Here's our complete breakdown comparing the ingredients, attributes, and more of Kiehl's Ultra Light Daily UV Defense Aqua Gel SPF 50 versus Lancôme UV Expert Aquagel Defense Primer & Moisturizer SPF 50 .
Published on April 05, 2022
Overview
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 and scar healing
Free From
They both do not contain any common allergens, 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 need an update? Let us know.
Sunscreen
Sunscreens help absorb or reflect UV radiation and protect skin against skin damage. Sunscreens may come in the form of lotion, gel, foam, spray, or solid-stick.
General Moisturizer
All-purpose moisturizers hydrate the top layer of skin cells.
Price
Ingredient Info
Kiehl's Ultra Light Daily UV Defense Aqua Gel SPF 50 40 ingredients
Lancôme UV Expert Aquagel Defense Primer & Moisturizer SPF 50 31 ingredients
Contains Alcohol
Ingredients in this product that are types of alcohol:
Contains Silicon
Ingredients in this product that are types of silicon:
Fragrance Free
This product is free of fragrances 🎉
Sulfate Free
This product is free of sulfates 🎉
Paraben Free
This product is free of parabens 🎉
Oil Free
This product is free of oils 🎉
Not Malassezia Safe
Ingredients in this product that are not malassezia safe:
Not Reef Safe
Ingredients in this product that are not reef safe:
EU Allergen Free
This product is free of EU allergens 🎉
Non Vegan
This product is not vegan 😥
Not Cruelty Free
This product is not cruelty-free 😥
Contains Alcohol
Ingredients in this product that are types of alcohol:
Contains Silicon
Ingredients in this product that are types of silicon:
Contains Fragrance
Ingredients in this product that are forms of fragrance:
Sulfate Free
This product is free of sulfates 🎉
Paraben Free
This product is free of parabens 🎉
Oil Free
This product is free of oils 🎉
Not Malassezia Safe
Ingredients in this product that are not malassezia safe:
Not Reef Safe
Ingredients in this product that are not reef safe:
EU Allergen Free
This product is free of EU allergens 🎉
Non Vegan
This product is not vegan 😥
Not Cruelty Free
This product is not cruelty-free 😥
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
Lancôme UV Expert Aquagel Defense Primer & Moisturizer SPF 50 31 ingredients
Notable Ingredients
This product contains 4 ingredients that may have this attribute:
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Benefits
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Concerns
This product contains 1 ingredient that may have this attribute:
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This product contains 1 ingredient that may have this attribute:
This product contains 3 ingredients that may have this attribute:
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This product contains 2 ingredients that may have this attribute:
Notable Ingredients
This product contains 5 ingredients that may have this attribute:
This product contains 1 ingredient that may have this attribute:
This product contains 1 ingredient that may have this attribute:
Benefits
This product contains 2 ingredients that may have this attribute:
This product contains 1 ingredient that may have this attribute:
This product contains 1 ingredient that may have this attribute:
This product contains 2 ingredients that may have this attribute:
Concerns
This product contains 1 ingredient that may have this attribute:
This product contains 1 ingredient that may have this attribute:
This product contains 4 ingredients that may have this attribute:
This product contains 5 ingredients that may have this attribute:
This product contains 5 ingredients that may have this attribute:
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Join SkinSortIngredients Compared
Ingredients that are highlighted in purple are present in both products.
Kiehl's Ultra Light Daily UV Defense Aqua Gel SPF 50 40 ingredients
Lancôme UV Expert Aquagel Defense Primer & Moisturizer SPF 50 31 ingredients
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
Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane 3% • Homosalate 10.7% • Ethylhexyl Salicylate 3.2% • Octocrylene 6% • Benzophenone-3 3.9% • Water • Dimethicone • Alcohol Denat. • Styrene/Acrylates Copolymer • Acrylates Copolymer • Tocopherol • Sodium Polyacrylate • Sodium Dodecylbenzenesulfonate • Sodium Benzoate • Phenoxyethanol • Peg-8 Laurate • Silica • Pentylene Glycol • Mentha Piperita Extract • Propylene Glycol • Leontopodium Alpinum Flower/Leaf Extract • Caprylyl Glycol • Sorbitol • Moringa Oleifera Seed Extract • Disodium EDTA • Rosa Gallica Flower Extract • Disodium Phosphate • Citric Acid • Potassium Sorbate • Glycerin • Parfum
Ingredients Side-by-side
Ingredients that are highlighted in purple are present in both products.
Learn more about what what Com. / Irr. ratings are
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. Talk about multi-purpose! If you see this, drink a glass of water. Stay hydrated!
Learn more about WaterKiehl's Ultra Light Daily UV Defense Aqua Gel SPF 50 contains this as ingredient number 1.
Lancôme UV Expert Aquagel Defense Primer & Moisturizer SPF 50 contains this as ingredient number 6.
Alcohol Denat. is an alcohol with a denaturant property. It is created by mixing ethanol and other additives. It has a low molecular weight and will evaporate quickly. This helps other ingredients become better absorbed and dry once applied.
Alcohol Denat. is volatile and may cause irritation. It helps draw out natural oils in skin and dry out your skin.
One study from 2005 found adding emollients to propanol-based sanitizer decreased irritation.
Alcohol is antibacterial by nature. This can help preserve products and increase their shelf life.
Other types of astringent alcohols include:
Learn more about Alcohol Denat.Kiehl's Ultra Light Daily UV Defense Aqua Gel SPF 50 contains this as ingredient number 2.
Lancôme UV Expert Aquagel Defense Primer & Moisturizer SPF 50 contains this as ingredient number 8.
Propylene Glycol is an odorless, colorless liquid. As a humectant, it helps skin retain moisture. It also aids in delivering active ingredients.
Another role of this ingredient is preventing a product from melting or freezing. Propylene glycol also adds antimicrobrial properties to a product, elongating product lifespan.
This ingredient is considered an organic alcohol and commonly added into both cosmetics and foods.
Those with sensitive skin or conditions may deliver a rash when using this ingredient.
Learn more about Propylene GlycolKiehl's Ultra Light Daily UV Defense Aqua Gel SPF 50 contains this as ingredient number 6.
Lancôme UV Expert Aquagel Defense Primer & Moisturizer SPF 50 contains this as ingredient number 20.
Glycerin 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 GlycerinKiehl's Ultra Light Daily UV Defense Aqua Gel SPF 50 contains this as ingredient number 10.
Lancôme UV Expert Aquagel Defense Primer & Moisturizer SPF 50 contains this as ingredient number 31.
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 TocopherolKiehl's Ultra Light Daily UV Defense Aqua Gel SPF 50 contains this as ingredient number 13.
Lancôme UV Expert Aquagel Defense Primer & Moisturizer SPF 50 contains this as ingredient number 11.
Phenoxyethanol is a preservative that has germicide, antimicrobial, and aromatic properties. Studies show that phenoxyethanol can prevent germ and 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.
Kiehl's Ultra Light Daily UV Defense Aqua Gel SPF 50 contains this as ingredient number 15.
Lancôme UV Expert Aquagel Defense Primer & Moisturizer SPF 50 contains this as ingredient number 15.
We don't have a description for Styrene/Acrylates Copolymer.
Kiehl's Ultra Light Daily UV Defense Aqua Gel SPF 50 contains this as ingredient number 18.
Lancôme UV Expert Aquagel Defense Primer & Moisturizer SPF 50 contains this as ingredient number 9.
Caprylyl 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 GlycolKiehl's Ultra Light Daily UV Defense Aqua Gel SPF 50 contains this as ingredient number 20.
Lancôme UV Expert Aquagel Defense Primer & Moisturizer SPF 50 contains this as ingredient number 22.
Peg-8 Laurate isn't fungal acne safe.
Kiehl's Ultra Light Daily UV Defense Aqua Gel SPF 50 contains this as ingredient number 28.
Lancôme UV Expert Aquagel Defense Primer & Moisturizer SPF 50 contains this as ingredient number 16.
Disodium 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 EDTAKiehl's Ultra Light Daily UV Defense Aqua Gel SPF 50 contains this as ingredient number 29.
Lancôme UV Expert Aquagel Defense Primer & Moisturizer SPF 50 contains this as ingredient number 26.
Pentylene glycol is typically used within a product to thicken it. It also adds a smooth, soft, and moisturizing feel to the product. It is naturally found in plants such as sugar beets.
The hydrophilic trait of Pentylene Glycol makes it a humectant. As a humectant, Pentylene Glycol helps draw moisture from the air to your skin. This can help keep your skin hydrated.
This property also makes Pentylene Glycol a great texture enhancer. It can help thicken or emulsify a product. Emulsifiers help stabilize a product. It does this by preventing certain ingredients from separating.
Pentylene Glycol also acts as a mild preservative and helps to keep a product microbe-free.
Some people may experience mild eye and skin irritation from Pentylene Glycol. We always recommend speaking with a professional about using this ingredient in your routine.
Pentylene Glycol has a low molecular weight and is part of the 1,2-glycol family.
Learn more about Pentylene GlycolKiehl's Ultra Light Daily UV Defense Aqua Gel SPF 50 contains this as ingredient number 33.
Lancôme UV Expert Aquagel Defense Primer & Moisturizer SPF 50 contains this as ingredient number 18.
We don't have a description for Mentha Piperita Extract.
Kiehl's Ultra Light Daily UV Defense Aqua Gel SPF 50 contains this as ingredient number 34.
Lancôme UV Expert Aquagel Defense Primer & Moisturizer SPF 50 contains this as ingredient number 19.
We don't have a description for Rosa Gallica Flower Extract.
Kiehl's Ultra Light Daily UV Defense Aqua Gel SPF 50 contains this as ingredient number 36.
Lancôme UV Expert Aquagel Defense Primer & Moisturizer SPF 50 contains this as ingredient number 27.
Sorbitol is a sugar alcohol. It is a hydrating and moisturizing agent created from the reduction process of glucose.
Most sorbitol is usually made from potato starch. It is also found in fruits such as apples and pears.
As a humectant, Sorbitol helps draw water to the skin. This helps keep the skin hydrated. Sorbitol also helps create a thicker texture in products. You might find sorbitol in your toothpaste and other gels.
It is a non-irritating ingredient that is great for those with dry skin.
Sorbitol is a prebiotic. It helps promote the growth of healthy bacteria on your skin. The bacteria on your skin form a microbiome. This microbiome helps protect your skin from infection and harmful bacteria.
Learn more about SorbitolKiehl's Ultra Light Daily UV Defense Aqua Gel SPF 50 contains this as ingredient number 37.
Lancôme UV Expert Aquagel Defense Primer & Moisturizer SPF 50 contains this as ingredient number 24.
Moringa Oleifera Seed Extract comes from the seeds of the Moringa oleifera plant.
Moringa seeds have antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and skin hydrating properties. These seeds are rich in oils, proteins, monounsaturated fats, and tocopherols.
As an emollient, moringa seed oil helps trap moisture in the skin by creating a film on top. This helps keep your skin hydrated and soft.
Many compounds in moringa seed oil are antioxidant and anti-inflammatory. These compounds include Vitamin E. , catechins, ferulic acid, and more.
Another compound found in Moringa seed oil is oleic acid.
Moringa trees are native to the Himalayan mountains.
Learn more about Moringa Oleifera Seed ExtractKiehl's Ultra Light Daily UV Defense Aqua Gel SPF 50 contains this as ingredient number 38.
Lancôme UV Expert Aquagel Defense Primer & Moisturizer SPF 50 contains this as ingredient number 25.
We don't have a description for Disodium Phosphate.
Kiehl's Ultra Light Daily UV Defense Aqua Gel SPF 50 contains this as ingredient number 39.
Lancôme UV Expert Aquagel Defense Primer & Moisturizer SPF 50 contains this as ingredient number 28.
Citric Acid is an AHA derived from citrus fruits (think oranges, lemons, and limes!).
If you spot Citric Acid near the end of an ingredient list, it's likely there as a pH adjuster rather than an active ingredient.
As an AHA, Citric Acid removes the top layer of skin cells from the newer layer of skin underneath. This helps skin to remove dark spots and look more even.
Read more about some other popular AHA's here:
Learn more about Citric AcidKiehl's Ultra Light Daily UV Defense Aqua Gel SPF 50 contains this as ingredient number 40.
Lancôme UV Expert Aquagel Defense Primer & Moisturizer SPF 50 contains this as ingredient number 29.
Here's what our community thinks of the ingredients in these two products.
Kiehl's Ultra Light Daily UV Defense Aqua Gel SPF 50 40 ingredients
Lancôme UV Expert Aquagel Defense Primer & Moisturizer SPF 50 31 ingredients
Usage
Here's some more info on how this product is used by our community.
When to use
Kiehl's Ultra Light Daily UV Defense Aqua Gel SPF 50 40 ingredients
Lancôme UV Expert Aquagel Defense Primer & Moisturizer SPF 50 31 ingredients
Alternatives
Our Dupe Finder has found 50 potential alternatives that have similar ingredients to Kiehl's Ultra Light Daily UV Defense Aqua Gel SPF 50.
See 50 alternativesOur Dupe Finder has found 50 potential alternatives that have similar ingredients to Lancôme UV Expert Aquagel Defense Primer & Moisturizer SPF 50.
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