Avène Hydrance BB-Light Tinted Hydrating Emulsion SPF 30 Versus Avène Day Protector UV EX SPF 30 PA+++
What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningC12-15 Alkyl Benzoate
AntimicrobialDicaprylyl Carbonate
EmollientGlycerin
Humectant
Methylene Bis-Benzotriazolyl Tetramethylbutylphenol
UV Filter
Bis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine
Skin Conditioning
Diethylhexyl Butamido Triazone
UV Absorber
Diisopropyl Adipate
EmollientMethyl Gluceth-20
Humectant
Silica
Abrasive
CI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantButyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane
UV Absorber
Zea Mays Starch
Absorbent
Mica
Cosmetic ColorantIsocetyl Stearoyl Stearate
Emollient
Triethylhexanoin
MaskingGlyceryl Stearate
Emollient
PEG-100 Stearate
Potassium Cetyl Phosphate
EmulsifyingBenzoic Acid
Masking
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Decyl Glucoside
Cleansing
Disodium EDTA
Parfum
Masking
Glyceryl Behenate
Emollient
Glyceryl Dibehenate
Emollient
Hydrogenated Starch Hydrolysate
HumectantCI 77492
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77491
Cosmetic ColorantPhytosterols
Skin Conditioning
Polyacrylate-13
Polyisobutene
Polysorbate 20
Emulsifying
Propylene Glycol
Humectant
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingSorbitan Isostearate
Emulsifying
Stearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Tocopheryl Glucoside
EmollientTribehenin
Emollient
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingWater, C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate, Dicaprylyl Carbonate, Glycerin, Methylene Bis-Benzotriazolyl Tetramethylbutylphenol, Bis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine, Diethylhexyl Butamido Triazone, Diisopropyl Adipate, Methyl Gluceth-20, Silica, CI 77891, Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane, Zea Mays Starch, Mica, Isocetyl Stearoyl Stearate, Triethylhexanoin, Glyceryl Stearate, PEG-100 Stearate, Potassium Cetyl Phosphate, Benzoic Acid, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Caprylyl Glycol, Decyl Glucoside, Disodium EDTA, Parfum, Glyceryl Behenate, Glyceryl Dibehenate, Hydrogenated Starch Hydrolysate, CI 77492, CI 77491, Phytosterols, Polyacrylate-13, Polyisobutene, Polysorbate 20, Propylene Glycol, Sodium Hydroxide, Sorbitan Isostearate, Stearyl Alcohol, Tocopherol, Tocopheryl Glucoside, Tribehenin, Xanthan Gum
Water
Skin ConditioningEthylhexyl Methoxycinnamate
UV Absorber
Octocrylene
UV Absorber
Bis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine
Skin Conditioning
Cyclomethicone
Emollient
Aluminum Starch Octenylsuccinate
Absorbent
Polymethyl Methacrylate
Potassium Cetyl Phosphate
EmulsifyingBenzoic Acid
Masking
Beta-Sitosterol
Emulsion Stabilising
BHT
Antioxidant
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Carbomer
Emulsion StabilisingChlorphenesin
Antimicrobial
Disodium EDTA
Glycerin
Humectant
Glycine Soja Seed Extract
Skin Conditioning
Hydrogenated Coco-Glycerides
Emollient
Lecithin
Emollient
PEG-32
HumectantPEG-400
Emulsion StabilisingPhenoxyethanol
Preservative
Poloxamer 188
EmulsifyingSodium Chondroitin Sulfate
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingTocopheryl Glucoside
EmollientXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingWater, Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate, Octocrylene, Bis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine, Cyclomethicone, Aluminum Starch Octenylsuccinate, Polymethyl Methacrylate, Potassium Cetyl Phosphate, Benzoic Acid, Beta-Sitosterol, BHT, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Carbomer, Chlorphenesin, Disodium EDTA, Glycerin, Glycine Soja Seed Extract, Hydrogenated Coco-Glycerides, Lecithin, PEG-32, PEG-400, Phenoxyethanol, Poloxamer 188, Sodium Chondroitin Sulfate, Sodium Hydroxide, Tocopheryl Glucoside, Xanthan Gum
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Benzoic Acid is used to preserve and adjust the pH of products.
The antimicrobial property of Benzoic Acid helps elongate a product's shelf life. Its main role is to reduce fungi growth and is not found to be effective at fighting bacteria. Therefore Benzoic Acid is always added along with other preservatives.
In its pure form, Benzoic Acid looks like a white crystalline solid. It has slight solubility in water.
The name of Benzoic Acid comes from gum benzoin, which used to be the sole source of deriving this ingredient. Benzoic Acid is the most simple aromatic carboxylic acid.
Benzoic Acid is naturally occuring in strawberries, mustard, cinnamon, and cloves. It has a slight scent but is not considered to be a fragrance.
Learn more about Benzoic AcidYou might know this ingredient as Tinosorb S or Bemotrizinol. It is a UV filter that covers both UVA and UVB rays.
This ingredient has two peak UV absorption peaks ( 310 and 340 nm) and is able to absorb both UV-A and UV-B rays. This ingredient works by preventing UV rays from reaching and damaging your skin.
On top of that - it is highly photostable and helps prevent the photodegration of other sunscreen ingredients such as avobenzone.
Tinosorb S is allowed in the EU, Australia, and Asia. It is close to being approved by the FDA and we'll hopefully get this ingredient in the U.S. by late 2026.
Fun fact: Tinosorb S is the most effective UV absorber at maximum concentration (measured by SPF) permitted in the EU.
This ingredient is oil-soluble, so your oil-cleansers will take this right off at night.
Learn more about Bis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl TriazineThis ingredient is a lightweight 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. Though it behaves like an oil, it is not technically one due to its chemical composition. It is very stable, resistant to oxidation, and unlikely to go rancid. In practice, that translates to a long shelf life and a consistently elegant skin feel.
While there is an assumption Caprylic Triglyceride can clog pores due to it being derived from coconut oil, there is no research supporting this. Be sure to patch test if you have concerns.
Fractionated coconut oil and MCT Oil are both listed as Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride according to INCI. This is because INCI names are based on the ingredient’s final chemical composition and not its marketing name or source.
Learn more about Caprylic/Capric TriglycerideDisodium EDTA is a chelating agent. It grabs onto and deactivates metal ions that sneak into your products from water, packaging, or air.
This ingredient mainly works behind the scenes and helps with:
On top of that, this ingredient can counteract the effects of hard water by binding to the minerals in it.
One thing worth knowing is that Disodium EDTA has been shown to be a mild penetration enhancer. It can help other ingredients absorb into skin more effectively which can be a double-edged sword (great for actives, but can also make the active too strong if you have sensitive skin).
Clinical patch testing showed no significant skin irritation at typical use concentrations and minimal dermal absorption.
You'll most likely see this ingredient near the end of an ingredient list. It's typically found in concentrations less than 1%.
Learn more about Disodium EDTAGlycerin (or glycerol) is a compound naturally found in your skin. It's a powerhouse humectant that pulls water into the stratum corneum.
Topically, glycerin does several things at once:
Your skin makes glycerin on its own (mostly from sebaceous oil breakdown) and shuttles it to your outermost layer of skin, or your epidermis, via aquaporin-3.
Aquaporin-3 is a transporter that is essential for normal skin hydration, elasticity, and repair. Interestingly, mice lacking in AQP3 have dry and less elastic skin that can be fully corrected with glycerin.
This ingredient is non-irritating, plays well with almost every ingredient, and works across all skin types. Typical use is anywhere between 3-10% but can go up to 79% in some leave-on products.
Just know very high concentrations (>40%) can feel tacky in low humidity.
Glycerin is the name for this ingredient in American English. British English uses Glycerol/Glycerine.
Learn more about GlycerinPotassium Cetyl Phosphate is the potassium salt of a mixture. This mixture consists of the esters from phosphoricacid and cetyl alcohol.
Potassium Cetyl Phosphate is an emulsifier and cleansing agent. Emulsifiers help stabilize a product. It does this by preventing certain ingredients from separating.
As a cleansing agent, Potassium Cetyl Phosphate helps gather oils, dirts, and pollutants from your skin. This makes it easier to rinse them away with water.
Learn more about Potassium Cetyl PhosphateSodium Hydroxide is also known as lye or caustic soda. It is used to adjust the pH of products; many ingredients require a specific pH to be effective.
In small amounts, sodium hydroxide is considered safe to use. However, large amounts may cause chemical burns due to its high alkaline.
Your skin has a natural pH and acid mantle. This acid mantle helps prevent harmful bacteria from breaking through. The acid mantle also helps keep your skin hydrated.
"Alkaline" refers to a high pH level. A low pH level would be considered acidic.
Learn more about Sodium HydroxideWe don't have a description for Tocopheryl Glucoside yet.
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. 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
