Fixderma Skincare Shadow SPF 50+ Gel Versus Chemist at Play 1% Hyaluronic Acid Complex Gel Sunscreen SPF 50+
This hybrid sunscreen covers the full UV range and blocks ~98% of UVB at SPF 50.
This chemical sunscreen covers the full UV range and blocks ~98% of UVB at SPF 50.
What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningEthylhexyl Methoxycinnamate
UV Absorber
Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane
UV Absorber
Benzophenone-3
UV Absorber
Phospholipids
Skin Conditioning
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Phenylbenzimidazole Sulfonic Acid
UV Absorber
Propanediol
Solvent
Zinc Oxide
Cosmetic Colorant
Dicaprylyl Carbonate
EmollientPanthenol
Skin Conditioning
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningCaesalpinia Spinosa Gum
Skin ConditioningSilica
Abrasive
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Parfum
Masking
Water, Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate, Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane, Benzophenone-3, Phospholipids, Butylene Glycol, Phenylbenzimidazole Sulfonic Acid, Propanediol, Zinc Oxide, Dicaprylyl Carbonate, Panthenol, Phenoxyethanol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Caesalpinia Spinosa Gum, Silica, Tocopheryl Acetate, Parfum
Oryza Sativa Bran Water
Masking
Caprylyl Methicone
Skin Conditioning
Dibutyl Adipate
EmollientDiethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl Benzoate
UV Filter
Ethylhexyl Triazone
UV Absorber
Sargassum Fluitans / Natans Extract
Bis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine
Skin Conditioning
Microcrystalline Cellulose
AbsorbentPEG-12 Dimethicone/PPG-20 Crosspolymer
Methylene Bis-Benzotriazolyl Tetramethylbutylphenol
UV Filter
Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingAvena Sativa Kernel Extract
Abrasive
Hydrolyzed Sodium Hyaluronate
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Acetylated Hyaluronate
Humectant
Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer
Humectant
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Ceramide As
Skin Conditioning
Ceramide EOP
Skin Conditioning
Ceramide Ns
Skin Conditioning
Ceramide Ng
Skin Conditioning
Ceramide NP
Skin Conditioning
Pentylene Glycol
Skin Conditioning
Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingVp/Acrylates/Lauryl Methacrylate Copolymer
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Propylene Glycol
Humectant
Propanediol
Solvent
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Hexyldecanol
Emollient
Hydroxypropyl Cyclodextrin
MaskingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningPhenoxyethanol
Preservative
Sodium Polyacrylate
Absorbent
Decyl Glucoside
Cleansing
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingSodium Gluconate
Skin ConditioningOryza Sativa Bran Water, Caprylyl Methicone, Dibutyl Adipate, Diethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl Benzoate, Ethylhexyl Triazone, Sargassum Fluitans / Natans Extract, Bis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine, Microcrystalline Cellulose, PEG-12 Dimethicone/PPG-20 Crosspolymer, Methylene Bis-Benzotriazolyl Tetramethylbutylphenol, Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Avena Sativa Kernel Extract, Hydrolyzed Sodium Hyaluronate, Sodium Acetylated Hyaluronate, Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer, Sodium Hyaluronate, Ceramide As, Ceramide EOP, Ceramide Ns, Ceramide Ng, Ceramide NP, Pentylene Glycol, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Vp/Acrylates/Lauryl Methacrylate Copolymer, Tocopheryl Acetate, Propylene Glycol, Propanediol, 1,2-Hexanediol, Hexyldecanol, Hydroxypropyl Cyclodextrin, Ethylhexylglycerin, Phenoxyethanol, Sodium Polyacrylate, Decyl Glucoside, Xanthan Gum, Sodium Gluconate
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Ethylhexylglycerin is created from glycerin. It is a multitasker ingredient that:
The CIR Expert Panel found minimal skin absorption or sensitization of any kind in a safety assessment. Though this ingredient is considered well-tolerated, a small number of cases of allergic dermatitis have been published since 2002. Just be sure to patch test if you are unsure.
Industry-reported use ranges from 8% in rinse-off products and 2% in leave-on formulations.
Learn more about EthylhexylglycerinPhenoxyethanol 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 PhenoxyethanolPropanediol is an all-star ingredient. It softens, hydrates, and smooths the skin.
It’s often used to:
Propanediol is not likely to cause sensitivity and considered safe to use. It is derived from corn or petroleum with a clear color and no scent.
Learn more about PropanediolTocopheryl Acetate is a stable, shelf-friendly form of vitamin E.
Formulators love it because plain vitamin E oxidizes quickly once it hits air. This acetate version stays stable and resists going off, helping to extend a product's shelf life.
It's actually inactive on its own and works like a slow-release "storage" form; the enzymes in your skin called esterases gradually convert it into active vitamin E over time.
One in vivo study showed 5% of the acetate in the living layer of the epidermis converted to vitamin E after 5 days of application. This study also found the skin gained protection against UV damage even though the conversion was slow and small.
Once converted, vitamin E acts as a skin's main fat-soluble antioxidant that fights free radicals to protect skin from damage.
Topical vitamin E generally boosts the skin's photoprotection, and it reduced UV-damage in animal models.
This ingredient has some brightening potential but it's more of a prevention ingredient than spot-fader. Cell studies show it can slow down melanin production but it's worth noting that it's not the most powerful brightener out there.
Overall, it has a pretty solid safety profile and has been found to be non-irritating and non-comedogenic. Allergic reactions may happen but stay rare due to how widely the ingredient gets used.
The concentration will vary depending on the formula; industry data shows 0.1% in baby lotions, 3% in lipsticks, and 5% in foot powders. You can also find this ingredient at 100% in a pure vitamin E oil.
Most leave-on skincare keeps it at the lower end, often between 0.5-1%.
Learn more about Tocopheryl Acetate
