Amaterasun Acne Sunscreen SPF 40 Versus SKIN1004 Madagascar Centella Air-Fit Suncream Light SPF 30 PA++++
This chemical sunscreen covers the full UV range and blocks ~98% of UVB at SPF 40.
This mineral sunscreen covers the full UV range and blocks ~97% of UVB at SPF 30.
What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningAloe Barbadensis Leaf Water
MaskingEthylhexyl Methoxycinnamate
UV Absorber
Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
Antimicrobial
Silica
Abrasive
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Glycerin
Humectant
Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane
UV Absorber
Dibutyl Adipate
EmollientEthylhexyl Salicylate
UV Absorber
Octocrylene
UV Absorber
Pentylene Glycol
Skin Conditioning
Methylene Bis-Benzotriazolyl Tetramethylbutylphenol
UV Filter
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate
AntimicrobialCaprylyl Methicone
Skin Conditioning
Diisopropyl Adipate
EmollientMethyl Methacrylate Crosspolymer
Panthenol
Skin Conditioning
Salix Alba Bark Extract
Astringent
Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialBrassica Oleracea Italica Extract
AstringentAloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract
Emollient
Solanum Lycopersicum Fruit Extract
Antioxidant
Ethyl Ferulate
Antioxidant
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Bioflavonoids
Skin ConditioningHelianthus Annuus Seed Oil
Emollient
Polyglyceryl-3 Methylglucose Distearate
Emulsifying
Behenyl Alcohol
Emollient
Sodium Acrylates Crosspolymer-2
AbsorbentAcrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingHydroxyacetophenone
Antioxidant
Poly C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate
Emulsion StabilisingTromethamine
BufferingDecyl Glucoside
Cleansing
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningPropanediol
Solvent
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingBHT
Antioxidant
Ethyl Hexanediol
SolventWater, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Water, Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Silica, Butylene Glycol, Glycerin, Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane, Dibutyl Adipate, Ethylhexyl Salicylate, Octocrylene, Pentylene Glycol, Methylene Bis-Benzotriazolyl Tetramethylbutylphenol, 1,2-Hexanediol, C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate, Caprylyl Methicone, Diisopropyl Adipate, Methyl Methacrylate Crosspolymer, Panthenol, Salix Alba Bark Extract, Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract, Brassica Oleracea Italica Extract, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract, Solanum Lycopersicum Fruit Extract, Ethyl Ferulate, Tocopherol, Bioflavonoids, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Polyglyceryl-3 Methylglucose Distearate, Behenyl Alcohol, Sodium Acrylates Crosspolymer-2, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Hydroxyacetophenone, Poly C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate, Tromethamine, Decyl Glucoside, Phenoxyethanol, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer, Ethylhexylglycerin, Propanediol, Xanthan Gum, BHT, Ethyl Hexanediol
Water
Skin ConditioningZinc Oxide
Cosmetic Colorant
Propanediol
Solvent
Dicaprylyl Carbonate
EmollientButylene Glycol
Humectant
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Benzotriazolyl Dodecyl P-Cresol
UV AbsorberCentella Asiatica Extract
Cleansing
Polyglyceryl-3 Distearate
Emulsifying
Niacinamide
Smoothing
Caprylyl Methicone
Skin Conditioning
C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate
Antimicrobial1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Pentylene Glycol
Skin Conditioning
Cetearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Portulaca Oleracea Extract
Skin Conditioning
Houttuynia Cordata Extract
Skin Conditioning
Polyhydroxystearic Acid
Emulsifying
Glyceryl Stearate
Emollient
Hydrolyzed Jojoba Esters
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Polyacryloyldimethyl Taurate
Emulsion StabilisingTriethoxycaprylylsilane
Glyceryl Stearate Citrate
Emollient
Polyacrylate Crosspolymer-6
Emulsion StabilisingMethylpropanediol
SolventEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingAdenosine
Skin Conditioning
Polyether-1
T-Butyl Alcohol
Perfuming
Biosaccharide Gum-1
Humectant
Madecassic Acid
Skin Conditioning
Asiaticoside
Antioxidant
Asiatic Acid
Skin Conditioning
Water, Zinc Oxide, Propanediol, Dicaprylyl Carbonate, Butylene Glycol, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Benzotriazolyl Dodecyl P-Cresol, Centella Asiatica Extract, Polyglyceryl-3 Distearate, Niacinamide, Caprylyl Methicone, C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate, 1,2-Hexanediol, Pentylene Glycol, Cetearyl Alcohol, Portulaca Oleracea Extract, Houttuynia Cordata Extract, Polyhydroxystearic Acid, Glyceryl Stearate, Hydrolyzed Jojoba Esters, Sodium Polyacryloyldimethyl Taurate, Triethoxycaprylylsilane, Glyceryl Stearate Citrate, Polyacrylate Crosspolymer-6, Methylpropanediol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Xanthan Gum, Adenosine, Polyether-1, T-Butyl Alcohol, Biosaccharide Gum-1, Madecassic Acid, Asiaticoside, Asiatic Acid
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
1,2-Hexanediol is a synthetic liquid and another multi-functional powerhouse.
It is a:
- Humectant, drawing moisture into the skin
- Emollient, helping to soften skin
- Solvent, dispersing and stabilizing formulas
- Preservative booster, enhancing the antimicrobial activity of other preservatives
Butylene 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 GlycolC12-15 Alkyl Benzoate is a lightweight emollient made by combinig benzoic acid with fatty alcohols that are 12-15 carbons long.
In cosmetics, it plays several roles:
The Cosmetic Review Expert Panel has concluded the alkyl benzoate group to be safe as used in cosmetics; it wasn't found to be a skin irritant and unlikely to be absorbed due to its low water solubility.
This report recorded almost 1000 reported uses with concentrations up to 59% in leave-on products but your cosmetics will typically use 0.5-15% depending on the product.
It's often called a "SPF booster": this is because it keeps UV filters properly dissolved and evenly distributed to support a sunscreen's performance. It doesn't actually raise SPF on its own.
Overall, this ingredient is well tolerated.
This ingredient is fungal acne safe because it is an ester of benzoic acid.
Think of this ingredient as two parts stuck together: an oily part and an acid part. Malassezia only gets a meal when it can snip off a fatty acid to eat. With C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate, the acid part is benzoic acid, which isn't a fatty acid and which the yeast can't use as food.
Benzoic acid is actually used as a preservative to stop yeast from growing.
The oily part is a blend of C12-15 fatty alcohols but fatty alcohols in this size range can support only a little Malassezia growth (mostly for one species of Malassezia as well).
In the ingredient, those alcohols stay locked inside the molecule. The yeast can only reach them by snipping the benzoate bond, and that type of bond is harder for it to cut than a normal fatty bond.
So not much gets released. And whatever does get snipped comes packaged with benzoic acid, which discourages yeast growth.
Learn more about C12-15 Alkyl BenzoateCaprylyl Methicone is a synthetic and lightweight silicone fluid. It gives products a silky, dry-touch finish without the heaviness of pure oils.
Though the EU CosIng Database lists this ingredient as a skin conditioner, it is also used for sensory reasons. It spreads easily, cuts greasiness, and reduces tackiness.
This ingredient is volatile which means it will mostly evaporate (but it evaporates slower than older cyclomethicones, like Cyclotetrasiloxane).
Typical concentration ranges from 1-30% depending on if it's being used to tweak the feel of a product or acting as the main emollient.
Learn more about Caprylyl MethiconeEthylhexylglycerin is created from glycerin. It is a multitasker ingredient that:
The CIR Expert Panel found minimal skin absorption or sensitization of any kind in a safety assessment. Though this ingredient is considered well-tolerated, a small number of cases of allergic dermatitis have been published since 2002. Just be sure to patch test if you are unsure.
Industry-reported use ranges from 8% in rinse-off products and 2% in leave-on formulations.
Learn more about EthylhexylglycerinPentylene Glycol (1,2-pentanediol) is a multitasking little diol with three main roles in a formula:
Research on alkanediols (the family pentylene glycol belongs to) show they work by disrupting microbial cell membranes. This disruption helps the primary preservative system in a product work more effectively at lower doses.
On the safety side, the Cosmetic Ingredient Review Expert Panel has concluded this ingredient to be safe as used in current cosmetic practices + concentrations.
Typical use levels in a formula run about 1-5%.
Learn more about Pentylene GlycolPropanediol 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 PropanediolWater. 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
