Kiehl's Ultra Light Daily UV Defense Aqua Gel SPF 50 Versus Kanebo Allie Gel UV EX SPF 50+ PA++++
Updated on October 15, 2023
Overview
What they are
These products are both sunscreens. They have a total of 8 ingredients in common
Cool Features
They both contain SPF
Suited For
They're both likely to be good for dry skin and brightening skin
Free From
They both do not contain any common allergens, fragrances, oils, parabens or sulfates
What's Inside
They both contain harsh alcohols and 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
Kiehl's Ultra Light Daily UV Defense Aqua Gel SPF 50 40 ingredients
Kanebo Allie Gel UV EX SPF 50+ PA++++ 22 ingredients
About this product
About this product
At a glance
Click on any of the items below to learn more
Kiehl's Ultra Light Daily UV Defense Aqua Gel SPF 50 40 ingredients
Kanebo Allie Gel UV EX SPF 50+ PA++++ 22 ingredients
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningAlcohol Denat.
Antimicrobial
Diisopropyl Sebacate
EmollientIsopropyl Lauroyl Sarcosinate
Skin ConditioningEthylhexyl Triazone
UV Absorber
Propylene Glycol
Humectant
Bis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine
Skin Conditioning
Diethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl Benzoate
UV Filter
Titanium Dioxide
Cosmetic Colorant
Glycerin
Humectant
Methyl Methacrylate Crosspolymer
Drometrizole Trisiloxane
UV Absorber
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Stearic Acid
Cleansing
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Cetyl Alcohol
Emollient
Palmitic Acid
Emollient
Styrene/Acrylates Copolymer
Ceteth-10
EmulsifyingCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientMenthoxypropanediol
Masking
Dextrin Palmitate
Emulsifying
Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingAluminum Hydroxide
EmollientAmmonium Polyacryloyldimethyl Taurate
Emulsion StabilisingButylene Glycol
Humectant
Potassium Hydroxide
BufferingPEG-8 Laurate
Emulsifying
Disodium EDTA
Adenosine
Skin Conditioning
Myristic Acid
Cleansing
Gentiana Lutea Root Extract
Skin ConditioningPentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningMentha Piperita Extract
CleansingButyrospermum Parkii Seedcake Extract
Skin Protecting
Rosa Gallica Flower Extract
AstringentSorbitol
Humectant
Moringa Oleifera Seed Extract
Skin ConditioningDisodium Phosphate
BufferingCitric Acid
Buffering
Water, Alcohol Denat., Diisopropyl Sebacate, Isopropyl Lauroyl Sarcosinate, Ethylhexyl Triazone, Propylene Glycol, Bis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine, Diethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl Benzoate, Titanium Dioxide, Glycerin, Methyl Methacrylate Crosspolymer, Drometrizole Trisiloxane, Tocopherol, Stearic Acid, Phenoxyethanol, Cetyl Alcohol, Palmitic Acid, Styrene/Acrylates Copolymer, Ceteth-10, Caprylyl Glycol, Menthoxypropanediol, Dextrin Palmitate, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Aluminum Hydroxide, Ammonium Polyacryloyldimethyl Taurate, Butylene Glycol, Potassium Hydroxide, PEG-8 Laurate, Disodium EDTA, Adenosine, Myristic Acid, Gentiana Lutea Root Extract, Pentylene Glycol, Mentha Piperita Extract, Butyrospermum Parkii Seedcake Extract, Rosa Gallica Flower Extract, Sorbitol, Moringa Oleifera Seed Extract, Disodium Phosphate, Citric Acid
Water
Skin ConditioningZinc Oxide
Cosmetic Colorant
Alcohol Denat.
Antimicrobial
Diisopropyl Sebacate
EmollientDicaprylyl Carbonate
EmollientEthylhexyl Triazone
UV Absorber
Glycerin
Humectant
C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate
AntimicrobialDrometrizole Trisiloxane
UV Absorber
Acrylamide/Sodium Acryloyldimethyltaurate Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingBis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine
Skin Conditioning
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Isohexadecane
EmollientTriethoxycaprylylsilane
C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate
Methicone
Emollient
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingC30-45 Olefin
Skin ConditioningSorbitan Oleate
Emulsifying
PEG-9 Borageate
EmulsifyingEDTA
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Water, Zinc Oxide, Alcohol Denat., Diisopropyl Sebacate, Dicaprylyl Carbonate, Ethylhexyl Triazone, Glycerin, C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate, Drometrizole Trisiloxane, Acrylamide/Sodium Acryloyldimethyltaurate Copolymer, Bis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine, Butylene Glycol, Isohexadecane, Triethoxycaprylylsilane, C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate, Methicone, Xanthan Gum, C30-45 Olefin, Sorbitan Oleate, PEG-9 Borageate, EDTA, Sodium Hyaluronate
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
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 WaterAlcohol Denat. is an alcohol with a denaturant property. It is created by mixing ethanol with other additives.
This ingredient gets a bad rep because it is irritating and drying - mostly due to its astringent property. Astringents draw out natural oils in tissue, constricting pores and leaving your skin dried out.
However, alcohol denat. is not all that bad.
Due to its low molecular weight, alcohol denat. tends to evaporate quickly. One study on pig skin found half of applied alcohol evaporated in 10 seconds and less than 3% stayed on skin.
This also helps other ingredients become better absorbed upon application.
Studies are conflicted about whether this ingredient causes skin dehydration. One study from 2005 found adding emollients to propanol-based sanitizer decreased skin dryness and irritation. Another study found irritation only occurs if your skin is already damaged.
Small amounts of alcohol are generally tolerated by oily skin or people who live in humid environments.
The rule of thumb is if this alcohol is near the end of an ingredients list, it will probably not affect your skin much.
Also...
This ingredient has antimicrobial and solvent properties.
The antimicrobial property helps preserve products and increase their shelf life. As a solvent, it helps dissolve other ingredients.
Other types of astringent alcohols include:
Learn more about Alcohol Denat.We don't have a description for Diisopropyl Sebacate yet.
Ethylhexyl Triazone is a modern chemical sunscreen that protects from UV-B radiation.
It is the most effective of existing UV-B filters, as it provides the highest level of photo-stable absorption. It protects from the entire UV-B range (280 to 320nm), with it's highest level of protection at 314nm.
Ethylhexyl Triazone is oil soluble, oderless and colorless, which mean it is able to be incorporated into a variety of different formulations.
It is not currently available within the United States due to slow changing FDA regulations. Outside of the US, it is used in formulations at concentrations up to 5%.
Learn more about Ethylhexyl TriazoneYou might know this ingredient as Tinosorb S or Bemotrizinol. It is a UV filter that covers both UVA and UVB rays.
This ingredient has two peak UV absorption peaks ( 310 and 340 nm) and is able to absorb both UV-A and UV-B rays. This ingredient works by preventing UV rays from reaching and damaging your skin.
On top of that - it is highly photostable and helps prevent the photodegration of other sunscreen ingredients such as avobenzone.
Tinosorb S is allowed in the EU, Australia, and Asia. It is close to being approved by the FDA and we'll hopefully get this ingredient in the U.S. by late 2025.
Fun fact: Tinosorb S is the most effective UV absorber at maximum concentration (measured by SPF) permitted in the EU.
This ingredient is oil-soluble, so your oil-cleansers will take this right off at night.
Learn more about Bis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl TriazineGlycerin 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 GlycerinDrometrizole Trisiloxane is a UV filter that provides both UV-A (344 nm) and UV-B (303 nm) protection.
This ingredient is photostable and studies show it to be generally safe and effective. The compound Meroxyl XL is owned by L'Oreal while Drometrizole trisiloxane can be found in other sunscreen brands.
It is currently approved for use in the EU, Canada, Australia, and Japan. However, it is not yet approved for use in the US.
This ingredient is often used with other sunscreen ingredients, such as Ecamsule.
Learn more about Drometrizole TrisiloxaneButylene 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.
Ingredient Ratings
Here's what our community thinks of the ingredients in these products.
When to use
Kiehl's Ultra Light Daily UV Defense Aqua Gel SPF 50 40 ingredients
Kanebo Allie Gel UV EX SPF 50+ PA++++ 22 ingredients
Reviews
Here's what our community thinks
Kiehl's Ultra Light Daily UV Defense Aqua Gel SPF 50 40 ingredients
Kanebo Allie Gel UV EX SPF 50+ PA++++ 22 ingredients
I had to use face powder on top of it every time because it makes my face too greasy and since it has alcohol, it causes my eyes to burn a little when I apply it at first. Also has a strong white cast that I believe is from the "tone-up" properties of this sunscreen.
