Kiehl's Ultra Light Daily UV Defense SPF 50+ Versus Lanc么me UV Expert Supra Screen Invisible UV Serum SPF 50+
What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningEthylhexyl Methoxycinnamate
UV AbsorberDimethicone
EmollientGlycerin
HumectantDrometrizole Trisiloxane
UV AbsorberTerephthalylidene Dicamphor Sulfonic Acid
UV AbsorberPropylene Glycol
HumectantTitanium Dioxide
Cosmetic ColorantAlcohol Denat.
AntimicrobialTriethanolamine
BufferingStearic Acid
CleansingPotassium Cetyl Phosphate
EmulsifyingNylon-12
Palmitic Acid
EmollientPEG-100 Stearate
Glyceryl Stearate
EmollientPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeCetyl Alcohol
EmollientCellulose
AbsorbentBis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine
Skin ConditioningDiethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl Benzoate
UV FilterCitric Acid
BufferingAluminum Hydroxide
EmollientCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientSodium Cocoyl Sarcosinate
CleansingCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingTocopherol
AntioxidantTromethamine
BufferingScutellaria Baicalensis Extract
AntimicrobialAcrylamide/Sodium Acryloyldimethyltaurate Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingIsohexadecane
EmollientXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingMyristic Acid
CleansingDisodium EDTA
Adenosine
Skin ConditioningPolysorbate 80
EmulsifyingArginine
MaskingMannitol
HumectantDisodium Adenosine Triphosphate
Skin ConditioningRna
Skin ConditioningPyridoxine Hcl
Skin ConditioningSorbitan Oleate
EmulsifyingSorbitol
HumectantPentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningBHT
AntioxidantHistidine Hcl
Skin ConditioningZea Mays Kernel Extract
Sodium Chloride
MaskingFaex Extract
Skin ConditioningPhenylalanine
MaskingMentha Piperita Extract
CleansingRosa Gallica Flower Extract
AstringentTyrosine
MaskingSorbic Acid
PreservativeWater, Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate, Dimethicone, Glycerin, Drometrizole Trisiloxane, Terephthalylidene Dicamphor Sulfonic Acid, Propylene Glycol, Titanium Dioxide, Alcohol Denat., Triethanolamine, Stearic Acid, Potassium Cetyl Phosphate, Nylon-12, Palmitic Acid, PEG-100 Stearate, Glyceryl Stearate, Phenoxyethanol, Cetyl Alcohol, Cellulose, Bis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine, Diethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl Benzoate, Citric Acid, Aluminum Hydroxide, Caprylyl Glycol, Sodium Cocoyl Sarcosinate, Carbomer, Tocopherol, Tromethamine, Scutellaria Baicalensis Extract, Acrylamide/Sodium Acryloyldimethyltaurate Copolymer, Isohexadecane, Xanthan Gum, Myristic Acid, Disodium EDTA, Adenosine, Polysorbate 80, Arginine, Mannitol, Disodium Adenosine Triphosphate, Rna, Pyridoxine Hcl, Sorbitan Oleate, Sorbitol, Pentylene Glycol, BHT, Histidine Hcl, Zea Mays Kernel Extract, Sodium Chloride, Faex Extract, Phenylalanine, Mentha Piperita Extract, Rosa Gallica Flower Extract, Tyrosine, Sorbic Acid
Water
Skin ConditioningDicaprylyl Carbonate
EmollientPhenylbenzimidazole Sulfonic Acid
UV AbsorberAlcohol Denat.
AntimicrobialDimethicone
EmollientNiacinamide
SmoothingPropanediol
SolventBis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine
Skin ConditioningButyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane
UV AbsorberEthylhexyl Triazone
UV AbsorberMethylene Bis-Benzotriazolyl Tetramethylbutylphenol
UV FilterSilica
AbrasiveDiethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl Benzoate
UV FilterCetearyl Alcohol
EmollientHydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingSodium Hydroxide
BufferingTocopherol
AntioxidantSodium Stearoyl Glutamate
CleansingPhenoxyethanol
PreservativePEG-20
HumectantTrisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate
Polyglyceryl-10 Laurate
Skin ConditioningCellulose
AbsorbentMaltodextrin
AbsorbentPolysorbate 60
EmulsifyingPentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingParfum
MaskingTaraxacum Officinale Rhizome/Root Extract
Skin ConditioningTaraxacum Officinale Extract
Skin ConditioningSorbitan Isostearate
EmulsifyingButylene Glycol
HumectantCetearyl Glucoside
EmulsifyingLauroyl Lysine
Skin ConditioningInulin Lauryl Carbamate
Emulsion StabilisingBixa Orellana Seed Extract
MaskingGlycerin
HumectantWater, Dicaprylyl Carbonate, Phenylbenzimidazole Sulfonic Acid, Alcohol Denat., Dimethicone, Niacinamide, Propanediol, Bis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine, Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane, Ethylhexyl Triazone, Methylene Bis-Benzotriazolyl Tetramethylbutylphenol, Silica, Diethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl Benzoate, Cetearyl Alcohol, Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Sodium Hydroxide, Tocopherol, Sodium Stearoyl Glutamate, Phenoxyethanol, PEG-20, Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate, Polyglyceryl-10 Laurate, Cellulose, Maltodextrin, Polysorbate 60, Pentylene Glycol, Xanthan Gum, Parfum, Taraxacum Officinale Rhizome/Root Extract, Taraxacum Officinale Extract, Sorbitan Isostearate, Butylene Glycol, Cetearyl Glucoside, Lauroyl Lysine, Inulin Lauryl Carbamate, Bixa Orellana Seed Extract, Glycerin
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Alcohol 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.You 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 TriazineCellulose is the main component of plant cell walls. It is used as an emulsifier, absorbent, and texture enhancer.
This ingredient has many functions:
Fun fact: Cellulose is the most abundant form of organic polymer on Earth.
Learn more about CelluloseDiethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl Benzoate (DHHB) is a chemical UV-A absorber. It is formulated for high UVA protection (320-400 nm).
DHHB is well-liked for:
DHHB has been approved by the EU, Japan, Taiwan, and South America for use up to 10%. Unfortunately, it has not been approved for use in the US or Canada due to slow regulatory processes.
This ingredient is soluble in oils, fats, and lipids.
Learn more about Diethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl BenzoateDimethicone 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 DimethiconeGlycerin 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 GlycerinPentylene 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 also help thicken or stabilize a product.
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 GlycolPhenoxyethanol 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.
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鈥檚 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 WaterXanthan gum is used as a stabilizer and thickener within cosmetic products. It helps give products a sticky, thick feeling - preventing them from being too runny.
On the technical side of things, xanthan gum is a polysaccharide - a combination consisting of multiple sugar molecules bonded together.
Xanthan gum is a pretty common and great ingredient. It is a natural, non-toxic, non-irritating ingredient that is also commonly used in food products.
Learn more about Xanthan Gum