Biore UV Aqua Rich Watery Essence SPF 50+ PA++++ Versus Mizon Cicaluronic Non-Nano Sunblock SPF 50+ PA+++
What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningAlcohol
AntimicrobialEthylhexyl Methoxycinnamate
UV AbsorberEthylhexyl Triazone
UV AbsorberIsopropyl Palmitate
EmollientLauryl Methacrylate/Sodium Methacrylate Crosspolymer
Diethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl Benzoate
UV FilterHydrogenated Polyisobutene
EmollientBis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine
Skin ConditioningDextrin Palmitate
EmulsifyingButylene Glycol
HumectantXylitol
HumectantAcrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingDimethicone
EmollientC12-15 Alkyl Benzoate
AntimicrobialGlycerin
HumectantGlyceryl Stearate
EmollientPropanediol
SolventGlyceryl Behenate
EmollientVinyl Dimethicone/Methicone Silsesquioxane Crosspolymer
Cetearyl Alcohol
EmollientAgar
MaskingSorbitan Distearate
EmollientIsoceteth-20
EmulsifyingPolyvinyl Alcohol
Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer
Skin ConditioningStearoyl Glutamic Acid
CleansingArginine
MaskingPotassium Hydroxide
BufferingSodium Hydroxide
BufferingRoyal Jelly Extract
Skin ConditioningSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeDisodium EDTA
BHT
AntioxidantParfum
MaskingWater, Alcohol, Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate, Ethylhexyl Triazone, Isopropyl Palmitate, Lauryl Methacrylate/Sodium Methacrylate Crosspolymer, Diethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl Benzoate, Hydrogenated Polyisobutene, Bis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine, Dextrin Palmitate, Butylene Glycol, Xylitol, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Dimethicone, C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate, Glycerin, Glyceryl Stearate, Propanediol, Glyceryl Behenate, Vinyl Dimethicone/Methicone Silsesquioxane Crosspolymer, Cetearyl Alcohol, Agar, Sorbitan Distearate, Isoceteth-20, Polyvinyl Alcohol, Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Stearoyl Glutamic Acid, Arginine, Potassium Hydroxide, Sodium Hydroxide, Royal Jelly Extract, Sodium Hyaluronate, Phenoxyethanol, Disodium EDTA, BHT, Parfum
Cyclopentasiloxane
EmollientWater
Skin ConditioningEthylhexyl Methoxycinnamate
UV AbsorberMethyl Methacrylate Crosspolymer
Butylene Glycol
HumectantEthylhexyl Salicylate
UV AbsorberPolymethylsilsesquioxane
Zinc Oxide
Cosmetic ColorantLauryl PEG/PPG-18/18 Methicone
Skin ConditioningCI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantC12-15 Alkyl Benzoate
AntimicrobialDimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer
Skin ConditioningDisteardimonium Hectorite
StabilisingCetyl PEG/PPG-10/1 Dimethicone
EmulsifyingC30-45 Alkyl Cetearyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer
EmollientMagnesium Sulfate
Vinyl Dimethicone/Methicone Silsesquioxane Crosspolymer
Isoamyl P-Methoxycinnamate
UV AbsorberGlucose
HumectantChlorella Vulgaris Extract
Skin ConditioningAluminum Hydroxide
EmollientParfum
MaskingStearic Acid
CleansingGlyceryl Caprylate
EmollientCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientFructose
HumectantFructooligosaccharides
HumectantDimethicone
EmollientSilica Dimethyl Silylate
Emollient1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantLavandula Angustifolia Flower Water
Skin ConditioningBorago Officinalis Extract
EmollientCentaurea Cyanus Flower Extract
AstringentChamomilla Recutita Flower/Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialSalvia Sclarea Extract
AntiseborrhoeicPropanediol
SolventHyacinthus Orientalis Extract
Skin ConditioningCamellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialSodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer
HumectantHydrolyzed Glycosaminoglycans
HumectantCentella Asiatica Extract
CleansingBambusa Arundinacea Stem Extract
Skin ConditioningSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantCitric Acid
BufferingAloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract
EmollientCucumis Sativus Fruit Extract
EmollientBenzyl Glycol
SolventSodium Benzoate
MaskingHydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid
HumectantPotassium Sorbate
PreservativeHyaluronic Acid
HumectantCyclopentasiloxane, Water, Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate, Methyl Methacrylate Crosspolymer, Butylene Glycol, Ethylhexyl Salicylate, Polymethylsilsesquioxane, Zinc Oxide, Lauryl PEG/PPG-18/18 Methicone, CI 77891, C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate, Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Disteardimonium Hectorite, Cetyl PEG/PPG-10/1 Dimethicone, C30-45 Alkyl Cetearyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Magnesium Sulfate, Vinyl Dimethicone/Methicone Silsesquioxane Crosspolymer, Isoamyl P-Methoxycinnamate, Glucose, Chlorella Vulgaris Extract, Aluminum Hydroxide, Parfum, Stearic Acid, Glyceryl Caprylate, Caprylyl Glycol, Fructose, Fructooligosaccharides, Dimethicone, Silica Dimethyl Silylate, 1,2-Hexanediol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Glycerin, Lavandula Angustifolia Flower Water, Borago Officinalis Extract, Centaurea Cyanus Flower Extract, Chamomilla Recutita Flower/Leaf Extract, Salvia Sclarea Extract, Propanediol, Hyacinthus Orientalis Extract, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer, Hydrolyzed Glycosaminoglycans, Centella Asiatica Extract, Bambusa Arundinacea Stem Extract, Sodium Hyaluronate, Citric Acid, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract, Cucumis Sativus Fruit Extract, Benzyl Glycol, Sodium Benzoate, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, Potassium Sorbate, Hyaluronic Acid
Reviews
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 GlycolC12-15 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 BenzoateDimethicone is a type of synthetic silicone created from natural materials such as quartz. It is also known as polydimethylsiloxane.
What it does:
Dimethicone comes in different viscosities:
Depending on the viscosity, dimethicone has different properties.
Ingredients lists don't always show which type is used, so we recommend reaching out to the brand if you have questions about the viscosity.
This ingredient is unlikely to cause irritation because it does not get absorbed into skin. However, people with silicone allergies should be careful about using this ingredient.
Note: Dimethicone may contribute to pilling. This is because it is not oil or water soluble, so pilling may occur when layered with products. When mixed with heavy oils in a formula, the outcome is also quite greasy.
Learn more about DimethiconeThis ingredient is a silicone elastomer that works as a texture enhancer, adds a silky slip, and also helps absorb excess oil.
Because it's a large macromolecule that's insoluble in water and chemically inert, it's not expected to penetrate or be absorbed into skin.
Human patch tests with a facial lotion containing 1% of this ingredient found no sensitization.
Learn more about Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone CrosspolymerEthylhexyl Methoxycinnamate is an organic compound that provides UVB protection. It often goes by the more common name of octinoxate. It is created from methoxycinnamic acid and 2-ethylhexanol.
Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate absorbs UVB rays with wavelengths between 280-320 nm. UV absorbers protect your skin by using chemical reactions to convert UV rays into heat and energy.
UVB (290-320 nm) rays emit more energy than UVA rays. They are capable of damaging DNA, causing sunburns and are thought to be linked to skin cancer.
The state of Hawaii has banned sunscreens containing octinoxate due to its potential impact on coral reefs. More research is needed to bridge gaps in this research. The European Union allows higher levels of octinoxate in sunscreens than the US and Australia.
Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate is oil soluble. It is not stable and may lose efficacy when exposed to sunlight.
Learn more about Ethylhexyl MethoxycinnamateGlycerin (or glycerol) is a compound naturally found in your skin. It's a powerhouse humectant that pulls water into the stratum corneum.
Topically, glycerin does several things at once:
Your skin makes glycerin on its own (mostly from sebaceous oil breakdown) and shuttles it to your outermost layer of skin, or your epidermis, via aquaporin-3.
Aquaporin-3 is a transporter that is essential for normal skin hydration, elasticity, and repair. Interestingly, mice lacking in AQP3 have dry and less elastic skin that can be fully corrected with glycerin.
This ingredient is non-irritating, plays well with almost every ingredient, and works across all skin types. Typical use is anywhere between 3-10% but can go up to 79% in some leave-on products.
Just know very high concentrations (>40%) can feel tacky in low humidity.
Glycerin is the name for this ingredient in American English. British English uses Glycerol/Glycerine.
Learn more about GlycerinParfum 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 PropanediolSodium Hyaluronate is the salt form of hyaluronic acid. It is a long sugar chain that is naturally found in your skin, joints, and connective tissue that maintains hydration and elasticity.
In skincare, it works as a humectant. It pulls water from the environment and deeper layers of skin and binds it to the surface.
Interestingly, the size of the molecule affects its behavior:
Some clinical evidence links low molecular weight versions to improved wrinkle depth, elasticity, anti-inflammatory effects, and barrier repair.
Many serums use a blend of both weights so you can get surface hydration plus longer-lasting and deeper effects.
You'll typically see concentrations between 0.1-2% for this ingredient.
Learn more about Sodium HyaluronateThis ingredient is used in makeup and skincare to thicken formulas, reduce shine, and give skin a silky-smooth feel.
It’s a white silicone powder that sits in fine lines and pores to blur their appearance though its effectiveness depends on the particle size.
You'll typically find this ingredient in amounts between 0.1-20%.
Learn more about Vinyl Dimethicone/Methicone Silsesquioxane CrosspolymerWater. 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