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Product Comparison

Here's our complete breakdown comparing the ingredients, attributes, and more of Hero Cosmetics Force Shield Superlight Sunscreen SPF 30 versus Bubble Solar Mate SPF 40 .

Last updated on September 12, 2023. Published on August 15, 2023

Overview

What they are

These products are both cruelty-free sunscreens. They have a total of 10 ingredients in common

Cool Features

They both contain SPF

Suited For

They're both likely to be good for fighting acne, dry skin and brightening skin

Free From

They both do not contain any common allergens, parabens, silicones or sulfates

What's Inside

They both contain oils

We independently verify ingredients, and our claims are backed by peer-reviewed research. Spot a product that need an update? Let us know.

Sunscreen American Brand United States
Sunscreen American Brand United States

Sunscreen

Sunscreens help absorb or reflect UV radiation and protect skin against skin damage. Sunscreens may come in the form of lotion, gel, foam, spray, or solid-stick.

Sunscreen

Sunscreens help absorb or reflect UV radiation and protect skin against skin damage. Sunscreens may come in the form of lotion, gel, foam, spray, or solid-stick.

Price

Shop

Buy Force Shield Superlight Sunscreen SPF 30

Starts at $19.99
Shop

Buy Solar Mate SPF 40

Ingredient Info

Click any item below to learn more and view relevant ingredients.
alcohol-free
silicon-free
fragrance-free
sulfate-free
paraben-free
oil-free
fungal-acne safe
reef-safe
eu-allergen-free
vegan
cruelty-free
spf rating
30
alcohol-free
silicon-free
fragrance-free
sulfate-free
paraben-free
oil-free
fungal-acne safe
reef-safe
eu-allergen-free
vegan
cruelty-free
spf rating
40

At a glance

Click on any of the items below to learn more

Notable Ingredients

Mineral UV Filter
Vitamin E
Exfoliators

Benefits

Hydrating (2)
Redness Reducing
Reduces Irritation (2)
Reduces Large Pores
Anti-Aging (2)
Scar Healing
Acne Fighting (2)
Brightening (2)

Concerns

May Worsen Oily Skin (2)
Acne Trigger (2)
Irritating
Rosacea
Eczema

Notable Ingredients

Mineral UV Filter

Benefits

Hydrating (2)
Redness Reducing
Acne Fighting
Brightening
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Ingredients Compared

Ingredients that are highlighted in purple are present in both products.

Ingredients Side-by-side

Ingredients that are highlighted in purple are present in both products.

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Ingredients Explained

These ingredients are found in both products.

Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.

1
What it does: Cosmetic Colorant, Skin Protecting, UV Absorber, UV Filter
Community Rating: Liked

Zinc Oxide is a mineral broad-spectrum UV filter; it is the broadest UVA and UVB reflector approved by the FDA. While it is most commonly man-made for cosmetics, it can naturally occur in zincite, a rare mineral.

Today, traditional and nano-sized zinc oxide can be found in beauty products. Nano-sized zinc oxide can enhance a product's UV protection. While it is not believed to have a negative effect on skin, nano-zinc oxide can be harmful to coral reefs.

More about harmful reef ingredients here.

Zinc Oxide also has antibacterial and calming properties. It is not water soluble.

Zinc has been used throughout history as an ingredient in paint and medicine. An Indian text from 500BC is believed to list zinc oxide as a salve for open wound. The Ancient Greek physician Dioscorides has also mentioned the use of zinc as an ointment in 1AD.

Learn more about Zinc Oxide

Hero Cosmetics Force Shield Superlight Sunscreen SPF 30 contains this as ingredient number 1.

Bubble Solar Mate SPF 40 contains this as ingredient number 1.

2
What it does: Skin Conditioning, Solvent
Community Rating: Loved

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. Talk about multi-purpose! If you see this, drink a glass of water. Stay hydrated!

Learn more about Water

Hero Cosmetics Force Shield Superlight Sunscreen SPF 30 contains this as ingredient number 2.

Bubble Solar Mate SPF 40 contains this as ingredient number 2.

3
What it does: Masking, Skin Conditioning
Community Rating: Mixed

Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride is an emollient, solvent, and texture enhancer. It is considered a skin-softener by helping the skin prevent moisture loss.

Within a product, Caprylic Triglyceride can thicken the product and make spreadability easier by dissolving clumping compounds. An added benefit of Caprylic Triglyceride is its antioxidant properties.

Caprylic Triglyceride is made by combining glycerin with coconut oil, forming a clear liquid. Caprylic Triglyceride has not been found to be toxic for human use in concentrations under 50%.

While there is an assumption Caprylic Triglyceride can clog pores due to it being derived from coconut oil, there is no research supporting this.

Learn more about Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride

Hero Cosmetics Force Shield Superlight Sunscreen SPF 30 contains this as ingredient number 3.

Bubble Solar Mate SPF 40 contains this as ingredient number 5.

4
What it does: Skin Conditioning, Solvent
Community Rating: Disliked

Butyloctyl Salicylate is a photostabilizer, emollient and solvent. Its main purpose is to evenly spread out ingredients.

This ingredient is a common sunscreen ingredient carrier and photostabilizer. According to a manufacturer, it is suitable for carrying micro Titanium Dioxide, Zinc Oxide, and pigments.

Photostabilizers help stabilize UV-filters and prevents them from degrading quickly.

According to EU regulation, this ingredient can cause harmful effects to aquatic life.

Learn more about Butyloctyl Salicylate

Hero Cosmetics Force Shield Superlight Sunscreen SPF 30 contains this as ingredient number 8.

Bubble Solar Mate SPF 40 contains this as ingredient number 6.

5
What it does: Emollient
Community Rating: Disliked

Rubus Idaeus Seed Oil is created from the seeds of the raspberry fruit. Raspberries are native to northern Europe and Asia.

Raspberry seed oil is an emollient with antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. It is rich in fatty acids, tocopherols, flavonoids, Vitamin C, and Vitamin E.

As an emollient, raspberry seed oil helps hydrate your skin. Emollients prevent moisture from evaporating by creating a film on top.

Learn more about Rubus Idaeus Seed Oil

Hero Cosmetics Force Shield Superlight Sunscreen SPF 30 contains this as ingredient number 13.

Bubble Solar Mate SPF 40 contains this as ingredient number 12.

6
What it does: Humectant, Skin Conditioning, Skin Protecting, Solvent
Community Rating: Loved

Glycerin is already naturally found in your skin. It helps moisturize and protect your skin.

A study from 2016 found glycerin to be more effective as a humectant than AHAs and hyaluronic acid.

As a humectant, it helps the skin stay hydrated by pulling moisture to your skin. The low molecular weight of glycerin allows it to pull moisture into the deeper layers of your skin.

Hydrated skin improves your skin barrier; Your skin barrier helps protect against irritants and bacteria.

Glycerin has also been found to have antimicrobial and antiviral properties. Due to these properties, glycerin is often used in wound and burn treatments.

In cosmetics, glycerin is usually derived from plants such as soybean or palm. However, it can also be sourced from animals, such as tallow or animal fat.

This ingredient is organic, colorless, odorless, and non-toxic.

Glycerin is the name for this ingredient in American English. British English uses Glycerol/Glycerine.

Learn more about Glycerin

Hero Cosmetics Force Shield Superlight Sunscreen SPF 30 contains this as ingredient number 29.

Bubble Solar Mate SPF 40 contains this as ingredient number 4.

7
What it does: Emulsifying, Emulsion Stabilising, Gel Forming, Skin Conditioning
Community Rating: Disliked

Xanthan 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

Hero Cosmetics Force Shield Superlight Sunscreen SPF 30 contains this as ingredient number 30.

Bubble Solar Mate SPF 40 contains this as ingredient number 20.

8
What it does: Antioxidant
Community Rating: Liked

Hydroxyacetophenone is antioxidant and helps with skin conditioning.

Antioxidants help fight off free-radical molecules. These unstable molecules may damage your skin cells. By helping stabilize free-radicals, antioxidants may help in anti-aging.

Hydroxyacetophenone boosts the efficiency of other preservatives.

Learn more about Hydroxyacetophenone

Hero Cosmetics Force Shield Superlight Sunscreen SPF 30 contains this as ingredient number 35.

Bubble Solar Mate SPF 40 contains this as ingredient number 16.

9
What it does: Emulsifying
Community Rating: Disliked

Polyhydroxystearic Acid is a soft wax made from castor oil.

It is is a texture thickener, emulsifier, and film-former. Emulsifiers prevent ingredients from separating, such as oils and waters.

Polyhydroxystearic Acid may not be fungal acne safe.

Learn more about Polyhydroxystearic Acid

Hero Cosmetics Force Shield Superlight Sunscreen SPF 30 contains this as ingredient number 44.

Bubble Solar Mate SPF 40 contains this as ingredient number 9.

10
What it does: Humectant, Masking, Skin Conditioning, Solvent
Community Rating: Mixed

Butylene Glycol (or BG) is used within cosmetic products for a few different reasons:

  • It is a solvent, meaning that it helps to dissolve other ingredients. This also enhances the absorption of the product into one's skin.
  • It is a humectant, which means that it helps attract moisture into the skin.
  • It helps improve product application.

Overall, Butylene Glycol is a safe and well-rounded ingredient. It is unlikely to irritate skin, and works well with pretty much all other ingredients.

Hero Cosmetics Force Shield Superlight Sunscreen SPF 30 contains this as ingredient number 55.

Bubble Solar Mate SPF 40 contains this as ingredient number 19.

Here's what our community thinks of the ingredients in these two products.

39% are loved or liked
14% have mixed ratings
32% are disliked or very disliked
14% have no rating yet
32% are loved or liked
14% have mixed ratings
55% are disliked or very disliked
0% have no rating yet

Usage

Here's some more info on how this product is used by our community.

When to use

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Reviews

Here's what our community thinks

Hero Cosmetics Force Shield Superlight Sunscreen SPF 30 56 ingredients

3.5 /5
from 8 ratings
Drying (1) Great Value (1) Heavy (1) No Scent (1) Sticky (1) Works Well (1)
Mac_R's avatar

Mac_R

9 months ago · Sensitive Skin
Review

Enjoyable to use
This sunscreen melts into the skin (with a bit of effort) and is mostly undetectable. I do notice if your face gets wet it wipes...

Enjoyable to use
This sunscreen melts into the skin (with a bit of effort) and is mostly undetectable. I do notice if your face gets wet it wipes off and you can see it on your hands, but your face doesn't show transfer. I use a translucent powder after it dries to get rid of any shine. I really enjoy this sunscreen overall.

CyanFlowers's avatar

CyanFlowers

1 year ago · Combination Skin
Review

Decent sunscreen. But application not fun.
This is an ideal suncreen to reduce the redness of any acne. It pairs well with the Hero Cosmetic green...

Decent sunscreen. But application not fun.
This is an ideal suncreen to reduce the redness of any acne. It pairs well with the Hero Cosmetic green cream to further reduce the redness of any acne. It does not cause any breakouts for me as it is a nice cover for any acne I have against the sun.

However, this loses a star for the application. It has a white cast but it was slight for me as in a few minutes it sinks in. But this required rubbing the sunscreen onto my skin. As some areas of my face will have white patches when up close as this is due to not rubbing it in enough. I also recommend to wait a few minutes after the moisturizer to apply as pilling could happen. Overall, a decent sunscreen that works with my oily acne prone skin put the application takes time.

Bubble Solar Mate SPF 40 22 ingredients

2.5 /5
from 2 ratings
Light (1) Strong Scent (1)
Mac_R's avatar

Mac_R

7 months ago · Sensitive Skin
Review

Very Enjoyable
This sunscreen hits all the boxes. doesn't smell like sunscreen, no white cast, easy to apply, affordable. Only reason it is not 5...

Very Enjoyable
This sunscreen hits all the boxes. doesn't smell like sunscreen, no white cast, easy to apply, affordable. Only reason it is not 5 starts to me is that it feels heavy. My face sweats all the time and i seem to sweat more easily with this on. otherwise worth getting this over most sunscreens

coterie's avatar

coterie

3 months ago · Combination Skin
Review

Smelled not good.

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