Garnier Ambre Solaire Anti-Age Super UV Protection Cream SPF50 Versus Clinique Superdefense™ City Block Broad Spectrum SPF 50 Daily Energy + Face Protector
This chemical sunscreen covers the full UV range and blocks ~98% of UVB at SPF 50.
This hybrid 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 ConditioningC12-15 Alkyl Benzoate
AntimicrobialGlycerin
Humectant
Octocrylene
UV Absorber
Niacinamide
Smoothing
Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane
UV Absorber
Dimethicone
Emollient
Ethylhexyl Triazone
UV Absorber
Silica
Abrasive
Aluminum Starch Octenylsuccinate
Absorbent
Vinyl Dimethicone/Methicone Silsesquioxane Crosspolymer
Terephthalylidene Dicamphor Sulfonic Acid
UV Absorber
Potassium Cetyl Phosphate
EmulsifyingDrometrizole Trisiloxane
UV Absorber
PEG-100 Stearate
Surfactant
Stearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Glyceryl Stearate
Emollient
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Hydroxyacetophenone
Antioxidant
Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid
Humectant
Phenylethyl Resorcinol
Antioxidant
Triethanolamine
BufferingTrisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate
Poloxamer 338
EmulsifyingAmmonium Polyacryloyldimethyl Taurate
Emulsion StabilisingXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingCaprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Capryloyl Salicylic Acid
Exfoliating
Water, C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate, Glycerin, Octocrylene, Niacinamide, Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane, Dimethicone, Ethylhexyl Triazone, Silica, Aluminum Starch Octenylsuccinate, Vinyl Dimethicone/Methicone Silsesquioxane Crosspolymer, Terephthalylidene Dicamphor Sulfonic Acid, Potassium Cetyl Phosphate, Drometrizole Trisiloxane, PEG-100 Stearate, Stearyl Alcohol, Glyceryl Stearate, Tocopherol, Hydroxyacetophenone, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, Phenylethyl Resorcinol, Triethanolamine, Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate, Poloxamer 338, Ammonium Polyacryloyldimethyl Taurate, Xanthan Gum, Caprylyl Glycol, Capryloyl Salicylic Acid
Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate 5%
UV Absorber
Titanium Dioxide 3.2%
Cosmetic Colorant
Zinc Oxide 3.6%
Cosmetic Colorant
Water
Skin ConditioningDimethicone
Emollient
Butyloctyl Salicylate
Skin Conditioning
Isononyl Isononanoate
EmollientNeopentyl Glycol Diheptanoate
EmollientLauryl PEG-9 Polydimethylsiloxyethyl Dimethicone
Skin Conditioning
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Polydecene
Skin ConditioningPolyhydroxystearic Acid
Emulsifying
Ethylhexyl Methoxycrylene
Skin Conditioning
Hydrated Silica
Abrasive
Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer
Skin Conditioning
Trimethylsiloxysilicate
Emollient
Hydrolyzed Wheat Protein/Pvp Crosspolymer
Hydroxyapatite
Abrasive
Cetyl PEG/PPG-10/1 Dimethicone
Emulsifying
Dimethicone/PEG-10/15 Crosspolymer
Sodium Rna
Skin ConditioningQuaternium-90 Bentonite
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Dimethicone Crosspolymer-3
Skin Conditioning
Styrene/Acrylates Copolymer
Sodium Chloride
MaskingCaprylyl Glycol
Emollient
PEG-8 Laurate
Emulsifying
Propylene Carbonate
SolventSilica
Abrasive
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Sodium Citrate
BufferingDisodium EDTA
BHT
Antioxidant
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Potassium Sorbate
Preservative
CI 77491
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77492
Cosmetic ColorantEthylhexyl Methoxycinnamate 5%, Titanium Dioxide 3.2%, Zinc Oxide 3.6%, Water, Dimethicone, Butyloctyl Salicylate, Isononyl Isononanoate, Neopentyl Glycol Diheptanoate, Lauryl PEG-9 Polydimethylsiloxyethyl Dimethicone, Butylene Glycol, Polydecene, Polyhydroxystearic Acid, Ethylhexyl Methoxycrylene, Hydrated Silica, Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Trimethylsiloxysilicate, Hydrolyzed Wheat Protein/Pvp Crosspolymer, Hydroxyapatite, Cetyl PEG/PPG-10/1 Dimethicone, Dimethicone/PEG-10/15 Crosspolymer, Sodium Rna, Quaternium-90 Bentonite, Sodium Hyaluronate, Dimethicone Crosspolymer-3, Styrene/Acrylates Copolymer, Sodium Chloride, Caprylyl Glycol, PEG-8 Laurate, Propylene Carbonate, Silica, Tocopherol, Sodium Citrate, Disodium EDTA, BHT, Phenoxyethanol, Potassium Sorbate, CI 77491, CI 77492
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Caprylyl Glycol is a humectant, skin conditioner, emollient, and preservative booster derived from either caprylic acid or synthetically created.
Typical use levels vary from 0.3-1% as a preservative booster and go up to 2% to condition skin.
Because it is not a free-fatty acid, this ingredient is fungal acne safe (there's nothing for Malassezia to feed on).
Learn more about Caprylyl GlycolDimethicone is a type of synthetic silicone created from natural materials such as quartz. It is also known as polydimethylsiloxane.
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 DimethiconeSilica, also known as silicon dioxide, is a naturally occurring mineral. It is used as a fine, spherical, and porous powder in cosmetics.
Though it has exfoliant properties, the function of silica varies depending on the product.
The unique structure of silica enhances the spreadability and adds smoothness, making it a great texture enhancer.
It is also used as an active carrier, emulsifier, and mattifier due to its ability to absorb excess oil.
In some products, tiny microneedles called spicules are made from silica or hydrolyzed sponge. When you rub them in, they lightly polish away dead skin layers and enhance the penetration of active ingredients.
Learn more about SilicaTocopherol is a fat-soluble antioxidant known as Vitamin E.
You'll find this ingredient in the vast majority of skincare (for good reason). It works to neutralize free radicals, or unstable molecules generated by UV exposure, pollution, and other environmental stressors, before they can cause oxidative damage to your skin cells.
Topically applied tocopherol has been shown to protect against UV damage by ramping up the skin's own natural defense enzymes.
It also acts as a skin conditioning agent; some studies show that regular topical use can improve the skin's water-binding capacity over 2-4 weeks.
This ingredient is especially loved for being a team player. When combined with Vitamin C, the photoprotective effect of both ingredients roughly doubles and the combo also helps reduce UV-induced DNA damage.
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.
In formulations, it also serves as a stabilizer that helps protect other oxidation-prone ingredients from degrading.
Concentrations usually range from 0.1-1% in most leave-on products.
Learn more about TocopherolWater. 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
