COOLA Refreshing Water Plumping Gel SPF 30 Versus COOLA Full Spectrum 360° Refreshing Water Mist Sunscreen SPF 18
Updated on April 24, 2024
Overview
What they are
These products are both vegan, cruelty-free, and fungal acne (malassezia) safe sunscreens. They have a total of 23 ingredients in common
Cool Features
They both contain hyaluronic acid and SPF
Suited For
They're both likely to be good for dry skin and sensitive skin
Free From
They both do not contain any parabens, silicones or sulfates
What's Inside
They both contain common allergens, fragrances and oils
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
COOLA Refreshing Water Plumping Gel SPF 30 49 ingredients
COOLA Full Spectrum 360° Refreshing Water Mist Sunscreen SPF 18 33 ingredients
About this product
About this product
At a glance
Click on any of the items below to learn more
COOLA Refreshing Water Plumping Gel SPF 30 49 ingredients
COOLA Full Spectrum 360° Refreshing Water Mist Sunscreen SPF 18 33 ingredients
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane 3%
UV Absorber
Homosalate 6%
Skin Conditioning
Ethylhexyl Salicylate 5%
UV Absorber
Octocrylene 7%
UV Absorber
Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice
Skin Conditioning
Alcohol Denat.
Antimicrobial
Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer
Butyloctyl Salicylate
Skin Conditioning
Ethylhexyl Methoxycrylene
Skin ConditioningHyaluronic Acid
Humectant
Cocos Nucifera Fruit Water
Skin ConditioningAlaria Esculenta Extract
Skin ProtectingAloe Barbadensis Flower Extract
EmollientJasminum Sambac Leaf Cell Extract
Masking
Melia Azadirachta Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningMelia Azadirachta Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningCorallina Officinalis Extract
Skin ConditioningCoccinia Indica Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningSolanum Melongena Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningTheobroma Cacao Seed Extract
Antioxidant
Curcuma Longa Root Extract
Masking
Ocimum Basilicum Flower/Leaf Extract
TonicOcimum Sanctum Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningSchinus Molle Extract
Skin ProtectingCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingWater
Skin ConditioningEthyl Ferulate
Antioxidant
Propanediol
SolventButylene Glycol
Humectant
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientTriethyl Citrate
Masking
Tapioca Starch
Glycerin
Humectant
Gamma-Nonalactone
Masking
Tropolone
Skin ConditioningJuniperus Mexicana Oil
Masking
Gamma-Octalactone
Perfuming
Benzyl Acetate
Masking
Phenethyl Alcohol
MaskingMimosa Tenuiflora Bark Extract
Skin ProtectingVanillin
Masking
Heliotropine
Masking
Anisaldehyde
Masking
Delta-Decalactone
Masking
Methylbenzyl Acetate
Masking
Ethyl Butyrate
Perfuming
Methyl Anthranilate
MaskingMethyl Benzoate
Perfuming
Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane 3%, Homosalate 6%, Ethylhexyl Salicylate 5%, Octocrylene 7%, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Alcohol Denat., Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer, Butyloctyl Salicylate, Ethylhexyl Methoxycrylene, Hyaluronic Acid, Cocos Nucifera Fruit Water, Alaria Esculenta Extract, Aloe Barbadensis Flower Extract, Jasminum Sambac Leaf Cell Extract, Melia Azadirachta Leaf Extract, Melia Azadirachta Flower Extract, Corallina Officinalis Extract, Coccinia Indica Fruit Extract, Solanum Melongena Fruit Extract, Theobroma Cacao Seed Extract, Curcuma Longa Root Extract, Ocimum Basilicum Flower/Leaf Extract, Ocimum Sanctum Leaf Extract, Schinus Molle Extract, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Water, Ethyl Ferulate, Propanediol, Butylene Glycol, 1,2-Hexanediol, Caprylyl Glycol, Triethyl Citrate, Tapioca Starch, Glycerin, Gamma-Nonalactone, Tropolone, Juniperus Mexicana Oil, Gamma-Octalactone, Benzyl Acetate, Phenethyl Alcohol, Mimosa Tenuiflora Bark Extract, Vanillin, Heliotropine, Anisaldehyde, Delta-Decalactone, Methylbenzyl Acetate, Ethyl Butyrate, Methyl Anthranilate, Methyl Benzoate
Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane 2%
UV Absorber
Homosalate 10%
Skin Conditioning
Ethylhexyl Salicylate 5%
UV Absorber
Octocrylene 5.5%
UV Absorber
Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract
Emollient
Anisaldehyde
Masking
Benzyl Acetate
Masking
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientCocos Nucifera Water
MaskingDelta-Decalactone
Masking
Didecyldimonium Chloride
EmulsifyingEthyl Butyrate
Perfuming
Gamma-Nonalactone
Masking
Gamma-Octalactone
Perfuming
Heliotropine
Masking
Jasminum Sambac Leaf Cell Extract
Masking
Juniperus Mexicana Oil
Masking
Methyl Benzoate
Perfuming
Methylpropanediol
SolventNerolidol
Perfuming
Polyquaternium-80
CleansingPropanediol
SolventSchinus Molle Extract
Skin ProtectingSodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Sodium Phytate
Theobroma Cacao Seed Extract
Antioxidant
Tridecane
Perfuming
Triethyl Citrate
Masking
Undecane
EmollientVanillin
Masking
Water
Skin ConditioningButyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane 2%, Homosalate 10%, Ethylhexyl Salicylate 5%, Octocrylene 5.5%, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract, Anisaldehyde, Benzyl Acetate, Butylene Glycol, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Caprylyl Glycol, Cocos Nucifera Water, Delta-Decalactone, Didecyldimonium Chloride, Ethyl Butyrate, Gamma-Nonalactone, Gamma-Octalactone, Heliotropine, Jasminum Sambac Leaf Cell Extract, Juniperus Mexicana Oil, Methyl Benzoate, Methylpropanediol, Nerolidol, Polyquaternium-80, Propanediol, Schinus Molle Extract, Sodium Hyaluronate, Sodium Phytate, Theobroma Cacao Seed Extract, Tridecane, Triethyl Citrate, Undecane, Vanillin, Water
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Also known as Avobenzone, this ingredient is a chemical sunscreen filter that provides protection in the UV-A range.
Avobenzone is globally approved and is the most commonly used UV-A filter in the world.
Studies have found that avobenzone becomes ineffective when exposed to UV light (it is not photostable; meaning that it breaks down in sunlight). Because of this, formulations that include avobenzone will usually contain stabilizers such as octocrylene.
However, some modern formulations (looking at you, EU!) are able to stabilize avobenzone by coating the molecules.
Avobenzone does not protect against the UV-B range, so it's important to check that the sunscreen you're using contains other UV filters that do!
The highest concentration of avobenzone permitted is 3% in the US, and 5% in the EU.
Learn more about Butyl MethoxydibenzoylmethaneHomosalate is a chemical sunscreen filter that provides protection in the UV-B range (280nm - 320 nm), with a peak protection at 306 nm. It is internationally approved for use in sunscreens.
Homosalate is not photo-stable, meaning it's strength as a UV filter degrades over time with exposure to the sun. Because of this, it's often used in combination with other chemical sunscreen filters as avobenzone (which protects from the UV-A range). Homosalate also helps act as a solvent for harder-to-dissolve UV filters.
(Part of the reason that sunscreens need to be frequently re-applied is due to the photo instability of many chemical sunscreen filters)
Currently, homosalate is approved in concentrations up to 10% in the EU and 15% in the US. The FDA is currently doing further research on the effects of homosalate, and it is possible that these approved concentrations will change in the future.
Learn more about HomosalateEthylhexyl Salicylate is an organic compound used to block UV rays. It primarily absorbs UVB rays but offers a small amount of UVA protection as well.
Commonly found in sunscreens, Ethylhexyl Salicylate is created from salicylic acid and 2-ethylhexanol. You might know salicylic acid as the effective acne fighter ingredient and BHA.
The ethylhexanol in this ingredient is a fatty alcohol and helps hydrate your skin, similar to oils. It is an emollient, which means it traps moisture into the skin.
According to manufacturers, Ethylhexyl Salicylate absorbs UV wavelength of 295-315 nm, with a peak absorption at 307-310 nm. UVA rays are linked to long term skin damage, such as hyperpigmentation. UVB rays emit more energy and are capable of damaging our DNA. UVB rays cause sunburn.
Learn more about Ethylhexyl SalicylateOctocrylene protects skin from sun damage. It absorbs UV-B with peak absorption of 304 nm. It is a common sunscreen ingredient and often paired with avobenzone, a UVA filter. This is because octocrylene stabilizes other sunscreen ingredients by protecting them from degradation when exposed to sunlight. Octocrylene is a photostable ingredient and loses about 10% of SPF in 95 minutes.
Octocrylene also acts as an emollient, meaning it helps skin retain moisture and softens skin. It is oil-soluble and hydrophobic, enhancing water-resistant properties in a product.
Those who are using ketoprofen, a topical anti-inflammatory drug, may experience an allergic reaction when using octocrylene. It is best to speak with a healthcare professional about using sunscreens with octocrylene.
The EU allows a maximum of these concentrations:
Learn more about OctocryleneJasminum Sambac Leaf Cell Extract is a fragrance.
Theobroma Cacao Seed Extract comes from the Theobroma cacoa, or Cacao tree. Cacao trees are native to tropical landscapes.
Cacao seed extract contains antioxidants known as polyphenols.
We don't have a description for Schinus Molle Extract yet.
This ingredient is an emollient, solvent, and texture enhancer. It is considered a skin-softener by helping the skin prevent moisture loss.
It helps thicken a product's formula and makes it easier to spread by dissolving clumping compounds.
Caprylic Triglyceride is made by combining glycerin with coconut oil, forming a clear liquid.
While there is an assumption Caprylic Triglyceride can clog pores due to it being derived from coconut oil, there is no research supporting this.
Learn more about Caprylic/Capric TriglycerideWater. 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 WaterPropanediol is an all-star ingredient. It softens, hydrates, and smooths the skin.
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 PropanediolButylene Glycol (or BG) is used within cosmetic products for a few different reasons:
- It is a solvent, meaning that it helps to dissolve other ingredients. This also enhances the absorption of the product into one's skin.
- It is a humectant, which means that it helps attract moisture into the skin.
- It helps improve product application.
- It has mild preservative properties.
Overall, Butylene Glycol is a safe and well-rounded ingredient that works well with other ingredients.
Caprylyl 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 GlycolTriethyl Citrate is a fragrance.
Gamma-Nonalactone is a fragrance.
Juniperus Mexicana Oil is an oil.
Gamma-Octalactone is a fragrance.
Benzyl Acetate is a fragrance.
Vanillin is the main compound of the vanilla bean. It is naturally occuring but can also be artificially created.
This ingredient exhibits antioxidant properties but is also a known skin-irritant.
Vanillism is the term of contact-dermatitis associated with the vanilla plant. The sap of the vanilla plant triggers skin irritation, swelling, and redness.
Learn more about VanillinHeliotropine is a fragrance.
Anisaldehyde is a fragrance.
Delta-Decalactone is a fragrance.
Ethyl Butyrate is a fragrance.
Methyl Benzoate is a fragrance and is a preservative.
Ingredient Ratings
Here's what our community thinks of the ingredients in these products.
When to use
COOLA Refreshing Water Plumping Gel SPF 30 49 ingredients
COOLA Full Spectrum 360° Refreshing Water Mist Sunscreen SPF 18 33 ingredients
Reviews
Here's what our community thinks
COOLA Refreshing Water Plumping Gel SPF 30 49 ingredients
COOLA Full Spectrum 360° Refreshing Water Mist Sunscreen SPF 18 33 ingredients
This is a perfect way to top off my SPF before going outside! Also a great way to cover weird areas like my ears with a mist instead of trying to rub liquid sunscreen on my piercings. Nice glass bottle, sustainable. I just wish it was mineral, didn’t smell like chemical sunscreens, and that it was higher coverage than 18spf. EDIT - the nozzle clogged after only using a few times.
