Here's our complete breakdown comparing the ingredients, attributes, and more of Kiehl's Ultra Light Daily UV Defense SPF 50+ versus Shiseido Urban Environment Vita-Clear Sunscreen SPF 42 .
Published on October 12, 2023
Overview
What they are
These products are both sunscreens. They have a total of 7 ingredients in common
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, reducing pores, scar healing and better texture
Free From
They both do not contain any common allergens, oils or parabens
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.
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.
Price
Ingredient Info
Kiehl's Ultra Light Daily UV Defense SPF 50+ 54 ingredients
Shiseido Urban Environment Vita-Clear Sunscreen SPF 42 45 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:
Contains Sulfate
Ingredients in this product that are types of sulfate:
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 SPF 50+ 54 ingredients
Shiseido Urban Environment Vita-Clear Sunscreen SPF 42 45 ingredients
Notable Ingredients
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Benefits
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Concerns
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Notable Ingredients
This product contains 4 ingredients 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:
This product contains 1 ingredient that may have this attribute:
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Benefits
This product contains 2 ingredients that may have this attribute:
This product contains 3 ingredients that may have this attribute:
This product contains 2 ingredients that may have this attribute:
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 1 ingredient that may have this attribute:
This product contains 3 ingredients that may have this attribute:
Concerns
This product contains 3 ingredients that may have this attribute:
This product contains 2 ingredients 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 7 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 SPF 50+ 54 ingredients
Shiseido Urban Environment Vita-Clear Sunscreen SPF 42 45 ingredients
Water • 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
Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane 2.3% • Homosalate 10% • Ethylhexyl Salicylate 5% • Octocrylene 5% • Trisiloxane • Water • Diisopropyl Sebacate • Silica • Glycerin • Alcohol Denat. • Isododecane • Peg/Ppg-9/2 Dimethyl Ether • Lauryl Peg-9 Polydimethylsiloxyethyl Dimethicone • Trimethylsiloxysilicate • Dextrin Palmitate • Disteardimonium Hectorite • Trehalose • Peg-9 Polydimethylsiloxyethyl Dimethicone • Phytosteryl Macadamiate • Sodium Chloride • 2-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid • Aminoethanesulfinic Acid • Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate • Panthenyl Ethyl Ether • Sodium Polyacrylate • Tocopheryl Acetate • Sodium Hyaluronate • Sanguisorba Officinalis Root Extract • Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract • Garcinia Mangostana Bark Extract • Perilla Ocymoides Leaf Extract • Spirulina Platensis Extract • Dimethylacrylamide/Sodium Acryloyldimethyltaurate Crosspolymer • Butylene Glycol • Silica Dimethyl Silylate • Trisodium EDTA • Tocopherol • BHT • Alcohol • Sodium Metabisulfite • Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract • Barium Sulfate • Sodium Citrate • Phenoxyethanol • 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 SPF 50+ contains this as ingredient number 1.
Shiseido Urban Environment Vita-Clear Sunscreen SPF 42 contains this as ingredient number 6.
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 SPF 50+ contains this as ingredient number 4.
Shiseido Urban Environment Vita-Clear Sunscreen SPF 42 contains this as ingredient number 9.
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 SPF 50+ contains this as ingredient number 9.
Shiseido Urban Environment Vita-Clear Sunscreen SPF 42 contains this as ingredient number 10.
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 SPF 50+ contains this as ingredient number 17.
Shiseido Urban Environment Vita-Clear Sunscreen SPF 42 contains this as ingredient number 44.
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 SPF 50+ contains this as ingredient number 27.
Shiseido Urban Environment Vita-Clear Sunscreen SPF 42 contains this as ingredient number 37.
BHT is a synthetic antioxidant. As an antioxidant, it helps your body fight off free-radicals. Free-radicals are molecules that may damage your skin cells.
BHT also helps stabilize products and prevent them from degrading. Many products are sensitive to air and light. BHT prevents them from breaking down when exposed.
Kiehl's Ultra Light Daily UV Defense SPF 50+ contains this as ingredient number 45.
Shiseido Urban Environment Vita-Clear Sunscreen SPF 42 contains this as ingredient number 38.
Chances are, you eat sodium chloride every day. Sodium Chloride is also known as table salt.
This ingredient has many purposes in skincare: thickener, emulsifier, and exfoliator.
You'll most likely find this ingredient in cleansers where it is used to create a gel-like texture. As an emulsifier, it also prevents ingredients from separating.
There is much debate on whether this ingredient is comedogenic. The short answer - comedogenic ratings don't tell the whole story. Learn more about comegodenic ratings here.
The concensus about this ingredient causing acne seems to be divided. Research is needed to understand if this ingredient does cause acne.
Scrubs may use salt as the primary exfoliating ingredient.
Learn more about Sodium ChlorideKiehl's Ultra Light Daily UV Defense SPF 50+ contains this as ingredient number 48.
Shiseido Urban Environment Vita-Clear Sunscreen SPF 42 contains this as ingredient number 20.
Here's what our community thinks of the ingredients in these two products.
Kiehl's Ultra Light Daily UV Defense SPF 50+ 54 ingredients
Shiseido Urban Environment Vita-Clear Sunscreen SPF 42 45 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 SPF 50+ 54 ingredients
Shiseido Urban Environment Vita-Clear Sunscreen SPF 42 45 ingredients
Reviews
Here's what our community thinks
Kiehl's Ultra Light Daily UV Defense SPF 50+ 54 ingredients
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Our Dupe Finder has found 50 potential alternatives that have similar ingredients to Kiehl's Ultra Light Daily UV Defense SPF 50+.
See 50 alternativesOur Dupe Finder has found 45 potential alternatives that have similar ingredients to Shiseido Urban Environment Vita-Clear Sunscreen SPF 42.
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