ERHA Perfect Shield Clearly Light Sunscreen SPF 50 Versus True to Skin Sunfriends Soothing Sunscreen Gel SPF 50 PA++++
This chemical sunscreen covers the full UV range and blocks ~98% of UVB at SPF 50.
This chemical sunscreen covers most of the UV range, lighter on the deep UVA that drives aging.
What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningDicaprylyl Carbonate
EmollientDiethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl Benzoate
UV Filter
Ethylhexyl Salicylate
UV Absorber
C15-19 Alkane
SolventPEG-30 Dipolyhydroxystearate
Emulsifying
Diisopropyl Adipate
EmollientMethylene Bis-Benzotriazolyl Tetramethylbutylphenol
UV Filter
Styrene/Acrylates Copolymer
Propylene Glycol
Humectant
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Dimethicone
Emollient
Polymethyl Methacrylate
Dipropylene Glycol
HumectantEthylhexyl Triazone
UV Absorber
Cetyl Alcohol
Emollient
Sodium Palmitoyl Proline
Skin ConditioningPhenoxyethanol
Preservative
Bis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine
UV Absorber
Sodium Chloride
MaskingAcrylates/C12-22 Alkyl Methacrylate Copolymer
Decyl Glucoside
Cleansing
Nymphaea Alba Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningPanthenol
Skin Conditioning
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Zinc Stearate
Cosmetic ColorantMaltodextrin
Absorbent
BHT
Antioxidant
Disodium EDTA
ChelatingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningBixa Orellana Seed Extract
MaskingArginine
Masking
Coco-Glucoside
Cleansing
Disodium Lauryl Sulfosuccinate
CleansingXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingWater, Dicaprylyl Carbonate, Diethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl Benzoate, Ethylhexyl Salicylate, C15-19 Alkane, PEG-30 Dipolyhydroxystearate, Diisopropyl Adipate, Methylene Bis-Benzotriazolyl Tetramethylbutylphenol, Styrene/Acrylates Copolymer, Propylene Glycol, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Dimethicone, Polymethyl Methacrylate, Dipropylene Glycol, Ethylhexyl Triazone, Cetyl Alcohol, Sodium Palmitoyl Proline, Phenoxyethanol, Bis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine, Sodium Chloride, Acrylates/C12-22 Alkyl Methacrylate Copolymer, Decyl Glucoside, Nymphaea Alba Flower Extract, Panthenol, Tocopheryl Acetate, Zinc Stearate, Maltodextrin, BHT, Disodium EDTA, Ethylhexylglycerin, Bixa Orellana Seed Extract, Arginine, Coco-Glucoside, Disodium Lauryl Sulfosuccinate, Xanthan Gum
Water
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
Humectant
Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane
UV Absorber
Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate
UV Absorber
Glycerin
Humectant
Phenylbenzimidazole Sulfonic Acid
UV Absorber
Octocrylene
UV Absorber
Polyacrylate Crosspolymer-11
Emulsion StabilisingBetaine
Humectant
Centella Asiatica Extract
Cleansing
Triethanolamine
BufferingSilica
Abrasive
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
Antimicrobial
Lecithin
Emollient
Chlorphenesin
Antimicrobial
Triethylene Glycol
Masking
Methicone
Emollient
Water, Butylene Glycol, Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane, Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate, Glycerin, Phenylbenzimidazole Sulfonic Acid, Octocrylene, Polyacrylate Crosspolymer-11, Betaine, Centella Asiatica Extract, Triethanolamine, Silica, Phenoxyethanol, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Lecithin, Chlorphenesin, Triethylene Glycol, Methicone
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Phenoxyethanol 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 PhenoxyethanolWater. 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
