HELIOCARE 360 Sensation Ultralight Oil Free Sunscreen SPF 50+ Versus Avène Ultra Fluid Perfector SPF 50+
What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Isododecane
EmollientDimethicone
EmollientPropylene Glycol
HumectantButylene Glycol
HumectantVinyldimethicone
Diethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl Benzoate
UV FilterMethyl Salicylate
PerfumingNeopentyl Glycol Diheptanoate
EmollientBis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine
Skin ConditioningVp/Hexadecene Copolymer
Silica Dimethyl Silylate
EmollientGlycerin
HumectantMethyl Methacrylate Crosspolymer
Alcohol
AntimicrobialZinc Oxide
Cosmetic ColorantLauryl PEG-9 Polydimethylsiloxyethyl Dimethicone
Skin ConditioningTrimethylsiloxysilicate
EmollientPolypodium Leucotomos Leaf Extract
Skin ProtectingC12-15 Alkyl Benzoate
AntimicrobialTitanium Dioxide
Cosmetic Colorant1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningHydroxyacetophenone
AntioxidantFructose
HumectantDisteardimonium Hectorite
StabilisingParfum
MaskingPanthenol
Skin ConditioningPolyhydroxystearic Acid
EmulsifyingTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantIsohexadecane
EmollientBisabolol
AntioxidantDimethiconol
EmollientSilica
AbrasiveAlumina
AbrasiveStearic Acid
CleansingTriethoxycaprylylsilane
Sodium Polyglutamate
HumectantHydroxyphenyl Propamidobenzoic Acid
Skin ConditioningZingiber Officinale Root Extract
MaskingTocopherol
AntioxidantAlpha-Isomethyl Ionone
PerfumingCitronellol
PerfumingCitrus Aurantium Amara Peel Oil
Skin ConditioningHexyl Cinnamal
PerfumingLimonene
PerfumingLinalool
PerfumingLinalyl Acetate
MaskingTetramethyl Acetyloctahydronaphthalenes
MaskingIsododecane, Dimethicone, Propylene Glycol, Butylene Glycol, Vinyldimethicone, Diethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl Benzoate, Methyl Salicylate, Neopentyl Glycol Diheptanoate, Bis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine, Vp/Hexadecene Copolymer, Silica Dimethyl Silylate, Glycerin, Methyl Methacrylate Crosspolymer, Alcohol, Zinc Oxide, Lauryl PEG-9 Polydimethylsiloxyethyl Dimethicone, Trimethylsiloxysilicate, Polypodium Leucotomos Leaf Extract, C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate, Titanium Dioxide, 1,2-Hexanediol, Hydroxyacetophenone, Fructose, Disteardimonium Hectorite, Parfum, Panthenol, Polyhydroxystearic Acid, Tocopheryl Acetate, Isohexadecane, Bisabolol, Dimethiconol, Silica, Alumina, Stearic Acid, Triethoxycaprylylsilane, Sodium Polyglutamate, Hydroxyphenyl Propamidobenzoic Acid, Zingiber Officinale Root Extract, Tocopherol, Alpha-Isomethyl Ionone, Citronellol, Citrus Aurantium Amara Peel Oil, Hexyl Cinnamal, Limonene, Linalool, Linalyl Acetate, Tetramethyl Acetyloctahydronaphthalenes
Water
Skin ConditioningC12-15 Alkyl Benzoate
AntimicrobialDiethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl Benzoate
UV FilterEthylhexyl Triazone
UV AbsorberOryza Sativa Starch
AbsorbentPhenylene Bis-Diphenyltriazine
StabilisingBis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine
Skin ConditioningPotassium Cetyl Phosphate
EmulsifyingLauryl Glucoside
CleansingPolyglyceryl-2 Dipolyhydroxystearate
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantTapioca Starch
Trimethylpentanediol/Adipic Acid/Glycerin Crosspolymer
Skin ConditioningAlumina
AbrasiveBenzoic Acid
MaskingCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientCitric Acid
BufferingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningGlyceryl Laurate
EmollientCI 77492
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77491
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77499
Cosmetic ColorantIsononyl Isononanoate
EmollientIsopropyl Myristate
EmollientIsopropyl Titanium Triisostearate
EmollientLens Esculenta Seed Extract
Skin ProtectingPentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningPolyhydroxystearic Acid
EmulsifyingPPG-1-PEG-9 Lauryl Glycol Ether
EmulsifyingPropylene Carbonate
SolventSodium Benzoate
MaskingSodium Phytate
Stearalkonium Hectorite
Gel FormingCI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantTocopherol
AntioxidantTocopheryl Glucoside
EmollientXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingWater, C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate, Diethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl Benzoate, Ethylhexyl Triazone, Oryza Sativa Starch, Phenylene Bis-Diphenyltriazine, Bis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine, Potassium Cetyl Phosphate, Lauryl Glucoside, Polyglyceryl-2 Dipolyhydroxystearate, Glycerin, Tapioca Starch, Trimethylpentanediol/Adipic Acid/Glycerin Crosspolymer, Alumina, Benzoic Acid, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Caprylyl Glycol, Citric Acid, Ethylhexylglycerin, Glyceryl Laurate, CI 77492, CI 77491, CI 77499, Isononyl Isononanoate, Isopropyl Myristate, Isopropyl Titanium Triisostearate, Lens Esculenta Seed Extract, Pentylene Glycol, Polyhydroxystearic Acid, PPG-1-PEG-9 Lauryl Glycol Ether, Propylene Carbonate, Sodium Benzoate, Sodium Phytate, Stearalkonium Hectorite, CI 77891, Tocopherol, Tocopheryl Glucoside, 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.
Alumina is another name for the compound aluminum oxide. It is a white powder used as a thickener, absorbent, and abrasive.
As an absorbent, alumina can give a mattifying effect. It is used in mineral sunscreens to help coat nano-sized filters, such as titanium dioxide. By increasing the size of the UV filters, these ingredients stay on the skin for a longer time. By coating small sized ingredients, alumina helps thicken a product.
Alumina may be used as an abrasive, or exfoliant.
Alumina is naturally occurring in the mineral corundum. Certain varieties of corundum create rubies and sapphires. Corundum is also the crystalline form of alumina.
Learn more about AluminaYou 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 2026.
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 TriazineC12-15 Alkyl Benzoate is made up of Benzoic Acid and long chain alcohols. It has a low molecular weight.
C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate is an emollient and texture enhancer. Due to its solubility, it is often used in sunscreens to help evenly distribute active ingredients.
As an emollient, C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate helps soften and hydrate your skin. Emollients create a film on your skin that traps moisture within.
This ingredient has been reported to cause eye irritation.
Learn more about C12-15 Alkyl BenzoateDiethylamino 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 BenzoateGlycerin (or glycerol) is a compound naturally found in your skin. It's a powerhouse humectant that pulls water into the stratum corneum.
Topically, glycerin does several things at once:
Your skin makes glycerin on its own (mostly from sebaceous oil breakdown) and shuttles it to your outermost layer of skin, or your epidermis, via aquaporin-3.
Aquaporin-3 is a transporter that is essential for normal skin hydration, elasticity, and repair. Interestingly, mice lacking in AQP3 have dry and less elastic skin that can be fully corrected with glycerin.
This ingredient is non-irritating, plays well with almost every ingredient, and works across all skin types. Typical use is anywhere between 3-10% but can go up to 79% in some leave-on products.
Just know very high concentrations (>40%) can feel tacky in low humidity.
Glycerin is the name for this ingredient in American English. British English uses Glycerol/Glycerine.
Learn more about GlycerinPolyhydroxystearic Acid is a vegetable-derived soft wax made from castor oil. It's an emulsion stabilizer, thickener, and film former.
You'll likely see it in sunscreens because it helps disperse pigments and UV-reflecting minerals like titanium dioxide and zinc oxide evenly.
Depending on the concentration, it can drastically change the texture of a product from pasty solid (like lipstick) to sprayable liquid.
The CIR Expert Panel for Cosmetic Ingredient Safety has concluded this ingredient to be safe in cosmetics. The highest reported use concentration is 14.2% in lipsticks.
Learn more about Polyhydroxystearic AcidTocopherol 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 Tocopherol