Biore UV Fresh & Bright Instant Cover SPF 50 PA+++ Versus Emina Sun Battle SPF 50 PA Cica Acne Fighter Sunscreen
What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningAlcohol Denat.
AntimicrobialZinc Oxide
Cosmetic ColorantEthylhexyl Methoxycinnamate
UV AbsorberEthylhexyl Triazone
UV AbsorberSorbitan Sesquioleate
EmulsifyingNeopentyl Glycol Diethylhexanoate
EmollientButylene Glycol
HumectantNeopentyl Glycol Dicaprate
EmollientNiacinamide
SmoothingSodium Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingDiethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl Benzoate
UV FilterIsohexadecane
EmollientBis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine
Skin ConditioningTriethoxycaprylylsilane
Behenyl Alcohol
EmollientPolysorbate 60
EmulsifyingPolysorbate 80
EmulsifyingXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingAluminum Hydroxide
EmollientDimethicone
EmollientSorbitan Oleate
EmulsifyingDisodium EDTA
Tocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantBHT
AntioxidantTocopherol
AntioxidantCI 77491
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77499
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantWater, Alcohol Denat., Zinc Oxide, Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate, Ethylhexyl Triazone, Sorbitan Sesquioleate, Neopentyl Glycol Diethylhexanoate, Butylene Glycol, Neopentyl Glycol Dicaprate, Niacinamide, Sodium Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Diethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl Benzoate, Isohexadecane, Bis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine, Triethoxycaprylylsilane, Behenyl Alcohol, Polysorbate 60, Polysorbate 80, Xanthan Gum, Aluminum Hydroxide, Dimethicone, Sorbitan Oleate, Disodium EDTA, Tocopheryl Acetate, BHT, Tocopherol, CI 77491, CI 77499, CI 77891
Water
Skin ConditioningEthylhexyl Methoxycinnamate
UV AbsorberButyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane
UV AbsorberNiacinamide
SmoothingButylene Glycol
HumectantOctocrylene
UV AbsorberPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeAcrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingAminomethyl Propanol
BufferingCetearyl Olivate
Bis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine
Skin ConditioningChlorphenesin
AntimicrobialAllantoin
Skin ConditioningSalicylic Acid
MaskingLecithin
EmollientSorbitan Olivate
EmulsifyingXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingCentella Asiatica Extract
CleansingPropylene Glycol
HumectantPolygonum Cuspidatum Root Extract
AntioxidantScutellaria Baicalensis Root Extract
AstringentGlycerin
HumectantCamellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialDipropylene Glycol
HumectantGlycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract
BleachingMentha Piperita Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningChamomilla Recutita Flower Extract
MaskingPolysorbate 60
EmulsifyingRosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialBHT
AntioxidantTetrasodium EDTA
Potassium Sorbate
PreservativeSodium Benzoate
MaskingWater, Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate, Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane, Niacinamide, Butylene Glycol, Octocrylene, Phenoxyethanol, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Aminomethyl Propanol, Cetearyl Olivate, Bis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine, Chlorphenesin, Allantoin, Salicylic Acid, Lecithin, Sorbitan Olivate, Xanthan Gum, Centella Asiatica Extract, Propylene Glycol, Polygonum Cuspidatum Root Extract, Scutellaria Baicalensis Root Extract, Glycerin, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Dipropylene Glycol, Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract, Mentha Piperita Leaf Extract, Chamomilla Recutita Flower Extract, Polysorbate 60, Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract, BHT, Tetrasodium EDTA, Potassium Sorbate, Sodium Benzoate
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
BHT is a synthetic antioxidant and preservative.
As an antioxidant, it helps your body fight off free-radicals. Free-radicals are molecules that may damage your skin cells.
As a preservative, it is used to stabilize products and prevent them from degrading. Specifically, BHT prevents degradation from oxidation.
The concerns related to BHT come from oral studies; this ingredient is currently allowed for use by both the FDA and EU.
However, it was recently restricted for use in the UK as of April 2024.
Learn more about BHTYou might know this ingredient as Tinosorb S or Bemotrizinol. It is a UV filter that covers both UVA and UVB rays.
This ingredient has two peak UV absorption peaks ( 310 and 340 nm) and is able to absorb both UV-A and UV-B rays. This ingredient works by preventing UV rays from reaching and damaging your skin.
On top of that - it is highly photostable and helps prevent the photodegration of other sunscreen ingredients such as avobenzone.
Tinosorb S is allowed in the EU, Australia, and Asia. It is close to being approved by the FDA and we'll hopefully get this ingredient in the U.S. by late 2025.
Fun fact: Tinosorb S is the most effective UV absorber at maximum concentration (measured by SPF) permitted in the EU.
This ingredient is oil-soluble, so your oil-cleansers will take this right off at night.
Learn more about Bis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl TriazineButylene 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 GlycolEthylhexyl 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 MethoxycinnamateNiacinamide is a multitasking form of vitamin B3 that strengthens the skin barrier, reduces pores and dark spots, regulates oil, and improves signs of aging.
And the best part? It's gentle and well-tolerated by most skin types, including sensitive and reactive skin.
You might have heard of "niacin flush", or the reddening of skin that causes itchiness. Niacinamide has not been found to cause this.
In very rare cases, some individuals may not be able to tolerate niacinamide at all or experience an allergic reaction to it.
If you are experiencing flaking, irritation, and dryness with this ingredient, be sure to double check all your products as this ingredient can be found in all categories of skincare.
When incorporating niacinamide into your routine, look out for concentration amounts. Typically, 5% niacinamide provides benefits such as fading dark spots. However, if you have sensitive skin, it is better to begin with a smaller concentration.
When you apply niacinamide to your skin, your body converts it into nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD). NAD is an essential coenzyme that is already found in your cells as "fuel" and powers countless biological processes.
In your skin, NAD helps repair cell damage, produce new healthy cells, support collagen production, strengthen the skin barrier, and fight environmental stressors (like UV and pollution).
Our natural NAD levels start to decline with age, leading to slower skin repair, visible aging, and a weaker skin barrier. By providing your skin niacinamide, you're recharging your skin's NAD levels. This leads to stronger, healthier, and younger looking skin.
Another name for vitamin B3 is nicotinamide. This vitamin is water-soluble and our bodies don't store it. We obtain Vitamin B3 from either food or skincare. Meat, fish, wheat, yeast, and leafy greens contain vitamin B3.
The type of niacinamide used in skincare is synthetically created.
Learn more about NiacinamidePolysorbate 60 is used to help stabilize products. It is a surfactant and emulsifier. These properties help keep ingredients together in a product. Surfactants help reduce surface tension between ingredients with different states, such as liquids and solids. Emulsifiers help prevent oils and waters from separating.
Polysorbate 60 is sorbitol-based and created from the ethoxylation of sorbitan. Ethoxylation is a chemical reaction used to add ethylene oxide. Sorbitan is a the dehydrated version of sorbitol, a sugar found in fruits.
In this case, the 60 comes from reacting 60 units of ethylene oxide with sorbitan.
Polysorbates are commonly used in medicine and foods.
Learn more about Polysorbate 60Water. 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. 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