La Roche-Posay Anthelios UVAir Serum Sunscreen SPF 50 Versus Tanologist Super Shield Face Mist SPF 50
What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane 3%
UV Absorber
Homosalate 7%
Skin Conditioning
Ethylhexyl Salicylate 5%
UV Absorber
Octocrylene 7%
UV Absorber
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
Humectant
C15-19 Alkane
SolventNiacinamide
Smoothing
Propanediol
Solvent
C12-22 Alkyl Acrylate/Hydroxyethylacrylate Copolymer
StabilisingTocopherol
Antioxidant
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Cassia Alata Leaf Extract
AstringentCetearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Citric Acid
Buffering
Diethylhexyl Syringylidenemalonate
Skin ProtectingGlyceryl Stearate
Emollient
Helianthus Annuus Seed Wax
Skin Conditioning
Hydroxyacetophenone
Antioxidant
Hydroxypropyl Starch Phosphate
Jojoba Esters
Emollient
Maltodextrin
Absorbent
Pentylene Glycol
Skin Conditioning
Polyglycerin-3
Humectant
Sclerotium Gum
Emulsion StabilisingSodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingSodium Starch Octenylsuccinate
AbsorbentSodium Stearoyl Glutamate
CleansingTrisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate
Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane 3%, Homosalate 7%, Ethylhexyl Salicylate 5%, Octocrylene 7%, Water, Glycerin, C15-19 Alkane, Niacinamide, Propanediol, C12-22 Alkyl Acrylate/Hydroxyethylacrylate Copolymer, Tocopherol, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Caprylyl Glycol, Cassia Alata Leaf Extract, Cetearyl Alcohol, Citric Acid, Diethylhexyl Syringylidenemalonate, Glyceryl Stearate, Helianthus Annuus Seed Wax, Hydroxyacetophenone, Hydroxypropyl Starch Phosphate, Jojoba Esters, Maltodextrin, Pentylene Glycol, Polyglycerin-3, Sclerotium Gum, Sodium Hyaluronate, Sodium Hydroxide, Sodium Starch Octenylsuccinate, Sodium Stearoyl Glutamate, Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate
Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane 3%
UV Absorber
Ethylhexyl Salicylate 5%
UV Absorber
Octocrylene 6%
UV Absorber
Alcohol Denat.
Antimicrobial
Butyloctyl Salicylate
Skin Conditioning
Polyester-8
Skin Conditioning
Ethylhexyl Methoxycrylene
Skin Conditioning
Menthanediol
Skin ConditioningLaminaria Digitata Extract
Skin Protecting
Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate
Antioxidant
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Bisabolol
Antioxidant
Ethyl Ferulate
Antioxidant
Parfum
Masking
Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil
Emollient
Limonene
Perfuming
Benzyl Salicylate
Perfuming
Coumarin
Perfuming
Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane 3%, Ethylhexyl Salicylate 5%, Octocrylene 6%, Alcohol Denat., Butyloctyl Salicylate, Polyester-8, Ethylhexyl Methoxycrylene, Menthanediol, Laminaria Digitata Extract, Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate, Tocopherol, Bisabolol, Ethyl Ferulate, Parfum, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Limonene, Benzyl Salicylate, Coumarin
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 MethoxydibenzoylmethaneEthylhexyl 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 SalicylateOctocrylene protects skin from sun damage. It absorbs UV-B with peak absorption of 304 nm. It is a common sunscreen ingredient and often paired with avobenzone, a UVA filter. This is because octocrylene stabilizes other sunscreen ingredients by protecting them from degradation when exposed to sunlight. Octocrylene is a photostable ingredient and loses about 10% of SPF in 95 minutes.
Octocrylene also acts as an emollient, meaning it helps skin retain moisture and softens skin. It is oil-soluble and hydrophobic, enhancing water-resistant properties in a product.
Those who are using ketoprofen, a topical anti-inflammatory drug, may experience an allergic reaction when using octocrylene. It is best to speak with a healthcare professional about using sunscreens with octocrylene.
The EU allows a maximum of these concentrations:
Learn more about OctocryleneTocopherol is a fat-soluble antioxidant known as Vitamin E.
You'll find this ingredient in the vast majority of skincare (for good reason). It works to neutralize free radicals, or unstable molecules generated by UV exposure, pollution, and other environmental stressors, before they can cause oxidative damage to your skin cells.
Topically applied tocopherol has been shown to protect against UV damage by ramping up the skin's own natural defense enzymes.
It also acts as a skin conditioning agent; some studies show that regular topical use can improve the skin's water-binding capacity over 2-4 weeks.
This ingredient is especially loved for being a team player. When combined with Vitamin C, the photoprotective effect of both ingredients roughly doubles and the combo also helps reduce UV-induced DNA damage.
This ingredient has some brightening potential but it's more of a prevention ingredient than spot-fader. Cell studies show it can slow down melanin production but it's worth noting that it's not the most powerful brightener out there.
In formulations, it also serves as a stabilizer that helps protect other oxidation-prone ingredients from degrading.
Concentrations usually range from 0.1-1% in most leave-on products.
Learn more about Tocopherol
