Beauty of Joseon Daily Tinted Fluid Sunscreen SPF 40 Versus Kruidvat Solait Blemish Control Face Sunfluid SPF 5O+
This hybrid sunscreen covers the full UV range and blocks ~98% of UVB at SPF 40.
This chemical sunscreen covers the full UV range and blocks ~80% of UVB at SPF 5, below the SPF 30 recommended for daily use.
What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Zinc Oxide
Cosmetic ColorantWater
Skin ConditioningButyloctyl Salicylate
Skin ConditioningIsopropyl Myristate
EmollientCoco-Caprylate/Caprate
EmollientCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingNeopentyl Glycol Diheptanoate
EmollientEthylhexyl Isononanoate
EmollientCI 77492
Cosmetic ColorantAlcohol Denat.
AntimicrobialPolyglyceryl-3 Polyricinoleate
EmulsifyingButylene Glycol
HumectantC12-15 Alkyl Benzoate
AntimicrobialPropanediol
SolventSilica
AbrasiveMethyl Methacrylate Crosspolymer
CI 77491
Cosmetic ColorantStearic Acid
CleansingPolyglyceryl-6 Polyhydroxystearate
EmulsifyingHydrogenated Olive Oil Unsaponifiables
EmollientArtemisia Capillaris Extract
Polyglyceryl-4 Diisostearate/Polyhydroxystearate/Sebacate
EmulsifyingStearalkonium Hectorite
Gel FormingUndecane
Emollient1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningPolyglyceryl-6 Polyricinoleate
EmulsifyingHydroxyacetophenone
AntioxidantTridecane
PerfumingIsopropyl Titanium Triisostearate
EmollientPolyglycerin-6
HumectantTocopherol
AntioxidantAscorbyl Palmitate
AntioxidantCI 77499
Cosmetic ColorantZinc Oxide, Water, Butyloctyl Salicylate, Isopropyl Myristate, Coco-Caprylate/Caprate, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Neopentyl Glycol Diheptanoate, Ethylhexyl Isononanoate, CI 77492, Alcohol Denat., Polyglyceryl-3 Polyricinoleate, Butylene Glycol, C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate, Propanediol, Silica, Methyl Methacrylate Crosspolymer, CI 77491, Stearic Acid, Polyglyceryl-6 Polyhydroxystearate, Hydrogenated Olive Oil Unsaponifiables, Artemisia Capillaris Extract, Polyglyceryl-4 Diisostearate/Polyhydroxystearate/Sebacate, Stearalkonium Hectorite, Undecane, 1,2-Hexanediol, Polyglyceryl-6 Polyricinoleate, Hydroxyacetophenone, Tridecane, Isopropyl Titanium Triisostearate, Polyglycerin-6, Tocopherol, Ascorbyl Palmitate, CI 77499
Water
Skin ConditioningC12-15 Alkyl Benzoate
AntimicrobialDibutyl Adipate
EmollientGlycerin
HumectantDiisopropyl Sebacate
EmollientNiacinamide
SmoothingDiethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl Benzoate
UV FilterPhenethyl Benzoate
EmollientPhenylbenzimidazole Sulfonic Acid
UV AbsorberGlyceryl Stearate Citrate
EmollientBis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine
UV AbsorberCetearyl Alcohol
EmollientSilica
AbrasiveArginine
MaskingEthylhexyl Triazone
UV AbsorberTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantPropanediol
SolventSodium Benzoate
MaskingDiethylhexyl Butamido Triazone
UV AbsorberSodium Stearoyl Glutamate
CleansingCellulose Acetate
Zinc PCA
HumectantTocopherol
AntioxidantHelianthus Annuus Seed Oil
EmollientHydroxyacetophenone
AntioxidantSclerotium Gum
Emulsion StabilisingPropylene Glycol Stearate
Skin ConditioningEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningSodium Gluconate
ChelatingSodium Hydroxide
BufferingMagnesium Stearate
Cosmetic ColorantBoron Nitride
AbsorbentAcrylates/Ammonium Methacrylate Copolymer
CI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77492
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77491
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77499
Cosmetic ColorantWater, C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate, Dibutyl Adipate, Glycerin, Diisopropyl Sebacate, Niacinamide, Diethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl Benzoate, Phenethyl Benzoate, Phenylbenzimidazole Sulfonic Acid, Glyceryl Stearate Citrate, Bis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine, Cetearyl Alcohol, Silica, Arginine, Ethylhexyl Triazone, Tocopheryl Acetate, Propanediol, Sodium Benzoate, Diethylhexyl Butamido Triazone, Sodium Stearoyl Glutamate, Cellulose Acetate, Zinc PCA, Tocopherol, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Hydroxyacetophenone, Sclerotium Gum, Propylene Glycol Stearate, Ethylhexylglycerin, Sodium Gluconate, Sodium Hydroxide, Magnesium Stearate, Boron Nitride, Acrylates/Ammonium Methacrylate Copolymer, CI 77891, CI 77492, CI 77491, CI 77499
Reviews
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 is a lightweight emollient made by combinig benzoic acid with fatty alcohols that are 12-15 carbons long.
In cosmetics, it plays several roles:
The Cosmetic Review Expert Panel has concluded the alkyl benzoate group to be safe as used in cosmetics; it wasn't found to be a skin irritant and unlikely to be absorbed due to its low water solubility.
This report recorded almost 1000 reported uses with concentrations up to 59% in leave-on products but your cosmetics will typically use 0.5-15% depending on the product.
It's often called a "SPF booster": this is because it keeps UV filters properly dissolved and evenly distributed to support a sunscreen's performance. It doesn't actually raise SPF on its own.
Overall, this ingredient is well tolerated.
This ingredient is fungal acne safe because it is an ester of benzoic acid.
Think of this ingredient as two parts stuck together: an oily part and an acid part. Malassezia only gets a meal when it can snip off a fatty acid to eat. With C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate, the acid part is benzoic acid, which isn't a fatty acid and which the yeast can't use as food.
Benzoic acid is actually used as a preservative to stop yeast from growing.
The oily part is a blend of C12-15 fatty alcohols but fatty alcohols in this size range can support only a little Malassezia growth (mostly for one species of Malassezia as well).
In the ingredient, those alcohols stay locked inside the molecule. The yeast can only reach them by snipping the benzoate bond, and that type of bond is harder for it to cut than a normal fatty bond.
So not much gets released. And whatever does get snipped comes packaged with benzoic acid, which discourages yeast growth.
Learn more about C12-15 Alkyl BenzoateCi 77491 is also hydrated iron III oxide. It's sole purpose is to give a red/pink hue to products.
Iron III oxides are classified as inorganic chemicals for coloring.
Synthetically created Ci 77491 is considered safer than those naturally found. This is because the synthetically created version may contain less impurities. Iron oxides are generally non-toxic and non-allergenic.
Learn more about CI 77491CI 77492 is also hydrated iron III oxide. It's sole purpose is to give a yellow hue to products.
Iron III oxides are classified as inorganic chemicals for coloring.
Synthetically created CI 77492 is considered safer than those naturally found. This is because the synthetically created version may contain less impurities. Iron oxides are generally non-toxic and non-allergenic.
Learn more about CI 77492Ci 77499 is also hydrated iron III oxide. It is created from mixing red and black iron oxides. This helps give shades of darkness to a product.
Iron III oxides are classified as inorganic chemicals for coloring.
Hydroxyacetophenone is a small phenolic molecule that earns its place in a formulas as an antioxidant and preservative booster.
As a phenol, it is able to neutralize free radicals to protect both the product and the skin from oxidative stress.
Though it can't kill microbes on its own, it works as a good supporting agent when combined with other preservatives like Phenoxyethanol or 1,2-Hexanediol.
This ingredient naturally occurs as piceol in Norwegian spruce needles (~0.4-1.1% dry weight and in cloudberries). Though the cosmetic-grade material is synthesized for purity and consistency.
You'll usually see it used at low levels and suppliers recommend up to 1% added to a water phase.
Safety testing was done at concentrations like 0.05% in SPF products and 0.5% in a Human Repeated Insult Patch Test. The safety evidence is assuring; this ingredient is safe for cosmetics in current use and also holds safety status as a food flavoring as well.
An honest caveat: the "soothing" and "anti-inflammatory" claims come mostly from supplier marketing rather than published clinical trials. The Cosmetic Ingredient Review's own literature search found no useful efficacy studies on this ingredient.
So the antioxidant and preservative-boosting roles are the well supported ones while the calming benefit is plausible but thinly evidenced.
Overall, this is a well-tolerated, low-irritation multitasker that quietly helps a formula stay fresh and stable.
Learn more about HydroxyacetophenonePropanediol 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 Water