Curel Intensive Moisture Care UV Protection Essence SPF 30 Versus Shiseido Senka Perfect UV Gel SPF 50+ PA++++
This mineral sunscreen covers the full UV range and blocks ~97% of UVB at SPF 30.
This hybrid sunscreen covers the full UV range and blocks ~98% of UVB at SPF 50.
What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate
Humectant
Water
Skin ConditioningTitanium Dioxide
Cosmetic Colorant
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
C13-14 Isoparaffin
Emollient
Isononyl Isononanoate
EmollientThujopsis Dolabrata Branch Extract
Skin ConditioningIsotridecyl Isononanoate
EmollientNeopentyl Glycol Dicaprate
EmollientDipropylene Glycol
HumectantTricaprylin
Perfuming
Neopentyl Glycol Diethylhexanoate
Emollient
Trisiloxane
Skin Conditioning
Polysorbate 60
Emulsifying
Sodium Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingIsohexadecane
EmollientPolysorbate 80
Emulsifying
Hexadesyloxy Pg Hydroxyethyl Hexadecanamide
Aluminum Hydroxide
EmollientStearic Acid
Cleansing
Dextrin Palmitate
Emulsifying
Dipentaerythrityl Tri-Polyhydroxystearate
Emollient
Polyglyceryl-2 Diisostearate
Emulsifying
Eucalyptus Globulus Leaf Extract
Perfuming
Potassium Hydroxide
BufferingSorbitan Distearate
EmollientCetearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingStearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Aminomethyl Propanediol
BufferingXylitol
Humectant
Betaine
Humectant
Polyhydroxystearic Acid
Emulsifying
Sorbitan Oleate
Emulsifying
EDTA
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingPhenoxyethanol
Preservative
Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate, Water, Titanium Dioxide, Butylene Glycol, C13-14 Isoparaffin, Isononyl Isononanoate, Thujopsis Dolabrata Branch Extract, Isotridecyl Isononanoate, Neopentyl Glycol Dicaprate, Dipropylene Glycol, Tricaprylin, Neopentyl Glycol Diethylhexanoate, Trisiloxane, Polysorbate 60, Sodium Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Isohexadecane, Polysorbate 80, Hexadesyloxy Pg Hydroxyethyl Hexadecanamide, Aluminum Hydroxide, Stearic Acid, Dextrin Palmitate, Dipentaerythrityl Tri-Polyhydroxystearate, Polyglyceryl-2 Diisostearate, Eucalyptus Globulus Leaf Extract, Potassium Hydroxide, Sorbitan Distearate, Cetearyl Alcohol, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Stearyl Alcohol, Aminomethyl Propanediol, Xylitol, Betaine, Polyhydroxystearic Acid, Sorbitan Oleate, EDTA, Xanthan Gum, Phenoxyethanol
Water
Skin ConditioningDimethicone
Emollient
Zinc Oxide
Cosmetic Colorant
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate
UV Absorber
Alcohol
Antimicrobial
C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate
AntimicrobialGlycerin
Humectant
Bis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine
Skin Conditioning
Diethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl Benzoate
UV Filter
PEG-100 Hydrogenated Castor Oil
Emulsifying
Honey
Humectant
Oryza Sativa Germ Oil
Emollient
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Sericin
Skin ConditioningSodium Acetylated Hyaluronate
Humectant
Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
Antimicrobial
PPG-17
Skin ConditioningIsostearic Acid
Cleansing
Triethoxycaprylylsilane
Sorbitan Sesquiisostearate
Emulsifying
Ethylhexyl Triazone
UV Absorber
Dextrin Palmitate/Ethylhexanoate
Emulsifying
Silica
Abrasive
Sodium Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingSuccinoglycan
Skin ConditioningHydroxypropyl Methylcellulose Stearoxy Ether
Isohexadecane
EmollientCitric Acid
Buffering
BHT
Antioxidant
Disodium EDTA
Polysorbate 80
Emulsifying
Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Peel Oil
Masking
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Sorbitan Oleate
Emulsifying
Sodium Citrate
BufferingSodium Metabisulfite
Antioxidant
Potassium Sorbate
Preservative
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Water, Dimethicone, Zinc Oxide, Butylene Glycol, Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate, Alcohol, C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate, Glycerin, Bis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine, Diethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl Benzoate, PEG-100 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Honey, Oryza Sativa Germ Oil, Sodium Hyaluronate, Sericin, Sodium Acetylated Hyaluronate, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, PPG-17, Isostearic Acid, Triethoxycaprylylsilane, Sorbitan Sesquiisostearate, Ethylhexyl Triazone, Dextrin Palmitate/Ethylhexanoate, Silica, Sodium Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Succinoglycan, Hydroxypropyl Methylcellulose Stearoxy Ether, Isohexadecane, Citric Acid, BHT, Disodium EDTA, Polysorbate 80, Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Peel Oil, Tocopherol, Sorbitan Oleate, Sodium Citrate, Sodium Metabisulfite, Potassium Sorbate, Phenoxyethanol
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Butylene 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 GlycolIsohexadecane is added to enhance texture, emulsify, and to help cleanse. It is an isoparrafin. It is a component of petrolatum.
Due to its large size, Isohexadecane is not absorbed by the skin. Instead, it sits on top and acts as an emollient. Emollients help keep your skin soft and smooth by trapping moisture within.
Isohexadecane is often used in products designed to help oily skin. It is lightweight and non-greasy while helping to moisturize. When mixed with silicones, it gives a product a silky feel.
Learn more about IsohexadecanePhenoxyethanol is one of the most widely used preservatives in skincare (and for good reason!).
It has a large spectrum of antimicrobial activity and especially effective bacteria, yeast, and mold while only having a weak effect on your skin's natural microbiome.
On a cellular level, it disrupts the cell membranes of microbes by poking holes that make the cell leak. This shuts down the chemical reactions the microbe needs to make energy so it can no longer survive.
Another perk of this ingredient is that it stays functional across a wide pH range (3-10).
You'll often see it paired with boosters like Ethylhexylglycerin; one study showed that a 1:9 ratio of Ethylhexylglycerin to Phenoxyethanol damages bacterial membranes as effectively as doubling the Phenoxyethanol concentration on its own.
Typical use concentrations range from 0.3-1% depending on the formula, and this ingredient is capped at 1% int the EU.
Safety-wise, the fear mongering does not hold up to the evidence. The EU's Scientific Committee on Consumer Safety and FDA consider it safe as a preservative at up to 1%, including for children of all ages.
Adverse systemic effects only showed up in animal studies at exposures roughly 200x higher than what people get from cosmetics. And despite its very widespread use, this ingredient is a rare sensitizer and allergic reactions are uncommon.
Learn more about PhenoxyethanolPolysorbate 80 is a synthetic surfactant and emulsifier derived from sorbitol and oleic acid.
It reduces the surface tension between oil and water phases to help them stay mixed and stable in a formulation. In other words, it prevents your formulas from separating into an oily mess.
The CIR Expert Panel has evaluated the scientific data and found this ingredient to be safe, non-irritating, and non-sensitizing at concentrations up to 5% (it's even approved by the FDA as an OTC eye drop ingredient).
Learn more about Polysorbate 80This long ingredient is a copolymer of sodium acrylate and sodium acryloyldimethyl taurate monomers.
It is used to help stabilize other ingredients and create a thicker gel-like texture.
Emulsifiers prevent oils and waters from separating.
Learn more about Sodium Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate CopolymerSorbitan Oleate is a PEG-free emulsifier made by esterifying sorbitol with oleic acid.
You'll likely see it paired with Polysorbate 80 to create the right emulsification balance.
Typical use levels in formulas range from 2-10%.
The CIR Expert Panel has concluded this ingredient to be safe as a cosmetic ingredient.
Since this ingredient is an ester of oleic acid, it may not be fungal acne safe. Oleic acid is a fatty acid that falls into the C11-24 range that Malassezia can metabolize.
Learn more about Sorbitan OleateWater. 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
