Clinique Superdefense™ City Block Broad Spectrum SPF 50 Daily Energy + Face Protector Versus Ilia Bright Start Retinol Alternative Brightening Eye Cream
Overview
Cool Features
They both contain exfoliants and Vitamin E
Suited For
They're both likely to be good for anti aging, dry skin and scar healing
Free From
They both do not contain any harsh alcohols, common allergens, fragrances, 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
Clinique Superdefense™ City Block Broad Spectrum SPF 50 Daily Energy + Face Protector 38 ingredients
Ilia Bright Start Retinol Alternative Brightening Eye Cream 35 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
Clinique Superdefense™ City Block Broad Spectrum SPF 50 Daily Energy + Face Protector 38 ingredients
Ilia Bright Start Retinol Alternative Brightening Eye Cream 35 ingredients
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate 5%
UV Absorber
Titanium Dioxide 3.2%
Cosmetic Colorant
Zinc Oxide 3.6%
Cosmetic Colorant
Water
Skin ConditioningDimethicone
Emollient
Butyloctyl Salicylate
Skin Conditioning
Isononyl Isononanoate
EmollientNeopentyl Glycol Diheptanoate
EmollientLauryl PEG-9 Polydimethylsiloxyethyl Dimethicone
Skin Conditioning
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Polydecene
Skin ConditioningPolyhydroxystearic Acid
Emulsifying
Ethylhexyl Methoxycrylene
Skin ConditioningHydrated Silica
Abrasive
Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer
Skin ConditioningTrimethylsiloxysilicate
Emollient
Hydrolyzed Wheat Protein/Pvp Crosspolymer
Hydroxyapatite
Abrasive
Cetyl PEG/PPG-10/1 Dimethicone
Emulsifying
Dimethicone/PEG-10/15 Crosspolymer
Sodium Rna
Skin ConditioningQuaternium-90 Bentonite
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Dimethicone Crosspolymer-3
Skin ConditioningStyrene/Acrylates Copolymer
Sodium Chloride
Masking
Caprylyl Glycol
EmollientPEG-8 Laurate
Emulsifying
Propylene Carbonate
SolventSilica
Abrasive
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Sodium Citrate
BufferingDisodium EDTA
BHT
Antioxidant
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Potassium Sorbate
Preservative
CI 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 ConditioningCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingPersea Gratissima Oil
Skin Conditioning
Propanediol
SolventGlycerin
Humectant
Pentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningCetearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Candelilla/Jojoba/Rice Bran Polyglyceryl-3 Esters
Emulsifying
Jojoba Oil/Macadamia Seed Oil Esters
Skin Conditioning
Brassica Campestris/Aleurites Fordi Oil Copolymer
Skin Conditioning
Silica
Abrasive
Glyceryl Stearate
Emollient
Sodium Polyacryloyldimethyl Taurate
Emulsion StabilisingBehenyl Alcohol
Emollient
Caffeine
Skin ConditioningMoringa Oil/Hydrogenated Moringa Oil Esters
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Stearoyl Lactylate
EmulsifyingMica
Cosmetic Colorant
Hydroxyacetophenone
Antioxidant
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningSqualene
Emollient
Caprylic/Capric/Succinic Triglyceride
EmollientXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingCitric Acid
Buffering
Sodium Phytate
Phytosteryl Macadamiate
Skin Conditioning
Persea Gratissima Fruit Extract
EmollientCrithmum Maritimum Extract
Skin ConditioningPhytosterols
Skin ConditioningTocopherol
Antioxidant
Acetyl Hexapeptide-8
Humectant
Sodium Citrate
BufferingCI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77491
Cosmetic ColorantWater, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Persea Gratissima Oil, Propanediol, Glycerin, Pentylene Glycol, Cetearyl Alcohol, Candelilla/Jojoba/Rice Bran Polyglyceryl-3 Esters, Jojoba Oil/Macadamia Seed Oil Esters, Brassica Campestris/Aleurites Fordi Oil Copolymer, Silica, Glyceryl Stearate, Sodium Polyacryloyldimethyl Taurate, Behenyl Alcohol, Caffeine, Moringa Oil/Hydrogenated Moringa Oil Esters, Sodium Stearoyl Lactylate, Mica, Hydroxyacetophenone, Caprylyl Glycol, 1,2-Hexanediol, Squalene, Caprylic/Capric/Succinic Triglyceride, Xanthan Gum, Citric Acid, Sodium Phytate, Phytosteryl Macadamiate, Persea Gratissima Fruit Extract, Crithmum Maritimum Extract, Phytosterols, Tocopherol, Acetyl Hexapeptide-8, Sodium Citrate, CI 77891, CI 77491
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 WaterCaprylyl 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 GlycolSilica 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 SilicaTocopherol (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 TocopherolSodium Citrate is the sodium salts of citric acid. In skincare, it is used to alter pH levels and acts as a preservative.
Its main functions are to maintain the pH of a product and neutralize metal ions.
The acidity of our skin is maintained by our glands and skin biome; normal pH level of skin is slightly acidic (~4.75-5.5).
Being slightly acidic allows our skin to create an "acid mantle". This acid mantle is a thin barrier that protects our skin from bacteria and contaminants.
Learn more about Sodium CitrateCi 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 77491Ingredient Ratings
Here's what our community thinks of the ingredients in these products.
When to use
Clinique Superdefense™ City Block Broad Spectrum SPF 50 Daily Energy + Face Protector 38 ingredients
Ilia Bright Start Retinol Alternative Brightening Eye Cream 35 ingredients
Reviews
Here's what our community thinks
Clinique Superdefense™ City Block Broad Spectrum SPF 50 Daily Energy + Face Protector 38 ingredients
First of all I don’t like the texture, it’s too liquid, almost watery. It feels heavy on my skin and leaves an oily feeling on it. It wasn’t that bad in the cold wintertime though but definitely bad in the summertime when it was melting away on my face. The colour is not really noticeable on my skin, just a hint of improvement on my complexion. Now suddenly a severe eczema hit me on my face and I Show more
