La Roche-Posay Anthelios UVMune 400 Oil Control Gel-Cream SPF 50+ Fragrance Free Versus Dr Sam’s Flawless Daily Sunscreen SPF 50
What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningDiisopropyl Sebacate
EmollientSilica
AbrasiveAlcohol Denat.
AntimicrobialEthylhexyl Salicylate
UV AbsorberEthylhexyl Triazone
UV AbsorberBis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine
Skin ConditioningDiisopropyl Adipate
EmollientPEG-8
HumectantDipropylene Glycol
HumectantC12-22 Alkyl Acrylate/Hydroxyethylacrylate Copolymer
StabilisingGlycerin
HumectantDrometrizole Trisiloxane
UV AbsorberAluminum Starch Octenylsuccinate
AbsorbentButyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane
UV AbsorberMethoxypropylamino Cyclohexenylidene Ethoxyethylcyanoacetate
StabilisingTocopherol
AntioxidantDiethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl Benzoate
UV FilterAcrylates Copolymer
Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingBixa Orellana Seed Extract
MaskingCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientCitric Acid
BufferingHydroxyacetophenone
AntioxidantMaltodextrin
AbsorbentPentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate
AntioxidantPentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningSilica Silylate
EmollientSodium Polyacrylate
AbsorbentTerephthalylidene Dicamphor Sulfonic Acid
UV AbsorberTriethanolamine
BufferingTrisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate
Zinc PCA
HumectantWater, Diisopropyl Sebacate, Silica, Alcohol Denat., Ethylhexyl Salicylate, Ethylhexyl Triazone, Bis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine, Diisopropyl Adipate, PEG-8, Dipropylene Glycol, C12-22 Alkyl Acrylate/Hydroxyethylacrylate Copolymer, Glycerin, Drometrizole Trisiloxane, Aluminum Starch Octenylsuccinate, Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane, Methoxypropylamino Cyclohexenylidene Ethoxyethylcyanoacetate, Tocopherol, Diethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl Benzoate, Acrylates Copolymer, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Bixa Orellana Seed Extract, Caprylyl Glycol, Citric Acid, Hydroxyacetophenone, Maltodextrin, Pentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate, Pentylene Glycol, Silica Silylate, Sodium Polyacrylate, Terephthalylidene Dicamphor Sulfonic Acid, Triethanolamine, Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate, Zinc PCA
Water
Skin ConditioningZinc Oxide
Cosmetic ColorantOctyldodecyl Neopentanoate
EmollientCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingEthylhexyl Methoxycinnamate
UV AbsorberNiacinamide
SmoothingGlyceryl Stearate
EmollientPEG-100 Stearate
SurfactantCetearyl Alcohol
EmollientButyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin ConditioningHydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeSqualane
EmollientPolyhydroxystearic Acid
EmulsifyingSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantSodium Stearoyl Glutamate
CleansingTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantLactic Acid
BufferingCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingSodium Hydroxymethylglycinate
PreservativePolysorbate 60
Emulsifying1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningDisodium EDTA
Isostearic Acid
CleansingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningSorbitan Isostearate
EmulsifyingBiosaccharide Gum-4
Skin ConditioningCitric Acid
BufferingWater, Zinc Oxide, Octyldodecyl Neopentanoate, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate, Niacinamide, Glyceryl Stearate, PEG-100 Stearate, Cetearyl Alcohol, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Phenoxyethanol, Squalane, Polyhydroxystearic Acid, Sodium Hyaluronate, Sodium Stearoyl Glutamate, Tocopheryl Acetate, Lactic Acid, Carbomer, Sodium Hydroxymethylglycinate, Polysorbate 60, 1,2-Hexanediol, Disodium EDTA, Isostearic Acid, Ethylhexylglycerin, Sorbitan Isostearate, Biosaccharide Gum-4, Citric Acid
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Citric Acid is an alpha hydroxy acid (AHA) naturally found in citrus fruits like oranges, lemons, and limes.
Like other AHAs, citric acid can exfoliate skin by breaking down the bonds that hold dead skin cells together. This helps reveal smoother and brighter skin underneath.
However, this exfoliating effect only happens at high concentrations (20%) which can be hard to find in cosmetic products.
Due to this, citric acid is usually included in small amounts as a pH adjuster. This helps keep products slightly more acidic and compatible with skin's natural pH.
In skincare formulas, citric acid can:
While it can provide some skin benefits, research shows lactic acid and glycolic acid are generally more effective and less irritating exfoliants.
Most citric acid used in skincare today is made by fermenting sugars (usually from molasses). This synthetic version is identical to the natural citrus form but easier to stabilize and use in formulations.
Read more about some other popular AHA's here:
Learn more about Citric AcidWater. 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