Eucerin Sun Gel-Cream Oil Control SPF 50+ Versus ZO Skin Health Smart Tone Broad-Spectrum SPF 50
Updated on August 06, 2023
Overview
What they are
These products are both sunscreens. They have a total of 9 ingredients in common
Cool Features
They both contain SPF
Suited For
They're both likely to be good for dry skin and brightening skin
Free From
They both do not contain any common allergens, parabens or sulfates
What's Inside
They both contain silicones
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
Eucerin Sun Gel-Cream Oil Control SPF 50+ 31 ingredients
ZO Skin Health Smart Tone Broad-Spectrum SPF 50 56 ingredients
About this product
About this product
At a glance
Click on any of the items below to learn more
Eucerin Sun Gel-Cream Oil Control SPF 50+ 31 ingredients
ZO Skin Health Smart Tone Broad-Spectrum SPF 50 56 ingredients
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningAlcohol Denat.
Antimicrobial
Butylene Glycol Dicaprylate/Dicaprate
EmollientC12-15 Alkyl Benzoate
AntimicrobialButyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane
UV Absorber
Dibutyl Adipate
EmollientBis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine
Skin Conditioning
Silica
Abrasive
Ethylhexyl Triazone
UV Absorber
Phenylbenzimidazole Sulfonic Acid
UV Absorber
Diethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl Benzoate
UV Filter
Cetearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Behenyl Alcohol
Emollient
Silica Dimethyl Silylate
EmollientCopernicia Cerifera Cera
Emollient
Glycyrrhetinic Acid
Skin ConditioningGlycyrrhiza Inflata Root Extract
Skin ConditioningCarnitine
CleansingGlycerin
Humectant
Dimethicone
Emollient
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingCarrageenan
Sodium Chloride
Masking
Sodium Stearoyl Glutamate
CleansingHydroxypropyl Methylcellulose
Emulsion StabilisingSodium Hydroxide
BufferingTrisodium EDTA
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Decylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningHydroxyacetophenone
Antioxidant
Water, Alcohol Denat., Butylene Glycol Dicaprylate/Dicaprate, C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate, Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane, Dibutyl Adipate, Bis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine, Silica, Ethylhexyl Triazone, Phenylbenzimidazole Sulfonic Acid, Diethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl Benzoate, Cetearyl Alcohol, Behenyl Alcohol, Silica Dimethyl Silylate, Copernicia Cerifera Cera, Glycyrrhetinic Acid, Glycyrrhiza Inflata Root Extract, Carnitine, Glycerin, Dimethicone, Xanthan Gum, Carrageenan, Sodium Chloride, Sodium Stearoyl Glutamate, Hydroxypropyl Methylcellulose, Sodium Hydroxide, Trisodium EDTA, Phenoxyethanol, Decylene Glycol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Hydroxyacetophenone
Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane 3%
UV Absorber
Homosalate 10%
Skin Conditioning
Ethylhexyl Salicylate 5%
UV Absorber
Octocrylene 10%
UV Absorber
Water
Skin ConditioningDimethicone
Emollient
Butyloctyl Salicylate
Skin Conditioning
Styrene/Acrylates Copolymer
Dimethicone/Divinyldimethicone/Silsesquioxane Crosspolymer
HumectantGlyceryl Stearate
Emollient
Mica
Cosmetic Colorant
PEG-100 Stearate
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Polyamide-5
Skin ConditioningSteareth-21
CleansingArgania Spinosa Kernel Oil
Emollient
Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil
Emollient
Petasites Japonicus Root Extract
Skin ConditioningRosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialTocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Ascorbic Acid
Antioxidant
Retinyl Palmitate
Skin Conditioning
Caprylyl Glycol
EmollientHexylene Glycol
EmulsifyingMelanin
Skin ProtectingPentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningBoron Nitride
AbsorbentEthyl Ferulate
Antioxidant
C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate
AntimicrobialTetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate
Antioxidant
Beta-Glucan
Skin Conditioning
Ethylene Brassylate
MaskingPolymethyl Methacrylate
Acrylates/Ammonium Methacrylate Copolymer
Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer
Skin ConditioningDisodium EDTA
Acrylates Crosspolymer-4
Emulsion StabilisingPanthenyl Triacetate
Glycerin
Humectant
Aluminum Hydroxide
EmollientSimethicone
Emollient
Ethyl Linoleate
Emollient
Oleyl Alcohol
Emollient
Cetearyl Alcohol
Emollient
PEG-8 Laurate
Emulsifying
Steareth-2
EmulsifyingCoco-Glucoside
CleansingIsostearic Acid
Cleansing
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingPhenoxyethanol
Preservative
Potassium Sorbate
Preservative
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningParfum
Masking
Titanium Dioxide
Cosmetic Colorant
Iron Oxides
Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane 3%, Homosalate 10%, Ethylhexyl Salicylate 5%, Octocrylene 10%, Water, Dimethicone, Butyloctyl Salicylate, Styrene/Acrylates Copolymer, Dimethicone/Divinyldimethicone/Silsesquioxane Crosspolymer, Glyceryl Stearate, Mica, PEG-100 Stearate, Butylene Glycol, Polyamide-5, Steareth-21, Argania Spinosa Kernel Oil, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Petasites Japonicus Root Extract, Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract, Tocopheryl Acetate, Tocopherol, Ascorbic Acid, Retinyl Palmitate, Caprylyl Glycol, Hexylene Glycol, Melanin, Pentylene Glycol, Boron Nitride, Ethyl Ferulate, C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate, Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate, Beta-Glucan, Ethylene Brassylate, Polymethyl Methacrylate, Acrylates/Ammonium Methacrylate Copolymer, Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Disodium EDTA, Acrylates Crosspolymer-4, Panthenyl Triacetate, Glycerin, Aluminum Hydroxide, Simethicone, Ethyl Linoleate, Oleyl Alcohol, Cetearyl Alcohol, PEG-8 Laurate, Steareth-2, Coco-Glucoside, Isostearic Acid, Sodium Hydroxide, Phenoxyethanol, Potassium Sorbate, Ethylhexylglycerin, Parfum, Titanium Dioxide, Iron Oxides
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
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. If you see this, drink a glass of water. Stay hydrated!
Learn more about WaterC12-15 Alkyl Benzoate is made up of Benzoic Acid and long chain alcohols. It has a low molecular weight.
C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate is an emollient and texture enhancer. Due to its solubility, it is often used in sunscreens to help evenly distribute active ingredients.
As an emollient, C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate helps soften and hydrate your skin. Emollients create a film on your skin that traps moisture within.
This ingredient has been reported to cause eye irritation.
Learn more about C12-15 Alkyl BenzoateAlso known as Avobenzone, this ingredient is a chemical sunscreen filter that provides protection in the UV-A range.
Avobenzone is globally approved and is the most commonly used UV-A filter in the world.
Studies have found that avobenzone becomes ineffective when exposed to UV light (it is not photostable; meaning that it breaks down in sunlight). Because of this, formulations that include avobenzone will usually contain stabilizers such as octocrylene.
However, some modern formulations (looking at you, EU!) are able to stabilize avobenzone by coating the molecules.
Avobenzone does not protect against the UV-B range, so it's important to check that the sunscreen you're using contains other UV filters that do!
The highest concentration of avobenzone permitted is 3% in the US, and 5% in the EU.
Learn more about Butyl MethoxydibenzoylmethaneCetearyl alcohol is a mixture of two fatty alcohols: cetyl alcohol and stearyl alcohol. It is mainly used as an emulsifier. Emulsifiers help prevent the separation of oils and products. Due to its composition, it can also be used to thicken a product or help create foam.
Cetearyl alcohol is an emollient. Emollients help soothe and hydrate the skin by trapping moisture.
Studies show Cetearyl alcohol is non-toxic and non-irritating. The FDA allows products labeled "alcohol-free" to have fatty alcohols.
This ingredient is usually derived from plant oils such as palm, vegetable, or coconut oils. There is debate on whether this ingredient will cause acne.
Due to the fatty acid base, this ingredient may not be Malassezia folliculitis safe.
Learn more about Cetearyl AlcoholGlycerin is already naturally found in your skin. It helps moisturize and protect your skin.
A study from 2016 found glycerin to be more effective as a humectant than AHAs and hyaluronic acid.
As a humectant, it helps the skin stay hydrated by pulling moisture to your skin. The low molecular weight of glycerin allows it to pull moisture into the deeper layers of your skin.
Hydrated skin improves your skin barrier; Your skin barrier helps protect against irritants and bacteria.
Glycerin has also been found to have antimicrobial and antiviral properties. Due to these properties, glycerin is often used in wound and burn treatments.
In cosmetics, glycerin is usually derived from plants such as soybean or palm. However, it can also be sourced from animals, such as tallow or animal fat.
This ingredient is organic, colorless, odorless, and non-toxic.
Glycerin is the name for this ingredient in American English. British English uses Glycerol/Glycerine.
Learn more about GlycerinDimethicone is a type of synthetic silicone created from natural materials such as quartz.
What it does:
Dimethicone comes in different viscosities:
Depending on the viscosity, dimethicone has different properties.
Ingredients lists don't always show which type is used, so we recommend reaching out to the brand if you have questions about the viscosity.
This ingredient is unlikely to cause irritation because it does not get absorbed into skin. However, people with silicone allergies should be careful about using this ingredient.
Note: Dimethicone may contribute to pilling. This is because it is not oil or water soluble, so pilling may occur when layered with products. When mixed with heavy oils in a formula, the outcome is also quite greasy.
Learn more about DimethiconeSodium Hydroxide is also known as lye or caustic soda. It is used to adjust the pH of products; many ingredients require a specific pH to be effective.
In small amounts, sodium hydroxide is considered safe to use. However, large amounts may cause chemical burns due to its high alkaline.
Your skin has a natural pH and acid mantle. This acid mantle helps prevent harmful bacteria from breaking through. The acid mantle also helps keep your skin hydrated.
"Alkaline" refers to a high pH level. A low pH level would be considered acidic.
Learn more about Sodium HydroxidePhenoxyethanol 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.
Ethylhexylglycerin (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.
Ingredient Ratings
Here's what our community thinks of the ingredients in these products.
When to use
Eucerin Sun Gel-Cream Oil Control SPF 50+ 31 ingredients
ZO Skin Health Smart Tone Broad-Spectrum SPF 50 56 ingredients
Reviews
Here's what our community thinks
Eucerin Sun Gel-Cream Oil Control SPF 50+ 31 ingredients
My biggest regret. Purchased this when I didn’t know much about skincare and saw how it was recommended for oily skin types and was mattifying, so disappointed because it has such high levels of alcohol in it that u can literally SMELL it. As you can imagine, it broke me out like crazy. I wore it on my holiday to Africa and there would be days I’d get so many pimples from it on my forehead because Show more
It's okay, but makes my skin dull. Wayyy too much alcohol in it. Yet, no break-out, so that's the positive thing.
