COLLISTAR Milano Active Protection Sun Face Cream Hyper-sensitive Skins SPF 50+ Versus CeraVe Hydrating Mineral Sunscreen SPF 30 Body Lotion
This chemical sunscreen covers the full UV range and blocks ~98% of UVB at SPF 50.
This hybrid sunscreen covers the full UV range and blocks ~97% of UVB at SPF 30.
What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningDibutyl Adipate
EmollientC12-15 Alkyl Benzoate
AntimicrobialDiethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl Benzoate
UV FilterEthylhexyl Salicylate
UV AbsorberPhenylbenzimidazole Sulfonic Acid
UV AbsorberArginine
MaskingEthylhexyl Triazone
UV AbsorberBis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine
UV AbsorberDiethylhexyl Butamido Triazone
UV AbsorberPolyester-5
Tris-Biphenyl Triazine
UV AbsorberPentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningMethylene Bis-Benzotriazolyl Tetramethylbutylphenol
UV FilterCoco-Caprylate
EmollientPolyacrylate Crosspolymer-6
Emulsion StabilisingLauroyl Lysine
Skin Conditioning1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningAcrylates/Palmeth-25 Acrylate Copolymer
Potassium Cetyl Phosphate
EmulsifyingDecyl Glucoside
CleansingHydroxyacetophenone
AntioxidantCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientChlorphenesin
AntimicrobialCaprylhydroxamic Acid
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningSodium Stearoyl Glutamate
CleansingPolyglyceryl-3 Cocoate
EmulsifyingLecithin
EmollientTetrasodium Glutamate Diacetate
Tocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantGlycerin
HumectantOpuntia Ficus-Indica Stem Extract
Skin ConditioningTocopherol
AntioxidantButylene Glycol
HumectantDisodium Phosphate
BufferingEctoin
Skin ConditioningAscorbyl Palmitate
AntioxidantSaccharomyces Ferment Lysate Filtrate
Skin ConditioningPropylene Glycol
HumectantCanola Oil
EmollientAmylopectin
Citric Acid
BufferingHumulus Lupulus Extract
AntimicrobialSodium Benzoate
MaskingPotassium Sorbate
PreservativeCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingDaucus Carota Sativa Root Extract
Skin ConditioningDaucus Carota Sativa Seed Oil
EmollientAscorbyl Tetraisopalmitate
AntioxidantCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingBeta-Carotene
Skin ConditioningHelianthus Annuus Seed Oil
EmollientDNA
Skin ConditioningWater, Dibutyl Adipate, C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate, Diethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl Benzoate, Ethylhexyl Salicylate, Phenylbenzimidazole Sulfonic Acid, Arginine, Ethylhexyl Triazone, Bis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine, Diethylhexyl Butamido Triazone, Polyester-5, Tris-Biphenyl Triazine, Pentylene Glycol, Methylene Bis-Benzotriazolyl Tetramethylbutylphenol, Coco-Caprylate, Polyacrylate Crosspolymer-6, Lauroyl Lysine, 1,2-Hexanediol, Acrylates/Palmeth-25 Acrylate Copolymer, Potassium Cetyl Phosphate, Decyl Glucoside, Hydroxyacetophenone, Caprylyl Glycol, Chlorphenesin, Caprylhydroxamic Acid, Xanthan Gum, Ethylhexylglycerin, Sodium Stearoyl Glutamate, Polyglyceryl-3 Cocoate, Lecithin, Tetrasodium Glutamate Diacetate, Tocopheryl Acetate, Glycerin, Opuntia Ficus-Indica Stem Extract, Tocopherol, Butylene Glycol, Disodium Phosphate, Ectoin, Ascorbyl Palmitate, Saccharomyces Ferment Lysate Filtrate, Propylene Glycol, Canola Oil, Amylopectin, Citric Acid, Humulus Lupulus Extract, Sodium Benzoate, Potassium Sorbate, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Daucus Carota Sativa Root Extract, Daucus Carota Sativa Seed Oil, Ascorbyl Tetraisopalmitate, Carbomer, Beta-Carotene, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, DNA
Titanium Dioxide 6%
Cosmetic ColorantZinc Oxide 5%
Cosmetic ColorantWater
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantC12-15 Alkyl Benzoate
AntimicrobialDimethicone
EmollientGlyceryl Stearate
EmollientIsododecane
EmollientButyloctyl Salicylate
Skin ConditioningStyrene/Acrylates Copolymer
Propanediol
SolventStearic Acid
CleansingPEG-100 Stearate
SurfactantSorbitan Stearate
EmulsifyingPEG-8 Laurate
EmulsifyingCeramide NP
Skin ConditioningCeramide AP
Skin ConditioningCeramide EOP
Skin ConditioningSorbitan Isostearate
EmulsifyingCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingCetearyl Alcohol
EmollientCeteareth-20
CleansingTriethoxycaprylylsilane
Dimethiconol
EmollientSodium Citrate
BufferingSodium Lauroyl Lactylate
EmulsifyingSodium Dodecylbenzenesulfonate
CleansingMyristic Acid
CleansingSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantCholesterol
EmollientAluminum Hydroxide
EmollientPalmitic Acid
EmollientPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeChlorphenesin
AntimicrobialHydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientCitric Acid
BufferingXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingPhytosphingosine
Skin ConditioningPolyhydroxystearic Acid
EmulsifyingPolysorbate 60
EmulsifyingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningTitanium Dioxide 6%, Zinc Oxide 5%, Water, Glycerin, C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate, Dimethicone, Glyceryl Stearate, Isododecane, Butyloctyl Salicylate, Styrene/Acrylates Copolymer, Propanediol, Stearic Acid, PEG-100 Stearate, Sorbitan Stearate, PEG-8 Laurate, Ceramide NP, Ceramide AP, Ceramide EOP, Sorbitan Isostearate, Carbomer, Cetearyl Alcohol, Ceteareth-20, Triethoxycaprylylsilane, Dimethiconol, Sodium Citrate, Sodium Lauroyl Lactylate, Sodium Dodecylbenzenesulfonate, Myristic Acid, Sodium Hyaluronate, Cholesterol, Aluminum Hydroxide, Palmitic Acid, Phenoxyethanol, Chlorphenesin, Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Caprylyl Glycol, Citric Acid, Xanthan Gum, Phytosphingosine, Polyhydroxystearic Acid, Polysorbate 60, Ethylhexylglycerin
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate is a lightweight emollient made by combinig benzoic acid with fatty alcohols that are 12-15 carbons long.
In cosmetics, it plays several roles:
The Cosmetic Review Expert Panel has concluded the alkyl benzoate group to be safe as used in cosmetics; it wasn't found to be a skin irritant and unlikely to be absorbed due to its low water solubility.
This report recorded almost 1000 reported uses with concentrations up to 59% in leave-on products but your cosmetics will typically use 0.5-15% depending on the product.
It's often called a "SPF booster": this is because it keeps UV filters properly dissolved and evenly distributed to support a sunscreen's performance. It doesn't actually raise SPF on its own.
Overall, this ingredient is well tolerated.
This ingredient is fungal acne safe because it is an ester of benzoic acid.
Think of this ingredient as two parts stuck together: an oily part and an acid part. Malassezia only gets a meal when it can snip off a fatty acid to eat. With C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate, the acid part is benzoic acid, which isn't a fatty acid and which the yeast can't use as food.
Benzoic acid is actually used as a preservative to stop yeast from growing.
The oily part is a blend of C12-15 fatty alcohols but fatty alcohols in this size range can support only a little Malassezia growth (mostly for one species of Malassezia as well).
In the ingredient, those alcohols stay locked inside the molecule. The yeast can only reach them by snipping the benzoate bond, and that type of bond is harder for it to cut than a normal fatty bond.
So not much gets released. And whatever does get snipped comes packaged with benzoic acid, which discourages yeast growth.
Learn more about C12-15 Alkyl BenzoateCaprylyl 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 GlycolCarbomer is a synthetic thickening and gelling agent. It's basically the ingredient that gives a lot of serums, gels, creams, and sunscreens their smooth, non-sticky texture.
Although legally permitted at very high levels, carbomers are normally used at concentrations below 1%.
It also needs to be neutralized to actually thicken, and because it is a large molecule, it doesn't really penetrate the skin barrier.
Allergy-wise, the risk is very low. Clinical studies show carbomers have low potential for skin irritation/sensitization even at concentrations up to 100%.
A 2024 UK study patch-tested 1,302 patients and found true allergy to the parent group of carbomer to be rare with no confirmed relevant reactions.
Learn more about CarbomerChlorphenesin is a synthetic preservative. It helps protect a product against bacteria in order to extend shelf life. In most cases, Chlorphenesin is paired with other preservatives such as phenoxyethanol and caprylyl glycol.
Chlorphenesin is a biocide. This means it is able to help fight the microorganisms on our skin. It is also able to fight odor-releasing bacteria.
Chlorphenesin is soluble in both water and glycerin.
Studies show Chlorphenesin is easily absorbed by our skin. You should speak with a skincare professional if you have concerns about using Chlorphenesin.
Learn more about ChlorphenesinCitric Acid is an alpha hydroxy acid (AHA) naturally found in citrus fruits like oranges, lemons, and limes.
Like other AHAs, citric acid can exfoliate skin by breaking down the bonds that hold dead skin cells together. This helps reveal smoother and brighter skin underneath.
However, this exfoliating effect only happens at high concentrations (20%) which can be hard to find in cosmetic products.
Due to this, citric acid is usually included in small amounts as a pH adjuster. This helps keep products slightly more acidic and compatible with skin's natural pH.
In skincare formulas, citric acid can:
While it can provide some skin benefits, research shows lactic acid and glycolic acid are generally more effective and less irritating exfoliants.
Most citric acid used in skincare today is made by fermenting sugars (usually from molasses). This synthetic version is identical to the natural citrus form but easier to stabilize and use in formulations.
Rosacea skin has a lower threshold for acids generally, with 62.5% of rosacea subjects in one study reacting to lactic acid in a sting test. This is why we mark citric acid as a potential rosacea trigger.
However, this ingredient shows up as a pH adjuster or chelator at roughly 0.1-1% in many products. These low levels are unlikely to be an issue for rosacea skin and becomes a potential trigger at exfoliating concentrations (20%). Because everybody's skin is unique, we recommend a patch test if you are unsure.
Learn more about Citric AcidEthylhexylglycerin is created from glycerin. It is a multitasker ingredient that:
The CIR Expert Panel found minimal skin absorption or sensitization of any kind in a safety assessment. Though this ingredient is considered well-tolerated, a small number of cases of allergic dermatitis have been published since 2002. Just be sure to patch test if you are unsure.
Industry-reported use ranges from 8% in rinse-off products and 2% in leave-on formulations.
Learn more about EthylhexylglycerinGlycerin (or glycerol) is a compound naturally found in your skin. It's a powerhouse humectant that pulls water into the stratum corneum.
Topically, glycerin does several things at once:
Your skin makes glycerin on its own (mostly from sebaceous oil breakdown) and shuttles it to your outermost layer of skin, or your epidermis, via aquaporin-3.
Aquaporin-3 is a transporter that is essential for normal skin hydration, elasticity, and repair. Interestingly, mice lacking in AQP3 have dry and less elastic skin that can be fully corrected with glycerin.
This ingredient is non-irritating, plays well with almost every ingredient, and works across all skin types. Typical use is anywhere between 3-10% but can go up to 79% in some leave-on products.
Just know very high concentrations (>40%) can feel tacky in low humidity.
Glycerin is the name for this ingredient in American English. British English uses Glycerol/Glycerine.
Learn more about GlycerinWater. 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 WaterXanthan 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 Gum