Cetaphil Sun SPF 50 Light Gel Versus Skin Aqua Tone Up UV Essence SPF 50+ PA++++ - Lavender
Updated on November 12, 2024
Overview
What they are
These products are both sunscreens. They have a total of 9 ingredients in common
Cool Features
They both contain exfoliants and SPF
Suited For
They're both likely to be good for dry skin and scar healing
Free From
They both do not contain any common allergens, oils, parabens or sulfates
What's Inside
They both contain harsh alcohols and 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 Sun SPF 50 Light Gel 24 ingredients
Skin Aqua Tone Up UV Essence SPF 50+ PA++++ 33 ingredients
About this product
About this product
At a glance
Click on any of the items below to learn more
Cetaphil Sun SPF 50 Light Gel 24 ingredients
Skin Aqua Tone Up UV Essence SPF 50+ PA++++ 33 ingredients
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningEthylhexyl Methoxycinnamate
UV Absorber
Alcohol
Antimicrobial
C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate
AntimicrobialDiethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl Benzoate
UV Filter
Bis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine
Skin Conditioning
Dibutyl Adipate
EmollientTitanium Dioxide
Cosmetic Colorant
Dimethicone
Emollient
Vp/Eicosene Copolymer
Cyclodextrin
AbsorbentEthylhexyl Triazone
UV Absorber
Methylene Bis-Benzotriazolyl Tetramethylbutylphenol
UV Filter
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Polyglyceryl-2 Dipolyhydroxystearate
Skin Conditioning
Silica
Abrasive
Decyl Glucoside
CleansingTriethanolamine
BufferingXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingAcrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingTrisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate
Lauryl Glucoside
CleansingBHT
Antioxidant
Propylene Glycol
Humectant
Water, Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate, Alcohol, C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate, Diethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl Benzoate, Bis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine, Dibutyl Adipate, Titanium Dioxide, Dimethicone, Vp/Eicosene Copolymer, Cyclodextrin, Ethylhexyl Triazone, Methylene Bis-Benzotriazolyl Tetramethylbutylphenol, Tocopherol, Polyglyceryl-2 Dipolyhydroxystearate, Silica, Decyl Glucoside, Triethanolamine, Xanthan Gum, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate, Lauryl Glucoside, BHT, Propylene Glycol
Water
Skin ConditioningAlcohol Denat.
Antimicrobial
Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate
UV Absorber
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Diphenylsiloxy Phenyl Trimethicone
Skin Conditioning
Diethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl Benzoate
UV Filter
Titanium Dioxide
Cosmetic Colorant
PEG-8 Hyaluronate
EmollientSodium Ascorbyl Phosphate
Antioxidant
Rosa Canina Fruit Extract
Astringent
Barm Extract
Skin ConditioningBis-PEG-18 Methyl Ether Dimethyl Silane
EmollientMethyl Methacrylate Crosspolymer
Bis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine
Skin Conditioning
Acrylates Copolymer
Polysorbate 60
Emulsifying
Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingTea-PCA
HumectantAmmonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer
Silica
Abrasive
PEG-12 Dimethicone
Skin Conditioning
Polystyrene
Polyvinyl Alcohol
EDTA
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingAlumina
Abrasive
BHT
Antioxidant
Polyglyceryl-2 Triisostearate
Emulsifying
Synthetic Fluorphlogopite
Tin Oxide
Abrasive
CI 45380
Cosmetic ColorantBlue 1 Lake
Cosmetic ColorantParfum
Masking
Water, Alcohol Denat., Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate, Butylene Glycol, Diphenylsiloxy Phenyl Trimethicone, Diethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl Benzoate, Titanium Dioxide, PEG-8 Hyaluronate, Sodium Ascorbyl Phosphate, Rosa Canina Fruit Extract, Barm Extract, Bis-PEG-18 Methyl Ether Dimethyl Silane, Methyl Methacrylate Crosspolymer, Bis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine, Acrylates Copolymer, Polysorbate 60, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Tea-PCA, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer, Silica, PEG-12 Dimethicone, Polystyrene, Polyvinyl Alcohol, EDTA, Xanthan Gum, Alumina, BHT, Polyglyceryl-2 Triisostearate, Synthetic Fluorphlogopite, Tin Oxide, CI 45380, Blue 1 Lake, Parfum
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Water. 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 WaterEthylhexyl 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 MethoxycinnamateDiethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl Benzoate (DHHB) is a chemical UV-A absorber. It is formulated for high UVA protection (320-400 nm).
DHHB is well-liked for:
DHHB has been approved by the EU, Japan, Taiwan, and South America for use up to 10%. Unfortunately, it has not been approved for use in the US or Canada due to slow regulatory processes.
This ingredient is soluble in oils, fats, and lipids.
Learn more about Diethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl BenzoateYou 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 TriazineTitanium dioxide is known for its UVA and UVB protection properties. It is non-comedogenic and non-irritating. Titanium Dioxide is a physical sunscreen. Physical sunscreens reflect light and prevent it from reaching your skin.
Protecting your skin against UV radiation can prevent the signs of aging. Sun damage is associated with fine-lines, wrinkles, loss of firmness, and hyperpigmentation. Titanium dioxide can help prevent premature aging.
With modern production, nano-scale or fine-grade titanium dioxide can be easily produced for cosmetics. In sunscreen, titanium dioxide absorbs UV light. Our skin is not able to absorb Titanium dioxide, even nanoparticles.
Titanium itself is the 9th most common element in the Earth's crust. Titanium dioxide is formed when oxygen is introduced and can be found in ores, dust, sand, and soil.
Pure titanium dioxide is a white powder that is used in many products to add or change color.
Learn more about Titanium DioxideSilica is a mineral naturally found in our skin. It helps to thicken and smooth the texture of a product. It also acts as an agent for other ingredients by increasing the absorption of other ingredients into the skin.
Silica is often used for absorption and can help reduce shine when products are applied. Silica occurs in naturally in materials like clay and sandstone, and it can also be produced synthetically.
Silica is present naturally within the skin during collagen production and when reducing inflammation.
Learn more about SilicaXanthan 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 GumAcrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer is a synthetic polymer. It is used to thicken and improve the texture of products. Due to its properties, it can prevent water and oil ingredients from separating.
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 BHTIngredient Ratings
Here's what our community thinks of the ingredients in these products.
When to use
Cetaphil Sun SPF 50 Light Gel 24 ingredients
Skin Aqua Tone Up UV Essence SPF 50+ PA++++ 33 ingredients
Reviews
Here's what our community thinks
Skin Aqua Tone Up UV Essence SPF 50+ PA++++ 33 ingredients
Love this sunscreen- it's so smooth, lightweight, not sticky or drying at all. I also find that the violet color helps my skin not look too sallow and it prevents my makeup from looking yellow.
It gave me tiny bumps of a broken skin barrier, dried out my cheeks completely, had to focus on barrier health.
One of the first ingredients is alcohol, RUN!
SO IRRITATING
However it doesn't leave a white cast and does color correct skin.
