Cetaphil Dermacontrol Oil Absorbing Moisturizer SPF 30 - Sensitive & Oily Skin Versus Principia Protetor Solar PS-03 SPF 60
Updated on November 01, 2024
Overview
Cool Features
They both contain SPF and Vitamin E
Suited For
They're both likely to be good for fighting acne, anti aging, dry skin, brightening skin, sensitive skin, oily skin and scar healing
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 needs an update? Let us know.
Ingredient Info
Cetaphil Dermacontrol Oil Absorbing Moisturizer SPF 30 - Sensitive & Oily Skin 29 ingredients
Principia Protetor Solar PS-03 SPF 60 22 ingredients
What's inside (and what isn't)
What's inside (and what isn't)
At a glance
Click on any of the items below to learn more
Cetaphil Dermacontrol Oil Absorbing Moisturizer SPF 30 - Sensitive & Oily Skin 29 ingredients
Principia Protetor Solar PS-03 SPF 60 22 ingredients
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane 3%
UV Absorber
Ethylhexyl Salicylate 5%
UV Absorber
Octocrylene 7%
UV Absorber
Allantoin
Skin Conditioning
Aluminum Starch Octenylsuccinate
Absorbent
Caprylyl Glycol
EmollientCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingCeramide NP
Skin Conditioning
Diisopropyl Sebacate
EmollientDimethicone
Emollient
Dimethiconol
Emollient
Disodium EDTA
Glycerin
Humectant
Glycyrrhetinic Acid
Skin ConditioningIsopropyl Lauroyl Sarcosinate
Skin ConditioningPanthenol
Skin Conditioning
Pentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningPhenoxyethanol
Preservative
Polymethyl Methacrylate
Polysorbate 61
Emulsifying
Potassium Sorbate
Preservative
Silica
Abrasive
Sodium Stearoyl Glutamate
CleansingSucrose Tristearate
Emollient
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Triethanolamine
BufferingWater
Skin ConditioningXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingZinc Gluconate
Skin Conditioning
Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane 3%, Ethylhexyl Salicylate 5%, Octocrylene 7%, Allantoin, Aluminum Starch Octenylsuccinate, Caprylyl Glycol, Carbomer, Ceramide NP, Diisopropyl Sebacate, Dimethicone, Dimethiconol, Disodium EDTA, Glycerin, Glycyrrhetinic Acid, Isopropyl Lauroyl Sarcosinate, Panthenol, Pentylene Glycol, Phenoxyethanol, Polymethyl Methacrylate, Polysorbate 61, Potassium Sorbate, Silica, Sodium Stearoyl Glutamate, Sucrose Tristearate, Tocopheryl Acetate, Triethanolamine, Water, Xanthan Gum, Zinc Gluconate
Water
Skin ConditioningSodium Gluconate
Skin ConditioningXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingGlycerin
Humectant
Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingPhenylbenzimidazole Sulfonic Acid
UV Absorber
Potassium Cetyl Phosphate
EmulsifyingGlyceryl Stearate
Emollient
PEG-100 Stearate
Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane
UV Absorber
Bis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine
Skin Conditioning
Ethylhexyl Triazone
UV Absorber
Ethylhexyl Salicylate
UV Absorber
Octocrylene
UV Absorber
Homosalate
Skin Conditioning
Vp/Eicosene Copolymer
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Aluminum Starch Octenylsuccinate
Absorbent
Niacinamide
Smoothing
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingPhenoxyethanol
Preservative
Caprylyl Glycol
EmollientWater, Sodium Gluconate, Xanthan Gum, Glycerin, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Phenylbenzimidazole Sulfonic Acid, Potassium Cetyl Phosphate, Glyceryl Stearate, PEG-100 Stearate, Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane, Bis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine, Ethylhexyl Triazone, Ethylhexyl Salicylate, Octocrylene, Homosalate, Vp/Eicosene Copolymer, Tocopheryl Acetate, Aluminum Starch Octenylsuccinate, Niacinamide, Sodium Hydroxide, Phenoxyethanol, Caprylyl Glycol
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Aluminum Starch Octenylsuccinate is a synthetic powder used as an absorbent, thickener, and anti-caking agent.
As an absorbent, it is great at mattifying skin by soaking up the oil. This is why you'll find it in a range of products from makeup to moisturizers.
This ingredient is considered a modified starch. Starch can also be found naturally in plants.
One study from 1991 found that 5% of this ingredient enhanced titanium dioxide SPF by as much as 40%. The study found 1% titanium dioxide had a 5.6 SPF and adding 5% of aluminum starch octenylsuccinate boosted it to an SPF of 8.1
Although “aluminum” in an ingredient name can raise red flags for some consumers, the form and usage context matter significantly. For typical topical applications, there is no substantial evidence of health risks - such as cancer, neurotoxicity, or systemic “aluminum overload.”
Learn more about Aluminum Starch OctenylsuccinateAlso known as Avobenzone, this ingredient is a chemical sunscreen filter that provides protection in the UV-A range.
Avobenzone is globally approved and is the most commonly used UV-A filter in the world.
Studies have found that avobenzone becomes ineffective when exposed to UV light (it is not photostable; meaning that it breaks down in sunlight). Because of this, formulations that include avobenzone will usually contain stabilizers such as octocrylene.
However, some modern formulations (looking at you, EU!) are able to stabilize avobenzone by coating the molecules.
Avobenzone does not protect against the UV-B range, so it's important to check that the sunscreen you're using contains other UV filters that do!
The highest concentration of avobenzone permitted is 3% in the US, and 5% in the EU.
Learn more about Butyl MethoxydibenzoylmethaneCaprylyl Glycol is a humectant and emollient, meaning it attracts and preserves moisture.
It is a common ingredient in many products, especially those designed to hydrate skin. The primary benefits are retaining moisture, skin softening, and promoting a healthy skin barrier.
Though Caprylyl Glycol is an alcohol derived from fatty acids, it is not the kind that can dry out skin.
This ingredient is also used as a preservative to extend the life of products. It has slight antimicrobial properties.
Learn more about Caprylyl GlycolEthylhexyl Salicylate is an organic compound used to block UV rays. It primarily absorbs UVB rays but offers a small amount of UVA protection as well.
Commonly found in sunscreens, Ethylhexyl Salicylate is created from salicylic acid and 2-ethylhexanol. You might know salicylic acid as the effective acne fighter ingredient and BHA.
The ethylhexanol in this ingredient is a fatty alcohol and helps hydrate your skin, similar to oils. It is an emollient, which means it traps moisture into the skin.
According to manufacturers, Ethylhexyl Salicylate absorbs UV wavelength of 295-315 nm, with a peak absorption at 307-310 nm. UVA rays are linked to long term skin damage, such as hyperpigmentation. UVB rays emit more energy and are capable of damaging our DNA. UVB rays cause sunburn.
Learn more about Ethylhexyl SalicylateGlycerin 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 GlycerinOctocrylene protects skin from sun damage. It absorbs UV-B with peak absorption of 304 nm. It is a common sunscreen ingredient and often paired with avobenzone, a UVA filter. This is because octocrylene stabilizes other sunscreen ingredients by protecting them from degradation when exposed to sunlight. Octocrylene is a photostable ingredient and loses about 10% of SPF in 95 minutes.
Octocrylene also acts as an emollient, meaning it helps skin retain moisture and softens skin. It is oil-soluble and hydrophobic, enhancing water-resistant properties in a product.
Those who are using ketoprofen, a topical anti-inflammatory drug, may experience an allergic reaction when using octocrylene. It is best to speak with a healthcare professional about using sunscreens with octocrylene.
The EU allows a maximum of these concentrations:
Learn more about OctocrylenePhenoxyethanol 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.
Tocopheryl Acetate is AKA Vitamin E. It is an antioxidant and protects your skin from free radicals. Free radicals damage the skin by breaking down collagen.
One study found using Tocopheryl Acetate with Vitamin C decreased the number of sunburned cells.
Tocopheryl Acetate is commonly found in both skincare and dietary supplements.
Learn more about Tocopheryl AcetateWater. 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 GumIngredient Ratings
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When to use
Cetaphil Dermacontrol Oil Absorbing Moisturizer SPF 30 - Sensitive & Oily Skin 29 ingredients
Principia Protetor Solar PS-03 SPF 60 22 ingredients
Reviews
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