Clinique Superdefense⢠City Block Broad Spectrum SPF 50 Daily Energy + Face Protector Versus Clinique Even Better Refresh Hydrating and Repairing Makeup
What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate 5%
UV AbsorberTitanium Dioxide 3.2%
Cosmetic ColorantZinc Oxide 3.6%
Cosmetic ColorantWater
Skin ConditioningDimethicone
EmollientButyloctyl Salicylate
Skin ConditioningIsononyl Isononanoate
EmollientNeopentyl Glycol Diheptanoate
EmollientLauryl PEG-9 Polydimethylsiloxyethyl Dimethicone
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
HumectantPolydecene
Skin ConditioningPolyhydroxystearic Acid
EmulsifyingEthylhexyl Methoxycrylene
Skin ConditioningHydrated Silica
AbrasiveDimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer
Skin ConditioningTrimethylsiloxysilicate
EmollientHydrolyzed Wheat Protein/Pvp Crosspolymer
Hydroxyapatite
AbrasiveCetyl PEG/PPG-10/1 Dimethicone
EmulsifyingDimethicone/PEG-10/15 Crosspolymer
Sodium Rna
Skin ConditioningQuaternium-90 Bentonite
Sodium Hyaluronate
HumectantDimethicone Crosspolymer-3
Skin ConditioningStyrene/Acrylates Copolymer
Sodium Chloride
MaskingCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientPEG-8 Laurate
EmulsifyingPropylene Carbonate
SolventSilica
AbrasiveTocopherol
AntioxidantSodium Citrate
BufferingDisodium EDTA
BHT
AntioxidantPhenoxyethanol
PreservativePotassium Sorbate
PreservativeCI 77491
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77492
Cosmetic ColorantEthylhexyl Methoxycinnamate 5%, Titanium Dioxide 3.2%, Zinc Oxide 3.6%, Water, Dimethicone, Butyloctyl Salicylate, Isononyl Isononanoate, Neopentyl Glycol Diheptanoate, Lauryl PEG-9 Polydimethylsiloxyethyl Dimethicone, Butylene Glycol, Polydecene, Polyhydroxystearic Acid, Ethylhexyl Methoxycrylene, Hydrated Silica, Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Trimethylsiloxysilicate, Hydrolyzed Wheat Protein/Pvp Crosspolymer, Hydroxyapatite, Cetyl PEG/PPG-10/1 Dimethicone, Dimethicone/PEG-10/15 Crosspolymer, Sodium Rna, Quaternium-90 Bentonite, Sodium Hyaluronate, Dimethicone Crosspolymer-3, Styrene/Acrylates Copolymer, Sodium Chloride, Caprylyl Glycol, PEG-8 Laurate, Propylene Carbonate, Silica, Tocopherol, Sodium Citrate, Disodium EDTA, BHT, Phenoxyethanol, Potassium Sorbate, CI 77491, CI 77492
Water
Skin ConditioningDimethicone
EmollientMethyl Trimethicone
Skin ConditioningTrimethylsiloxysilicate/Dimethiconol Crosspolymer
Butylene Glycol
HumectantPhenyl Trimethicone
Skin ConditioningNeopentyl Glycol Diheptanoate
EmollientNiacinamide
SmoothingHydroxyethyl Urea
HumectantPPG-12/Smdi Copolymer
EmollientLauryl PEG-9 Polydimethylsiloxyethyl Dimethicone
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantSodium Polyaspartate
HumectantPEG-10 Dimethicone
Skin ConditioningSigesbeckia Orientalis Extract
Skin ConditioningPolygonum Cuspidatum Root Extract
AntioxidantAcetyl Hexapeptide-8
HumectantSorbitol
HumectantIsopropyl Isostearate
EmollientPPG-15 Stearyl Ether
EmollientMicrococcus Lysate
Skin ConditioningResveratrol
AntioxidantPalmitoyl Hexapeptide-12
Skin ConditioningSalicylic Acid
MaskingCaffeine
Skin ConditioningPolysilicone-11
Sodium Chloride
MaskingTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantPolymethyl Methacrylate
Disteardimonium Hectorite
StabilisingDimethicone/PEG-10/15 Crosspolymer
Lecithin
EmollientTriethoxycaprylylsilane
Caprylyl Glycol
EmollientZinc Stearate
Cosmetic ColorantGlyceryl Polymethacrylate
Laureth-7
EmulsifyingTrehalose
HumectantTriethyl Citrate
MaskingSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantDimethicone Silylate
PEG-8
HumectantMagnesium Aluminum Silicate
AbsorbentMethicone
EmollientAlumina
AbrasiveSilica
AbrasivePropylene Glycol Caprylate
Skin ConditioningHexylene Glycol
EmulsifyingXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingDisodium EDTA
BHT
AntioxidantPotassium Sorbate
PreservativePhenoxyethanol
PreservativeMica
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77491
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77492
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77499
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantWater, Dimethicone, Methyl Trimethicone, Trimethylsiloxysilicate/Dimethiconol Crosspolymer, Butylene Glycol, Phenyl Trimethicone, Neopentyl Glycol Diheptanoate, Niacinamide, Hydroxyethyl Urea, PPG-12/Smdi Copolymer, Lauryl PEG-9 Polydimethylsiloxyethyl Dimethicone, Glycerin, Sodium Polyaspartate, PEG-10 Dimethicone, Sigesbeckia Orientalis Extract, Polygonum Cuspidatum Root Extract, Acetyl Hexapeptide-8, Sorbitol, Isopropyl Isostearate, PPG-15 Stearyl Ether, Micrococcus Lysate, Resveratrol, Palmitoyl Hexapeptide-12, Salicylic Acid, Caffeine, Polysilicone-11, Sodium Chloride, Tocopheryl Acetate, Polymethyl Methacrylate, Disteardimonium Hectorite, Dimethicone/PEG-10/15 Crosspolymer, Lecithin, Triethoxycaprylylsilane, Caprylyl Glycol, Zinc Stearate, Glyceryl Polymethacrylate, Laureth-7, Trehalose, Triethyl Citrate, Sodium Hyaluronate, Dimethicone Silylate, PEG-8, Magnesium Aluminum Silicate, Methicone, Alumina, Silica, Propylene Glycol Caprylate, Hexylene Glycol, Xanthan Gum, Disodium EDTA, BHT, Potassium Sorbate, Phenoxyethanol, Mica, CI 77491, CI 77492, CI 77499, CI 77891
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
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 BHTButylene Glycol (or BG) is used within cosmetic products for a few different reasons:
Overall, Butylene Glycol is a safe and well-rounded ingredient that works well with other ingredients.
Though this ingredient works well with most skin types, some people with sensitive skin may experience a reaction such as allergic rashes, closed comedones, or itchiness.
Learn more about Butylene GlycolCaprylyl Glycol is a humectant, skin conditioner, emollient, and preservative booster derived from either caprylic acid or synthetically created.
Typical use levels vary from 0.3-1% as a preservative booster and go up to 2% to condition skin.
Because it is not a free-fatty acid, this ingredient is fungal acne safe (there's nothing for Malassezia to feed on).
Learn more about Caprylyl GlycolCi 77491 is also hydrated iron III oxide. It's sole purpose is to give a red/pink hue to products.
Iron III oxides are classified as inorganic chemicals for coloring.
Synthetically created Ci 77491 is considered safer than those naturally found. This is because the synthetically created version may contain less impurities. Iron oxides are generally non-toxic and non-allergenic.
Learn more about CI 77491CI 77492 is also hydrated iron III oxide. It's sole purpose is to give a yellow hue to products.
Iron III oxides are classified as inorganic chemicals for coloring.
Synthetically created CI 77492 is considered safer than those naturally found. This is because the synthetically created version may contain less impurities. Iron oxides are generally non-toxic and non-allergenic.
Learn more about CI 77492Dimethicone is a type of synthetic silicone created from natural materials such as quartz. It is also known as polydimethylsiloxane.
What it does:
Dimethicone comes in different viscosities:
Depending on the viscosity, dimethicone has different properties.
Ingredients lists don't always show which type is used, so we recommend reaching out to the brand if you have questions about the viscosity.
This ingredient is unlikely to cause irritation because it does not get absorbed into skin. However, people with silicone allergies should be careful about using this ingredient.
Note: Dimethicone may contribute to pilling. This is because it is not oil or water soluble, so pilling may occur when layered with products. When mixed with heavy oils in a formula, the outcome is also quite greasy.
Learn more about DimethiconeThis is a silicone-based ingredient that helps create a smooth, silky, "bouncy" texture. It also acts as an emulsifier that prevents ingredients from separating in a formula.
Due to its large molecule size and water-insolubility, this ingredient is unlikely to be absorbed into skin. Irritation and sensitization tests have found reactions to silicones are considered very rare.
You'll likely see this ingredient in leave-on products at concentrations of 0.03%-3%.
Learn more about Dimethicone/PEG-10/15 CrosspolymerDisodium EDTA is a chelating agent. It grabs onto and deactivates metal ions that sneak into your products from water, packaging, or air.
This ingredient mainly works behind the scenes and helps with:
On top of that, this ingredient can counteract the effects of hard water by binding to the minerals in it.
One thing worth knowing is that Disodium EDTA has been shown to be a mild penetration enhancer. It can help other ingredients absorb into skin more effectively which can be a double-edged sword (great for actives, but can also make the active too strong if you have sensitive skin).
Clinical patch testing showed no significant skin irritation at typical use concentrations and minimal dermal absorption.
You'll most likely see this ingredient near the end of an ingredient list. It's typically found in concentrations less than 1%.
Learn more about Disodium EDTAThis is a silicone-polyether copolymer with skin conditioning, emulsifying, texture enhancing, and surfactant properties. It is used to help blend water and silicone based ingredients to improve slip and spreadability.
Due to its large molecular size and hydrophilic-lipophilic structure (it loves both oil and water), this ingredient is minimally absorbed into the skin.
This ingredient is an emollient with skin conditioning properties.
According to the manufacturer, it is light, non-greasy, spreadable, and has the ability to act as a "silicone alternative".
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.
Potassium Sorbate is a preservative used to prevent yeast and mold in products. It is commonly found in both cosmetic and food products.
This ingredient comes from potassium salt derived from sorbic acid. Sorbic acid is a natural antibiotic and effective against fungus.
Both potassium sorbate and sorbic acid can be found in baked goods, cheeses, dried meats, dried fruit, ice cream, pickles, wine, yogurt, and more.
You'll often find this ingredient used with other preservatives.
Learn more about Potassium SorbateSilica, also known as silicon dioxide, is a naturally occurring mineral. It is used as a fine, spherical, and porous powder in cosmetics.
Though it has exfoliant properties, the function of silica varies depending on the product.
The unique structure of silica enhances the spreadability and adds smoothness, making it a great texture enhancer.
It is also used as an active carrier, emulsifier, and mattifier due to its ability to absorb excess oil.
In some products, tiny microneedles called spicules are made from silica or hydrolyzed sponge. When you rub them in, they lightly polish away dead skin layers and enhance the penetration of active ingredients.
Learn more about SilicaChances are, you eat sodium chloride every day. Sodium Chloride is also known as table salt. This ingredient has many purposes in skincare: thickener, emulsifier, and exfoliator.
You'll most likely find this ingredient in cleansers where it is used to create a gel-like texture. As an emulsifier, it also prevents ingredients from separating.
You might see people debate whether Sodium Chloride is comedogenic, but there actually haven't been any comedogenic tests done on it. Either way, the overall formulation of a product matters a lot more than any single ingredient.
You might see this ingredient used in scrubs as a primary exfoliating ingredient.
Learn more about Sodium ChlorideSodium Hyaluronate is the salt form of hyaluronic acid. It is a long sugar chain that is naturally found in your skin, joints, and connective tissue that maintains hydration and elasticity.
In skincare, it works as a humectant. It pulls water from the environment and deeper layers of skin and binds it to the surface.
Interestingly, the size of the molecule affects its behavior:
Some clinical evidence links low molecular weight versions to improved wrinkle depth, elasticity, anti-inflammatory effects, and barrier repair.
Many serums use a blend of both weights so you can get surface hydration plus longer-lasting and deeper effects.
You'll typically see concentrations between 0.1-2% for this ingredient.
Learn more about Sodium HyaluronateWater. 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 Water