BABE Laboratorios Super Fluid Sunscreen Mattifying SPF 50 Versus Bioderma Photoderm XDefense Ultra-Fluid SPF 50+ Invisible
This chemical sunscreen covers the full UV range and blocks ~98% of UVB at SPF 50.
This sunscreen offers SPF 50 protection with a lightweight finish.
What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningDicaprylyl Carbonate
EmollientEthylhexyl Methoxycinnamate
UV AbsorberPropanediol
SolventSilica
AbrasiveNiacinamide
SmoothingDibutyl Adipate
EmollientButyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane
UV AbsorberEthylhexyl Triazone
UV AbsorberBis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine
UV AbsorberC20-22 Alkyl Phosphate
EmulsifyingC20-22 Alcohols
Emulsion StabilisingBenzotriazolyl Dodecyl P-Cresol
UV AbsorberCarnosine
Skin ConditioningTocopherol
AntioxidantParfum
MaskingCaprylyl/Capryl Glucoside
Cleansing1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningSodium Gluconate
ChelatingXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingPolyacrylate Crosspolymer-6
Emulsion StabilisingBHT
AntioxidantSodium Hydroxide
BufferingO-Cymen-5-Ol
AntimicrobialWater, Dicaprylyl Carbonate, Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate, Propanediol, Silica, Niacinamide, Dibutyl Adipate, Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane, Ethylhexyl Triazone, Bis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine, C20-22 Alkyl Phosphate, C20-22 Alcohols, Benzotriazolyl Dodecyl P-Cresol, Carnosine, Tocopherol, Parfum, Caprylyl/Capryl Glucoside, 1,2-Hexanediol, Sodium Gluconate, Xanthan Gum, Polyacrylate Crosspolymer-6, BHT, Sodium Hydroxide, O-Cymen-5-Ol
Water
Skin ConditioningC12-15 Alkyl Benzoate
AntimicrobialSilica
AbrasiveGlycerin
HumectantEthylhexyl Methoxycrylene
Skin ConditioningDiisopropyl Sebacate
EmollientLauroyl Lysine
Skin ConditioningPropanediol
SolventDicaprylyl Carbonate
Emollient1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningPolysorbate 60
EmulsifyingCetyl Phosphate
EmulsifyingArginine
MaskingBentonite
AbsorbentCitric Acid
BufferingEctoin
Skin ConditioningMannitol
HumectantMethoxyphenylimino Dimethylcyclohexene Glycine
AntioxidantSodium Phytate
ChelatingXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingXylitol
HumectantRhamnose
HumectantBiosaccharide Gum-4
Skin ConditioningTrimethoxybenzyl Acetylsinapate
BleachingSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantTocopherol
AntioxidantParfum
MaskingHydroxyacetophenone
AntioxidantWater, C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate, Silica, Glycerin, Ethylhexyl Methoxycrylene, Diisopropyl Sebacate, Lauroyl Lysine, Propanediol, Dicaprylyl Carbonate, 1,2-Hexanediol, Polysorbate 60, Cetyl Phosphate, Arginine, Bentonite, Citric Acid, Ectoin, Mannitol, Methoxyphenylimino Dimethylcyclohexene Glycine, Sodium Phytate, Xanthan Gum, Xylitol, Rhamnose, Biosaccharide Gum-4, Trimethoxybenzyl Acetylsinapate, Sodium Hyaluronate, Tocopherol, Parfum, Hydroxyacetophenone
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
1,2-Hexanediol is a synthetic liquid and another multi-functional powerhouse.
It is a:
- Humectant, drawing moisture into the skin
- Emollient, helping to soften skin
- Solvent, dispersing and stabilizing formulas
- Preservative booster, enhancing the antimicrobial activity of other preservatives
Dicaprylyl Carbonate comes from carbonic acid and caprylyl alcohol, a fatty alcohol. It is an emollient and gives skin a velvet feel. The sources of Dicaprylyl Carbonate may be synthetic or from animals.
As an emollient, Dicaprylyl Carbonate creates a film on the skin. This film traps moisture in, keeping your skin soft and hydrated.
Parfum is a catch-all term for an ingredient or more that is used to give a scent to products.
Also called "fragrance", this ingredient can be a blend of hundreds of chemicals or plant oils. This means every product with "fragrance" or "parfum" in the ingredients list is a different mixture.
For instance, Habanolide is a proprietary trade name for a specific aroma chemical. When used as a fragrance ingredient in cosmetics, most aroma chemicals fall under the broad labeling category of “FRAGRANCE” or “PARFUM” according to EU and US regulations.
The term 'parfum' or 'fragrance' is not regulated in many countries. In many cases, it is up to the brand to define this term.
For instance, many brands choose to label themselves as "fragrance-free" because they are not using synthetic fragrances. However, their products may still contain ingredients such as essential oils that are considered a fragrance by INCI standards.
One example is Calendula flower extract. Calendula is an essential oil that still imparts a scent or 'fragrance'.
Depending on the blend, the ingredients in the mixture can cause allergies and sensitivities on the skin. Some ingredients that are known EU allergens include linalool and citronellol.
Parfum can also be used to mask or cover an unpleasant scent.
The bottom line is: not all fragrances/parfum/ingredients are created equally. If you are worried about fragrances, we recommend taking a closer look at an ingredient. And of course, we always recommend speaking with a professional.
Learn more about ParfumPropanediol is an all-star ingredient. It softens, hydrates, and smooths the skin.
It’s often used to:
Propanediol is not likely to cause sensitivity and considered safe to use. It is derived from corn or petroleum with a clear color and no scent.
Learn more about PropanediolSilica, also known as silicon dioxide, is a naturally occurring mineral. It is used as a fine, spherical, and porous powder in cosmetics.
Though it has exfoliant properties, the function of silica varies depending on the product.
The unique structure of silica enhances the spreadability and adds smoothness, making it a great texture enhancer.
It is also used as an active carrier, emulsifier, and mattifier due to its ability to absorb excess oil.
In some products, tiny microneedles called spicules are made from silica or hydrolyzed sponge. When you rub them in, they lightly polish away dead skin layers and enhance the penetration of active ingredients.
Learn more about SilicaTocopherol is a fat-soluble antioxidant known as Vitamin E.
You'll find this ingredient in the vast majority of skincare (for good reason). It works to neutralize free radicals, or unstable molecules generated by UV exposure, pollution, and other environmental stressors, before they can cause oxidative damage to your skin cells.
Topically applied tocopherol has been shown to protect against UV damage by ramping up the skin's own natural defense enzymes.
It also acts as a skin conditioning agent; some studies show that regular topical use can improve the skin's water-binding capacity over 2-4 weeks.
This ingredient is especially loved for being a team player. When combined with Vitamin C, the photoprotective effect of both ingredients roughly doubles and the combo also helps reduce UV-induced DNA damage.
This ingredient has some brightening potential but it's more of a prevention ingredient than spot-fader. Cell studies show it can slow down melanin production but it's worth noting that it's not the most powerful brightener out there.
In formulations, it also serves as a stabilizer that helps protect other oxidation-prone ingredients from degrading.
Concentrations usually range from 0.1-1% in most leave-on products.
Learn more about TocopherolWater. 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