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Product Comparison

Here's our complete breakdown comparing the ingredients, attributes, and more of Dr. Dennis Gross Skincare All-Physical Ultimate Defense Broad Spectrum Sunscreen SPF 50 versus Kiehl's Ultra Light Daily UV Defense SPF 50+ .

Last updated on January 22, 2024. Published on January 24, 2024

Overview

What they are

These products are both sunscreens. They have a total of 4 ingredients in common

Cool Features

They both contain SPF

Free From

They both do not contain any common allergens, oils or parabens

What's Inside

They both contain silicones

We independently verify ingredients, and our claims are backed by peer-reviewed research. Spot a product that need an update? Let us know.

Sunscreen American Brand United States
Sunscreen American Brand United States

Sunscreen

Sunscreens help absorb or reflect UV radiation and protect skin against skin damage. Sunscreens may come in the form of lotion, gel, foam, spray, or solid-stick.

Sunscreen

Sunscreens help absorb or reflect UV radiation and protect skin against skin damage. Sunscreens may come in the form of lotion, gel, foam, spray, or solid-stick.

Price

Shop

Buy All-Physical Ultimate Defense Broad Spectrum Sunscreen SPF 50

Starts at $42.00
Shop

Buy Ultra Light Daily UV Defense SPF 50+

Ingredient Info

Click any item below to learn more and view relevant ingredients.
alcohol-free
silicon-free
fragrance-free
sulfate-free
paraben-free
oil-free
fungal-acne safe
reef-safe
eu-allergen-free
vegan
cruelty-free
spf rating
50
alcohol-free
silicon-free
fragrance-free
sulfate-free
paraben-free
oil-free
fungal-acne safe
reef-safe
eu-allergen-free
vegan
cruelty-free
spf rating
50

At a glance

Click on any of the items below to learn more

Notable Ingredients

Mineral UV Filter
Hyaluronic Acid

Benefits

Redness Reducing
Reduces Irritation
Dark Spots
Acne Fighting

Concerns

Drying
Acne Trigger
Rosacea

Notable Ingredients

Chemical UV Filter (5)
Mineral UV Filter
AHA
Vitamin E

Benefits

Hydrating (3)
Skin Texture
Reduces Large Pores
Anti-Aging (2)
Scar Healing (3)
Brightening (3)

Concerns

Drying (2)
May Worsen Oily Skin (4)
Acne Trigger (3)
Irritating (4)
Rosacea (3)
Eczema (3)
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Ingredients Compared

Ingredients that are highlighted in purple are present in both products.

Ingredients Side-by-side

Ingredients that are highlighted in purple are present in both products.

Learn more about what what Com. / Irr. ratings are

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Ingredients Explained

These ingredients are found in both products.

Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.

1
What it does: Skin Conditioning, Solvent
Community Rating: Loved

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. Talk about multi-purpose! If you see this, drink a glass of water. Stay hydrated!

Learn more about Water

Dr. Dennis Gross Skincare All-Physical Ultimate Defense Broad Spectrum Sunscreen SPF 50 contains this as ingredient number 1.

Kiehl's Ultra Light Daily UV Defense SPF 50+ contains this as ingredient number 1.

2
What it does: Emollient, Skin Conditioning, Skin Protecting
Community Rating: Very Disliked

Dimethicone is a silicone used for making products smooth and silky. It also has the added benefit of sealing in hydration. The amount of dimethicone found in beauty products is considered safe and non-comedogenic, meaning it won't clog pores.

Dimethicone has been found increase absorption in skin, boosting the benefits of other ingredients. While there is concern for the safety of dimethicone, the levels used in skincare are safe for use.

Dr. Dennis Gross Skincare All-Physical Ultimate Defense Broad Spectrum Sunscreen SPF 50 contains this as ingredient number 4.

Kiehl's Ultra Light Daily UV Defense SPF 50+ contains this as ingredient number 3.

3
What it does: Masking
Community Rating: Very Disliked

Chances are, you eat sodium chloride every day. Sodium Chloride is also known as table salt.

This ingredient has many purposes in skincare: thickener, emulsifier, and exfoliator.

You'll most likely find this ingredient in cleansers where it is used to create a gel-like texture. As an emulsifier, it also prevents ingredients from separating.

There is much debate on whether this ingredient is comedogenic. The short answer - comedogenic ratings don't tell the whole story. Learn more about comegodenic ratings here.

The concensus about this ingredient causing acne seems to be divided. Research is needed to understand if this ingredient does cause acne.

Scrubs may use salt as the primary exfoliating ingredient.

Learn more about Sodium Chloride

Dr. Dennis Gross Skincare All-Physical Ultimate Defense Broad Spectrum Sunscreen SPF 50 contains this as ingredient number 24.

Kiehl's Ultra Light Daily UV Defense SPF 50+ contains this as ingredient number 48.

4
What it does: Preservative
Community Rating: Very Disliked

Phenoxyethanol is a preservative that has germicide, antimicrobial, and aromatic properties. Studies show that phenoxyethanol can prevent germ and 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.

Dr. Dennis Gross Skincare All-Physical Ultimate Defense Broad Spectrum Sunscreen SPF 50 contains this as ingredient number 28.

Kiehl's Ultra Light Daily UV Defense SPF 50+ contains this as ingredient number 17.

Here's what our community thinks of the ingredients in these two products.

31% are loved or liked
10% have mixed ratings
41% are disliked or very disliked
17% have no rating yet
28% are loved or liked
11% have mixed ratings
44% are disliked or very disliked
17% have no rating yet

Usage

Here's some more info on how this product is used by our community.

Reviews

Here's what our community thinks

Dr. Dennis Gross Skincare All-Physical Ultimate Defense Broad Spectrum Sunscreen SPF 50 29 ingredients

All-Physical Ultimate Defense Broad Spectrum Sunscreen SPF 50 hasn't been rated yet.
Rate it now

Kiehl's Ultra Light Daily UV Defense SPF 50+ 54 ingredients

2.0 /5
from 1 rating
Expensive (1) Heavy (1) No Scent (1)
acelexa's avatar

acelexa

4 months ago · Combination Skin
Review

Feels heavy, thick and not moisturizing. It's not my preference.

Alternatives

Our Dupe Finder has found 50 potential alternatives that have similar ingredients to Dr. Dennis Gross Skincare All-Physical Ultimate Defense Broad Spectrum Sunscreen SPF 50.

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Our Dupe Finder has found 50 potential alternatives that have similar ingredients to Kiehl's Ultra Light Daily UV Defense SPF 50+.

See 50 alternatives
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