masking

Vanilla Tahitensis Fruit Extract

Skin Conditioning

Orthosiphon Stamineus Extract

Skin Conditioning

Thermus Thermophillus Ferment

Skin Conditioning

Candida Bombicola/Glucose/Methyl Rapeseedate Ferment

Antimicrobial

Mentha Suaveolens Leaf Extract

Astringent

Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract

Antimicrobial
Antioxidant IconHelps reduce Skin Redness IconHelps reduce irritation IconGood for Minimizing Pores IconHelps with Anti-Aging Icon

Thymus Vulgaris Leaf Extract

Skin Protecting

Imperata Cylindrica Root Extract

Skin Conditioning

Calamine

Absorbent

Chlorella Ferment

Skin Conditioning

Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid

Humectant
Hyaluronic Acid IconHelps with Anti-Aging IconGood for Scar Healing IconHelps brighten skin Icon

Opuntia Ficus-Indica Stem Extract

Skin Conditioning

Panax Ginseng Root Extract

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

Perilla Frutescens Extract

Skin Conditioning

Adansonia Digitata Seed Extract

Skin Conditioning

Adenium Obesum Leaf Cell Extract

Masking

Eugenia Caryophyllus Bud Extract

Perfuming
Fragrance Icon

Solidago Virgaurea Extract

Skin Conditioning

Soluble Collagen

Humectant
Helps with Anti-Aging Icon

Caprylyl Methicone

Skin Conditioning
Silicon Icon

Hexyl Laurate

Emollient
Not safe for Fungal Acne Icon

Isoamyl P-Methoxycinnamate

UV Absorber
Chemical UV Filter Icon

Polysilicone-15

UV Filter

1,2-Hexanediol

Skin Conditioning

Pentylene Glycol

Skin Conditioning

Sodium Acrylates Crosspolymer-2

Absorbent

Polymethylsilsesquioxane

Silicon Icon

Silica

Abrasive
Exfoliant IconMay worsen Eczema IconMay worsen Rosacea Icon

Dibutyl Lauroyl Glutamide

Skin Conditioning

Hydroxyethyl Urea

Humectant

Isopropyl Myristate

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

Sodium Polyacryloyldimethyl Taurate

Emulsion Stabilising

Dibutyl Ethylhexanoyl Glutamide

Skin Conditioning

Hydroxyacetophenone

Antioxidant
Antioxidant Icon

C30-45 Alkyldimethylsilyl Polypropylsilsesquioxane

Silicon Icon

Trehalose

Humectant

Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer

Adenosine

Skin Conditioning
Good for Minimizing Pores IconGood for Scar Healing Icon

Propanediol

Solvent

Allantoin

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

Biosaccharide Gum-1

Skin Conditioning

Albatrellus Confluens Extract

Humectant

Ethylhexylglycerin

Skin Conditioning

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

Glycerin

Humectant
0 / 0 Helps hydrate Dry Skin IconHelps brighten skin Icon

Ascorbic Acid

Antioxidant
Vitamin C IconAntioxidant IconHelps reduce Skin Redness IconGood for Skin Texture IconGood for Minimizing Pores IconHelps with Anti-Aging IconGood for Dark Spots IconGood for Scar Healing IconHelps brighten skin Icon

Madecassoside

Antioxidant
Antioxidant IconHelps reduce irritation IconHelps with Anti-Aging Icon

Ectoin

Skin Conditioning
Helps hydrate Dry Skin IconHelps reduce irritation Icon

Glutathione

Good for Dark Spots Icon

Hydroxystearic Acid

Cleansing
Not safe for Fungal Acne Icon

Panthenol

Skin Conditioning
0 / 0 Helps hydrate Dry Skin IconHelps reduce Skin Redness IconHelps reduce irritation Icon

Phenylethyl Resorcinol

Antioxidant
Antioxidant Icon

Tranexamic Acid

Astringent
Good for Dark Spots IconGood for Scar Healing Icon

Palmitoyl Glycine

Cleansing
Not safe for Fungal Acne Icon

Ellagic Acid

Skin Conditioning

4-T-Butylcyclohexanol

Masking
Fragrance Icon

Anhydroxylitol

Humectant

Lactic Acid/Glycolic Acid Copolymer

Skin Conditioning

Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride

Masking

C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate

Antimicrobial

Dipotassium Phosphate

Buffering

Acetyl Glutamine

Skin Conditioning

Cerium Oxide

Hydrogen Dimethicone

Silicon Icon

Triethoxycaprylylsilane

Hydrogenated Lecithin

Emulsifying

Hydroxyphenyl Propamidobenzoic Acid

Skin Conditioning

Biosaccharide Gum-4

Skin Conditioning

Ceramide NP

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

Maltodextrin

Absorbent

Gluconolactone

Skin Conditioning
PHA IconGood for Skin Texture IconGood for Minimizing Pores IconHelps with Anti-Aging IconGood for Scar Healing IconHelps brighten skin Icon

Polyhydroxystearic Acid

Emulsifying
Not safe for Fungal Acne Icon

Caprylyl Glycol

Emollient

Ascorbyl Palmitate

Antioxidant
2 / 0 Vitamin C IconAntioxidant IconHelps reduce Skin Redness IconGood for Skin Texture IconGood for Minimizing Pores IconHelps with Anti-Aging IconGood for Scar Healing IconHelps brighten skin IconNot safe for Fungal Acne Icon

Cellulose Gum

Emulsion Stabilising
0 / 0

Calcium Gluconate

Humectant

Sodium Stearoyl Glutamate

Cleansing

Disodium EDTA

Xanthan Gum

Emulsifying

Sodium Benzoate

Masking
Preservative Icon

CI 77015

Cosmetic Colorant

Water, Dibutyl Adipate, Diethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl Benzoate, Bis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine, Alcohol Denat., Niacinamide, Butyloctyl Salicylate, Ethylhexyl Triazone, Butylene Glycol, Eclipta Prostrata Extract, Melia Azadirachta Leaf Extract, Moringa Oleifera Seed Oil, Peucedanum Graveolens Extract, Citrus Aurantium Bergamia Fruit Oil, Hibiscus Abelmoschus Seed Extract, Thymus Serpyllum Extract, Achillea Millefolium Extract, Alpha-Arbutin, Crithmum Maritimum Callus Culture Filtrate, Phyllanthus Emblica Fruit Extract, Camellia Sinensis Seed Oil, Caesalpinia Spinosa Fruit Extract, Xylitylglucoside, Gossypium Herbaceum Extract, Kappaphycus Alvarezii Extract, Xylitol, Yeast Ferment Extract, Cichorium Intybus Root Extract, Vanilla Tahitensis Fruit Extract, Orthosiphon Stamineus Extract, Thermus Thermophillus Ferment, Candida Bombicola/Glucose/Methyl Rapeseedate Ferment, Mentha Suaveolens Leaf Extract, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Thymus Vulgaris Leaf Extract, Imperata Cylindrica Root Extract, Calamine, Chlorella Ferment, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, Opuntia Ficus-Indica Stem Extract, Panax Ginseng Root Extract, Perilla Frutescens Extract, Adansonia Digitata Seed Extract, Adenium Obesum Leaf Cell Extract, Eugenia Caryophyllus Bud Extract, Solidago Virgaurea Extract, Soluble Collagen, Caprylyl Methicone, Hexyl Laurate, Isoamyl P-Methoxycinnamate, Polysilicone-15, 1,2-Hexanediol, Pentylene Glycol, Sodium Acrylates Crosspolymer-2, Polymethylsilsesquioxane, Silica, Dibutyl Lauroyl Glutamide, Hydroxyethyl Urea, Isopropyl Myristate, Sodium Polyacryloyldimethyl Taurate, Dibutyl Ethylhexanoyl Glutamide, Hydroxyacetophenone, C30-45 Alkyldimethylsilyl Polypropylsilsesquioxane, Trehalose, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer, Adenosine, Propanediol, Allantoin, Biosaccharide Gum-1, Albatrellus Confluens Extract, Ethylhexylglycerin, Citric Acid, Glycerin, Ascorbic Acid, Madecassoside, Ectoin, Glutathione, Hydroxystearic Acid, Panthenol, Phenylethyl Resorcinol, Tranexamic Acid, Palmitoyl Glycine, Ellagic Acid, 4-T-Butylcyclohexanol, Anhydroxylitol, Lactic Acid/Glycolic Acid Copolymer, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate, Dipotassium Phosphate, Acetyl Glutamine, Cerium Oxide, Hydrogen Dimethicone, Triethoxycaprylylsilane, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Hydroxyphenyl Propamidobenzoic Acid, Biosaccharide Gum-4, Ceramide NP, Maltodextrin, Gluconolactone, Polyhydroxystearic Acid, Caprylyl Glycol, Ascorbyl Palmitate, Cellulose Gum, Calcium Gluconate, Sodium Stearoyl Glutamate, Disodium EDTA, Xanthan Gum, Sodium Benzoate, CI 77015

MEGASHADE Breakout-Proof SPF 50 Serum

Ingredients Explained

These ingredients are found in both products.

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

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
Smoothing

Niacinamide has emerged as an all-star ingredient due to its many benefits.

It is known to treat acne by reducing inflammation. It also helps fade dark-spots and strengthen the skin by promoting the growth of the ceramide barrier.

Other benefits include smoothing wrinkles and minimizing redness.

The cherry on top? Niacinamide can also help build keratin, a protein that keeps skin firm.

When incorporating niacinamide into your routine, look out for concentration amounts. Typically, 5% niacinamide provides benefits such as fading dark spots. However, if you have sensitive skin, it is better to begin with a smaller concentration.

Niacinamide can be mixed with other ingredients to boost benefits. For instance, it has shown to be effective when used with copper, folic acid, and zinc to treat acne.

Learn more about Niacinamide
Skin Conditioning, Solvent

Butyloctyl Salicylate is similar to octisalate. It a photostabilizer, SPF booster, emollient and solvent. Its main purpose is to evenly spread out ingredients.

This ingredient is a common sunscreen ingredient carrier and photostabilizer. According to a manufacturer, it is suitable for carrying micro Titanium Dioxide, Zinc Oxide, and pigments.

Photostabilizers help stabilize UV-filters and prevents them from degrading quickly.

Due to regulation loopholes, this ingredient is not required to be labeled as an active chemical filter like other UV ingredients. This is why you'll likely find this ingredient in mineral sunscreens from the US.

According to EU regulation, this ingredient can cause harmful effects to aquatic life.

Learn more about Butyloctyl Salicylate
Humectant, Masking, Skin Conditioning

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

  • It is a solvent, meaning that it helps to dissolve other ingredients. This also enhances the absorption of the product into one's skin.
  • It is a humectant, which means that it helps attract moisture into the skin.
  • It helps improve product application.
  • It has mild preservative properties.

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

Buffering, Masking

Citric Acid is an AHA derived from citrus fruits (think oranges, lemons, and limes!).

As an AHA, Citric Acid removes the top layer of skin cells from the newer layer of skin underneath. This helps skin to remove dark spots and even out skin tone.

If you spot Citric Acid near the end of an ingredient list, it's likely there as a pH adjuster rather than an active ingredient.

Read more about some other popular AHA's here:

Learn more about Citric Acid
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
Masking, Skin Conditioning

This ingredient is an 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.

While there is an assumption Caprylic Triglyceride can clog pores due to it being derived from coconut oil, there is no research supporting this.

Learn more about Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Antimicrobial, Emollient, Skin Conditioning

C12-15 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 Benzoate

When to use

2 Routines
100% use in am
0% use in pm
50% use every day
35 Routines
97% use in am
3% use in pm
91% use every day
When to use See routines that use it ->

Reviews

Here's what our community thinks

AHC Beauty Safe On Light Sun Serum SPF50+ PA++++ 109 ingredients

Safe On Light Sun Serum SPF50+ PA++++ hasn't been rated yet.
Rate it now

Zitsticka MEGASHADE Breakout-Proof SPF 50 Serum 38 ingredients

3.5 /5
from 4 ratings
Irritating (1) Light Scent (1)
Stephen's avatar

Stephen

1 year ago
Review

Love this product, but it’s definitely not for everyone. Finish is very dewey, and there is a minor white cast (from the 3% zinc oxide) that may show on darker skin tones. Slight scent from the thyme extract (which may cause allergies for some). On the lighter side, but still has a residual feel — definitely not the feeling of “nothing.”

That said, I’ve appreciated more skincare benefits from Show more

#light scent
LadyoftheRedSensitiveSkin's avatar

Jen

7 months ago
Review

Ok at first but always caused severe eye burning and tears after about an hour. Had to stop using.

#irritating