Versus

innisfree Daily UV Defense Mineral Sunscreen Broad Spectrum SPF 45 Versus innisfree Daily UV Defense Sunscreen Broad Spectrum SPF 36

Sunscreen
Sunscreen
Korean Brand South Korea
Korean Brand South Korea

Updated on August 26, 2024

Overview

What they are

These products are both cruelty-free sunscreens. They have a total of 9 ingredients in common

Cool Features

They both contain SPF and Vitamin E

Suited For

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

Free From

They both do not contain any parabens

What's Inside

They both contain 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

Click any item below to learn more and see relevant ingredients

About this product

About this product

At a glance

Click on any of the items below to learn more

Key Ingredients

Benefits

Concerns

Key Ingredients

Benefits

Concerns

Ingredients Side-by-side

found in both products
Daily UV Defense Mineral Sunscreen Broad Spectrum SPF 45

Zinc Oxide 17%

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

Water

Skin Conditioning

Propylheptyl Caprylate

Emollient

Butyloctyl Salicylate

Skin Conditioning
Non-Reef-Safe Icon

Propanediol

Solvent
Daily UV Defense Sunscreen Broad Spectrum SPF 36

Ingredients Explained

These ingredients are found in both products.

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

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
Skin Conditioning, Solvent

Butyloctyl Salicylate is similar to octisalate. It a photostabilizer, SPF booster, 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.

Due to regulation loopholes, this ingredient is not required to be labeled as an active chemical filter like other UV ingredients. This is why you'll likely find this ingredient in mineral sunscreens from the US.

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

Learn more about Butyloctyl Salicylate
Solvent

Propanediol 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 Propanediol

Polymethylsilsesquioxane is a silicone used as a film forming agent.

When applied to the skin, this ingredient creates an invisible film on the surface. This film still allows oxygen to pass through, but prevents moisture from escaping. This can help condition and hydrate the skin. It also leaves a silky feel when applied.

Polymethylsilsesquioxane has not been shown to clog pores. It has been deemed safe to use up to 55%, but most cosmetics use much less.

If you have concerns about using this ingredient, we recommend speaking with a professional.

Learn more about Polymethylsilsesquioxane
Skin Conditioning, Solvent

1,2-Hexanediol is a synthetic liquid and another multi-functional powerhouse. 

It is a:

  • Humectant, drawing moisture into the skin
  • Emollient, helping to soften skin
  • Solvent, dispersing and stabilizing formulas
  • Preservative booster, enhancing the antimicrobial activity of other preservatives 
Skin Conditioning

Ethylhexylglycerin (we can't pronounce this either) is commonly used as a preservative and skin softener. It is derived from glyceryl.

You might see Ethylhexylglycerin often paired with other preservatives such as phenoxyethanol. Ethylhexylglycerin has been found to increase the effectiveness of these other preservatives.

Antioxidant, Masking, Skin Conditioning

Tocopherol (also known as Vitamin E) is a common antioxidant used to help protect the skin from free-radicals and strengthen the skin barrier. It's also fat soluble - this means our skin is great at absorbing it.

Vitamin E also helps keep your natural skin lipids healthy. Your lipid skin barrier naturally consists of lipids, ceramides, and fatty acids. Vitamin E offers extra protection for your skin’s lipid barrier, keeping your skin healthy and nourished.

Another benefit is a bit of UV protection. Vitamin E helps reduce the damage caused by UVB rays. (It should not replace your sunscreen). Combining it with Vitamin C can decrease sunburned cells and hyperpigmentation after UV exposure.

You might have noticed Vitamin E + C often paired together. This is because it is great at stabilizing Vitamin C. Using the two together helps increase the effectiveness of both ingredients.

There are often claims that Vitamin E can reduce/prevent scarring, but these claims haven't been confirmed by scientific research.

Learn more about Tocopherol
Humectant, Masking, Skin Conditioning

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.
  • It has mild preservative properties.

Overall, Butylene Glycol is a safe and well-rounded ingredient that works well with other ingredients.

Cleansing, Skin Conditioning, Smoothing

Centella Asiatica Extract (Centella) is derived from an herb native to Southeast Asia. It is famous for its anti-inflammatory and soothing properties.

Centella is rich in antioxidants and amino acids, such as Madecassic Acid and Asiaticoside.

Studies show the compounds in centella help with:

The combination of all these properties makes centella effective at soothing, hydrating, and protecting the skin.

Other great components of centella include Vitamin A, vitamin C, several B vitamins, and Asiatic Acid.

Fun fact: Centella has been used as a medicine and in food for many centuries. As a medicine, it is used to treat burns, scratches, and wounds.

Learn more about Centella Asiatica Extract

When to use

97 Routines
96% use in am
3% use in pm
94% use every day
When to use See routines that use it ->
188 Routines
98% use in am
2% use in pm
94% use every day
When to use See routines that use it ->

Reviews

Here's what our community thinks

innisfree Daily UV Defense Mineral Sunscreen Broad Spectrum SPF 45 45 ingredients

3.0 /5
from 4 ratings
Light (2) Drying (2) No Scent (2)
lonelydeath's avatar

lonelydeath

1 year ago
Review

I have combination to oily skin and this sunscreen drys out some areas of my face. The area around my mouth and my cheeks feel dry and the rest of my face feels normal. I have to put on moisturizer before putting on the sunscreen, so that my face doesn't feel dry and cracked throughout the day. Even after double cleansing my skin feels really dry after using this.

I personally feel like this Show more

#expensive
#drying
#light
#no scent
benjaminchacko's avatar

Benjamin

2 months ago
Review

Extremely drying. 99% positive this sunscreen damaged my barrier I think it might just be my skin being overly sensitive to mineral sunscreen as a whole though.

#drying
#irritating
#light scent

innisfree Daily UV Defense Sunscreen Broad Spectrum SPF 36 41 ingredients

4.4 /5
from 5 ratings
Hydrating (5) Absorbs Well (4) Great Value (3)
glittertimes's avatar

Ryan 🩷

7 months ago
Review

hydrating but clogs pores. it gave me such a pretty glow but the way it broke me out was horrible. repurposed it for body sunscreen so it wouldnt go to waste (bc its SO expensive) and it works great like that!! its also heavily fragranced which i dont like.

#expensive
#hydrating
#broke me out
#light
xayah's avatar

xayah

1 month ago
Review

My first Korean sunscreen, found it on sale at TJMaxx. Don't have much to compare it to other than Cerave daily moisturizing lotion with spf, but I am loving it compared to that. Absolutely no pilling or white cast. Leaves my skin a bit glowy, which I like. I haven't worn any makeup with it yet, so not sure how that would go, though I have high hopes. And I haven't needed to wear moisturizer with Show more

#great value
#hydrating
#absorbs well