Holika Holika Aloe Soothing Essence Waterproof Sun Cream SPF 50+ Versus Garnier Ambre Solaire Sensitive Expert Gel-Cream SPF 50+
What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningDibutyl Adipate
EmollientPropanediol
Solvent
Diethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl Benzoate
UV Filter
Polymethylsilsesquioxane
Ethylhexyl Triazone
UV Absorber
Niacinamide
Smoothing
Methylene Bis-Benzotriazolyl Tetramethylbutylphenol
UV Filter
Coco-Caprylate/Caprate
Emollient
Caprylyl Methicone
Skin Conditioning
Diethylhexyl Butamido Triazone
UV Absorber
Glycerin
Humectant
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Pentylene Glycol
Skin Conditioning
Behenyl Alcohol
Emollient
Poly C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate
Emulsion StabilisingPolyglyceryl-3 Methylglucose Distearate
Emulsifying
Decyl Glucoside
Cleansing
Tromethamine
BufferingCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingAcrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingParfum
Masking
Sodium Stearoyl Glutamate
CleansingPolyacrylate Crosspolymer-6
Emulsion StabilisingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningAdenosine
Skin Conditioning
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingT-Butyl Alcohol
Perfuming
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Hippophae Rhamnoides Fruit Extract
Skin Conditioning
Ascorbic Acid
Antioxidant
Daucus Carota Sativa Root Extract
Skin Conditioning
Rosa Canina Fruit Extract
Astringent
Pyrus Malus Fruit Extract
Skin Conditioning
Prunus Armeniaca Juice
MoisturisingMoringa Oleifera Seed Oil
Emollient
Ceramide AP
Skin Conditioning
Phytosphingosine
Skin Conditioning
Aloe Ferox Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningHydrogenated Lecithin
Emulsifying
Artemisia Capillaris Extract
Water, Dibutyl Adipate, Propanediol, Diethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl Benzoate, Polymethylsilsesquioxane, Ethylhexyl Triazone, Niacinamide, Methylene Bis-Benzotriazolyl Tetramethylbutylphenol, Coco-Caprylate/Caprate, Caprylyl Methicone, Diethylhexyl Butamido Triazone, Glycerin, Butylene Glycol, 1,2-Hexanediol, Pentylene Glycol, Behenyl Alcohol, Poly C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate, Polyglyceryl-3 Methylglucose Distearate, Decyl Glucoside, Tromethamine, Carbomer, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Parfum, Sodium Stearoyl Glutamate, Polyacrylate Crosspolymer-6, Ethylhexylglycerin, Adenosine, Xanthan Gum, T-Butyl Alcohol, Tocopherol, Hippophae Rhamnoides Fruit Extract, Ascorbic Acid, Daucus Carota Sativa Root Extract, Rosa Canina Fruit Extract, Pyrus Malus Fruit Extract, Prunus Armeniaca Juice, Moringa Oleifera Seed Oil, Ceramide AP, Phytosphingosine, Aloe Ferox Leaf Extract, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Artemisia Capillaris Extract
Water
Skin ConditioningHomosalate
Skin Conditioning
Ethylhexyl Salicylate
UV Absorber
Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane
UV Absorber
Ethylhexyl Triazone
UV Absorber
Glycerin
Humectant
Bis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine
Skin Conditioning
Octocrylene
UV Absorber
Isohexadecane
EmollientAlcohol Denat.
Antimicrobial
Propanediol
Solvent
Dicaprylyl Ether
Emollient
Propylene Glycol
Humectant
Styrene/Acrylates Copolymer
Silica
Abrasive
Perlite
Absorbent
Dimethicone
Emollient
CI 42090
Cosmetic ColorantP-Anisic Acid
Masking
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Lecithin
Emollient
Ascorbyl Palmitate
Antioxidant
Sodium Dodecylbenzenesulfonate
CleansingSodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Hydrogenated Palm Glycerides Citrate
Emollient
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Thermus Thermophillus Ferment
Skin ConditioningPEG-8 Laurate
Emulsifying
Oxidized Starch Acetate
Skin ConditioningTriethanolamine
BufferingDrometrizole Trisiloxane
UV Absorber
Acrylates/Dimethicone Copolymer
Skin Conditioning
Carbomer
Emulsion StabilisingDisodium EDTA
Potassium Sorbate
Preservative
Glyceryl Oleate
Emollient
Water, Homosalate, Ethylhexyl Salicylate, Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane, Ethylhexyl Triazone, Glycerin, Bis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine, Octocrylene, Isohexadecane, Alcohol Denat., Propanediol, Dicaprylyl Ether, Propylene Glycol, Styrene/Acrylates Copolymer, Silica, Perlite, Dimethicone, CI 42090, P-Anisic Acid, Tocopherol, Lecithin, Ascorbyl Palmitate, Sodium Dodecylbenzenesulfonate, Sodium Hyaluronate, Hydrogenated Palm Glycerides Citrate, Phenoxyethanol, Thermus Thermophillus Ferment, PEG-8 Laurate, Oxidized Starch Acetate, Triethanolamine, Drometrizole Trisiloxane, Acrylates/Dimethicone Copolymer, Carbomer, Disodium EDTA, Potassium Sorbate, Glyceryl Oleate
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Carbomer is a synthetic thickening and gelling agent. It's basically the ingredient that gives a lot of serums, gels, creams, and sunscreens their smooth, non-sticky texture.
Although legally permitted at very high levels, carbomers are normally used at concentrations below 1%.
It also needs to be neutralized to actually thicken, and because it is a large molecule, it doesn't really penetrate the skin barrier.
Allergy-wise, the risk is very low. Clinical studies show carbomers have low potential for skin irritation/sensitization even at concentrations up to 100%.
A 2024 UK study patch-tested 1,302 patients and found true allergy to the parent group of carbomer to be rare with no confirmed relevant reactions.
Learn more about CarbomerEthylhexyl Triazone (aka Octyl Triazone) is an oil-soluble organic UVB filter. It has peak absorption around 314 nm, right in the middle of the UVB range.
This ingredient is described as one of the most effective UVB filters available and small concentrations are enough to deliver a high SPF thanks to its strong UV absorbing power.
Formulators love it for its stability; its ability to filter UV stays practically unchanged even under intense radiation and it can also help boost the photostability of less stable filters like avobenzone.
It's also a great pick for water resistant products because it's insoluble in water and has a good affinity for keratin.
Because it's a big, heavy molecule, the European Scientific Committee has found to to have very low dermal penetration and negative results for allergenicity.
In vitro testing also showed a low absorption rate and clean results on irritation.
Typical use levels are 1-5% with 5% being the maximum in the EU, Japan, and other markets that allow it. However, this ingredient is not approved yet in the US or Canada.
Learn more about Ethylhexyl TriazoneGlycerin (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 GlycerinPropanediol is an all-star ingredient. It softens, hydrates, and smooths the skin.
It’s often used to:
Propanediol is not likely to cause sensitivity and considered safe to use. It is derived from corn or petroleum with a clear color and no scent.
Learn more about PropanediolTocopherol 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 TocopherolWater. 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 Water
