Facerinna Niacinamide Brightening Serum Sunscreen SPF 50 Versus Skin Aqua Sunplay UV Perfect Mild Milk SPF 50+ PA+++
What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningEthylhexyl Methoxycinnamate
UV AbsorberDimethicone
EmollientDiethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl Benzoate
UV FilterPhenylbenzimidazole Sulfonic Acid
UV AbsorberNiacinamide
SmoothingIsohexadecane
EmollientBis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine
Skin ConditioningMethylene Bis-Benzotriazolyl Tetramethylbutylphenol
UV FilterGlyceryl Stearate
EmollientBehenyl Alcohol
EmollientCetearyl Olivate
Tapioca Starch
Polymethylsilsesquioxane
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingHydroxyacetophenone
AntioxidantPEG-100 Stearate
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningSorbitan Olivate
EmulsifyingTriacontanyl Pvp
HumectantCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingUrea
BufferingDecyl Glucoside
CleansingDimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer
Skin ConditioningBisabolol
MaskingSqualane
EmollientPropylene Glycol
HumectantXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingBHT
AntioxidantWater, 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 ConditioningEthylhexyl Methoxycinnamate
UV AbsorberPhenylbenzimidazole Sulfonic Acid
UV AbsorberCyclopentasiloxane
EmollientOctocrylene
UV AbsorberDiethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl Benzoate
UV FilterMethylene Bis-Benzotriazolyl Tetramethylbutylphenol
UV FilterPropylene Glycol
HumectantButylene Glycol Dicaprylate/Dicaprate
EmollientEthylhexyl Triazone
UV AbsorberSilica
AbrasiveArachidyl Alcohol
EmollientSodium Hydroxide
BufferingBehenyl Alcohol
EmollientPolysorbate 60
EmulsifyingXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingArachidyl Glucoside
EmulsifyingPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeAcrylates/Dimethicone Copolymer
Skin ConditioningBis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine
Skin ConditioningDiethylhexyl Butamido Triazone
UV AbsorberSodium Citrate
BufferingDecyl Glucoside
CleansingCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientCellulose
AbsorbentHectorite
AbsorbentTremella Fuciformis Polysaccharide
Emulsion StabilisingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningHexylene Glycol
EmulsifyingDisodium EDTA
BHT
AntioxidantBrassica Campestris Sterols
EmollientCetearyl Alcohol
EmollientSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantCarnosine
Skin ConditioningCitric Acid
BufferingEctoin
Skin ConditioningPanthenol
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
HumectantAllantoin
Skin ConditioningBetaine
HumectantHydrolyzed Collagen
EmollientTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantGlycerin
HumectantTrehalose
HumectantUrea
BufferingTheobroma Cacao Seed Extract
AntioxidantHydrolyzed Algin
Polyquaternium-51
Skin ConditioningPentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningSerine
MaskingAlgin
MaskingDisodium Phosphate
BufferingGlyceryl Polyacrylate
Pullulan
Potassium Phosphate
BufferingWater, Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate, Phenylbenzimidazole Sulfonic Acid, Cyclopentasiloxane, Octocrylene, Diethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl Benzoate, Methylene Bis-Benzotriazolyl Tetramethylbutylphenol, Propylene Glycol, Butylene Glycol Dicaprylate/Dicaprate, Ethylhexyl Triazone, Silica, Arachidyl Alcohol, Sodium Hydroxide, Behenyl Alcohol, Polysorbate 60, Xanthan Gum, Arachidyl Glucoside, Phenoxyethanol, Acrylates/Dimethicone Copolymer, Bis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine, Diethylhexyl Butamido Triazone, Sodium Citrate, Decyl Glucoside, Caprylyl Glycol, Cellulose, Hectorite, Tremella Fuciformis Polysaccharide, Ethylhexylglycerin, Hexylene Glycol, Disodium EDTA, BHT, Brassica Campestris Sterols, Cetearyl Alcohol, Sodium Hyaluronate, Carnosine, Citric Acid, Ectoin, Panthenol, Butylene Glycol, Allantoin, Betaine, Hydrolyzed Collagen, Tocopheryl Acetate, Glycerin, Trehalose, Urea, Theobroma Cacao Seed Extract, Hydrolyzed Algin, Polyquaternium-51, Pentylene Glycol, Serine, Algin, Disodium Phosphate, Glyceryl Polyacrylate, Pullulan, Potassium Phosphate
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Behenyl Alcohol is a type of fatty alcohol (these are different from the drying, solvent alcohols).
Fatty Alcohols have hydrating properties and are most often used as an emollient or to thicken a product. They are usually derived from natural fats and oils; behenyl alcohol is derived from the fats of vegetable oils.
Emollients help keep your skin soft and hydrated by creating a film that traps moisture in.
In 2000, Behenyl Alcohol was approved by the US as medicine to reduce the duration of cold sores.
Learn more about Behenyl AlcoholBHT is a synthetic antioxidant and preservative.
As an antioxidant, it helps your body fight off free-radicals. Free-radicals are molecules that may damage your skin cells.
As a preservative, it is used to stabilize products and prevent them from degrading. Specifically, BHT prevents degradation from oxidation.
The concerns related to BHT come from oral studies; this ingredient is currently allowed for use by both the FDA and EU.
However, it was recently restricted for use in the UK as of April 2024.
Learn more about BHTYou might know this ingredient as Tinosorb S or Bemotrizinol. It is a UV filter that covers both UVA and UVB rays.
This ingredient has two peak UV absorption peaks ( 310 and 340 nm) and is able to absorb both UV-A and UV-B rays. This ingredient works by preventing UV rays from reaching and damaging your skin.
On top of that - it is highly photostable and helps prevent the photodegration of other sunscreen ingredients such as avobenzone.
Tinosorb S is allowed in the EU, Australia, and Asia. It is close to being approved by the FDA and we'll hopefully get this ingredient in the U.S. by late 2025.
Fun fact: Tinosorb S is the most effective UV absorber at maximum concentration (measured by SPF) permitted in the EU.
This ingredient is oil-soluble, so your oil-cleansers will take this right off at night.
Learn more about Bis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl TriazineDecyl Glucoside is a glucose-based surfactant and emulsion stabilizer. It is created by reacting glucose with the fatty acids from plants.
Surfactants help clean the skin by trapping oil, sebum, and dirt to be washed away. As an emulsion stabilizer, it stabilizes the ingredients in a product by preventing them from separating.
This ingredient is biodegradable and non-toxic. This ingredient is commonly found in baby shampoos.
Decyl Glucoside is sometimes used to stabilize the UV filter Tinosorb.
Learn more about Decyl GlucosideDiethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl Benzoate (DHHB) is a chemical UV-A absorber. It is formulated for high UVA protection (320-400 nm).
DHHB is well-liked for:
DHHB has been approved by the EU, Japan, Taiwan, and South America for use up to 10%. Unfortunately, it has not been approved for use in the US or Canada due to slow regulatory processes.
This ingredient is soluble in oils, fats, and lipids.
Learn more about Diethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl BenzoateEthylhexyl Methoxycinnamate is an organic compound that provides UVB protection. It often goes by the more common name of octinoxate. It is created from methoxycinnamic acid and 2-ethylhexanol.
Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate absorbs UVB rays with wavelengths between 280-320 nm. UV absorbers protect your skin by using chemical reactions to convert UV rays into heat and energy.
UVB (290-320 nm) rays emit more energy than UVA rays. They are capable of damaging DNA, causing sunburns and are thought to be linked to skin cancer.
The state of Hawaii has banned sunscreens containing octinoxate due to its potential impact on coral reefs. More research is needed to bridge gaps in this research. The European Union allows higher levels of octinoxate in sunscreens than the US and Australia.
Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate is oil soluble. It is not stable and may lose efficacy when exposed to sunlight.
Learn more about Ethylhexyl MethoxycinnamateMethylene Bis-Benzotriazolyl Tetramethylbutylphenol (Tinosorb M) is a hybrid and broad-spectrum UV ingredient. It is both a UV absorber and filter.
UV absorbers are an agent that absorbs UV rays. They protect your skin by using chemical reactions to convert UV rays into heat and energy. UV filters physically reduce the amount of UV rays from reaching your skin.
Tinosorb M covers a range of 280-400 nm and is photostable. This ingredient is neither oil or water soluble.
Tinosorb M is not available in the US. However, it is available in the EU and Asia.
It's sister, Tinosorb S, is set to be approved in the US by late 2025 (fingers crossed!).
Learn more about Methylene Bis-Benzotriazolyl TetramethylbutylphenolThis ingredient is more commonly known as Ensulizole, a chemical sunscreen ingredient.
Ensulizole mainly protects UV-B (290-340 nm) but offers a little UV-A (320-400 nm) protection. It is often paired with less photo-stable sunscreen ingredients due to its photo-stability.
Due to it being water-soluble, Ensulizole helps give sunscreens a light and non-oily texture.
Ensulizole is approved worldwide:
Learn more about Phenylbenzimidazole Sulfonic AcidPropylene Glycol is an odorless, colorless liquid. As a humectant, it helps skin retain moisture. It also aids in delivering active ingredients.
Another role of this ingredient is preventing a product from melting or freezing. Propylene glycol also adds antimicrobrial properties to a product, elongating product lifespan.
This ingredient is considered an organic alcohol and commonly added into both cosmetics and foods.
Those with sensitive skin or conditions may develop a rash when using this ingredient.
Learn more about Propylene GlycolSodium 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 HydroxideUrea is also called carbamide and is the diamide of carbonic acid. In cosmetics, urea is used to hydrate the skin. It also provides exfoliation in higher concentrations.
As a humectant, urea helps draw moisture from the air and from deep within the skin. This helps hydrate your skin. Studies show urea is an effective moisturizer for dry skin conditions. 40% urea is typical in medications for treating eczema and other skin conditions.
Urea has the strongest exfoliation effect in concentrations higher than 10%. It is a keratolytic agent, meaning it breaks down the keratin protein in the top layer of skin. This helps remove dead skin cells and flaking skin.
In medicine, urea has been shown to help increase the potency of other ingredients, such as fungal treatments.
Humans and animals use urea to metabolize nitrogen-containing compounds. Urea is highly soluble in water. Once dissolved, it is neither acidic nor alkaline.
Learn more about UreaWater. 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 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