Aveeno Sensitive Skin Ultra-Light Mineral Sunscreen SPF 50 Versus Clinique City Block Sheer Oil-Free Daily Face Protector SPF 25
Overview
What they are
These products are both sunscreens. They have a total of 11 ingredients in common
Cool Features
They both contain exfoliants and SPF
Suited For
They're both likely to be good for fighting acne and sensitive skin
Free From
They both do not contain any harsh alcohols, common allergens, oils or parabens
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
Aveeno Sensitive Skin Ultra-Light Mineral Sunscreen SPF 50 19 ingredients
Clinique City Block Sheer Oil-Free Daily Face Protector SPF 25 60 ingredients
About this product
About this product
At a glance
Click on any of the items below to learn more
Aveeno Sensitive Skin Ultra-Light Mineral Sunscreen SPF 50 19 ingredients
Clinique City Block Sheer Oil-Free Daily Face Protector SPF 25 60 ingredients
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Titanium Dioxide 9%
Cosmetic Colorant
Zinc Oxide
Cosmetic Colorant
Aluminum Hydroxide
EmollientBHT
Antioxidant
Bisabolol
Masking
C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate
AntimicrobialCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientCetyl PEG/PPG-10/1 Dimethicone
Emulsifying
Dimethicone
Emollient
DMDM Hydantoin
Preservative
Magnesium Sulfate
Polyglyceryl-4 Diisostearate/Polyhydroxystearate/Sebacate
Emulsifying
PPG-12/Smdi Copolymer
EmollientSilica
Abrasive
Stearic Acid
Cleansing
Styrene/Acrylates Copolymer
Triethoxycaprylylsilane
Trisiloxane
Skin Conditioning
Water
Skin ConditioningTitanium Dioxide 9%, Zinc Oxide, Aluminum Hydroxide, BHT, Bisabolol, C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate, Caprylyl Glycol, Cetyl PEG/PPG-10/1 Dimethicone, Dimethicone, DMDM Hydantoin, Magnesium Sulfate, Polyglyceryl-4 Diisostearate/Polyhydroxystearate/Sebacate, PPG-12/Smdi Copolymer, Silica, Stearic Acid, Styrene/Acrylates Copolymer, Triethoxycaprylylsilane, Trisiloxane, Water
Titanium Dioxide 7.3%
Cosmetic Colorant
Zinc Oxide 6.9%
Cosmetic Colorant
Water
Skin ConditioningTrioctyldodecyl Citrate
EmollientButylene Glycol
Humectant
Cyclopentasiloxane
Emollient
Dimethicone
Emollient
C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate
AntimicrobialSteareth-2
EmulsifyingStearyl Heptanoate
Emollient
Silica
Abrasive
Lecithin
EmollientAmmonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer
Gentiana Lutea Root Extract
Skin ConditioningRosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialHordeum Vulgare Extract
EmollientBetula Alba Bark Extract
Masking
Cucumis Sativus Fruit Extract
EmollientLaminaria Saccharina Extract
Skin ProtectingSaccharomyces Lysate Extract
HumectantHelianthus Annuus Seedcake
Abrasive
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Sorbitan Tristearate
EmulsifyingLinoleic Acid
Cleansing
Polyquaternium-51
Skin ConditioningCaprylyl Methicone
Skin Conditioning
Sorbitol
Humectant
Sodium Rna
Skin ConditioningPEG-40 Stearate
Emulsifying
Caprylyl Glycol
EmollientTocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Phytantriol
HumectantStearic Acid
Cleansing
Hydrogenated Lecithin
EmulsifyingCellulose
AbsorbentMagnesium Ascorbyl Phosphate
Antioxidant
Stearyl Dimethicone
Emollient
Ascorbyl Tocopheryl Maleate
Antioxidant
Nordihydroguaiaretic Acid
Antioxidant
Linolenic Acid
Cleansing
Pantethine
EmollientBisabolol
Masking
Ceteth-2
EmulsifyingPEG/PPG-18/18 Dimethicone
Emulsifying
Polyglyceryl-6 Polyricinoleate
Emulsifying
Steareth-20
CleansingIsopropyl Titanium Triisostearate
Emollient
Propylene Glycol Dicaprate
EmollientSodium Stearate
CleansingNylon-12
Citric Acid
Buffering
Aluminum Hydroxide
EmollientNylon-6
Hexylene Glycol
EmulsifyingXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingDisodium EDTA
BHT
Antioxidant
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
CI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantIron Oxides
Titanium Dioxide 7.3%, Zinc Oxide 6.9%, Water, Trioctyldodecyl Citrate, Butylene Glycol, Cyclopentasiloxane, Dimethicone, C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate, Steareth-2, Stearyl Heptanoate, Silica, Lecithin, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer, Gentiana Lutea Root Extract, Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract, Hordeum Vulgare Extract, Betula Alba Bark Extract, Cucumis Sativus Fruit Extract, Laminaria Saccharina Extract, Saccharomyces Lysate Extract, Helianthus Annuus Seedcake, Sodium Hyaluronate, Sorbitan Tristearate, Linoleic Acid, Polyquaternium-51, Caprylyl Methicone, Sorbitol, Sodium Rna, PEG-40 Stearate, Caprylyl Glycol, Tocopheryl Acetate, Phytantriol, Stearic Acid, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Cellulose, Magnesium Ascorbyl Phosphate, Stearyl Dimethicone, Ascorbyl Tocopheryl Maleate, Nordihydroguaiaretic Acid, Linolenic Acid, Pantethine, Bisabolol, Ceteth-2, PEG/PPG-18/18 Dimethicone, Polyglyceryl-6 Polyricinoleate, Steareth-20, Isopropyl Titanium Triisostearate, Propylene Glycol Dicaprate, Sodium Stearate, Nylon-12, Citric Acid, Aluminum Hydroxide, Nylon-6, Hexylene Glycol, Xanthan Gum, Disodium EDTA, BHT, Phenoxyethanol, CI 77891, Iron Oxides
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Titanium dioxide is known for its UVA and UVB protection properties. It is non-comedogenic and non-irritating. Titanium Dioxide is a physical sunscreen. Physical sunscreens reflect light and prevent it from reaching your skin.
Protecting your skin against UV radiation can prevent the signs of aging. Sun damage is associated with fine-lines, wrinkles, loss of firmness, and hyperpigmentation. Titanium dioxide can help prevent premature aging.
With modern production, nano-scale or fine-grade titanium dioxide can be easily produced for cosmetics. In sunscreen, titanium dioxide absorbs UV light. Our skin is not able to absorb Titanium dioxide, even nanoparticles.
Titanium itself is the 9th most common element in the Earth's crust. Titanium dioxide is formed when oxygen is introduced and can be found in ores, dust, sand, and soil.
Pure titanium dioxide is a white powder that is used in many products to add or change color.
Learn more about Titanium DioxideZinc Oxide is a mineral broad-spectrum UV filter; it is the broadest UVA and UVB reflector approved by the FDA. While it is most commonly man-made for cosmetics, it can naturally occur in zincite, a rare mineral.
Today, traditional and nano-sized zinc oxide can be found in beauty products. Nano-sized zinc oxide can enhance a product's UV protection. While it is not believed to have a negative effect on skin, nano-zinc oxide may be harmful to coral reefs - though the verdict is not entirely out on this one.
Zinc Oxide also has antibacterial and calming properties. It is not water soluble.
Zinc has been used throughout history as an ingredient in paint and medicine. An Indian text from 500BC is believed to list zinc oxide as a salve for open wound. The Ancient Greek physician Dioscorides has also mentioned the use of zinc as an ointment in 1AD.
Learn more about Zinc OxideAluminum Hydroxide is a form of aluminum. It can be naturally found in nature as the mineral gibbsite. In cosmetics, Aluminum Hydroxide is used as a colorant, pH adjuster, and absorbent.
As a colorant, Aluminum Hydroxide may add opacity, or reduce the transparency. Aluminum hydroxide is contains both basic and acidic properties.
According to manufacturers, this ingredient is an emollient and humectant. This means it helps hydrate the skin.
In medicine, this ingredient is used to help relieve heartburn and help heal ulcers.
There is currently no credible scientific evidence linking aluminum hydroxide in cosmetics to increased cancer risk.
Major health organizations allow the use of aluminum hydroxide in personal care products and have not flagged it as a carcinogenic risk at typical usage levels.
Learn more about Aluminum HydroxideBHT is a synthetic antioxidant and preservative.
As an antioxidant, it helps your body fight off free-radicals. Free-radicals are molecules that may damage your skin cells.
As a preservative, it is used to stabilize products and prevent them from degrading. Specifically, BHT prevents degradation from oxidation.
The concerns related to BHT come from oral studies; this ingredient is currently allowed for use by both the FDA and EU.
However, it was recently restricted for use in the UK as of April 2024.
Learn more about BHTBisabolol 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 BisabololC12-15 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 BenzoateCaprylyl Glycol is a humectant and emollient, meaning it attracts and preserves moisture.
It is a common ingredient in many products, especially those designed to hydrate skin. The primary benefits are retaining moisture, skin softening, and promoting a healthy skin barrier.
Though Caprylyl Glycol is an alcohol derived from fatty acids, it is not the kind that can dry out skin.
This ingredient is also used as a preservative to extend the life of products. It has slight antimicrobial properties.
Learn more about Caprylyl GlycolDimethicone 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 DimethiconeSilica is a mineral naturally found in our skin. It helps to thicken and smooth the texture of a product. It also acts as an agent for other ingredients by increasing the absorption of other ingredients into the skin.
Silica is often used for absorption and can help reduce shine when products are applied. Silica occurs in naturally in materials like clay and sandstone, and it can also be produced synthetically.
Silica is present naturally within the skin during collagen production and when reducing inflammation.
Learn more about SilicaStearic Acid is a fatty acid. It is an emollient, emulsifier, and texture enhancer.
As an emollient, stearic acid helps soften skin. It aids the skin's protective barrier by preventing water loss. It also provides a gentle cleansing effect without stripping away natural oils.
Stearic acid may also be used to enhance the texture of products. It can add volume and stabilize ingredients such as water and oil. This can help water and oil ingredients from separating.
Sources of stearic acid include animal or vegetable fats/oils such as coconut or shea. It can be naturally found in butter, cocoa butter, shea butter, vegetable fats, and animal tallow.
This ingredient may not be Malassezia folliculitis, or fungal-acne safe.
Learn more about Stearic AcidWater. 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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