L'Oreal UV Defender Invisible Fluid Sunscreen SPF50+ PA++++ Versus Cetaphil Pro Acne Prone Oil-Free Moisturising Lotion SPF 25
What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningAlcohol Denat.
AntimicrobialDiisopropyl Sebacate
EmollientSilica
AbrasiveIsopropyl Myristate
EmollientEthylhexyl Salicylate
UV AbsorberEthylhexyl Triazone
UV AbsorberBis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine
Skin ConditioningButyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane
UV AbsorberGlycerin
HumectantPropanediol
SolventC12-22 Alkyl Acrylate/Hydroxyethylacrylate Copolymer
StabilisingDrometrizole Trisiloxane
UV AbsorberPerlite
AbsorbentCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingTocopherol
AntioxidantHydroxyacetophenone
AntioxidantHydroxyethylcellulose
Emulsion StabilisingSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantTriethanolamine
BufferingTrisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate
Silica Silylate
EmollientLimonene
PerfumingLinalool
PerfumingCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientAlpha-Isomethyl Ionone
PerfumingTerephthalylidene Dicamphor Sulfonic Acid
UV AbsorberAcrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingHexyl Cinnamal
PerfumingParfum
MaskingWater, Alcohol Denat., Diisopropyl Sebacate, Silica, Isopropyl Myristate, Ethylhexyl Salicylate, Ethylhexyl Triazone, Bis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine, Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane, Glycerin, Propanediol, C12-22 Alkyl Acrylate/Hydroxyethylacrylate Copolymer, Drometrizole Trisiloxane, Perlite, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Tocopherol, Hydroxyacetophenone, Hydroxyethylcellulose, Sodium Hyaluronate, Triethanolamine, Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate, Silica Silylate, Limonene, Linalool, Caprylyl Glycol, Alpha-Isomethyl Ionone, Terephthalylidene Dicamphor Sulfonic Acid, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Hexyl Cinnamal, Parfum
Water
Skin ConditioningOctocrylene
UV AbsorberIsopropyl Lauroyl Sarcosinate
Skin ConditioningEthylhexyl Salicylate
UV AbsorberGlycerin
HumectantDimethicone
EmollientButyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane
UV AbsorberDiisopropyl Sebacate
EmollientSucrose Tristearate
EmollientAluminum Starch Octenylsuccinate
AbsorbentSilica
AbrasivePolymethyl Methacrylate
Polysorbate 61
EmulsifyingPentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningAllantoin
Skin ConditioningCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingDimethiconol
EmollientDisodium EDTA
Glycyrrhetinic Acid
Skin ConditioningHydroxypalmitoyl Sphinganine
Skin ConditioningPanthenol
Skin ConditioningPhenoxyethanol
PreservativePotassium Sorbate
PreservativeSodium Stearoyl Glutamate
CleansingTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantTriethanolamine
BufferingXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingZinc Gluconate
Skin ConditioningWater, Octocrylene, Isopropyl Lauroyl Sarcosinate, Ethylhexyl Salicylate, Glycerin, Dimethicone, Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane, Diisopropyl Sebacate, Sucrose Tristearate, Aluminum Starch Octenylsuccinate, Silica, Polymethyl Methacrylate, Polysorbate 61, Pentylene Glycol, Allantoin, Caprylyl Glycol, Carbomer, Dimethiconol, Disodium EDTA, Glycyrrhetinic Acid, Hydroxypalmitoyl Sphinganine, Panthenol, Phenoxyethanol, Potassium Sorbate, Sodium Stearoyl Glutamate, Tocopheryl Acetate, Triethanolamine, Xanthan Gum, Zinc Gluconate
Reviews
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 MethoxydibenzoylmethaneCaprylyl Glycol is a humectant, skin conditioner, emollient, and preservative booster derived from either caprylic acid or synthetically created.
Typical use levels vary from 0.3-1% as a preservative booster and go up to 2% to condition skin.
Because it is not a free-fatty acid or alcohol, this ingredient is fungal acne safe (there's nothing for Malassezia to feed on).
Learn more about Caprylyl GlycolWe don't have a description for Diisopropyl Sebacate yet.
Ethylhexyl 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 (or glycerol) is a compound naturally found in your skin. It's a powerhouse humectant that pulls water into the stratum corneum.
Topically, glycerin does several things at once:
Your skin makes glycerin on its own (mostly from sebaceous oil breakdown) and shuttles it to your outermost layer of skin, or your epidermis, via aquaporin-3.
Aquaporin-3 is a transporter that is essential for normal skin hydration, elasticity, and repair. Interestingly, mice lacking in AQP3 have dry and less elastic skin that can be fully corrected with glycerin.
This ingredient is non-irritating, plays well with almost every ingredient, and works across all skin types. Typical use is anywhere between 3-10% but can go up to 79% in some leave-on products.
Just know very high concentrations (>40%) can feel tacky in low humidity.
Glycerin is the name for this ingredient in American English. British English uses Glycerol/Glycerine.
Learn more about GlycerinSilica, also known as silicon dioxide, is a naturally occurring mineral. It is used as a fine, spherical, and porous powder in cosmetics.
Though it has exfoliant properties, the function of silica varies depending on the product.
The unique structure of silica enhances the spreadability and adds smoothness, making it a great texture enhancer.
It is also used as an active carrier, emulsifier, and mattifier due to its ability to absorb excess oil.
In some products, tiny microneedles called spicules are made from silica or hydrolyzed sponge. When you rub them in, they lightly polish away dead skin layers and enhance the penetration of active ingredients.
Learn more about SilicaTriethanolamine (TEA) is an emulsifier and pH adjuster. It is created using ethylene oxide and ammonia. This gives Triethanolamine a nitrogen core and a similar scent to ammonia.
As an emulsifier, it prevents ingredients from separating and enhances texture by adding volume to a product.
PH adjusters are common in cosmetic products. The pH of a product can affect the effectiveness of other ingredients. A product with a high pH may also irritate the skin.
If you are looking for the tea leaf ingredient, click here.
Learn more about TriethanolamineWater. 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. Remember to stay hydrated!
Learn more about Water