CeraVe Hydrating Mineral Sunscreen Face Sheer Tint SPF 30 Versus Dr. Alvin Whitening Sunscreen Cream-Gel SPF 50+ PA++++
What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Titanium Dioxide 5.5%
Cosmetic Colorant
Zinc Oxide 10%
Cosmetic Colorant
Water
Skin ConditioningC12-15 Alkyl Benzoate
AntimicrobialIsohexadecane
EmollientIsononyl Isononanoate
EmollientDicaprylyl Ether
Emollient
PEG-30 Dipolyhydroxystearate
Emulsifying
Triethylhexanoin
MaskingPolyglyceryl-4 Isostearate
Emulsifying
Dicaprylyl Carbonate
EmollientEthylene/Acrylic Acid Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingTriethanolamine
BufferingSilica
Abrasive
Poly C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate
Emulsion StabilisingStearic Acid
Cleansing
Ceramide NP
Skin Conditioning
Ceramide AP
Skin Conditioning
Ceramide EOP
Skin Conditioning
Carbomer
Emulsion StabilisingNiacinamide
Smoothing
Cetearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Triethoxycaprylylsilane
Behentrimonium Methosulfate
Sodium Chloride
MaskingSalicylic Acid
Masking
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Sodium Lauroyl Lactylate
EmulsifyingCholesterol
Emollient
Aluminum Stearate
Cosmetic ColorantAlumina
Abrasive
Aluminum Hydroxide
EmollientIron Oxides
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
P-Anisic Acid
Masking
Chlorphenesin
Antimicrobial
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Disodium EDTA
Disodium Stearoyl Glutamate
CleansingPropylene Carbonate
SolventCitric Acid
Buffering
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Capryloyl Salicylic Acid
Exfoliating
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Diethylhexyl Syringylidenemalonate
Skin ProtectingDisteardimonium Hectorite
StabilisingXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingPhytosphingosine
Skin Conditioning
Polyhydroxystearic Acid
Emulsifying
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningTitanium Dioxide 5.5%, Zinc Oxide 10%, Water, C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate, Isohexadecane, Isononyl Isononanoate, Dicaprylyl Ether, PEG-30 Dipolyhydroxystearate, Triethylhexanoin, Polyglyceryl-4 Isostearate, Dicaprylyl Carbonate, Ethylene/Acrylic Acid Copolymer, Triethanolamine, Silica, Poly C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate, Stearic Acid, Ceramide NP, Ceramide AP, Ceramide EOP, Carbomer, Niacinamide, Cetearyl Alcohol, Triethoxycaprylylsilane, Behentrimonium Methosulfate, Sodium Chloride, Salicylic Acid, Sodium Hyaluronate, Sodium Lauroyl Lactylate, Cholesterol, Aluminum Stearate, Alumina, Aluminum Hydroxide, Iron Oxides, Phenoxyethanol, P-Anisic Acid, Chlorphenesin, Tocopherol, Disodium EDTA, Disodium Stearoyl Glutamate, Propylene Carbonate, Citric Acid, Caprylyl Glycol, Capryloyl Salicylic Acid, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Diethylhexyl Syringylidenemalonate, Disteardimonium Hectorite, Xanthan Gum, Phytosphingosine, Polyhydroxystearic Acid, Ethylhexylglycerin
Water
Skin ConditioningNiacinamide
Smoothing
Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate
UV Absorber
Cyclopentasiloxane
Emollient
Sodium Acrylates Copolymer
Methylene Bis-Benzotriazolyl Tetramethylbutylphenol
UV Filter
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Diethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl Benzoate
UV Filter
Butyloctyl Salicylate
Skin Conditioning
Titanium Dioxide
Cosmetic Colorant
Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane
UV Absorber
Benzophenone-3
UV Absorber
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer
Skin Conditioning
Decyl Glucoside
Cleansing
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningAloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract
Emollient
Parfum
Masking
Phospholipids
Skin Conditioning
Bis-PEG-4 Dimethicone
Emollient
PEG-9 Laurate
Emulsifying
Propylene Glycol
Humectant
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingLecithin
Emollient
Water, Niacinamide, Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate, Cyclopentasiloxane, Sodium Acrylates Copolymer, Methylene Bis-Benzotriazolyl Tetramethylbutylphenol, Phenoxyethanol, Diethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl Benzoate, Butyloctyl Salicylate, Titanium Dioxide, Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane, Benzophenone-3, Butylene Glycol, Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Decyl Glucoside, Ethylhexylglycerin, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract, Parfum, Phospholipids, Bis-PEG-4 Dimethicone, PEG-9 Laurate, Propylene Glycol, Xanthan Gum, Lecithin
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Ethylhexylglycerin is created from glycerin. It is a multitasker ingredient that:
The CIR Expert Panel found minimal skin absorption or sensitization of any kind in a safety assessment. Though this ingredient is considered well-tolerated, a small number of cases of allergic dermatitis have been published since 2002. Just be sure to patch test if you are unsure.
Industry-reported use ranges from 8% in rinse-off products and 2% in leave-on formulations.
Learn more about EthylhexylglycerinNiacinamide 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 NiacinamidePhenoxyethanol is a preservative that has germicide, antimicrobial, and aromatic properties. Studies show that phenoxyethanol can prevent microbial growth. By itself, it has a scent that is similar to that of a rose.
It's often used in formulations along with Caprylyl Glycol to preserve the shelf life of products.
Titanium dioxide is a mineral UV filter widely used in sunscreens and cosmetics.
It is one of only two UV filters officially classified as “mineral” by regulatory agencies, the other being zinc oxide.
Titanium dioxide provides broad-spectrum protection mostly in the UVB and UVAII range, with some protection in the UVAI range.
While its UVA protection isn’t as strong as zinc oxide’s, the difference is minor.
A common myth is that mineral UV filters reflect UV light. However, modern research shows titanium dioxide absorbs UV radiation like chemical filters (~95% absorption & 5% reflection).
Thanks to its non-irritating nature, titanium dioxide is suitable for sensitive, acne-prone, or redness-prone skin. It is unlikely to cause "eye sting" like other sunscreen ingredients.
A major drawback of this ingredient is its white cast and thick texture. This is why mineral sunscreens often leave a white cast and are less cosmetically elegant than chemical/hybrid sunscreens.
To improve white cast and spreadability, micronized or nano-sized titanium dioxide is often used.
There are ongoing concerns surrounding nano-titanium oxide's impact on marine ecosystems.
There is no conclusive evidence that any form of titanium oxide (or any other sunscreen ingredients) will cause harm to marine ecosystems or coral reefs. The science is still developing but many consumers are keeping a close eye on this issue.
Please note, many destinations have reef-safety sunscreen rules. For instance, the U.S. Virgin Islands advises all visitors to use non-nano mineral sunscreens.
Nano mineral sunscreens once raised safety concerns about absorption into skin.
Extensive research has shown that they do not penetrate healthy or damaged skin; they remain safely on the surface and the top layer of dead skin (stratum corneum).
You'll likely find titanium dioxide bundled with alumina, silica, or dimethicone. These ingredients help make titanium dioxide highly photostable; this prevents it from interacting with other formula components under UV light.
Learn more about Titanium DioxideWater. 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
