Hawaiian Tropic Silk Hydration Protective Sun Lotion SPF 50 Versus Neutrogena Hydro Boost Face Lotion Sunscreen SPF 50
What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningOctocrylene
UV AbsorberBenzophenone-3
UV AbsorberButyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane
UV AbsorberEthylhexyl Benzoate
EmollientGlycerin
HumectantVp/Eicosene Copolymer
Cetearyl Alcohol
EmollientDiisopropyl Adipate
EmollientIsopropyl Myristate
EmollientIsopropyl Palmitate
EmollientPhenethyl Benzoate
EmollientPolymethylsilsesquioxane
Polyethylene
AbrasiveSodium Polyacrylate
AbsorbentCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientDimethicone
EmollientCoco-Glucoside
CleansingCeteth-10 Phosphate
CleansingDicetyl Phosphate
EmulsifyingXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingDisodium EDTA
Paraffin
Skin ConditioningSilk Amino Acids
HumectantButyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin ConditioningMangifera Indica Seed Butter
Skin ConditioningPanthenol
Skin ConditioningSodium Ascorbyl Phosphate
AntioxidantTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantAloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice
Skin ConditioningCarica Papaya Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningColocasia Antiquorum Root Extract
Skin ConditioningMangifera Indica Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningPassiflora Incarnata Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningPlumeria Acutifolia Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeMethylparaben
PreservativePropylparaben
PreservativeParfum
MaskingHydroxycitronellal
PerfumingLinalool
PerfumingMica
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77163
Cosmetic ColorantIron Oxides
Water, Octocrylene, Benzophenone-3, Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane, Ethylhexyl Benzoate, Glycerin, Vp/Eicosene Copolymer, Cetearyl Alcohol, Diisopropyl Adipate, Isopropyl Myristate, Isopropyl Palmitate, Phenethyl Benzoate, Polymethylsilsesquioxane, Polyethylene, Sodium Polyacrylate, Caprylyl Glycol, Dimethicone, Coco-Glucoside, Ceteth-10 Phosphate, Dicetyl Phosphate, Xanthan Gum, Disodium EDTA, Paraffin, Silk Amino Acids, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Mangifera Indica Seed Butter, Panthenol, Sodium Ascorbyl Phosphate, Tocopheryl Acetate, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Carica Papaya Fruit Extract, Colocasia Antiquorum Root Extract, Mangifera Indica Fruit Extract, Passiflora Incarnata Fruit Extract, Plumeria Acutifolia Flower Extract, Phenoxyethanol, Methylparaben, Propylparaben, Parfum, Hydroxycitronellal, Linalool, Mica, CI 77163, Iron Oxides
Bis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine
Skin ConditioningButyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane
UV AbsorberEthylhexyl Triazone
UV AbsorberHomosalate
Skin ConditioningMethylene Bis-Benzotriazolyl Tetramethylbutylphenol
UV FilterOctocrylene
UV Absorber1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningAcacia Seyal Gum
HumectantAcrylates Copolymer
Acrylates/Dimethicone Copolymer
Skin ConditioningCI 42090
Cosmetic ColorantCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientCetyl Dimethicone
EmollientCitric Acid
BufferingSilica
AbrasiveDecyl Glucoside
CleansingDecylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningDibutyl Adipate
EmollientDicaprylyl Carbonate
EmollientDimethicone
EmollientDisodium EDTA
Tocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantParfum
MaskingGlyceryl Stearate
EmollientHyaluronic Acid
HumectantHydroxyacetophenone
AntioxidantMenthyl Lactate
MaskingPentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningPhenoxyethanol
PreservativePolyglyceryl-3 Methylglucose Distearate
EmulsifyingPotassium Cetyl Phosphate
EmulsifyingPropylene Glycol
HumectantWater
Skin ConditioningSodium Hydroxide
BufferingSolvent Violet 13
Cera Alba
EmollientXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingBis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine, Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane, Ethylhexyl Triazone, Homosalate, Methylene Bis-Benzotriazolyl Tetramethylbutylphenol, Octocrylene, 1,2-Hexanediol, Acacia Seyal Gum, Acrylates Copolymer, Acrylates/Dimethicone Copolymer, CI 42090, Caprylyl Glycol, Cetyl Dimethicone, Citric Acid, Silica, Decyl Glucoside, Decylene Glycol, Dibutyl Adipate, Dicaprylyl Carbonate, Dimethicone, Disodium EDTA, Tocopheryl Acetate, Parfum, Glyceryl Stearate, Hyaluronic Acid, Hydroxyacetophenone, Menthyl Lactate, Pentylene Glycol, Phenoxyethanol, Polyglyceryl-3 Methylglucose Distearate, Potassium Cetyl Phosphate, Propylene Glycol, Water, Sodium Hydroxide, Solvent Violet 13, Cera Alba, Xanthan Gum
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Also known as Avobenzone, this ingredient is an oil-soluble used to absorb the full spectrum of UVA rays (peak 357 nm).
It's one of the most effective UVA filters available but has a major caveat of photostability: avobenzone is susceptible to photodegradation.
This means it can lose efficacy when exposed to sunlight without the help of a stabilizing agent.
Studies show antioxidants (like vitamin E or vitamin C) and some UV filters (like octocrylene and Tinosorb S) can meaningfully improve its stability in a formulation.
The maximum allowable concentration according to regulation is 3% in the US + Canada, and 5% in the EU, Australia, China, Korea, and ASEAN countries.
It has a well-support safety profile: a comprehensive 2025 review found minimal toxicity with no evidence of carcinogenicity.
Overall, avobenzone is a safe and regulated ingredient used in sunscreen for over 40 years.
Learn more about Butyl MethoxydibenzoylmethaneCaprylyl 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 DimethiconeDisodium EDTA is a chelating agent. It grabs onto and deactivates metal ions that sneak into your products from water, packaging, or air.
This ingredient mainly works behind the scenes and helps with:
On top of that, this ingredient can counteract the effects of hard water by binding to the minerals in it.
One thing worth knowing is that Disodium EDTA has been shown to be a mild penetration enhancer. It can help other ingredients absorb into skin more effectively which can be a double-edged sword (great for actives, but can also make the active too strong if you have sensitive skin).
Clinical patch testing showed no significant skin irritation at typical use concentrations and minimal dermal absorption.
You'll most likely see this ingredient near the end of an ingredient list. It's typically found in concentrations less than 1%.
Learn more about Disodium EDTAOctocrylene is an oil-soluble organic UV filter that mainly absorbs UVB and short wave UVA II light.
Its real superpower is teamwork: octocrylene is remarkably photostable and is most famous for stabilizing avobenzone (the workhorse UVA filter).
This ingredient is commonly used to enhance both UVB and UVA protection due to its unique property in stabilizing avobenzone. It also pulls double duty by boosting water resistance and giving formulas a smooth, spreadable feel.
The EU's Scientific Committee on Consumer Safety (SCCS) has deemed octocrylene to be safe as a UV-filter at concentrations up to 10% (capped at 9% in propellant sprays). The US also permits it up to 10%.
Two things worth knowing:
You'll usually see this ingredient used in concentrations between 2-10% (higher amounts when used as a stabilizer for avobenzone).
Learn more about OctocryleneParfum 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 ParfumPhenoxyethanol 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.
Tocopheryl Acetate is AKA Vitamin E. It is an antioxidant and protects your skin from free radicals. Free radicals damage the skin by breaking down collagen.
One study found using Tocopheryl Acetate with Vitamin C decreased the number of sunburned cells.
Tocopheryl Acetate is commonly found in both skincare and dietary supplements.
Learn more about Tocopheryl AcetateWater. 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 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