Versus

Hero Cosmetics Force Shield Superlight Sunscreen SPF 30 Versus itk Broad Spectrum SPF 50 Sunscreen Serum

Sunscreen
Sunscreen
American Brand United States
American Brand United States

Updated on September 12, 2023

Overview

What they are

These products are both cruelty-free sunscreens. They have a total of 6 ingredients in common

Cool Features

They both contain Vitamin E

Suited For

They're both likely to be good for anti aging, dry skin, sensitive skin and scar healing

Free From

They both do not contain any parabens or sulfates

What's Inside

They both contain harsh alcohols and fragrances

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

Click any item below to learn more and see relevant ingredients

What's inside

What's inside

At a glance

Click on any of the items below to learn more

Key Ingredients

Benefits

Concerns

Ingredients Side-by-side

found in both products
Force Shield Superlight Sunscreen SPF 30

Zinc Oxide 17.53%

Cosmetic Colorant
1 / 0 Mineral UV Filter IconHelps fight Acne IconNon-Reef-Safe Icon

Water

Skin Conditioning

Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride

Masking
Helps hydrate Dry Skin Icon

C13-15 Alkane

Solvent

Propanediol

Solvent
Helps hydrate Dry Skin Icon

C15-19 Alkane

Solvent

Bis-Diglyceryl Polyacyladipate-2

Emollient
Helps hydrate Dry Skin IconNot safe for Fungal Acne Icon

Butyloctyl Salicylate

Skin Conditioning
Non-Reef-Safe Icon

Ectoin

Skin Conditioning
Helps hydrate Dry Skin IconHelps reduce irritation Icon

Alteromonas Ferment Extract

Skin Conditioning
Helps reduce irritation Icon

Harungana Madagascariensis Extract

Skin Conditioning

Ipomoea Batatas Root Extract

Skin Conditioning

Rubus Idaeus Seed Oil

Emollient
Oil IconHelps hydrate Dry Skin IconNot safe for Fungal Acne Icon

Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract

Antimicrobial
Antioxidant IconHelps hydrate Dry Skin IconHelps reduce Skin Redness IconHelps reduce irritation IconGood for Minimizing Pores IconHelps with Anti-Aging Icon

Corallina Officinalis Extract

Skin Conditioning
Helps hydrate Dry Skin Icon

Curcuma Longa Leaf Extract

Skin Conditioning

Melia Azadirachta Flower Extract

Skin Conditioning

Melia Azadirachta Leaf Extract

Skin Conditioning

Moringa Oleifera Seed Oil

Emollient
Oil IconHelps hydrate Dry Skin IconHelps reduce irritation IconNot safe for Fungal Acne Icon

Ocimum Sanctum Leaf Extract

Skin Conditioning
Good for Dark Spots Icon

Oryza Sativa Hull Extract

Moisturising

Solanum Melongena Fruit Extract

Skin Conditioning

Coccinia Indica Fruit Extract

Skin Conditioning

Tocopherol

Antioxidant
0-3 / 0-3 Vitamin E IconAntioxidant IconHelps hydrate Dry Skin IconHelps with Anti-Aging IconGood for Scar Healing Icon

Bisabolol

Masking
Helps reduce Skin Redness IconHelps reduce irritation IconGood for Dark Spots Icon

Amber Powder

Coco-Glucoside

Cleansing

Glucose

Humectant
Helps hydrate Dry Skin Icon

Glycerin

Humectant
0 / 0 Helps hydrate Dry Skin IconGood for Scar Healing IconHelps brighten skin Icon

Xanthan Gum

Emulsifying

1,2-Hexanediol

Skin Conditioning
Helps hydrate Dry Skin Icon

Caprylhydroxamic Acid

Arachidyl Alcohol

Emollient

Arachidyl Glucoside

Emulsifying

Hydroxyacetophenone

Antioxidant
Antioxidant IconHelps reduce irritation Icon

Polyacrylate Crosspolymer-6

Emulsion Stabilising

Behenyl Alcohol

Emollient
Fatty Alcohol Icon

Cetearyl Alcohol

Emollient
2 / 1 Fatty Alcohol IconMay worsen Oily Skin IconBad for Acne Prone Skin IconNot safe for Fungal Acne Icon

Isostearic Acid

Cleansing
Bad for Acne Prone Skin IconNot safe for Fungal Acne Icon

Lecithin

Emollient
Helps hydrate Dry Skin Icon

Polyglycerin-3

Humectant
Helps hydrate Dry Skin Icon

Polyglyceryl-3 Lactate/Laurate

Cleansing

Polyglyceryl-3 Polyricinoleate

Emulsifying
Not safe for Fungal Acne Icon

Polyhydroxystearic Acid

Emulsifying
Not safe for Fungal Acne Icon

Silica

Abrasive
Exfoliant IconMay worsen Eczema IconMay worsen Rosacea Icon

T-Butyl Alcohol

Perfuming
Alcohol IconFragrance IconCan worsen Dry Skin Icon

Sodium Benzoate

Masking
Preservative Icon

Sodium Citrate

Buffering

Sodium Dilauramidoglutamide Lysine

Humectant

Sodium Phytate

Citric Acid

Buffering
AHA IconGood for Oily Skin IconGood for Skin Texture IconGood for Minimizing Pores IconGood for Scar Healing IconHelps brighten skin IconMay worsen Rosacea Icon

Inositol

Humectant
Helps hydrate Dry Skin Icon

Lactobacillus Ferment Lysate

Skin Conditioning
Not safe for Fungal Acne Icon

Saccharomyces Lysate

Skin Conditioning

Butylene Glycol

Humectant
1 / 0 Helps hydrate Dry Skin Icon

Caprylyl Glycol

Emollient

Ingredients Explained

These ingredients are found in both products.

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

Masking, Skin Conditioning

This ingredient is an emollient, solvent, and texture enhancer. It is considered a skin-softener by helping the skin prevent moisture loss.

It helps thicken a product's formula and makes it easier to spread by dissolving clumping compounds.

Caprylic Triglyceride is made by combining glycerin with coconut oil, forming a clear liquid.

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
Emollient, Emulsifying, Emulsion Stabilising

Cetearyl alcohol is a mixture of two fatty alcohols: cetyl alcohol and stearyl alcohol. It is mainly used as an emulsifier. Emulsifiers help prevent the separation of oils and products. Due to its composition, it can also be used to thicken a product or help create foam.

Cetearyl alcohol is an emollient. Emollients help soothe and hydrate the skin by trapping moisture.

Studies show Cetearyl alcohol is non-toxic and non-irritating. The FDA allows products labeled "alcohol-free" to have fatty alcohols.

This ingredient is usually derived from plant oils such as palm, vegetable, or coconut oils. There is debate on whether this ingredient will cause acne.

Due to the fatty acid base, this ingredient may not be Malassezia folliculitis safe.

Learn more about Cetearyl Alcohol

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

Sodium Phytate is the synthetic salt form of phytic acid. Phytic acid is an antioxidant and can be found in plant seeds.

Sodium Phytate is a chelating agent. Chelating agents help prevent metals from binding to water. This helps stabilize the ingredients and the product.

Skin Conditioning, Solvent

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 Water
Emulsifying, Emulsion Stabilising, Gel Forming

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

When to use

282 Routines
98% use in am
1% use in pm
96% use every day
When to use See routines that use it ->
2 Routines
100% use in am
0% use in pm
100% use every day

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Works Well 31% Great Value 23% Light Scent 23%
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