Avène Cleanance Sun Cream SPF 50+ Versus Aclaris Theraputics Photon Sunscreen Gel SPF 50
Updated on February 11, 2025
Overview
What they are
These products are both sunscreens. They have a total of 4 ingredients in common
Cool Features
They both contain SPF and Vitamin E
Suited For
They're both likely to be good for fighting acne, anti aging, dry skin and scar healing
Free From
They both do not contain any harsh alcohols, common allergens, oils, parabens or sulfates
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
Avène Cleanance Sun Cream SPF 50+ 35 ingredients
Aclaris Theraputics Photon Sunscreen Gel SPF 50 25 ingredients
About this product
About this product
At a glance
Click on any of the items below to learn more
Avène Cleanance Sun Cream SPF 50+ 35 ingredients
Aclaris Theraputics Photon Sunscreen Gel SPF 50 25 ingredients
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate
AntimicrobialMethylene Bis-Benzotriazolyl Tetramethylbutylphenol
UV Filter
Water
Skin ConditioningDiisopropyl Adipate
EmollientIsodecyl Neopentanoate
EmollientSilica
Abrasive
Dicaprylyl Carbonate
EmollientBis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine
Skin Conditioning
Diethylhexyl Butamido Triazone
UV Absorber
Aluminum Starch Octenylsuccinate
AbsorbentButyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane
UV Absorber
Potassium Cetyl Phosphate
EmulsifyingDecyl Glucoside
Cleansing1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningC10-18 Triglycerides
Emollient
Glyceryl Laurate
Emollient
Vp/Eicosene Copolymer
Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingBenzoic Acid
Masking
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingDisodium EDTA
Parfum
Masking
Glyceryl Behenate
Emollient
Glyceryl Dibehenate
Emollient
Glyceryl Stearate
Emollient
Oxothiazolidine
Skin ProtectingPEG-100 Stearate
Propylene Glycol
Humectant
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Tocopheryl Glucoside
EmollientTribehenin
Emollient
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingZinc Gluconate
Skin Conditioning
C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate, Methylene Bis-Benzotriazolyl Tetramethylbutylphenol, Water, Diisopropyl Adipate, Isodecyl Neopentanoate, Silica, Dicaprylyl Carbonate, Bis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine, Diethylhexyl Butamido Triazone, Aluminum Starch Octenylsuccinate, Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane, Potassium Cetyl Phosphate, Decyl Glucoside, 1,2-Hexanediol, C10-18 Triglycerides, Glyceryl Laurate, Vp/Eicosene Copolymer, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Benzoic Acid, Butylene Glycol, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Disodium EDTA, Parfum, Glyceryl Behenate, Glyceryl Dibehenate, Glyceryl Stearate, Oxothiazolidine, PEG-100 Stearate, Propylene Glycol, Sodium Benzoate, Tocopherol, Tocopheryl Glucoside, Tribehenin, Xanthan Gum, Zinc Gluconate
Water
Skin ConditioningEthylhexyl Methoxycinnamate
UV Absorber
Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane
UV Absorber
Dicetyl Phosphate
EmulsifyingTitanium Dioxide
Cosmetic Colorant
Polysorbate 80
Emulsifying
Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice
Skin Conditioning
Ascorbyl Palmitate
Antioxidant
Glycerin
Humectant
Benzophenone-3
UV Absorber
Phospholipids
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
Humectant
Polymethylsilsesquioxane
Cetearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Sodium Levulinate
Skin ConditioningPotassium Sorbate
Preservative
Stearic Acid
Cleansing
Ceteth-20 Phosphate
CleansingZinc Oxide
Cosmetic Colorant
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Dimethicone Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingAllantoin
Skin Conditioning
Glutathione
Honey Extract
Humectant
Water, Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate, Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane, Dicetyl Phosphate, Titanium Dioxide, Polysorbate 80, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Ascorbyl Palmitate, Glycerin, Benzophenone-3, Phospholipids, Butylene Glycol, Polymethylsilsesquioxane, Cetearyl Alcohol, Phenoxyethanol, Sodium Levulinate, Potassium Sorbate, Stearic Acid, Ceteth-20 Phosphate, Zinc Oxide, Tocopherol, Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Allantoin, Glutathione, Honey Extract
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
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 WaterAlso known as Avobenzone, this ingredient is a chemical sunscreen filter that provides protection in the UV-A range.
Avobenzone is globally approved and is the most commonly used UV-A filter in the world.
Studies have found that avobenzone becomes ineffective when exposed to UV light (it is not photostable; meaning that it breaks down in sunlight). Because of this, formulations that include avobenzone will usually contain stabilizers such as octocrylene.
However, some modern formulations (looking at you, EU!) are able to stabilize avobenzone by coating the molecules.
Avobenzone does not protect against the UV-B range, so it's important to check that the sunscreen you're using contains other UV filters that do!
The highest concentration of avobenzone permitted is 3% in the US, and 5% in the EU.
Learn more about Butyl MethoxydibenzoylmethaneButylene 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.
Tocopherol (also known as Vitamin E) is a common antioxidant used to help protect the skin from free-radicals and strengthen the skin barrier. It's also fat soluble - this means our skin is great at absorbing it.
Vitamin E also helps keep your natural skin lipids healthy. Your lipid skin barrier naturally consists of lipids, ceramides, and fatty acids. Vitamin E offers extra protection for your skin’s lipid barrier, keeping your skin healthy and nourished.
Another benefit is a bit of UV protection. Vitamin E helps reduce the damage caused by UVB rays. (It should not replace your sunscreen). Combining it with Vitamin C can decrease sunburned cells and hyperpigmentation after UV exposure.
You might have noticed Vitamin E + C often paired together. This is because it is great at stabilizing Vitamin C. Using the two together helps increase the effectiveness of both ingredients.
There are often claims that Vitamin E can reduce/prevent scarring, but these claims haven't been confirmed by scientific research.
Learn more about TocopherolIngredient Ratings
Here's what our community thinks of the ingredients in these products.
When to use
Avène Cleanance Sun Cream SPF 50+ 35 ingredients
Aclaris Theraputics Photon Sunscreen Gel SPF 50 25 ingredients
Reviews
Here's what our community thinks
Avène Cleanance Sun Cream SPF 50+ 35 ingredients
Absolute favourite SPF - my go-to. Lightweight, sits on the skin nicely, feels great and protects me from breakouts.
Does not really sit right with my sensitive combination skin. Used it for one week, broke me out since the start, wanted to try to see if it was from it and yes. Also feels kind of heavy on the skin
