Facerinna Niacinamide Brightening Serum Sunscreen SPF 50 Versus ELFORMULA Intensive CeraHydro Moisturizer Barrier
This chemical sunscreen covers the full UV range and blocks ~98% of UVB at SPF 50.
This barrier-repair moisturizer is formulated around Ectoin and Centella Asiatica Extract to strengthen the skin barrier and hydrate skin.
What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningEthylhexyl Methoxycinnamate
UV Absorber
Dimethicone
Emollient
Diethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl Benzoate
UV Filter
Phenylbenzimidazole Sulfonic Acid
UV Absorber
Niacinamide
Smoothing
Isohexadecane
EmollientBis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine
UV Absorber
Methylene Bis-Benzotriazolyl Tetramethylbutylphenol
UV Filter
Glyceryl Stearate
Emollient
Behenyl Alcohol
Emollient
Cetearyl Olivate
Tapioca Starch
Polymethylsilsesquioxane
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingHydroxyacetophenone
Antioxidant
PEG-100 Stearate
Surfactant
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Sorbitan Olivate
Emulsifying
Triacontanyl Pvp
HumectantCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingUrea
Buffering
Decyl Glucoside
Cleansing
Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer
Skin Conditioning
Bisabolol
Antioxidant
Squalane
Emollient
Propylene Glycol
Humectant
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingBHT
Antioxidant
Water, Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate, Dimethicone, Diethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl Benzoate, Phenylbenzimidazole Sulfonic Acid, Niacinamide, Isohexadecane, Bis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine, Methylene Bis-Benzotriazolyl Tetramethylbutylphenol, Glyceryl Stearate, Behenyl Alcohol, Cetearyl Olivate, Tapioca Starch, Polymethylsilsesquioxane, Sodium Hydroxide, Hydroxyacetophenone, PEG-100 Stearate, 1,2-Hexanediol, Sorbitan Olivate, Triacontanyl Pvp, Carbomer, Urea, Decyl Glucoside, Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Bisabolol, Squalane, Propylene Glycol, Xanthan Gum, BHT
Water
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
Humectant
Glycerin
Humectant
Isononyl Isononanoate
EmollientCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Isododecane
EmollientCyclopentasiloxane
Emollient
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Hydroxyacetophenone
Antioxidant
Cetearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Diglycerin
Humectant
Carbomer
Emulsion StabilisingPolysorbate 80
Emulsifying
Triethanolamine
BufferingEctoin
Skin Conditioning
Propylene Glycol
Humectant
Sodium Polyglutamate
HumectantSorbitan Oleate
Emulsifying
Bisabolol
Antioxidant
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Centella Asiatica Extract
Cleansing
Propanediol
Solvent
Glucose
Humectant
Hydrogenated Lecithin
Emulsifying
Polygonum Cuspidatum Root Extract
Antioxidant
Scutellaria Baicalensis Root Extract
Astringent
Hexylene Glycol
EmulsifyingStearic Acid
Cleansing
Cholesterol
Emollient
Ceramide NP
Skin Conditioning
Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
Antimicrobial
Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract
Bleaching
Beta-Glucan
Skin Conditioning
Chamomilla Recutita Flower Extract
Masking
Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialLespedeza Capitata Leaf/Stem Extract
Skin ConditioningAvena Sativa Kernel Extract
Abrasive
Zingiber Officinale Root Extract
Masking
Water, Butylene Glycol, Glycerin, Isononyl Isononanoate, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Isododecane, Cyclopentasiloxane, 1,2-Hexanediol, Hydroxyacetophenone, Cetearyl Alcohol, Diglycerin, Carbomer, Polysorbate 80, Triethanolamine, Ectoin, Propylene Glycol, Sodium Polyglutamate, Sorbitan Oleate, Bisabolol, Sodium Hyaluronate, Centella Asiatica Extract, Propanediol, Glucose, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Polygonum Cuspidatum Root Extract, Scutellaria Baicalensis Root Extract, Hexylene Glycol, Stearic Acid, Cholesterol, Ceramide NP, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract, Beta-Glucan, Chamomilla Recutita Flower Extract, Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract, Lespedeza Capitata Leaf/Stem Extract, Avena Sativa Kernel Extract, Zingiber Officinale Root Extract
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
1,2-Hexanediol is a synthetic liquid and another multi-functional powerhouse.
It is a:
- Humectant, drawing moisture into the skin
- Emollient, helping to soften skin
- Solvent, dispersing and stabilizing formulas
- Preservative booster, enhancing the antimicrobial activity of other preservatives
Bisabolol is a gentle skin conditioner, antioxidant, and soothing ingredient.
It's primary claim to fame is soothing and research shows topically applied bisabolol can quiet the chemical messengers that cause your skin to become inflamed, helping to sooth any irritation.
A clinical study found that applying 0.5% bisabolol daily for 8 weeks produced an average 9% decrease in skin pigmentation. Researchers found it can also suppress the process that leads to excess melanin production in skin.
In vitro studies found that bisabolol combined with propylene glycol significantly increased skin permeability by increasing lipid fluidity in the stratum corneum.
You'll likely see use concentrations quite low, usually 0.1-0.2%.
Overall, this is a well-tolerated ingredient that works well in formulas designed for sensitive, reactive, or post-procedure skin.
Learn more about BisabololCarbomer is a synthetic thickening and gelling agent. It's basically the ingredient that gives a lot of serums, gels, creams, and sunscreens their smooth, non-sticky texture.
Although legally permitted at very high levels, carbomers are normally used at concentrations below 1%.
It also needs to be neutralized to actually thicken, and because it is a large molecule, it doesn't really penetrate the skin barrier.
Allergy-wise, the risk is very low. Clinical studies show carbomers have low potential for skin irritation/sensitization even at concentrations up to 100%.
A 2024 UK study patch-tested 1,302 patients and found true allergy to the parent group of carbomer to be rare with no confirmed relevant reactions.
Learn more about CarbomerHydroxyacetophenone is a small phenolic molecule that earns its place in a formulas as an antioxidant and preservative booster.
As a phenol, it is able to neutralize free radicals to protect both the product and the skin from oxidative stress.
Though it can't kill microbes on its own, it works as a good supporting agent when combined with other preservatives like Phenoxyethanol or 1,2-Hexanediol.
This ingredient naturally occurs as piceol in Norwegian spruce needles (~0.4-1.1% dry weight and in cloudberries). Though the cosmetic-grade material is synthesized for purity and consistency.
You'll usually see it used at low levels and suppliers recommend up to 1% added to a water phase.
Safety testing was done at concentrations like 0.05% in SPF products and 0.5% in a Human Repeated Insult Patch Test. The safety evidence is assuring; this ingredient is safe for cosmetics in current use and also holds safety status as a food flavoring as well.
An honest caveat: the "soothing" and "anti-inflammatory" claims come mostly from supplier marketing rather than published clinical trials. The Cosmetic Ingredient Review's own literature search found no useful efficacy studies on this ingredient.
So the antioxidant and preservative-boosting roles are the well supported ones while the calming benefit is plausible but thinly evidenced.
Overall, this is a well-tolerated, low-irritation multitasker that quietly helps a formula stay fresh and stable.
Learn more about HydroxyacetophenonePropylene Glycol is a synthetic, colorless, odorless liquid that has been a staple in cosmetics for decades. It is a skin conditioning agent, humectant, and solvent.
As a humectant, it draw water to the skin to reduce flaking and restore suppleness. It's also a solvent that helps dissolve other actives and keeps formulas stable across temperature changes.
The CIR Expert Panel has confirmed this ingredient to be nontoxic and clinical studies show no sensitization at cosmetic use concentrations.
True allergic reactions are quite rare: a 15-year retrospective study of 6,751 patients found only 0.31% had a positive reaction (and less than half were considered clinically relevant).
It seemed that when sensitization does occur, it's most commonly linked to topical medication (like corticosteroids) and not cosmetics. Allergic contact dermatitis also appears largely limited to individuals with underlying skin conditions.
Overall, propylene glycol is a well-studied ingredient that most people can tolerate without issue.
Learn more about Propylene GlycolWater. 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
