Versus

Aveeno Positively Mineral Sensitive Skin Sunscreen - SPF 50 Versus Biore UV Aqua Rich Watery Essence SPF 50+ PA++++ - Japan

Sunscreen
Sunscreen
American Brand United States
Japanese Brand Japan

Updated on November 06, 2024

Overview

What they are

These products are both sunscreens. They have a total of 6 ingredients in common

Cool Features

They both contain SPF

Suited For

They're both likely to be good for dry skin, brightening skin and scar healing

Free From

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

What's Inside

They both contain 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

What's inside (and what isn't)

What's inside (and what isn't)

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
UV Aqua Rich Watery Essence SPF 50+ PA++++

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
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
Emollient, Skin Conditioning, Skin Protecting

Dimethicone 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 Dimethicone
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
Preservative

Phenoxyethanol 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.

Emollient, Emulsifying

Glyceryl Behenate is a fatty acid created from glycerin and behenic acid. It is an emollient and emulsifier.

This ingredient may not be Malassezia folliculitis, or fungal acne safe.

When to use

28 Routines
96% use in am
4% use in pm
96% use every day
When to use See routines that use it ->
492 Routines
98% use in am
2% use in pm
96% use every day
When to use See routines that use it ->

Reviews

Here's what our community thinks

Aveeno Positively Mineral Sensitive Skin Sunscreen - SPF 50 25 ingredients

1.5 /5
from 2 ratings
Heavy (2) Broke Me Out (1) Doesn't Work (1)
MaishaMaliha's avatar

Maisha

5 months ago
Review

Product review:
Way too much white cast but this one is better than the Protect + Hydrate Sunscreen Broad Spectrum Sunscreen from Aveeno. Also, it breaks me out and gives me whiteheads. and Irritates my eczema so I had to stop using it.

My skin:
Eczmea on the forehead, fungal acne, milia, hyperpigmentation, dark spots, and normal to combination skin.

#broke me out
#irritating
#heavy
#sticky
anonymous3's avatar

A Nonymous

7 months ago
Review

I am one of the whitest caucasians probably in the world besides people with albinism. This sunscreen made me look like I was cosplaying as Casper the ghost. Do not recommend lol

#heavy
#doesn't work

Biore UV Aqua Rich Watery Essence SPF 50+ PA++++ 37 ingredients

3.2 /5
from 15 ratings
Absorbs Well (12) Strong Scent (9) Light (8)
Shayan's avatar

Shayan

4 months ago
Review

Used the 2017 version and the latest version. All signs point to me hating this sunscreen (alcohol, fragrance etc) but it’s just so good. The texture is unbeatable, it looks so nice on, and layers well throughout the day. Love that it comes in a bigger size these days.

#great value
#hydrating
#absorbs well
#strong scent
phoebe1's avatar

Phoebe

10 months ago
Review

I’ve been using this for a year and a half and it’s my favorite sunscreen. Absorbs into skin quickly, and when applied every two hours I’ve never ever gotten burned. Doesn’t irritate my sensitive acne prone skin and doesn’t make me feel greasy.

#great value
#light
#absorbs well
#light scent