Dr Sam’s Flawless Daily Sunscreen SPF 50 Versus Airyday Pretty in Zinc SPF50+ Dreamscreen
Updated on June 16, 2025
Overview
What they are
These products are both cruelty-free sunscreens. They have a total of 9 ingredients in common
Cool Features
They both contain hyaluronic acid, niacinamide, SPF and Vitamin E
Suited For
They're both likely to be good for fighting acne, anti aging, dry skin, brightening skin, sensitive skin, oily skin, reducing pores, scar healing and dark spots
Free From
They both do not contain any harsh alcohols, common allergens, parabens, silicones or sulfates
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 Sam’s Flawless Daily Sunscreen SPF 50 28 ingredients
Airyday Pretty in Zinc SPF50+ Dreamscreen 32 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 Sam’s Flawless Daily Sunscreen SPF 50 28 ingredients
Airyday Pretty in Zinc SPF50+ Dreamscreen 32 ingredients
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningZinc Oxide
Cosmetic Colorant
Octyldodecyl Neopentanoate
EmollientCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate
UV Absorber
Niacinamide
Smoothing
Glyceryl Stearate
Emollient
PEG-100 Stearate
Cetearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Butyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin Conditioning
Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingPhenoxyethanol
Preservative
Squalane
Emollient
Polyhydroxystearic Acid
Emulsifying
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Sodium Stearoyl Glutamate
CleansingTocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Lactic Acid
Buffering
Carbomer
Emulsion StabilisingSodium Hydroxymethylglycinate
Preservative
Polysorbate 60
Emulsifying
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Disodium EDTA
Isostearic Acid
Cleansing
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningSorbitan Isostearate
Emulsifying
Biosaccharide Gum-4
Skin Conditioning
Citric Acid
Buffering
Water, Zinc Oxide, Octyldodecyl Neopentanoate, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate, Niacinamide, Glyceryl Stearate, PEG-100 Stearate, Cetearyl Alcohol, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Phenoxyethanol, Squalane, Polyhydroxystearic Acid, Sodium Hyaluronate, Sodium Stearoyl Glutamate, Tocopheryl Acetate, Lactic Acid, Carbomer, Sodium Hydroxymethylglycinate, Polysorbate 60, 1,2-Hexanediol, Disodium EDTA, Isostearic Acid, Ethylhexylglycerin, Sorbitan Isostearate, Biosaccharide Gum-4, Citric Acid
Zinc Oxide 20%
Cosmetic Colorant
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Coco-Caprylate/Caprate
Emollient
Butyloctyl Salicylate
Skin Conditioning
Polyglyceryl-3 Methylglucose Distearate
Emulsifying
Polyglyceryl-3 Polyricinoleate
Emulsifying
Hydroxypropyl Starch Phosphate
Hydroxyapatite
Abrasive
Niacinamide
Smoothing
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Isostearic Acid
Cleansing
Butyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Sodium Stearoyl Glutamate
CleansingHydroxyacetophenone
Antioxidant
Magnesium Aluminum Silicate
AbsorbentHydroxyethylcellulose
Emulsion StabilisingPEG-100 Stearate
Glycine Soja Oil
Emollient
Ethyl Linoleate
Emollient
Hydrolyzed Soy Protein
Humectant
Ascorbyl Tetraisopalmitate
Antioxidant
Rice Amino Acids
Skin ConditioningPolyglyceryl-3 Diisostearate
Emulsifying
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingOryza Sativa Extract
Absorbent
Proline
Skin ConditioningHydrolyzed Adansonia Digitata Seed Extract
Oryza Sativa Germ Extract
EmollientCI 77492
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77491
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77499
Cosmetic ColorantZinc Oxide 20%, Phenoxyethanol, Coco-Caprylate/Caprate, Butyloctyl Salicylate, Polyglyceryl-3 Methylglucose Distearate, Polyglyceryl-3 Polyricinoleate, Hydroxypropyl Starch Phosphate, Hydroxyapatite, Niacinamide, Tocopheryl Acetate, Isostearic Acid, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Sodium Hyaluronate, Sodium Stearoyl Glutamate, Hydroxyacetophenone, Magnesium Aluminum Silicate, Hydroxyethylcellulose, PEG-100 Stearate, Glycine Soja Oil, Ethyl Linoleate, Hydrolyzed Soy Protein, Ascorbyl Tetraisopalmitate, Rice Amino Acids, Polyglyceryl-3 Diisostearate, Sodium Hydroxide, Oryza Sativa Extract, Proline, Hydrolyzed Adansonia Digitata Seed Extract, Oryza Sativa Germ Extract, CI 77492, CI 77491, 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.
Butyrospermum Parkii Butter is a plant lipid from the fruit of the Shea Tree. It is an effective skin hydrator and emollient.
Emollients help soothe and soften your skin. It does this by creating a protective film on your skin. This barrier helps trap moisture and keeps your skin hydrated. Emollients may be effective at treating dry or itchy skin.
Shea butter is rich in antioxidants. Antioxidants help fight free-radicals, or molecules that may harm the body. It is also full of fatty acids including stearic acid and linoleic acid. These acids help replenish the skin and keep skin moisturized.
While Shea Butter has an SPF rating of about 3-4, it is not a sunscreen replacement.
Shea butter may not be fungal acne safe. We recommend speaking with a professional if you have any concerns.
Learn more about Butyrospermum Parkii ButterIsostearic acid is a saturated fatty acid. Its structure makes it a great surfactant.
Surfactants help decrease the surface tension between two liquids. This property also makes it an effective emulsifier. Emulsifiers help prevent waters and oils from separating in a product.
Isostearic Acid is created from oleic acid.
This ingredient may not be Malassezia folliculitis, or fungal-acne safe.
Learn more about Isostearic AcidNiacinamide is a multitasking form of vitamin B3 that strengthens the skin barrier, reduces pores and dark spots, regulates oil, and improves signs of aging.
And the best part? It's gentle and well-tolerated by most skin types, including sensitive and reactive skin.
You might have heard of "niacin flush", or the reddening of skin that causes itchiness. Niacinamide has not been found to cause this.
In very rare cases, some individuals may not be able to tolerate niacinamide at all or experience an allergic reaction to it.
If you are experiencing flaking, irritation, and dryness with this ingredient, be sure to double check all your products as this ingredient can be found in all categories of skincare.
When incorporating niacinamide into your routine, look out for concentration amounts. Typically, 5% niacinamide provides benefits such as fading dark spots. However, if you have sensitive skin, it is better to begin with a smaller concentration.
When you apply niacinamide to your skin, your body converts it into nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD). NAD is an essential coenzyme that is already found in your cells as "fuel" and powers countless biological processes.
In your skin, NAD helps repair cell damage, produce new healthy cells, support collagen production, strengthen the skin barrier, and fight environmental stressors (like UV and pollution).
Our natural NAD levels start to decline with age, leading to slower skin repair, visible aging, and a weaker skin barrier. By providing your skin niacinamide, you're recharging your skin's NAD levels. This leads to stronger, healthier, and younger looking skin.
Another name for vitamin B3 is nicotinamide. This vitamin is water-soluble and our bodies don't store it. We obtain Vitamin B3 from either food or skincare. Meat, fish, wheat, yeast, and leafy greens contain vitamin B3.
The type of niacinamide used in skincare is synthetically created.
Learn more about NiacinamidePeg-100 Stearate is an emollient and emulsifier. As an emollient, it helps keep skin soft by trapping moisture in. On the other hand, emulsifiers help prevent oil and water from separating in a product.
PEGS are a hydrophilic polyether compound . There are 100 ethylene oxide monomers in Peg-100 Stearate. Peg-100 Stearate is polyethylene glycol ester of stearic acid.
Phenoxyethanol 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.
Sodium Hyaluronate is hyaluronic acid's salt form. It is commonly derived from the sodium salt of hyaluronic acid.
Like hyaluronic acid, it is great at holding water and acts as a humectant. This makes it a great skin hydrating ingredient.
Sodium Hyaluronate is naturally occurring in our bodies and is mostly found in eye fluid and joints.
These are some other common types of Hyaluronic Acid:
Learn more about Sodium HyaluronateSodium Stearoyl Glutamate is an emulsifier and helps condition the skin. It is amino acid-based.
In higher amounts, it may act as a cleansing agent.
Tocopheryl Acetate is AKA Vitamin E. It is an antioxidant and protects your skin from free radicals. Free radicals damage the skin by breaking down collagen.
One study found using Tocopheryl Acetate with Vitamin C decreased the number of sunburned cells.
Tocopheryl Acetate is commonly found in both skincare and dietary supplements.
Learn more about Tocopheryl AcetateZinc Oxide is a mineral broad-spectrum UV filter; it is the broadest UVA and UVB reflector approved by the FDA. While it is most commonly man-made for cosmetics, it can naturally occur in zincite, a rare mineral.
Today, traditional and nano-sized zinc oxide can be found in beauty products. Nano-sized zinc oxide can enhance a product's UV protection. While it is not believed to have a negative effect on skin, nano-zinc oxide may be harmful to coral reefs - though the verdict is not entirely out on this one.
Zinc Oxide also has antibacterial and calming properties. It is not water soluble.
Zinc has been used throughout history as an ingredient in paint and medicine. An Indian text from 500BC is believed to list zinc oxide as a salve for open wound. The Ancient Greek physician Dioscorides has also mentioned the use of zinc as an ointment in 1AD.
Learn more about Zinc OxideIngredient Ratings
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