Kiehl's Super Multi-Corrective Cream Sunscreen Broad Spectrum SPF 30 Versus Estée Lauder DayWear Advanced Multi-Protection Anti-Oxidant Creme SPF 15
What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane 3%
UV AbsorberHomosalate 5%
Skin ConditioningEthylhexyl Salicylate 5%
UV AbsorberOctocrylene 7%
UV AbsorberWater
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantDimethicone
EmollientGlyceryl Stearate
EmollientHydroxypropyl Tetrahydropyrantriol
Skin ConditioningSilica
AbrasivePEG-100 Stearate
Propylene Glycol
HumectantEuphorbia Cerifera Wax
Phenoxyethanol
PreservativeAmmonium Polyacryloyldimethyl Taurate
Emulsion StabilisingStearic Acid
CleansingDicaprylyl Carbonate
EmollientCetyl Alcohol
EmollientPalmitic Acid
EmollientCapryloyl Salicylic Acid
ExfoliatingCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingDimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer
Skin ConditioningParfum
MaskingDisodium EDTA
Tocopherol
AntioxidantSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantAdenosine
Skin ConditioningLinalool
PerfumingSodium Hydroxide
BufferingJasminum Officinale Flower Extract
MaskingCitronellol
PerfumingGeraniol
PerfumingCitral
PerfumingBenzyl Alcohol
PerfumingCitric Acid
BufferingButyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane 3%, Homosalate 5%, Ethylhexyl Salicylate 5%, Octocrylene 7%, Water, Glycerin, Dimethicone, Glyceryl Stearate, Hydroxypropyl Tetrahydropyrantriol, Silica, PEG-100 Stearate, Propylene Glycol, Euphorbia Cerifera Wax, Phenoxyethanol, Ammonium Polyacryloyldimethyl Taurate, Stearic Acid, Dicaprylyl Carbonate, Cetyl Alcohol, Palmitic Acid, Capryloyl Salicylic Acid, Caprylyl Glycol, Xanthan Gum, Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Parfum, Disodium EDTA, Tocopherol, Sodium Hyaluronate, Adenosine, Linalool, Sodium Hydroxide, Jasminum Officinale Flower Extract, Citronellol, Geraniol, Citral, Benzyl Alcohol, Citric Acid
Ethylhexyl Salicylate 5%
UV AbsorberButyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane 3%
UV AbsorberHomosalate 2%
Skin ConditioningWater
Skin ConditioningButyloctyl Salicylate
Skin ConditioningPolyester-8
Skin ConditioningPetrolatum
EmollientButylene Glycol
HumectantCetyl Ricinoleate
EmollientOctyldodecyl Myristate
EmollientSteareth-21
CleansingSteareth-2
EmulsifyingCaprylic/Capric/Myristic/Stearic Triglyceride
EmollientDi-C12-15 Alkyl Fumarate
EmollientDimethicone
EmollientPsidium Guajava Fruit Extract
AstringentGentiana Lutea Root Extract
Skin ConditioningPolygonum Cuspidatum Root Extract
AntioxidantHordeum Vulgare Extract
EmollientLaminaria Ochroleuca Extract
Skin ConditioningTriticum Vulgare Germ Extract
Skin ConditioningFumaria Officinalis Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract
Skin ConditioningCitrus Medica Limonum Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningHydrolyzed Rice Bran Extract
Skin ConditioningHydrolyzed Rice Extract
Skin ConditioningArtemia Extract
Skin ConditioningRosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialVitis Vinifera Seed Extract
AntimicrobialStearyl Alcohol
EmollientButyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin ConditioningThermus Thermophillus Ferment
Skin ConditioningSorbitan Olivate
EmulsifyingCaffeine
Skin ConditioningPentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningLauryl PEG-9 Polydimethylsiloxyethyl Dimethicone
Skin ConditioningBehenyl Alcohol
EmollientPantethine
EmollientTriacontanyl Pvp
HumectantAcrylic Acid/Vp Crosspolymer
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantLinoleic Acid
CleansingPolyquaternium-51
Skin ConditioningCholesterol
EmollientCetearyl Olivate
Squalane
EmollientSodium PCA
HumectantUrea
BufferingCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantTetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate
AntioxidantCitric Acid
BufferingSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantErgothioneine
AntioxidantGlycyrrhetinic Acid
Skin ConditioningTrehalose
HumectantLecithin
EmollientHydrogenated Lecithin
EmulsifyingPalmitoyl Hydroxypropyltrimonium Amylopectin/Glycerin Crosspolymer
Skin ConditioningCyclodextrin
AbsorbentNordihydroguaiaretic Acid
AntioxidantAscorbyl Tocopheryl Maleate
AntioxidantSodium Hydroxide
BufferingParfum
MaskingFumaric Acid
BufferingPentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate
AntioxidantEthylbisiminomethylguaiacol Manganese Chloride
AntioxidantDisodium EDTA
BHT
AntioxidantPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeBenzyl Salicylate
PerfumingHydroxyisohexyl 3-Cyclohexene Carboxaldehyde
MaskingButylphenyl Methylpropional
PerfumingLinalool
PerfumingMica
Cosmetic ColorantCI 19140
Cosmetic ColorantCI 42090
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77289
Cosmetic ColorantEthylhexyl Salicylate 5%, Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane 3%, Homosalate 2%, Water, Butyloctyl Salicylate, Polyester-8, Petrolatum, Butylene Glycol, Cetyl Ricinoleate, Octyldodecyl Myristate, Steareth-21, Steareth-2, Caprylic/Capric/Myristic/Stearic Triglyceride, Di-C12-15 Alkyl Fumarate, Dimethicone, Psidium Guajava Fruit Extract, Gentiana Lutea Root Extract, Polygonum Cuspidatum Root Extract, Hordeum Vulgare Extract, Laminaria Ochroleuca Extract, Triticum Vulgare Germ Extract, Fumaria Officinalis Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract, Citrus Medica Limonum Fruit Extract, Hydrolyzed Rice Bran Extract, Hydrolyzed Rice Extract, Artemia Extract, Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract, Vitis Vinifera Seed Extract, Stearyl Alcohol, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Thermus Thermophillus Ferment, Sorbitan Olivate, Caffeine, Pentylene Glycol, Lauryl PEG-9 Polydimethylsiloxyethyl Dimethicone, Behenyl Alcohol, Pantethine, Triacontanyl Pvp, Acrylic Acid/Vp Crosspolymer, Ethylhexylglycerin, Glycerin, Linoleic Acid, Polyquaternium-51, Cholesterol, Cetearyl Olivate, Squalane, Sodium PCA, Urea, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Tocopheryl Acetate, Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate, Citric Acid, Sodium Hyaluronate, Ergothioneine, Glycyrrhetinic Acid, Trehalose, Lecithin, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Palmitoyl Hydroxypropyltrimonium Amylopectin/Glycerin Crosspolymer, Cyclodextrin, Nordihydroguaiaretic Acid, Ascorbyl Tocopheryl Maleate, Sodium Hydroxide, Parfum, Fumaric Acid, Pentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate, Ethylbisiminomethylguaiacol Manganese Chloride, Disodium EDTA, BHT, Phenoxyethanol, Benzyl Salicylate, Hydroxyisohexyl 3-Cyclohexene Carboxaldehyde, Butylphenyl Methylpropional, Linalool, Mica, CI 19140, CI 42090, CI 77289
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Also known as Avobenzone, this ingredient is a chemical sunscreen filter that provides protection in the UV-A range.
Avobenzone is globally approved and is the most commonly used UV-A filter in the world.
Studies have found that avobenzone becomes ineffective when exposed to UV light (it is not photostable; meaning that it breaks down in sunlight). Because of this, formulations that include avobenzone will usually contain stabilizers such as octocrylene.
However, some modern formulations (looking at you, EU!) are able to stabilize avobenzone by coating the molecules.
Avobenzone does not protect against the UV-B range, so it's important to check that the sunscreen you're using contains other UV filters that do!
The highest concentration of avobenzone permitted is 3% in the US, and 5% in the EU.
Learn more about Butyl MethoxydibenzoylmethaneCitric Acid is an alpha hydroxy acid (AHA) naturally found in citrus fruits like oranges, lemons, and limes.
Like other AHAs, citric acid can exfoliate skin by breaking down the bonds that hold dead skin cells together. This helps reveal smoother and brighter skin underneath.
However, this exfoliating effect only happens at high concentrations (20%) which can be hard to find in cosmetic products.
Due to this, citric acid is usually included in small amounts as a pH adjuster. This helps keep products slightly more acidic and compatible with skin's natural pH.
In skincare formulas, citric acid can:
While it can provide some skin benefits, research shows lactic acid and glycolic acid are generally more effective and less irritating exfoliants.
Most citric acid used in skincare today is made by fermenting sugars (usually from molasses). This synthetic version is identical to the natural citrus form but easier to stabilize and use in formulations.
Read more about some other popular AHA's here:
Learn more about Citric AcidDimethicone 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 DimethiconeDisodium EDTA plays a role in making products more stable by aiding other preservatives.
It is a chelating agent, meaning it neutralizes metal ions that may be found in a product.
Disodium EDTA is a salt of edetic acid and is found to be safe in cosmetic ingredients.
Learn more about Disodium EDTAEthylhexyl 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 SalicylateGlycerin 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 GlycerinHomosalate is a chemical sunscreen filter that provides protection in the UV-B range (280nm - 320 nm), with a peak protection at 306 nm. It is internationally approved for use in sunscreens.
Homosalate is not photo-stable, meaning it's strength as a UV filter degrades over time with exposure to the sun. Because of this, it's often used in combination with other chemical sunscreen filters as avobenzone (which protects from the UV-A range). Homosalate also helps act as a solvent for harder-to-dissolve UV filters.
(Part of the reason that sunscreens need to be frequently re-applied is due to the photo instability of many chemical sunscreen filters)
Currently, homosalate is approved in concentrations up to 10% in the EU and 15% in the US. The FDA is currently doing further research on the effects of homosalate, and it is possible that these approved concentrations will change in the future.
Learn more about HomosalateLinalool is a fragrance and helps add scent to products. It's derived from common plants such as cinnamon, mint, citrus, and lavender.
Like Limonene, this ingredient oxidizes when exposed to air. Oxidized linalool can cause allergies and skin sensitivity.
This ingredient has a scent that is floral, spicy tropical, and citrus-like.
Learn more about LinaloolParfum is a catch-all term for an ingredient or more that is used to give a scent to products.
Also called "fragrance", this ingredient can be a blend of hundreds of chemicals or plant oils. This means every product with "fragrance" or "parfum" in the ingredients list is a different mixture.
For instance, Habanolide is a proprietary trade name for a specific aroma chemical. When used as a fragrance ingredient in cosmetics, most aroma chemicals fall under the broad labeling category of “FRAGRANCE” or “PARFUM” according to EU and US regulations.
The term 'parfum' or 'fragrance' is not regulated in many countries. In many cases, it is up to the brand to define this term.
For instance, many brands choose to label themselves as "fragrance-free" because they are not using synthetic fragrances. However, their products may still contain ingredients such as essential oils that are considered a fragrance by INCI standards.
One example is Calendula flower extract. Calendula is an essential oil that still imparts a scent or 'fragrance'.
Depending on the blend, the ingredients in the mixture can cause allergies and sensitivities on the skin. Some ingredients that are known EU allergens include linalool and citronellol.
Parfum can also be used to mask or cover an unpleasant scent.
The bottom line is: not all fragrances/parfum/ingredients are created equally. If you are worried about fragrances, we recommend taking a closer look at an ingredient. And of course, we always recommend speaking with a professional.
Learn more about ParfumPhenoxyethanol is a preservative that has germicide, antimicrobial, and aromatic properties. Studies show that phenoxyethanol can prevent microbial growth. By itself, it has a scent that is similar to that of a rose.
It's often used in formulations along with Caprylyl Glycol to preserve the shelf life of products.
Sodium Hyaluronate is hyaluronic acid's salt form. It is commonly derived from the sodium salt of hyaluronic acid.
Like hyaluronic acid, it is great at holding water and acts as a humectant. This makes it a great skin hydrating ingredient.
Sodium Hyaluronate is naturally occurring in our bodies and is mostly found in eye fluid and joints.
These are some other common types of Hyaluronic Acid:
Learn more about Sodium HyaluronateSodium Hydroxide is also known as lye or caustic soda. It is used to adjust the pH of products; many ingredients require a specific pH to be effective.
In small amounts, sodium hydroxide is considered safe to use. However, large amounts may cause chemical burns due to its high alkaline.
Your skin has a natural pH and acid mantle. This acid mantle helps prevent harmful bacteria from breaking through. The acid mantle also helps keep your skin hydrated.
"Alkaline" refers to a high pH level. A low pH level would be considered acidic.
Learn more about Sodium HydroxideWater. 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