Drunk Elephant Umbra Tinte Physical Daily Defense SPF 30 Versus Biodermal Ultra Light Sun Fluid SPF50+
This mineral sunscreen covers the full UV range and blocks ~97% of UVB at SPF 30.
This chemical 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
Water
Skin ConditioningZinc Oxide
Cosmetic Colorant
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Dicaprylyl Carbonate
EmollientGlycerin
Humectant
Pentylene Glycol
Skin Conditioning
Steareth-2
EmulsifyingPropanediol
Solvent
Steareth-21
CleansingPolyhydroxystearic Acid
Emulsifying
Cetearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Silica
Abrasive
Sclerocarya Birrea Seed Oil
Humectant
Triethoxycaprylylsilane
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Cetearyl Glucoside
Emulsifying
Sodium Stearoyl Glutamate
CleansingXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingCI 77492
Cosmetic ColorantAloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract
Emollient
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate
ChelatingCI 77491
Cosmetic ColorantCaprylhydroxamic Acid
ChelatingHaematococcus Pluvialis Extract
Antioxidant
Raspberry Seed Oil/Tocopheryl Succinate Aminopropanediol Esters
Skin Conditioning
Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate
Antioxidant
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Chondrus Crispus Extract
Skin Conditioning
Sodium C14-16 Olefin Sulfonate
Cleansing
CI 77499
Cosmetic ColorantGlycine
Buffering
Sucrose
Humectant
Acetyl Glucosamine
Skin Conditioning
Helianthus Annuus Sprout Extract
Skin ConditioningHydrolyzed Wheat Protein
Skin ConditioningSimmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil
Emollient
Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil
Emollient
Lecithin
Emollient
Sea Water
HumectantChlorphenesin
Antimicrobial
Sodium Dehydroacetate
Preservative
Vitis Vinifera Juice Extract
Antioxidant
Water, Zinc Oxide, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Dicaprylyl Carbonate, Glycerin, Pentylene Glycol, Steareth-2, Propanediol, Steareth-21, Polyhydroxystearic Acid, Cetearyl Alcohol, Silica, Sclerocarya Birrea Seed Oil, Triethoxycaprylylsilane, Caprylyl Glycol, Cetearyl Glucoside, Sodium Stearoyl Glutamate, Xanthan Gum, CI 77492, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract, Tocopheryl Acetate, Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate, CI 77491, Caprylhydroxamic Acid, Haematococcus Pluvialis Extract, Raspberry Seed Oil/Tocopheryl Succinate Aminopropanediol Esters, Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate, Tocopherol, Phenoxyethanol, Chondrus Crispus Extract, Sodium C14-16 Olefin Sulfonate, CI 77499, Glycine, Sucrose, Acetyl Glucosamine, Helianthus Annuus Sprout Extract, Hydrolyzed Wheat Protein, Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Lecithin, Sea Water, Chlorphenesin, Sodium Dehydroacetate, Vitis Vinifera Juice Extract
Water
Skin ConditioningDiisopropyl Sebacate
EmollientDibutyl Adipate
EmollientDiethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl Benzoate
UV Filter
Tris-Biphenyl Triazine
UV Absorber
Ethylhexyl Salicylate
UV Absorber
Propanediol
Solvent
Silica
Abrasive
Ethylhexyl Triazone
UV Absorber
Bis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine
UV Absorber
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Potassium Cetyl Phosphate
EmulsifyingCetyl Alcohol
Emollient
Bis-Ethylhexyl Hydroxydimethoxy Benzylmalonate
Antioxidant
Sarcosine
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Decyl Glucoside
Cleansing
Vp/Eicosene Copolymer
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Pentylene Glycol
Skin Conditioning
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingCitric Acid
Buffering
Disodium Phosphate
BufferingSodium Benzoate
Masking
Water, Diisopropyl Sebacate, Dibutyl Adipate, Diethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl Benzoate, Tris-Biphenyl Triazine, Ethylhexyl Salicylate, Propanediol, Silica, Ethylhexyl Triazone, Bis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine, 1,2-Hexanediol, Tocopheryl Acetate, Potassium Cetyl Phosphate, Cetyl Alcohol, Bis-Ethylhexyl Hydroxydimethoxy Benzylmalonate, Sarcosine, Sodium Hyaluronate, Decyl Glucoside, Vp/Eicosene Copolymer, Butylene Glycol, Pentylene Glycol, Xanthan Gum, Carbomer, Citric Acid, Disodium Phosphate, Sodium Benzoate
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Pentylene Glycol (1,2-pentanediol) is a multitasking little diol with three main roles in a formula:
Research on alkanediols (the family pentylene glycol belongs to) show they work by disrupting microbial cell membranes. This disruption helps the primary preservative system in a product work more effectively at lower doses.
On the safety side, the Cosmetic Ingredient Review Expert Panel has concluded this ingredient to be safe as used in current cosmetic practices + concentrations.
Typical use levels in a formula run about 1-5%.
Learn more about Pentylene GlycolPropanediol 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 PropanediolSilica, also known as silicon dioxide, is a naturally occurring mineral. It is used as a fine, spherical, and porous powder in cosmetics.
Though it has exfoliant properties, the function of silica varies depending on the product.
The unique structure of silica enhances the spreadability and adds smoothness, making it a great texture enhancer.
It is also used as an active carrier, emulsifier, and mattifier due to its ability to absorb excess oil.
In some products, tiny microneedles called spicules are made from silica or hydrolyzed sponge. When you rub them in, they lightly polish away dead skin layers and enhance the penetration of active ingredients.
Learn more about SilicaTocopheryl Acetate is a stable, shelf-friendly form of vitamin E.
Formulators love it because plain vitamin E oxidizes quickly once it hits air. This acetate version stays stable and resists going off, helping to extend a product's shelf life.
It's actually inactive on its own and works like a slow-release "storage" form; the enzymes in your skin called esterases gradually convert it into active vitamin E over time.
One in vivo study showed 5% of the acetate in the living layer of the epidermis converted to vitamin E after 5 days of application. This study also found the skin gained protection against UV damage even though the conversion was slow and small.
Once converted, vitamin E acts as a skin's main fat-soluble antioxidant that fights free radicals to protect skin from damage.
Topical vitamin E generally boosts the skin's photoprotection, and it reduced UV-damage in animal models.
This ingredient has some brightening potential but it's more of a prevention ingredient than spot-fader. Cell studies show it can slow down melanin production but it's worth noting that it's not the most powerful brightener out there.
Overall, it has a pretty solid safety profile and has been found to be non-irritating and non-comedogenic. Allergic reactions may happen but stay rare due to how widely the ingredient gets used.
The concentration will vary depending on the formula; industry data shows 0.1% in baby lotions, 3% in lipsticks, and 5% in foot powders. You can also find this ingredient at 100% in a pure vitamin E oil.
Most leave-on skincare keeps it at the lower end, often between 0.5-1%.
Learn more about Tocopheryl AcetateWater. 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 WaterXanthan gum is used as a stabilizer and thickener within cosmetic products. It helps give products a sticky, thick feeling - preventing them from being too runny.
On the technical side of things, xanthan gum is a polysaccharide - a combination consisting of multiple sugar molecules bonded together.
Xanthan gum is a pretty common and great ingredient. It is a natural, non-toxic, non-irritating ingredient that is also commonly used in food products.
Learn more about Xanthan Gum
