HELIOCARE Advanced SPF 50 Spray Versus HELIOCARE Advanced Gel SPF 50
Overview
What they are
These products are both vegan and cruelty-free sunscreens. They have a total of 14 ingredients in common
Cool Features
They both contain SPF
Suited For
They're both likely to be good for dry skin, sensitive skin and reducing pores
Free From
They both do not contain any oils or sulfates
What's Inside
They both contain common allergens, fragrances and silicones
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
HELIOCARE Advanced SPF 50 Spray 31 ingredients
HELIOCARE Advanced Gel SPF 50 28 ingredients
What's inside
What's inside
At a glance
Click on any of the items below to learn more
HELIOCARE Advanced SPF 50 Spray 31 ingredients
HELIOCARE Advanced Gel SPF 50 28 ingredients
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningEthylhexyl Methoxycinnamate
UV Absorber
C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate
AntimicrobialOctocrylene
UV Absorber
Caprylyl Methicone
Skin Conditioning
Hexylene Glycol
EmulsifyingEthylhexyl Triazone
UV Absorber
Alcohol Denat.
Antimicrobial
Polysilicone-15
UV Filter
C14-22 Alcohols
Emulsion StabilisingPolysorbate 80
Emulsifying
Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane
UV Absorber
Styrene/Acrylates Copolymer
Acrylates/Octylacrylamide Copolymer
PEG/PPG-20/6 Dimethicone
Emulsifying
Polypodium Leucotomos Leaf Extract
Skin ProtectingC12-20 Alkyl Glucoside
EmulsifyingMicrococcus Lysate
Skin ConditioningCamellia Sinensis Extract
Antioxidant
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Triethanolamine
BufferingSodium Lactate
BufferingMethylparaben
Preservative
Propylparaben
Preservative
BHT
Antioxidant
Lecithin
Emollient
Lactic Acid
Buffering
Disodium EDTA
Parfum
Masking
Linalool
Perfuming
Limonene
Perfuming
Water, Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate, C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate, Octocrylene, Caprylyl Methicone, Hexylene Glycol, Ethylhexyl Triazone, Alcohol Denat., Polysilicone-15, C14-22 Alcohols, Polysorbate 80, Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane, Styrene/Acrylates Copolymer, Acrylates/Octylacrylamide Copolymer, PEG/PPG-20/6 Dimethicone, Polypodium Leucotomos Leaf Extract, C12-20 Alkyl Glucoside, Micrococcus Lysate, Camellia Sinensis Extract, Phenoxyethanol, Triethanolamine, Sodium Lactate, Methylparaben, Propylparaben, BHT, Lecithin, Lactic Acid, Disodium EDTA, Parfum, Linalool, Limonene
Water
Skin ConditioningEthylhexyl Methoxycinnamate
UV Absorber
Octocrylene
UV Absorber
Styrene/Acrylates Copolymer
Cyclopentasiloxane
Emollient
Glycerin
Humectant
Hexylene Glycol
EmulsifyingPolyacrylamide
PEG/PPG-20/6 Dimethicone
Emulsifying
Zinc Oxide
Cosmetic Colorant
C13-14 Isoparaffin
Emollient
Polypodium Leucotomos Leaf Extract
Skin ProtectingPhenoxyethanol
Preservative
Titanium Dioxide
Cosmetic Colorant
Laureth-7
EmulsifyingCetyl Dimethicone
Emollient
Camellia Sinensis Extract
Antioxidant
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Dichlorobenzyl Alcohol
Antimicrobial
Micrococcus Lysate
Skin ConditioningTetrasodium EDTA
Alumina
Abrasive
BHT
Antioxidant
Simethicone
Emollient
Triethoxycaprylylsilane
Parfum
Masking
Linalool
Perfuming
Limonene
Perfuming
Water, Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate, Octocrylene, Styrene/Acrylates Copolymer, Cyclopentasiloxane, Glycerin, Hexylene Glycol, Polyacrylamide, PEG/PPG-20/6 Dimethicone, Zinc Oxide, C13-14 Isoparaffin, Polypodium Leucotomos Leaf Extract, Phenoxyethanol, Titanium Dioxide, Laureth-7, Cetyl Dimethicone, Camellia Sinensis Extract, Tocopheryl Acetate, Dichlorobenzyl Alcohol, Micrococcus Lysate, Tetrasodium EDTA, Alumina, BHT, Simethicone, Triethoxycaprylylsilane, Parfum, Linalool, Limonene
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
BHT is a synthetic antioxidant and preservative.
As an antioxidant, it helps your body fight off free-radicals. Free-radicals are molecules that may damage your skin cells.
As a preservative, it is used to stabilize products and prevent them from degrading. Specifically, BHT prevents degradation from oxidation.
The concerns related to BHT come from oral studies; this ingredient is currently allowed for use by both the FDA and EU.
However, it was recently restricted for use in the UK as of April 2024.
Learn more about BHTCamellia Sinensis Extract is from the oil in tea plant leaves. The leaves give us various types of tea: green, black, oolong, and white.
Camellia Sinensis leaves have many benefits. It contains polyphenols, a strong antioxidant. Antioxidants help fight off free-radical molecules that damage skin cells. The antioxidants in green tea neutralize free-radicals from the sun. This gives the skin some extra UV protection, but should not replace sunscreen.
Many components of tea have anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties. Polyphenols and L-theanine help soothe the skin and reduce irritation. L-theanine is an amino acid that makes up most of the amino acids found in tea leaves. The caffeine in Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract helps calm inflamed blood vessels.
Tea leaves also contain Vitamin Bs, linoleic acid, magnesium, calcium, iron, and zinc.
Research has shown both drinking Camellia Sinensis Leaf Tea and applying it to the skin can help boost skin elasticity and hydration. Studies also show using tea extract may reduce sebum, or oil, production.
Learn more about Camellia Sinensis ExtractEthylhexyl 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 MethoxycinnamateHexylene Glycol is a surfactant. Glycols are a class of alcohols. Hexylene Glycol is a surfactant and emulsifier.
As a surfactant, Hexylene Glycol helps gather dirt and oil on your skin to be washed away.
As an emulsifier, Hexylene Glycol helps keep water and oil together. This prevents them from separating in a product. Hexylene Glycol also thins out the texture of a product by lessening viscosity.
Hexylene Glycol has a small molecular weight.
Learn more about Hexylene GlycolLimonene is a fragrance that adds scent and taste to a formulation.
It's found in the peel oil of citrus fruits and other plants such as lavender and eucalyptus. The scent of limonene is generally described as "sweet citrus".
Limonene acts as an antioxidant, meaning it helps neutralize free radicals.
When exposed to air, oxidized limonene may sensitize the skin. Because of this, limonene is often avoided by people with sensitive skin.
The term '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.
Learn more about LimoneneLinalool is a fragrance and helps add scent to products. It's derived from common plants such as cinnamon, mint, citrus, and lavender.
Like Limonene, this ingredient oxidizes when exposed to air. Oxidized linalool can cause allergies and skin sensitivity.
This ingredient has a scent that is floral, spicy tropical, and citrus-like.
Learn more about LinaloolWe don't have a description for Micrococcus Lysate yet.
Octocrylene protects skin from sun damage. It absorbs UV-B with peak absorption of 304 nm. It is a common sunscreen ingredient and often paired with avobenzone, a UVA filter. This is because octocrylene stabilizes other sunscreen ingredients by protecting them from degradation when exposed to sunlight. Octocrylene is a photostable ingredient and loses about 10% of SPF in 95 minutes.
Octocrylene also acts as an emollient, meaning it helps skin retain moisture and softens skin. It is oil-soluble and hydrophobic, enhancing water-resistant properties in a product.
Those who are using ketoprofen, a topical anti-inflammatory drug, may experience an allergic reaction when using octocrylene. It is best to speak with a healthcare professional about using sunscreens with octocrylene.
The EU allows a maximum of these concentrations:
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 ParfumPEG/PPG-20/6 Dimethicone is a type of silicone.
Phenoxyethanol 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.
We don't have a description for Polypodium Leucotomos Leaf Extract yet.
We don't have a description for Styrene/Acrylates Copolymer yet.
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 WaterIngredient Ratings
Here's what our community thinks of the ingredients in these products.
