KAHI Aqua Balm SPF 50 PA++++ Versus Kiehl's Super Fluid Daily UV Defense Sunscreen Broad Spectrum SPF 50+
Overview
What they are
These products are both sunscreens. They have a total of 8 ingredients in common
Cool Features
They both contain exfoliants, SPF and Vitamin E
Suited For
They're both likely to be good for anti aging, dry skin and scar healing
Free From
They both do not contain any sulfates
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
KAHI Aqua Balm SPF 50 PA++++ 55 ingredients
Kiehl's Super Fluid Daily UV Defense Sunscreen Broad Spectrum SPF 50+ 29 ingredients
What's inside (and what isn't)
What's inside (and what isn't)
At a glance
Click on any of the items below to learn more
KAHI Aqua Balm SPF 50 PA++++ 55 ingredients
Kiehl's Super Fluid Daily UV Defense Sunscreen Broad Spectrum SPF 50+ 29 ingredients
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Butylene Glycol Dicaprylate/Dicaprate
EmollientDimethicone
Emollient
Silica
Abrasive
Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate
UV Absorber
Polyethylene
Abrasive
Butyloctyl Salicylate
Skin Conditioning
Vinyl Dimethicone/Methicone Silsesquioxane Crosspolymer
Diphenylsiloxy Phenyl Trimethicone
Skin Conditioning
Dicaprylyl Carbonate
EmollientEthylhexyl Salicylate
UV Absorber
Cetyl Ethylhexanoate
EmollientTriethylhexanoin
MaskingParaffin
Perfuming
Diethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl Benzoate
UV Filter
Bis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine
Skin Conditioning
Octocrylene
UV Absorber
Sorbitan Isostearate
Emulsifying
Microcrystalline Wax
Emulsion Stabilising
Glycyrrhiza Uralensis Extract
EmollientCaesalpinia Spinosa Fruit Extract
Skin ProtectingBacillus Ferment
Skin Conditioning
Candida/Garcinia Cambogia Ferment
Kappaphycus Alvarezii Extract
Skin ConditioningOryza Sativa Germ Oil
Emollient
Schisandra Chinensis Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningHydrolyzed Collagen
Emollient
Lithospermum Erythrorhizon Root Extract
Skin ConditioningCurcuma Longa Root Extract
Masking
Phytosteryl/Isostearyl/Cetyl/Stearyl/Behenyl Dimer Dilinoleate
Skin ConditioningHydrogenated Polyisobutene
EmollientEthylhexyl Hydroxystearate
Emollient
Disteardimonium Hectorite
StabilisingPropylene Carbonate
SolventCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientGlyceryl Caprylate
EmollientAdenosine
Skin Conditioning
Aluminum Hydroxide
EmollientTriethoxycaprylylsilane
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Water
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
Humectant
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Soluble Proteoglycan
Skin ConditioningSodium Dna
Skin Conditioning
Parfum
Masking
Butylparaben
Masking
Hexyl Cinnamal
Perfuming
Benzyl Salicylate
Perfuming
Hydroxycitronellal
Perfuming
Citronellol
Perfuming
Alpha-Isomethyl Ionone
Perfuming
Linalool
Perfuming
Titanium Dioxide
Cosmetic Colorant
CI 77163
Cosmetic ColorantGardenia Florida Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol Dicaprylate/Dicaprate, Dimethicone, Silica, Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate, Polyethylene, Butyloctyl Salicylate, Vinyl Dimethicone/Methicone Silsesquioxane Crosspolymer, Diphenylsiloxy Phenyl Trimethicone, Dicaprylyl Carbonate, Ethylhexyl Salicylate, Cetyl Ethylhexanoate, Triethylhexanoin, Paraffin, Diethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl Benzoate, Bis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine, Octocrylene, Sorbitan Isostearate, Microcrystalline Wax, Glycyrrhiza Uralensis Extract, Caesalpinia Spinosa Fruit Extract, Bacillus Ferment, Candida/Garcinia Cambogia Ferment, Kappaphycus Alvarezii Extract, Oryza Sativa Germ Oil, Schisandra Chinensis Fruit Extract, Hydrolyzed Collagen, Lithospermum Erythrorhizon Root Extract, Curcuma Longa Root Extract, Phytosteryl/Isostearyl/Cetyl/Stearyl/Behenyl Dimer Dilinoleate, Hydrogenated Polyisobutene, Ethylhexyl Hydroxystearate, Disteardimonium Hectorite, Propylene Carbonate, Caprylyl Glycol, Glyceryl Caprylate, Adenosine, Aluminum Hydroxide, Triethoxycaprylylsilane, Tocopherol, Water, Butylene Glycol, 1,2-Hexanediol, Soluble Proteoglycan, Sodium Dna, Parfum, Butylparaben, Hexyl Cinnamal, Benzyl Salicylate, Hydroxycitronellal, Citronellol, Alpha-Isomethyl Ionone, Linalool, Titanium Dioxide, CI 77163, Gardenia Florida Fruit Extract
Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane 3%
UV Absorber
Homosalate 10.7%
Skin Conditioning
Ethylhexyl Salicylate 6%
UV Absorber
Benzophenone-3 3.9%
UV Absorber
Water
Skin ConditioningCyclopentasiloxane
Emollient
Alcohol Denat.
Antimicrobial
Silica
Abrasive
Dicaprylyl Ether
Emollient
Styrene/Acrylates Copolymer
PEG-30 Dipolyhydroxystearate
Emulsifying
Dimethicone
Emollient
Cyclohexasiloxane
Emollient
Polymethylsilsesquioxane
Nylon-12
Dicaprylyl Carbonate
EmollientPhenoxyethanol
Preservative
Lauryl PEG/PPG-18/18 Methicone
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Chloride
Masking
Caprylyl Glycol
EmollientPEG-8 Laurate
Emulsifying
Poly C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate
Emulsion StabilisingDisteardimonium Hectorite
StabilisingTocopherol
Antioxidant
Isostearyl Alcohol
Emollient
P-Anisic Acid
MaskingDisodium EDTA
Dodecene
MaskingPoloxamer 407
EmulsifyingButyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane 3%, Homosalate 10.7%, Ethylhexyl Salicylate 6%, Benzophenone-3 3.9%, Water, Cyclopentasiloxane, Alcohol Denat., Silica, Dicaprylyl Ether, Styrene/Acrylates Copolymer, PEG-30 Dipolyhydroxystearate, Dimethicone, Cyclohexasiloxane, Polymethylsilsesquioxane, Nylon-12, Dicaprylyl Carbonate, Phenoxyethanol, Lauryl PEG/PPG-18/18 Methicone, Sodium Chloride, Caprylyl Glycol, PEG-8 Laurate, Poly C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate, Disteardimonium Hectorite, Tocopherol, Isostearyl Alcohol, P-Anisic Acid, Disodium EDTA, Dodecene, Poloxamer 407
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Dimethicone is a type of synthetic silicone created from natural materials such as quartz.
What it does:
Dimethicone comes in different viscosities:
Depending on the viscosity, dimethicone has different properties.
Ingredients lists don't always show which type is used, so we recommend reaching out to the brand if you have questions about the viscosity.
This ingredient is unlikely to cause irritation because it does not get absorbed into skin. However, people with silicone allergies should be careful about using this ingredient.
Note: Dimethicone may contribute to pilling. This is because it is not oil or water soluble, so pilling may occur when layered with products. When mixed with heavy oils in a formula, the outcome is also quite greasy.
Learn more about DimethiconeSilica is a mineral naturally found in our skin. It helps to thicken and smooth the texture of a product. It also acts as an agent for other ingredients by increasing the absorption of other ingredients into the skin.
Silica is often used for absorption and can help reduce shine when products are applied. Silica occurs in naturally in materials like clay and sandstone, and it can also be produced synthetically.
Silica is present naturally within the skin during collagen production and when reducing inflammation.
Learn more about SilicaDicaprylyl Carbonate comes from carbonic acid and caprylyl alcohol, a fatty alcohol. It is an emollient and gives skin a velvet feel. The sources of Dicaprylyl Carbonate may be synthetic or from animals.
As an emollient, Dicaprylyl Carbonate creates a film on the skin. This film traps moisture in, keeping your skin soft and hydrated.
Ethylhexyl Salicylate is an organic compound used to block UV rays. It primarily absorbs UVB rays but offers a small amount of UVA protection as well.
Commonly found in sunscreens, Ethylhexyl Salicylate is created from salicylic acid and 2-ethylhexanol. You might know salicylic acid as the effective acne fighter ingredient and BHA.
The ethylhexanol in this ingredient is a fatty alcohol and helps hydrate your skin, similar to oils. It is an emollient, which means it traps moisture into the skin.
According to manufacturers, Ethylhexyl Salicylate absorbs UV wavelength of 295-315 nm, with a peak absorption at 307-310 nm. UVA rays are linked to long term skin damage, such as hyperpigmentation. UVB rays emit more energy and are capable of damaging our DNA. UVB rays cause sunburn.
Learn more about Ethylhexyl SalicylateDisteardimonium Hectorite comes from the clay mineral named hectorite. It is used to add thickness to a product.
It can also help stabilize a product by helping to disperse other ingredients.
Hectorite is a rare, white clay mineral.
Learn more about Disteardimonium HectoriteCaprylyl Glycol is a humectant and emollient, meaning it attracts and preserves moisture.
It is a common ingredient in many products, especially those designed to hydrate skin. The primary benefits are retaining moisture, skin softening, and promoting a healthy skin barrier.
Though Caprylyl Glycol is an alcohol derived from fatty acids, it is not the kind that can dry out skin.
This ingredient is also used as a preservative to extend the life of products. It has slight antimicrobial properties.
Learn more about Caprylyl GlycolTocopherol (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 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. Stay hydrated!
Learn more about WaterIngredient Ratings
Here's what our community thinks of the ingredients in these products.
When to use
KAHI Aqua Balm SPF 50 PA++++ 55 ingredients
Kiehl's Super Fluid Daily UV Defense Sunscreen Broad Spectrum SPF 50+ 29 ingredients
Reviews
Here's what our community thinks
KAHI Aqua Balm SPF 50 PA++++ 55 ingredients
Kiehl's Super Fluid Daily UV Defense Sunscreen Broad Spectrum SPF 50+ 29 ingredients
Does the job, doesn't give me break-outs, but very oily. Doesn't look good under make up.
