Bioaqua 7X Ceramide Serum Sunscreen SPF 50 PA ++++ Versus Gatsby Aesthetic Bright Sunscreen Moisturizer SPF 50+ PA++++
This chemical sunscreen covers the full UV range, though its SPF isn't confirmed on file yet.
This chemical sunscreen covers most of the UV range, lighter on the deep UVA that drives aging, though its SPF isn't confirmed on file yet.
What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningOctocrylene
UV Absorber
Homosalate
Skin Conditioning
Glycerin
Humectant
Ethylhexyl Salicylate
UV Absorber
Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane
UV Absorber
Propylene Glycol
Humectant
Ethylhexyl Palmitate
Emollient
Polysorbate 60
Emulsifying
Sorbitan Stearate
Emulsifying
Bis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine
Skin Conditioning
Dimethicone
Emollient
Glyceryl Stearate
Emollient
Stearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Carbomer
Emulsion StabilisingTriethanolamine
BufferingHydroxypropyl Tetrahydropyrantriol
Skin ConditioningMenthyl Lactate
Masking
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Allantoin
Skin Conditioning
Cetyl Alcohol
Emollient
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
Humectant
Chrysanthemum Indicum Extract
Antioxidant
Mentha Arvensis Leaf Extract
MaskingPortulaca Oleracea Extract
Skin Conditioning
Pelargonium Graveolens Extract
Masking
Ceramide Ns
Skin Conditioning
Ceramide NP
Skin Conditioning
Ceramide Ng
Skin Conditioning
Ceramide Eos
Skin Conditioning
Ceramide EOP
Skin Conditioning
Ceramide As
Skin Conditioning
Ceramide AP
Skin Conditioning
Resveratrol
Antioxidant
Bisabolol
Antioxidant
Tremella Fuciformis Sporocarp Extract
Antioxidant
Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract
Emollient
Myristyl Alcohol
Emollient
Arachidyl Alcohol
Emollient
Citrus Reticulata Fruit Extract
Skin ProtectingCitrus Medica Limonum Peel Extract
EmollientSophora Angustifolia Root Extract
Skin ConditioningWater, Octocrylene, Homosalate, Glycerin, Ethylhexyl Salicylate, Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane, Propylene Glycol, Ethylhexyl Palmitate, Polysorbate 60, Sorbitan Stearate, Bis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine, Dimethicone, Glyceryl Stearate, Stearyl Alcohol, Carbomer, Triethanolamine, Hydroxypropyl Tetrahydropyrantriol, Menthyl Lactate, Phenoxyethanol, Allantoin, Cetyl Alcohol, Xanthan Gum, Ethylhexylglycerin, Butylene Glycol, Chrysanthemum Indicum Extract, Mentha Arvensis Leaf Extract, Portulaca Oleracea Extract, Pelargonium Graveolens Extract, Ceramide Ns, Ceramide NP, Ceramide Ng, Ceramide Eos, Ceramide EOP, Ceramide As, Ceramide AP, Resveratrol, Bisabolol, Tremella Fuciformis Sporocarp Extract, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract, Myristyl Alcohol, Arachidyl Alcohol, Citrus Reticulata Fruit Extract, Citrus Medica Limonum Peel Extract, Sophora Angustifolia Root Extract
Water
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
Humectant
Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate
UV Absorber
Diethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl Benzoate
UV Filter
Silica
Abrasive
Ethylhexyl Palmitate
Emollient
Pentylene Glycol
Skin Conditioning
Polyglyceryl-10 Myristate
Skin Conditioning
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Carbomer
Emulsion StabilisingParfum
Masking
Potassium Hydroxide
BufferingHydrolyzed Collagen
Emollient
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingTocopherol
Antioxidant
Morus Alba Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningNiacinamide
Smoothing
BHT
Antioxidant
Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
Antimicrobial
Water, Butylene Glycol, Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate, Diethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl Benzoate, Silica, Ethylhexyl Palmitate, Pentylene Glycol, Polyglyceryl-10 Myristate, Phenoxyethanol, Caprylyl Glycol, Carbomer, Parfum, Potassium Hydroxide, Hydrolyzed Collagen, Xanthan Gum, Tocopherol, Morus Alba Leaf Extract, Niacinamide, BHT, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Butylene Glycol (or BG) is used within cosmetic products for a few different reasons:
Overall, Butylene Glycol is a safe and well-rounded ingredient that works well with other ingredients.
Though this ingredient works well with most skin types, some people with sensitive skin may experience a reaction such as allergic rashes, closed comedones, or itchiness.
Learn more about Butylene GlycolCarbomer is a synthetic thickening and gelling agent. It's basically the ingredient that gives a lot of serums, gels, creams, and sunscreens their smooth, non-sticky texture.
Although legally permitted at very high levels, carbomers are normally used at concentrations below 1%.
It also needs to be neutralized to actually thicken, and because it is a large molecule, it doesn't really penetrate the skin barrier.
Allergy-wise, the risk is very low. Clinical studies show carbomers have low potential for skin irritation/sensitization even at concentrations up to 100%.
A 2024 UK study patch-tested 1,302 patients and found true allergy to the parent group of carbomer to be rare with no confirmed relevant reactions.
Learn more about CarbomerEthylhexyl Palmitate, also known as octyl palmitate, is created from 2-ethylhexyl alcohol and palmitic acid.
In cosmetics, it plays many roles:
One thing worth noting: a controlled study found this ingredient applied under occlusion to acne-prone subjects increased microcomedones. Just keep in mind this was under occlusive conditions and don't reflect how most products are used day-to-day.
For most people, this is a well-tolerated and lightweight ingredient.
This ingredient may not be fungal acne safe because it is an ester of palmitic acid, a C16 fatty acid that falls within the C11-24 range that Malassezia can metabolize.
Learn more about Ethylhexyl PalmitatePhenoxyethanol is one of the most widely used preservatives in skincare (and for good reason!).
It has a large spectrum of antimicrobial activity and especially effective bacteria, yeast, and mold while only having a weak effect on your skin's natural microbiome.
On a cellular level, it disrupts the cell membranes of microbes by poking holes that make the cell leak. This shuts down the chemical reactions the microbe needs to make energy so it can no longer survive.
Another perk of this ingredient is that it stays functional across a wide pH range (3-10).
You'll often see it paired with boosters like Ethylhexylglycerin; one study showed that a 1:9 ratio of Ethylhexylglycerin to Phenoxyethanol damages bacterial membranes as effectively as doubling the Phenoxyethanol concentration on its own.
Typical use concentrations range from 0.3-1% depending on the formula, and this ingredient is capped at 1% int the EU.
Safety-wise, the fear mongering does not hold up to the evidence. The EU's Scientific Committee on Consumer Safety and FDA consider it safe as a preservative at up to 1%, including for children of all ages.
Adverse systemic effects only showed up in animal studies at exposures roughly 200x higher than what people get from cosmetics. And despite its very widespread use, this ingredient is a rare sensitizer and allergic reactions are uncommon.
Learn more about PhenoxyethanolWater. 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
