Fixderma Skincare Shadow SPF 30+ Gel Versus Brilliant Skin Essentials, Inc. Sunblock Gel Cream SPF 30
Updated on March 13, 2024
Overview
What they are
These products are both fungal acne (malassezia) safe sunscreens. They have a total of 7 ingredients in common
Cool Features
They both contain SPF
Suited For
They're both likely to be good for dry skin
Free From
They both do not contain any harsh alcohols, common allergens, oils, parabens or sulfates
What's Inside
They both contain fragrances
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
Fixderma Skincare Shadow SPF 30+ Gel 18 ingredients
Brilliant Skin Essentials, Inc. Sunblock Gel Cream SPF 30 22 ingredients
About this product
About this product
At a glance
Click on any of the items below to learn more
Fixderma Skincare Shadow SPF 30+ Gel 18 ingredients
Brilliant Skin Essentials, Inc. Sunblock Gel Cream SPF 30 22 ingredients
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningEthylhexyl Methoxycinnamate
UV Absorber
Propylene Glycol
Humectant
Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane
UV Absorber
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingBenzophenone-4
UV Absorber
Triethanolamine
BufferingZinc Oxide
Cosmetic Colorant
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningSodium Acrylates/Beheneth-25 Methacrylate Crosspolymer
Skin ConditioningHydrogenated Polydecene
EmollientLauryl Glucoside
CleansingAcrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingTocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Disodium EDTA
BHT
Antioxidant
Parfum
Masking
Water, Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate, Propylene Glycol, Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Benzophenone-4, Triethanolamine, Zinc Oxide, Phenoxyethanol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Sodium Acrylates/Beheneth-25 Methacrylate Crosspolymer, Hydrogenated Polydecene, Lauryl Glucoside, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Tocopheryl Acetate, Disodium EDTA, BHT, Parfum
Water
Skin ConditioningEthylhexyl Methoxycinnamate
UV Absorber
Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane
UV Absorber
Benzophenone-3
UV Absorber
Phospholipids
Skin ConditioningCeramide AP
Skin Conditioning
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Caprylyl Methicone
Skin Conditioning
PEG-12 Dimethicone Crosspolymer
EmulsifyingSodium Acrylates Copolymer
Lecithin
EmollientTitanium Dioxide
Cosmetic Colorant
Fragaria Ananassa Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningCucumis Sativus Fruit Extract
EmollientGlycerin
Humectant
Tasmannia Lanceolata Fruit/Leaf Extract
Antioxidant
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningPhenoxyethanol
Preservative
Chamomilla Recutita Flower Extract
Masking
Parfum
Masking
Menthyl Lactate
MaskingDisodium EDTA
Water, Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate, Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane, Benzophenone-3, Phospholipids, Ceramide AP, Butylene Glycol, Caprylyl Methicone, PEG-12 Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Sodium Acrylates Copolymer, Lecithin, Titanium Dioxide, Fragaria Ananassa Fruit Extract, Cucumis Sativus Fruit Extract, Glycerin, Tasmannia Lanceolata Fruit/Leaf Extract, Ethylhexylglycerin, Phenoxyethanol, Chamomilla Recutita Flower Extract, Parfum, Menthyl Lactate, Disodium EDTA
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 WaterEthylhexyl 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 MethoxycinnamateAlso 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 MethoxydibenzoylmethanePhenoxyethanol 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.
Disodium EDTA plays a role in making products more stable by aiding other preservatives.
It is a chelating agent, meaning it neutralizes metal ions that may be found in a product.
Disodium EDTA is a salt of edetic acid and is found to be safe in cosmetic ingredients.
Learn more about Disodium EDTAParfum is a catch-all term for an ingredient or more that is used to give a scent to products.
Also called "fragrance", this ingredient can be a blend of hundreds of chemicals or plant oils. This means every product with "fragrance" or "parfum" in the ingredients list is a different mixture.
For instance, Habanolide is a proprietary trade name for a specific aroma chemical. When used as a fragrance ingredient in cosmetics, most aroma chemicals fall under the broad labeling category of “FRAGRANCE” or “PARFUM” according to EU and US regulations.
The term 'parfum' or 'fragrance' is not regulated in many countries. In many cases, it is up to the brand to define this term.
For instance, many brands choose to label themselves as "fragrance-free" because they are not using synthetic fragrances. However, their products may still contain ingredients such as essential oils that are considered a fragrance by INCI standards.
One example is Calendula flower extract. Calendula is an essential oil that still imparts a scent or 'fragrance'.
Depending on the blend, the ingredients in the mixture can cause allergies and sensitivities on the skin. Some ingredients that are known EU allergens include linalool and citronellol.
Parfum can also be used to mask or cover an unpleasant scent.
The bottom line is: not all fragrances/parfum/ingredients are created equally. If you are worried about fragrances, we recommend taking a closer look at an ingredient. And of course, we always recommend speaking with a professional.
Learn more about ParfumIngredient Ratings
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