Avène Very High Protection Cleanance SPF 50+ Versus Cetaphil Sun SPF 50 Light Gel

See how these products line up with your preferences

Here's our complete breakdown comparing the ingredients, attributes, and more of Avène Very High Protection Cleanance SPF 50+ versus Cetaphil Sun SPF 50 Light Gel .

Last updated on January 01, 2024. Published on December 19, 2021

Overview

What they are

These products are both sunscreens. They have a total of 9 ingredients in common

Cool Features

They both contain exfoliants, SPF and Vitamin E

Suited For

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

Free From

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

We independently verify ingredients, and our claims are backed by peer-reviewed research. Spot a product that need an update? Let us know.

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Avène Very High Protection Cleanance SPF 50+

Cetaphil Sun SPF 50 Light Gel

Sunscreen French Brand France

Sunscreen American Brand United States

Sunscreen

Sunscreens help absorb or reflect UV radiation and protect skin against skin damage. Sunscreens may come in the form of lotion, gel, foam, spray, or solid-stick.

Sunscreen

Sunscreens help absorb or reflect UV radiation and protect skin against skin damage. Sunscreens may come in the form of lotion, gel, foam, spray, or solid-stick.

Price

Shop

Buy Very High Protection Cleanance SPF 50+

Shop

Buy Sun SPF 50 Light Gel

Ingredient Info

Click any item below to learn more and view relevant ingredients.

Avène Very High Protection Cleanance SPF 50+ 34 ingredients

Cetaphil Sun SPF 50 Light Gel 23 ingredients

alcohol-free

silicon-free

fragrance-free

sulfate-free

paraben-free

oil-free

fungal-acne safe

reef-safe

eu-allergen-free

vegan

cruelty-free

spf rating

alcohol-free

silicon-free

fragrance-free

sulfate-free

paraben-free

oil-free

fungal-acne safe

reef-safe

eu-allergen-free

vegan

cruelty-free

spf rating

At a glance

Click on any of the items below to learn more

Avène Very High Protection Cleanance SPF 50+ 34 ingredients

Cetaphil Sun SPF 50 Light Gel 23 ingredients

Notable Ingredients

Chemical UV Filter (4)

Mineral UV Filter

Vitamin E

Exfoliators

Benefits

Hydrating

Anti-Aging

Scar Healing

Brightening

Concerns

Irritating (2)

Rosacea (3)

Eczema (4)

Notable Ingredients

Chemical UV Filter (5)

Mineral UV Filter (2)

Vitamin E

Exfoliators

Benefits

Hydrating

Anti-Aging

Scar Healing

Brightening

Concerns

Drying

May Worsen Oily Skin

Irritating (3)

Rosacea (2)

Eczema (3)

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Ingredients Compared

Ingredients that are highlighted in purple are present in both products.

Avène Very High Protection Cleanance SPF 50+ 34 ingredients

Cetaphil Sun SPF 50 Light Gel 23 ingredients

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 • 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

Ingredients Side-by-side

Ingredients that are highlighted in purple are present in both products.

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Ingredients Explained

These ingredients are found in both products.

Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.

C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate

What it does: Antimicrobial, Emollient, Skin Conditioning

Community Rating: Disliked

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

Avène Very High Protection Cleanance SPF 50+ contains this as ingredient number 1.

Cetaphil Sun SPF 50 Light Gel contains this as ingredient number 4.

Methylene Bis-Benzotriazolyl Tetramethylbutylphenol

What it does: UV Filter

Community Rating: Liked

Methylene Bis-Benzotriazolyl Tetramethylbutylphenol (Tinosorb M) is a hybrid and broad-spectrum UV ingredient. It is both a UV absorber and filter.

UV absorbers are an agent that absorbs UV rays. They protect your skin by using chemical reactions to convert UV rays into heat and energy. UV filters physically reduce the amount of UV rays from reaching your skin.

Tinosorb M covers a range of 280-400 nm and is photostable. This ingredient is neither oil or water soluble.

Tinosorb M, similarly to Tinosorb S, is not available in the US. However, it is available in the EU and Asia.

Learn more about Methylene Bis-Benzotriazolyl Tetramethylbutylphenol

Avène Very High Protection Cleanance SPF 50+ contains this as ingredient number 2.

Cetaphil Sun SPF 50 Light Gel contains this as ingredient number 12.

Water

What it does: Skin Conditioning, Solvent

Community Rating: Loved

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. Talk about multi-purpose! If you see this, drink a glass of water. Stay hydrated!

Learn more about Water

Avène Very High Protection Cleanance SPF 50+ contains this as ingredient number 3.

Cetaphil Sun SPF 50 Light Gel contains this as ingredient number 1.

Silica

What it does: Abrasive, Absorbent

Community Rating: Disliked

Silica 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 Silica

Avène Very High Protection Cleanance SPF 50+ contains this as ingredient number 6.

Cetaphil Sun SPF 50 Light Gel contains this as ingredient number 15.

Bis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine

What it does: Skin Conditioning, UV Absorber, UV Filter

Community Rating: Liked

You might know this ingredient as Tinosorb S or Bemotrizinol. It is a UV filter that covers both UVA and UVB rays.

Bemotrizinol has two peak UV absorption peaks ( 310 and 340 nm) and is able to absorb both UV-A and UV-B rays. Skin exposed to UV causes free-radical molecules to form. This ingredient works by preventing the UV from reaching your skin.

It is highly photostable and helps prevent the photodegration of other sunscreen ingredients such as avobenzone.

Bemotrizinol is not approved in the US but is allowed in the EU, Australia, and Asia.

In fact, it is the most effective UV absorber at maximum concentration (measured by SPF) permitted by in the EU.

It is oil-soluble.

Learn more about Bis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine

Avène Very High Protection Cleanance SPF 50+ contains this as ingredient number 8.

Cetaphil Sun SPF 50 Light Gel contains this as ingredient number 6.

Decyl Glucoside

What it does: Cleansing, Emulsion Stabilising

Community Rating: Mixed

Decyl Glucoside is a glucose-based surfactant. Surfactants help clean the skin by trapping oil, sebum, and dirt to be washed away.

It is created by reacting glucose with the fatty acids from plants.

Decyl Glucoside also helps stabilize the ingredients in a product by preventing them from separating.

This ingredient is biodegradable and non-toxic. This ingredient is commonly found in baby shampoos.

Decyl Glucoside is sometimes used to stabilize the UV filter Tinosorb.

Learn more about Decyl Glucoside

Avène Very High Protection Cleanance SPF 50+ contains this as ingredient number 12.

Cetaphil Sun SPF 50 Light Gel contains this as ingredient number 16.

Propylene Glycol

What it does: Humectant, Skin Conditioning, Solvent

Community Rating: Very Disliked

Propylene Glycol is an odorless, colorless liquid. As a humectant, it helps skin retain moisture. It also aids in delivering active ingredients.

Another role of this ingredient is preventing a product from melting or freezing. Propylene glycol also adds antimicrobrial properties to a product, elongating product lifespan.

This ingredient is considered an organic alcohol and commonly added into both cosmetics and foods.

Those with sensitive skin or conditions may deliver a rash when using this ingredient.

Learn more about Propylene Glycol

Avène Very High Protection Cleanance SPF 50+ contains this as ingredient number 28.

Cetaphil Sun SPF 50 Light Gel contains this as ingredient number 23.

Tocopherol

What it does: Antioxidant, Masking, Skin Conditioning

Community Rating: Liked

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 Tocopherol

Avène Very High Protection Cleanance SPF 50+ contains this as ingredient number 30.

Cetaphil Sun SPF 50 Light Gel contains this as ingredient number 13.

Xanthan Gum

What it does: Emulsifying, Emulsion Stabilising, Gel Forming, Skin Conditioning

Community Rating: Disliked

Xanthan 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

Avène Very High Protection Cleanance SPF 50+ contains this as ingredient number 33.

Cetaphil Sun SPF 50 Light Gel contains this as ingredient number 18.

Here's what our community thinks of the ingredients in these two products.