Cetaphil Sheer Mineral Face Liquid Sunscreen Broad Spectrum SPF 50 Versus P20 SPF 30 Sunscreen
Updated on January 23, 2025
Overview
What they are
These products are both sunscreens. They have a total of 5 ingredients in common
Cool Features
They both contain SPF and Vitamin E
Suited For
They're both likely to be good for anti aging, dry skin, brightening skin and scar healing
Free From
They both do not contain any harsh alcohols, common allergens, parabens or sulfates
What's Inside
They both contain silicones
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 Sheer Mineral Face Liquid Sunscreen Broad Spectrum SPF 50 26 ingredients
P20 SPF 30 Sunscreen 26 ingredients
About this product
About this product
At a glance
Click on any of the items below to learn more
Cetaphil Sheer Mineral Face Liquid Sunscreen Broad Spectrum SPF 50 26 ingredients
P20 SPF 30 Sunscreen 26 ingredients
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Zinc Oxide 12%
Cosmetic Colorant
Allantoin
Skin Conditioning
Bisabolol
Masking
Butyloctyl Salicylate
Skin Conditioning
C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate
AntimicrobialCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientCaprylyl Methicone
Skin Conditioning
Dimethicone
Emollient
Dimethiconol
Emollient
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningHexylene Glycol
EmulsifyingIsododecane
EmollientLauryl PEG-10 Tris(Trimethylsiloxy)Silylethyl Dimethicone
Emulsifying
Lauryl PEG-8 Dimethicone
Niacinamide
Smoothing
Octyldodecyl Neopentanoate
EmollientPEG-10
HumectantPhenoxyethanol
Preservative
Polymethylsilsesquioxane
Propanediol
SolventSodium Chloride
Masking
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingTetrasodium Glutamate Diacetate
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Trilaureth-4 Phosphate
EmulsifyingWater
Skin ConditioningZinc Oxide 12%, Allantoin, Bisabolol, Butyloctyl Salicylate, C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate, Caprylyl Glycol, Caprylyl Methicone, Dimethicone, Dimethiconol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Hexylene Glycol, Isododecane, Lauryl PEG-10 Tris(Trimethylsiloxy)Silylethyl Dimethicone, Lauryl PEG-8 Dimethicone, Niacinamide, Octyldodecyl Neopentanoate, PEG-10, Phenoxyethanol, Polymethylsilsesquioxane, Propanediol, Sodium Chloride, Sodium Hydroxide, Tetrasodium Glutamate Diacetate, Tocopherol, Trilaureth-4 Phosphate, Water
Water
Skin ConditioningDiethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl Benzoate
UV Filter
Octocrylene
UV Absorber
Homosalate
Skin Conditioning
Dibutyl Adipate
EmollientButyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane
UV Absorber
Cetyl Dimethicone
Emollient
Cetearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Potassium Cetyl Phosphate
EmulsifyingGlycerin
Humectant
Undecane
EmollientC8-22 Alkyl Acrylates/Methacrylic Acid Crosspolymer
Diethylhexyl Butamido Triazone
UV Absorber
Tridecane
Perfuming
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Propyl Alcohol
SolventHydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingBenzoic Acid
Masking
Squalane
Emollient
Caprylyl Glycol
EmollientDisodium EDTA
Dehydroacetic Acid
Preservative
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningPolysorbate 60
Emulsifying
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil
Emollient
Water, Diethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl Benzoate, Octocrylene, Homosalate, Dibutyl Adipate, Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane, Cetyl Dimethicone, Cetearyl Alcohol, Potassium Cetyl Phosphate, Glycerin, Undecane, C8-22 Alkyl Acrylates/Methacrylic Acid Crosspolymer, Diethylhexyl Butamido Triazone, Tridecane, Phenoxyethanol, Propyl Alcohol, Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Benzoic Acid, Squalane, Caprylyl Glycol, Disodium EDTA, Dehydroacetic Acid, Ethylhexylglycerin, Polysorbate 60, Tocopherol, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Caprylyl 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 GlycolEthylhexylglycerin (we can't pronounce this either) is commonly used as a preservative and skin softener. It is derived from glyceryl.
You might see Ethylhexylglycerin often paired with other preservatives such as phenoxyethanol. Ethylhexylglycerin has been found to increase the effectiveness of these other preservatives.
Phenoxyethanol 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.
Tocopherol (also known as Vitamin E) is a common antioxidant used to help protect the skin from free-radicals and strengthen the skin barrier. It's also fat soluble - this means our skin is great at absorbing it.
Vitamin E also helps keep your natural skin lipids healthy. Your lipid skin barrier naturally consists of lipids, ceramides, and fatty acids. Vitamin E offers extra protection for your skin’s lipid barrier, keeping your skin healthy and nourished.
Another benefit is a bit of UV protection. Vitamin E helps reduce the damage caused by UVB rays. (It should not replace your sunscreen). Combining it with Vitamin C can decrease sunburned cells and hyperpigmentation after UV exposure.
You might have noticed Vitamin E + C often paired together. This is because it is great at stabilizing Vitamin C. Using the two together helps increase the effectiveness of both ingredients.
There are often claims that Vitamin E can reduce/prevent scarring, but these claims haven't been confirmed by scientific research.
Learn more about TocopherolWater. 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 WaterIngredient Ratings
Here's what our community thinks of the ingredients in these products.
When to use
Cetaphil Sheer Mineral Face Liquid Sunscreen Broad Spectrum SPF 50 26 ingredients
P20 SPF 30 Sunscreen 26 ingredients
Reviews
Here's what our community thinks
Cetaphil Sheer Mineral Face Liquid Sunscreen Broad Spectrum SPF 50 26 ingredients
just ok
Slightly more drying, irritating, clogging, and expensive(lol) than my current US drugstore mineral favorite - Banana Boat Baby/Sensitive. Despite a lovely, runny texture still leaves almost as much of a white cast on my white/fair-toned skin than BBB which is classically thick & goopy stuff - both are likely incompatible with darker skin tones unfortunately. FA safe and overall probably Show more
Good for sensitive skin. No burn at all. It does not trigger acne. But: drying and the white cast is visible.
