Dr. Brandt Skincare Liquid Sun Shield SPF 50 Versus Kate Somerville Hydrakate Illuminating SPF 50+ Drops
Updated on May 21, 2024
Overview
What they are
These products are both sunscreens. They have a total of 11 ingredients in common
Cool Features
They both contain Vitamin E
Suited For
They're both likely to be good for anti aging, dry skin, brightening skin, sensitive skin, reducing pores, scar healing and better texture
Free From
They both do not contain any harsh alcohols, parabens 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
Dr. Brandt Skincare Liquid Sun Shield SPF 50 40 ingredients
Kate Somerville Hydrakate Illuminating SPF 50+ Drops 27 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
Dr. Brandt Skincare Liquid Sun Shield SPF 50 40 ingredients
Kate Somerville Hydrakate Illuminating SPF 50+ Drops 27 ingredients
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningIsododecane
EmollientPolyglyceryl-6 Polyricinoleate
Emulsifying
Propanediol
Solvent
Dimethicone
Emollient
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Trimethylsiloxysilicate
Emollient
Butyloctyl Salicylate
Skin Conditioning
Coco-Caprylate/Caprate
Emollient
Isoamyl Laurate
Emollient
Neopentyl Glycol Diheptanoate
EmollientPolyglyceryl-10 Dioleate
Emulsifying
Lecithin
Emollient
Polyhydroxystearic Acid
Emulsifying
Ectoin
Skin Conditioning
Polymethylsilsesquioxane
Polysilicone-11
Disteardimonium Hectorite
StabilisingButyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin Conditioning
Glycerin
Humectant
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Propylene Carbonate
SolventAminomethyl Propanol
BufferingCitrus Aurantium Dulcis Peel Oil
Masking
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningPolysorbate 20
Emulsifying
Sclareolide
Masking
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer
Skin Conditioning
Dimethiconol
Emollient
Linalool
Perfuming
Linalyl Acetate
Masking
Plankton Extract
Skin ConditioningLavandula Angustifolia Oil
Masking
Lavandula Hybrida Oil
Emollient
Decyl Glucoside
CleansingSodium Ascorbate
Antioxidant
Caprylyl Glycol
EmollientHexylene Glycol
EmulsifyingTocopherol
Antioxidant
Water, Isododecane, Polyglyceryl-6 Polyricinoleate, Propanediol, Dimethicone, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Trimethylsiloxysilicate, Butyloctyl Salicylate, Coco-Caprylate/Caprate, Isoamyl Laurate, Neopentyl Glycol Diheptanoate, Polyglyceryl-10 Dioleate, Lecithin, Polyhydroxystearic Acid, Ectoin, Polymethylsilsesquioxane, Polysilicone-11, Disteardimonium Hectorite, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Glycerin, Phenoxyethanol, Propylene Carbonate, Aminomethyl Propanol, Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Peel Oil, Ethylhexylglycerin, Polysorbate 20, Sclareolide, Tocopheryl Acetate, Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Dimethiconol, Linalool, Linalyl Acetate, Plankton Extract, Lavandula Angustifolia Oil, Lavandula Hybrida Oil, Decyl Glucoside, Sodium Ascorbate, Caprylyl Glycol, Hexylene Glycol, Tocopherol
Zinc Oxide 24.5%
Cosmetic Colorant
C13-15 Alkane
SolventWater
Skin ConditioningEthyl Macadamiate
Skin Conditioning
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Polyhydroxystearic Acid
Emulsifying
Propanediol
Solvent
Polyglyceryl-4 Diisostearate/Polyhydroxystearate/Sebacate
Emulsifying
Polyglyceryl-3 Polyricinoleate
Emulsifying
Ectoin
Skin Conditioning
Hydroxyectoin
BufferingIsostearic Acid
Cleansing
Lecithin
Emollient
Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate
Quaternium-90 Bentonite
Lavandula Angustifolia Oil
Masking
Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Peel Oil
Masking
Triethyl Citrate
Masking
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Malic Acid
Buffering
Stearyl Triethoxysilane
Sodium Chloride
Masking
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningPhenoxyethanol
Preservative
CI 77491
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77492
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77499
Cosmetic ColorantZinc Oxide 24.5%, C13-15 Alkane, Water, Ethyl Macadamiate, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Polyhydroxystearic Acid, Propanediol, Polyglyceryl-4 Diisostearate/Polyhydroxystearate/Sebacate, Polyglyceryl-3 Polyricinoleate, Ectoin, Hydroxyectoin, Isostearic Acid, Lecithin, Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate, Quaternium-90 Bentonite, Lavandula Angustifolia Oil, Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Peel Oil, Triethyl Citrate, Tocopherol, Malic Acid, Stearyl Triethoxysilane, Sodium Chloride, Ethylhexylglycerin, Phenoxyethanol, CI 77491, CI 77492, CI 77499
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
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 TriglycerideCitrus Aurantium Dulcis Peel Oil is oil from the peel of an orange fruit.
Limonene and linalool make up the majority of oils from citrus peels. Limonene has a "citrus" fragrance. Citrus peels also contain flavonoids, which have anti-inflammatory properties.
Citrus peel is also a rich source of flavonoids. Flavonoids are natural antioxidants and help protect your skin against damage. Flavonoids are a group of compounds naturally found in vegetables and fruits.
The term 'fragrance' is not regulated in many countries. In many cases, it is up to the brand to define this term. For instance, many brands choose to label themselves as "fragrance-free" because they are not using synthetic fragrances. However, their products may still contain ingredients such as essential oils that are considered a fragrance.
Learn more about Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Peel OilEctoin is a compound found naturally in some species of bacteria. It can be synthetically created for skincare use.
This ingredient is an osmolyte; Osmolytes help organisms survive osmotic shock (it protects them from extreme conditions). It does this by influencing the properties of biological fluids within cells.
When applied to the skin, ectoin helps bind water molecules to protect our skin. The water forms a sort of armor for the parts of our skin cells, enzymes, proteins, and more.
Besides this, ectoin has many uses in skincare:
A study from 2004 found ectoin to counteract the damage from UV-A exposure at different cell levels. It has also been shown to protect skin against both UV-A, UV-B rays, infrared light, and visible light.
Studies show ectoin to have dual-action pollution protection: first, it protects our skin from further pollution damage. Second, it helps repair damage from pollution.
In fact, ectoin has been shown to help with:
Fun fact: In the EU, ectoin is used in inhalation medication as an anti-pollution ingredient.
Ectoin is a highly stable ingredient. It has a wide pH range of 1-9. Light, oxygen, and temperature do not affect this ingredient.
Learn more about EctoinEthylhexylglycerin (we can't pronounce this either) is commonly used as a preservative and skin softener. It is derived from glyceryl.
You might see Ethylhexylglycerin often paired with other preservatives such as phenoxyethanol. Ethylhexylglycerin has been found to increase the effectiveness of these other preservatives.
Lavandula Angustifolia Oil is more commonly known as lavender essential oil. It is considered a fragrancing ingredient.
Lavender imparts a famous scent. While the smell is lovely, this ingredient and may sensitize skin in topical products. This is because about 85% of the oil is made up of linalool and linalyl acetate.
When exposed to air, these two compounds become strong allergens. This ingredient exhibits cytotoxicity at low concentrations; amounts of 0.25% have been shown to damage skin cells.
A study from Japan found this ingredient caused lavender sensitivity after widespread exposure.
Lavender essential oil has some antimicrobial, antibacterial, and anti-inflammatory properties. However, the cons of this ingredient may outweight the pros.
More research is needed to confirm lavender essential oil's effects when used in aromatherapy.
Lavandula Angustifolia is known as the English Lavender and famous for creating purple fields in Provence, France.
Learn more about Lavandula Angustifolia OilLecithin is a term for a group of substances found in the cell membranes of plants, animals, and humans. They are made up of mixture of phospholipids.
This ingredient has emollient and emulsifying properties.
As an emollient, lecithen helps soften the skin and creates a barrier to keep moisture in.
As an emulsifier, it also helps prevent water and oil ingredients from separating. Lecithin can also help ingredients be better absorbed by the skin.
This is because the phospholipids in lecithin produce liposomes. Liposomes help other ingredients get through the skin barrier.
Depending on the source of this ingredient, lecithin may not be fungal acne safe. This is because some sources of lecithin come from soybean oil, which may feed the malassezia yeast that feeds fungal acne.
We recommend reaching out to the brand you are purchasing from to inquire about the source of their lecithin.
Learn more about LecithinPhenoxyethanol 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.
Polyhydroxystearic Acid is a soft wax made from castor oil.
It is is a texture thickener, emulsifier, and film-former. Emulsifiers prevent ingredients from separating, such as oils and waters.
Polyhydroxystearic Acid may not be fungal acne safe.
Learn more about Polyhydroxystearic AcidPropanediol 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 PropanediolTocopherol (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 TocopherolWater. 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 WaterIngredient Ratings
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