Here's our complete breakdown comparing the ingredients, attributes, and more of Bioderma Photoderm AR SPF 50+ versus Bioderma Photoderm MAX Aquafluide SPF 50+ (Clear) .
Last updated on September 18, 2023. Published on October 19, 2022
Overview
What they are
These products are both sunscreens. They have a total of 11 ingredients in common
Cool Features
They both contain SPF and Vitamin E
Suited For
They're both likely to be good for dry skin and brightening skin
Free From
They both do not contain any harsh alcohols, common allergens, fragrances, 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.
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
Ingredient Info
Bioderma Photoderm AR SPF 50+ 38 ingredients
Bioderma Photoderm MAX Aquafluide SPF 50+ (Clear) 33 ingredients
Alcohol Free
This product is free of harsh alcohols 🎉
Silicon Free
This product is free of silicons 🎉
Fragrance Free
This product is free of fragrances 🎉
Sulfate Free
This product is free of sulfates 🎉
Paraben Free
This product is free of parabens 🎉
Oil Free
This product is free of oils 🎉
Not Malassezia Safe
Ingredients in this product that are not malassezia safe:
Not Reef Safe
Ingredients in this product that are not reef safe:
EU Allergen Free
This product is free of EU allergens 🎉
Non Vegan
This product is not vegan 😥
Not Cruelty Free
This product is not cruelty-free 😥
Alcohol Free
This product is free of harsh alcohols 🎉
Contains Silicon
Ingredients in this product that are types of silicon:
Fragrance Free
This product is free of fragrances 🎉
Sulfate Free
This product is free of sulfates 🎉
Paraben Free
This product is free of parabens 🎉
Oil Free
This product is free of oils 🎉
Not Malassezia Safe
Ingredients in this product that are not malassezia safe:
Not Reef Safe
Ingredients in this product that are not reef safe:
EU Allergen Free
This product is free of EU allergens 🎉
Non Vegan
This product is not vegan 😥
Not Cruelty Free
This product is not cruelty-free 😥
At a glance
Click on any of the items below to learn more
Bioderma Photoderm AR SPF 50+ 38 ingredients
Bioderma Photoderm MAX Aquafluide SPF 50+ (Clear) 33 ingredients
Notable Ingredients
This product contains 5 ingredients that may have this attribute:
This product contains 1 ingredient that may have this attribute:
This product contains 1 ingredient that may have this attribute:
Benefits
This product contains 1 ingredient that may have this attribute:
This product contains 2 ingredients that may have this attribute:
Concerns
This product contains 2 ingredients that may have this attribute:
This product contains 2 ingredients that may have this attribute:
Notable Ingredients
This product contains 4 ingredients that may have this attribute:
This product contains 1 ingredient that may have this attribute:
This product contains 1 ingredient that may have this attribute:
Benefits
This product contains 1 ingredient that may have this attribute:
This product contains 2 ingredients that may have this attribute:
Concerns
This product contains 1 ingredient that may have this attribute:
This product contains 1 ingredient that may have this attribute:
This product contains 2 ingredients that may have this attribute:
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Join SkinSortIngredients Compared
Ingredients that are highlighted in purple are present in both products.
Bioderma Photoderm AR SPF 50+ 38 ingredients
Bioderma Photoderm MAX Aquafluide SPF 50+ (Clear) 33 ingredients
Water • Diethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl Benzoate • Homosalate • Diisopropyl Sebacate • Bis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine • Dibutyl Adipate • Propanediol • Ethylhexyl Salicylate • Ethylhexyl Triazone • Glycerin • Silica • Potassium Cetyl Phosphate • Glyceryl Stearate • Peg-100 Stearate • Propylene Glycol • Polyacrylate Crosspolymer-6 • Stearyl Glycyrrhetinate • Tocopheryl Acetate • CI 77891 • Capryloyl Glycine • Sodium Citrate • Xanthan Gum • Glycine Soja Germ Extract • Ectoin • Mannitol • Xylitol • Citric Acid • Ginkgo Biloba Leaf Extract • Sodium Hydroxide • CI 77492 • Rhamnose • CI 77491 • CI 77499 • Hydrogenated Lecithin • Lauroyl Lysine • Fructooligosaccharides • Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride • Laminaria Ochroleuca Extract
Water • Dicaprylyl Carbonate • Octocrylene • Methylene Bis-Benzotriazolyl Tetramethylbutylphenol • Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane • Glycerin • Methyl Methacrylate Crosspolymer • Cyclohexasiloxane • Cyclopentasiloxane • Bis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine • Polymethylsilsesquioxane • Methylpropanediol • Peg-Crosspolymer • C20-22 Alkyl Phosphate • C20-22 Alcohols • Decyl Glucoside • Glyceryl Stearate Citrate • Pentylene Glycol • Microcrystalline Cellulose • C30-45 Alkyl Dimethicone • 1,2-Hexanediol • Caprylyl Glycol • Disodium EDTA • Xanthan Gum • Mannitol • Xylitol • Sodium Hydroxide • Cellulose Gum • Rhamnose • Propylene Glycol • Citric Acid • Ectoin • Tocopherol
Ingredients Side-by-side
Ingredients that are highlighted in purple are present in both products.
Learn more about what what Com. / Irr. ratings are
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
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 WaterBioderma Photoderm AR SPF 50+ contains this as ingredient number 1.
Bioderma Photoderm MAX Aquafluide SPF 50+ (Clear) contains this as ingredient number 1.
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 TriazineBioderma Photoderm AR SPF 50+ contains this as ingredient number 5.
Bioderma Photoderm MAX Aquafluide SPF 50+ (Clear) contains this as ingredient number 11.
Glycerin is already naturally found in your skin. It helps moisturize and protect your skin.
A study from 2016 found glycerin to be more effective as a humectant than AHAs and hyaluronic acid.
As a humectant, it helps the skin stay hydrated by pulling moisture to your skin. The low molecular weight of glycerin allows it to pull moisture into the deeper layers of your skin.
Hydrated skin improves your skin barrier; Your skin barrier helps protect against irritants and bacteria.
Glycerin has also been found to have antimicrobial and antiviral properties. Due to these properties, glycerin is often used in wound and burn treatments.
In cosmetics, glycerin is usually derived from plants such as soybean or palm. However, it can also be sourced from animals, such as tallow or animal fat.
This ingredient is organic, colorless, odorless, and non-toxic.
Glycerin is the name for this ingredient in American English. British English uses Glycerol/Glycerine.
Learn more about GlycerinBioderma Photoderm AR SPF 50+ contains this as ingredient number 10.
Bioderma Photoderm MAX Aquafluide SPF 50+ (Clear) contains this as ingredient number 7.
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 GlycolBioderma Photoderm AR SPF 50+ contains this as ingredient number 15.
Bioderma Photoderm MAX Aquafluide SPF 50+ (Clear) contains this as ingredient number 33.
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 GumBioderma Photoderm AR SPF 50+ contains this as ingredient number 22.
Bioderma Photoderm MAX Aquafluide SPF 50+ (Clear) contains this as ingredient number 27.
Ectoin is a compound found naturally in some species of bacteria. In skincare, it can be synthetically created. It is an osmolyte, or a low-molecular weight organic compound that influences the properties of biological fluids.
In skincare, ectoin is used to stabilize proteins and provides skin protection as an antioxidant. Antioxidants help protect our skin from environmental damage, such as pollution and UV rays.
Bioderma Photoderm AR SPF 50+ contains this as ingredient number 24.
Bioderma Photoderm MAX Aquafluide SPF 50+ (Clear) contains this as ingredient number 35.
Mannitol is a sugar alcohol. It is a humectant and moisturizes the skin. In vitro (not tested on a living organism), mannitol displays antioxidant properties.
When found in aqueous solutions, mannitol tends to become acidic. This is because it loses a hydrogen ion. This is why mannitol can often be found with pH adjusting ingredients, such as sodium bicarbonate.
Fun fact: Mannitol can be found in foods as a sweetener. It can be naturally found in mushrooms, algae, fruits, and veggies.
Learn more about MannitolBioderma Photoderm AR SPF 50+ contains this as ingredient number 25.
Bioderma Photoderm MAX Aquafluide SPF 50+ (Clear) contains this as ingredient number 28.
Xylitol is a humectant and prebiotic. It can help with dry skin.
In studies, xylitol has been shown to improve dry skin. It decreased transepidermal water loss, or when water passes through the skin and evaporates. Xylitol also showed to help improve the biomechanical properties of the skin barrier.
The prebiotic property of xylitol may also help reinforce our skin's natural microbiome. Having a healthy microbiome prevents infection by bad bacteria and helps with hydration.
As a humectant, Xylitol helps draw moisture from both the air and from deeper skin layers. This helps keep skin hydrated.
Xylitol is a sugar alcohol and commonly used as a sugar substitute. It is naturally occurring in plants such as strawberries and pumpkin.
Learn more about XylitolBioderma Photoderm AR SPF 50+ contains this as ingredient number 26.
Bioderma Photoderm MAX Aquafluide SPF 50+ (Clear) contains this as ingredient number 29.
Citric Acid is an AHA derived from citrus fruits (think oranges, lemons, and limes!).
If you spot Citric Acid near the end of an ingredient list, it's likely there as a pH adjuster rather than an active ingredient.
As an AHA, Citric Acid removes the top layer of skin cells from the newer layer of skin underneath. This helps skin to remove dark spots and look more even.
Read more about some other popular AHA's here:
Learn more about Citric AcidBioderma Photoderm AR SPF 50+ contains this as ingredient number 27.
Bioderma Photoderm MAX Aquafluide SPF 50+ (Clear) contains this as ingredient number 34.
Sodium 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 HydroxideBioderma Photoderm AR SPF 50+ contains this as ingredient number 29.
Bioderma Photoderm MAX Aquafluide SPF 50+ (Clear) contains this as ingredient number 30.
We don't have a description for Rhamnose.
Bioderma Photoderm AR SPF 50+ contains this as ingredient number 31.
Bioderma Photoderm MAX Aquafluide SPF 50+ (Clear) contains this as ingredient number 32.
Here's what our community thinks of the ingredients in these two products.
Bioderma Photoderm AR SPF 50+ 38 ingredients
Bioderma Photoderm MAX Aquafluide SPF 50+ (Clear) 33 ingredients
Usage
Here's some more info on how this product is used by our community.
When to use
Bioderma Photoderm AR SPF 50+ 38 ingredients
Bioderma Photoderm MAX Aquafluide SPF 50+ (Clear) 33 ingredients
Reviews
Here's what our community thinks
Bioderma Photoderm AR SPF 50+ 38 ingredients
samsamsam
A bit irritating and greasy finish
Felt it on top of my skin the whole day and felt itchy. Very runny watery product, a bit of a greasy finish imo...
A bit irritating and greasy finish
Felt it on top of my skin the whole day and felt itchy. Very runny watery product, a bit of a greasy finish imo and pilled a little bit. I came back to this product many times and I tried to use this product with different routines but I still found it irritating even though I do use chemical sunscreens. I think some people may find it not that greasy and like the texture and tint but for sensitive skin I would not recommend.
Bioderma Photoderm MAX Aquafluide SPF 50+ (Clear) 33 ingredients
Alternatives
Our Dupe Finder has found 50 potential alternatives that have similar ingredients to Bioderma Photoderm AR SPF 50+.
See 50 alternativesOur Dupe Finder has found 50 potential alternatives that have similar ingredients to Bioderma Photoderm MAX Aquafluide SPF 50+ (Clear).
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