La Mer The Broad Spectrum SPF 50 UV Protecting Fluid Versus SkinCeuticals Advanced Brightening UV Defense SPF50 Sunscreen
What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningButyloctyl Salicylate
Skin Conditioning
Methyl Trimethicone
Skin Conditioning
Neopentyl Glycol Diheptanoate
EmollientAleurites Moluccanus Seed Oil
Skin Conditioning
Lauryl PEG-9 Polydimethylsiloxyethyl Dimethicone
Skin Conditioning
PEG-100 Stearate
Surfactant
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Glyceryl Stearate
Emollient
Dipentaerythrityl Tri-Polyhydroxystearate
Emollient
Potassium Cetyl Phosphate
EmulsifyingAlgae Extract
EmollientSesamum Indicum Seed Oil
Emollient
Medicago Sativa Seed Powder
Skin ConditioningHelianthus Annuus Seedcake
Abrasive
Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis Seed Meal
Abrasive
Eucalyptus Globulus Leaf Oil
Perfuming
Sodium Gluconate
Skin ConditioningCopper Gluconate
Skin Conditioning
Calcium Gluconate
HumectantMagnesium Gluconate
Skin ConditioningZinc Gluconate
Skin Conditioning
Tocopheryl Succinate
Antioxidant
Niacin
SmoothingSesamum Indicum Seed Powder
Skin ConditioningLaminaria Ochroleuca Extract
Skin Conditioning
Malachite
Skin ConditioningCaffeine
Skin Conditioning
Sorbitol
Humectant
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Cetyl Alcohol
Emollient
Stearic Acid
Cleansing
Vp/Eicosene Copolymer
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningSaccharide Isomerate
Humectant
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer
Dehydroxanthan Gum
Emulsion StabilisingSodium Dehydroacetate
Preservative
Citric Acid
Buffering
Tourmaline
Styrene/Acrylates Copolymer
Silica
Abrasive
PEG-8 Laurate
Emulsifying
Parfum
Masking
Disodium EDTA
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Limonene
Perfuming
Geraniol
Perfuming
Hydroxycitronellal
Perfuming
Linalool
Perfuming
Citronellol
Perfuming
Mica
Cosmetic ColorantCI 61570
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantWater, Butyloctyl Salicylate, Methyl Trimethicone, Neopentyl Glycol Diheptanoate, Aleurites Moluccanus Seed Oil, Lauryl PEG-9 Polydimethylsiloxyethyl Dimethicone, PEG-100 Stearate, Butylene Glycol, Glyceryl Stearate, Dipentaerythrityl Tri-Polyhydroxystearate, Potassium Cetyl Phosphate, Algae Extract, Sesamum Indicum Seed Oil, Medicago Sativa Seed Powder, Helianthus Annuus Seedcake, Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis Seed Meal, Eucalyptus Globulus Leaf Oil, Sodium Gluconate, Copper Gluconate, Calcium Gluconate, Magnesium Gluconate, Zinc Gluconate, Tocopheryl Succinate, Niacin, Sesamum Indicum Seed Powder, Laminaria Ochroleuca Extract, Malachite, Caffeine, Sorbitol, Sodium Hyaluronate, Cetyl Alcohol, Stearic Acid, Vp/Eicosene Copolymer, Ethylhexylglycerin, Saccharide Isomerate, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Caprylyl Glycol, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer, Dehydroxanthan Gum, Sodium Dehydroacetate, Citric Acid, Tourmaline, Styrene/Acrylates Copolymer, Silica, PEG-8 Laurate, Parfum, Disodium EDTA, Phenoxyethanol, Limonene, Geraniol, Hydroxycitronellal, Linalool, Citronellol, Mica, CI 61570, CI 77891
Water
Skin ConditioningAlcohol Denat.
Antimicrobial
Ethylhexyl Triazone
UV Absorber
Drometrizole Trisiloxane
UV Absorber
Isononyl Isononanoate
EmollientIsopropyl Lauroyl Sarcosinate
Skin ConditioningButyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane
UV Absorber
Diisopropyl Sebacate
EmollientBis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine
Skin Conditioning
Niacinamide
Smoothing
Dimethicone
Emollient
Methylene Bis-Benzotriazolyl Tetramethylbutylphenol
UV Filter
Octocrylene
UV Absorber
Propanediol
Solvent
Ethylhexyl Salicylate
UV Absorber
Cetearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Silica
Abrasive
Tranexamic Acid
Astringent
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
PEG-10 Dimethicone
Skin Conditioning
CI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantPolyglyceryl-10 Laurate
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Stearoyl Glutamate
CleansingCaprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Cetearyl Glucoside
Emulsifying
Mica
Cosmetic ColorantGlycerin
Humectant
PEG-20
HumectantAmmonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer
Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate
Carbomer
Emulsion StabilisingInulin Lauryl Carbamate
Emulsion StabilisingT-Butyl Alcohol
Perfuming
Water, Alcohol Denat., Ethylhexyl Triazone, Drometrizole Trisiloxane, Isononyl Isononanoate, Isopropyl Lauroyl Sarcosinate, Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane, Diisopropyl Sebacate, Bis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine, Niacinamide, Dimethicone, Methylene Bis-Benzotriazolyl Tetramethylbutylphenol, Octocrylene, Propanediol, Ethylhexyl Salicylate, Cetearyl Alcohol, Silica, Tranexamic Acid, Tocopherol, Phenoxyethanol, PEG-10 Dimethicone, CI 77891, Polyglyceryl-10 Laurate, Sodium Stearoyl Glutamate, Caprylyl Glycol, Butylene Glycol, Cetearyl Glucoside, Mica, Glycerin, PEG-20, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer, Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate, Carbomer, Inulin Lauryl Carbamate, T-Butyl Alcohol
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer is a synthetically created polymer. It's used as a film-forming agent and used to thicken the consistency of products.
Think of it as a supportive ingredient that helps your gel-creams feel silky, "cloud cream-like", and spread evenly without being greasy.
The Cosmetic Ingredient Review (CIR) Expert Panel evaluated it (along with 22 other acryloyldimethyltaurate polymers) and concluded it's:
Due to its large molecular size, it sits on the surface of skin rather than penetrating it.
Learn more about Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp CopolymerButylene Glycol (or BG) is used within cosmetic products for a few different reasons:
Overall, Butylene Glycol is a safe and well-rounded ingredient that works well with other ingredients.
Though this ingredient works well with most skin types, some people with sensitive skin may experience a reaction such as allergic rashes, closed comedones, or itchiness.
Learn more about Butylene GlycolCaprylyl 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, this ingredient is fungal acne safe (there's nothing for Malassezia to feed on).
Learn more about Caprylyl GlycolCi 77891 is a white pigment from Titanium dioxide. It is naturally found in minerals such as rutile and ilmenite.
It's main function is to add a white color to cosmetics. It can also be mixed with other colors to create different shades.
Ci 77891 is commonly found in sunscreens due to its ability to block UV rays.
Learn more about CI 77891Mica is a naturally occurring mineral used to add shimmer and color in cosmetics. It can also help improve the texture of a product or give it an opaque, white/silver color.
Serecite is the name for very fine but ragged grains of mica.
This ingredient is often coated with metal oxides like titanium dioxide. Trace amounts of heavy metals may be found in mica, but these metals are not harmful in our personal products.
Mica has been used since prehistoric times throughout the world. Ancient Egyptian, Indian, Greek, Roman, Aztec, and Chinese civilizations have used mica.
Learn more about MicaPhenoxyethanol 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.
Silica, 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 SilicaWater. 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
