Cetaphil Sheer Mineral Sunscreen Lotion Broad Spectrum SPF 50 Versus Cetaphil Sheer Mineral Face Liquid Sunscreen Broad Spectrum SPF 50
Updated on July 12, 2024
Overview
What they are
These products are both sunscreens. They have a total of 6 ingredients in common
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, scar healing and dark spots
Free From
They both do not contain any 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 Sunscreen Lotion Broad Spectrum SPF 50 39 ingredients
Cetaphil Sheer Mineral Face Liquid Sunscreen Broad Spectrum SPF 50 26 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 Sheer Mineral Sunscreen Lotion Broad Spectrum SPF 50 39 ingredients
Cetaphil Sheer Mineral Face Liquid Sunscreen Broad Spectrum SPF 50 26 ingredients
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Titanium Dioxide 9%
Cosmetic Colorant
Zinc Oxide 7%
Cosmetic Colorant
Water
Skin ConditioningIsohexadecane
EmollientButyloctyl Salicylate
Skin Conditioning
Cetyl Dimethicone
Emollient
Styrene/Acrylates Copolymer
Olive Oil Polyglyceryl-6 Esters
Emollient
Sorbitan Olivate
Emulsifying
Sodium Stearoyl Lactylate
EmulsifyingVp/Eicosene Copolymer
Cetearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Cetearyl Olivate
Cetyl Palmitate
Emollient
Sorbitan Palmitate
Emulsifying
Dimethicone PEG-8 Laurate
Skin ConditioningCeramide NP
Skin Conditioning
Ceramide AP
Skin Conditioning
Ceramide EOP
Skin Conditioning
Cholesterol
Emollient
Phytosphingosine
Skin Conditioning
Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid
Humectant
Benzyl Alcohol
Perfuming
Bisabolol
Masking
Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate
Humectant
Propanediol
Solvent
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingAluminum Hydroxide
EmollientSodium Lauroyl Lactylate
EmulsifyingCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingTocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Disodium EDTA
Stearic Acid
Cleansing
Triethoxycaprylylsilane
Citric Acid
Buffering
Maltodextrin
Absorbent
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Capryloyl Glycine
CleansingUndecylenoyl Glycine
CleansingTitanium Dioxide 9%, Zinc Oxide 7%, Water, Isohexadecane, Butyloctyl Salicylate, Cetyl Dimethicone, Styrene/Acrylates Copolymer, Olive Oil Polyglyceryl-6 Esters, Sorbitan Olivate, Sodium Stearoyl Lactylate, Vp/Eicosene Copolymer, Cetearyl Alcohol, Cetearyl Olivate, Cetyl Palmitate, Sorbitan Palmitate, Dimethicone PEG-8 Laurate, Ceramide NP, Ceramide AP, Ceramide EOP, Cholesterol, Phytosphingosine, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, Benzyl Alcohol, Bisabolol, Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate, Propanediol, Xanthan Gum, Aluminum Hydroxide, Sodium Lauroyl Lactylate, Carbomer, Tocopheryl Acetate, Disodium EDTA, Stearic Acid, Triethoxycaprylylsilane, Citric Acid, Maltodextrin, Phenoxyethanol, Capryloyl Glycine, Undecylenoyl Glycine
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
Solvent
Sodium 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
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Zinc Oxide is a mineral broad-spectrum UV filter; it is the broadest UVA and UVB reflector approved by the FDA. While it is most commonly man-made for cosmetics, it can naturally occur in zincite, a rare mineral.
Today, traditional and nano-sized zinc oxide can be found in beauty products. Nano-sized zinc oxide can enhance a product's UV protection. While it is not believed to have a negative effect on skin, nano-zinc oxide may be harmful to coral reefs - though the verdict is not entirely out on this one.
Zinc Oxide also has antibacterial and calming properties. It is not water soluble.
Zinc has been used throughout history as an ingredient in paint and medicine. An Indian text from 500BC is believed to list zinc oxide as a salve for open wound. The Ancient Greek physician Dioscorides has also mentioned the use of zinc as an ointment in 1AD.
Learn more about Zinc OxideWater. 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 WaterButyloctyl Salicylate is similar to octisalate. It a photostabilizer, SPF booster, emollient and solvent. Its main purpose is to evenly spread out ingredients.
This ingredient is a common sunscreen ingredient carrier and photostabilizer. According to a manufacturer, it is suitable for carrying micro Titanium Dioxide, Zinc Oxide, and pigments.
Photostabilizers help stabilize UV-filters and prevents them from degrading quickly.
Due to regulation loopholes, this ingredient is not required to be labeled as an active chemical filter like other UV ingredients. This is why you'll likely find this ingredient in mineral sunscreens from the US.
According to EU regulation, this ingredient can cause harmful effects to aquatic life.
Learn more about Butyloctyl SalicylateBisabolol is famous for its skin soothing properties. It does this by blocking inflammatory signals, helping to reduce your body's reaction to irritation.
This ingredient also interferes with the process of hyperpigmentation. This can help with reducing dark spots and uneven tone.
Bisabolol is an antioxidant. Antioxidants help fight free-radicals. Free-radicals are molecules that may damage your skin cells. By fighting these free-radicals, Bisabolol may slow down signs of aging.
Studies have shown Bisabolol to have antimicrobial properties and may be a fungicide. These properties help preserve a product's shelf life.
All these properties makes bisabolol a great skin barrier helper ingredient.
Bisabolol also helps the absorption of other ingredients.
Note: Synthetic Bisabolol has been shown to be less effective.
Learn more about BisabololPropanediol is an all-star ingredient. It softens, hydrates, and smooths the skin.Â
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 PropanediolPhenoxyethanol 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.
Ingredient Ratings
Here's what our community thinks of the ingredients in these products.
When to use
Cetaphil Sheer Mineral Sunscreen Lotion Broad Spectrum SPF 50 39 ingredients
Cetaphil Sheer Mineral Face Liquid Sunscreen Broad Spectrum SPF 50 26 ingredients
Reviews
Here's what our community thinks
Cetaphil Sheer Mineral Sunscreen Lotion Broad Spectrum SPF 50 39 ingredients
I usually use Korean sunscreen for daily wear, but wanted something with a stated water resistance for wearing to the pool, that I could grab at a local store. I settled on this one because it has ceramides. If you apply the recommended amount, it's going to leave a white cast, which I'm fine with. I want high protection, I don't really care how it looks. I do not love how it feels (not elegant) Show more
The most god awful sunscreen ever. Try it if you can't find white face paint for halloween - its even got the same greasy texture. Somehow oily and drying at the same time? Nothing "sheer" about this.
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.
