La Roche-Posay Effaclar Duo [+] SPF 30 - UK Versus Kiehl's Ultra Light Daily UV Defense Aqua Gel SPF 50
Updated on January 30, 2025
Overview
Cool Features
They both contain SPF
Suited For
They're both likely to be good for anti aging, dry skin, brightening skin, sensitive skin, reducing pores and scar healing
Free From
They both do not contain any common allergens, oils, parabens or sulfates
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 needs an update? Let us know.
Ingredient Info
La Roche-Posay Effaclar Duo [+] SPF 30 34 ingredients
Kiehl's Ultra Light Daily UV Defense Aqua Gel SPF 50 40 ingredients
What's inside (and what isn't)
What's inside (and what isn't)
At a glance
Click on any of the items below to learn more
La Roche-Posay Effaclar Duo [+] SPF 30 34 ingredients
Kiehl's Ultra Light Daily UV Defense Aqua Gel SPF 50 40 ingredients
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningOctocrylene
UV Absorber
Glycerin
Humectant
Homosalate
Skin Conditioning
Ethylhexyl Salicylate
UV Absorber
Alcohol Denat.
Antimicrobial
Niacinamide
Smoothing
Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane
UV Absorber
Dimethicone
Emollient
Sorbitan Stearate
Emulsifying
Silica
Abrasive
Isopropyl Lauroyl Sarcosinate
Skin ConditioningStyrene/Acrylates Copolymer
Propylene Glycol
Humectant
Potassium Cetyl Phosphate
EmulsifyingDiisopropyl Sebacate
EmollientPEG-20
HumectantPEG-8 Laurate
Emulsifying
Zinc PCA
Humectant
Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer
Skin Conditioning
Oleamide
2-Oleamido-1,3-Octadecanediol
Skin ConditioningInulin Lauryl Carbamate
Emulsion StabilisingCarnosine
Skin Conditioning
Poloxamer 338
EmulsifyingAmmonium Polyacryloyldimethyl Taurate
Emulsion StabilisingDisodium EDTA
Sucrose Cocoate
Emulsifying
Capryloyl Salicylic Acid
Exfoliating
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingT-Butyl Alcohol
Perfuming
BHT
Antioxidant
Salicylic Acid
Masking
Parfum
Masking
Water, Octocrylene, Glycerin, Homosalate, Ethylhexyl Salicylate, Alcohol Denat., Niacinamide, Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane, Dimethicone, Sorbitan Stearate, Silica, Isopropyl Lauroyl Sarcosinate, Styrene/Acrylates Copolymer, Propylene Glycol, Potassium Cetyl Phosphate, Diisopropyl Sebacate, PEG-20, PEG-8 Laurate, Zinc PCA, Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Oleamide, 2-Oleamido-1,3-Octadecanediol, Inulin Lauryl Carbamate, Carnosine, Poloxamer 338, Ammonium Polyacryloyldimethyl Taurate, Disodium EDTA, Sucrose Cocoate, Capryloyl Salicylic Acid, Xanthan Gum, T-Butyl Alcohol, BHT, Salicylic Acid, Parfum
Water
Skin ConditioningAlcohol Denat.
Antimicrobial
Diisopropyl Sebacate
EmollientIsopropyl Lauroyl Sarcosinate
Skin ConditioningEthylhexyl Triazone
UV Absorber
Propylene Glycol
Humectant
Bis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine
Skin Conditioning
Diethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl Benzoate
UV Filter
Titanium Dioxide
Cosmetic Colorant
Glycerin
Humectant
Methyl Methacrylate Crosspolymer
Drometrizole Trisiloxane
UV Absorber
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Stearic Acid
Cleansing
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Cetyl Alcohol
Emollient
Palmitic Acid
Emollient
Styrene/Acrylates Copolymer
Ceteth-10
EmulsifyingCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientMenthoxypropanediol
Masking
Dextrin Palmitate
Emulsifying
Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingAluminum Hydroxide
EmollientAmmonium Polyacryloyldimethyl Taurate
Emulsion StabilisingButylene Glycol
Humectant
Potassium Hydroxide
BufferingPEG-8 Laurate
Emulsifying
Disodium EDTA
Adenosine
Skin Conditioning
Myristic Acid
Cleansing
Gentiana Lutea Root Extract
Skin ConditioningPentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningMentha Piperita Extract
CleansingButyrospermum Parkii Seedcake Extract
Skin Protecting
Rosa Gallica Flower Extract
AstringentSorbitol
Humectant
Moringa Oleifera Seed Extract
Skin Conditioning
Disodium Phosphate
BufferingCitric Acid
Buffering
Water, Alcohol Denat., Diisopropyl Sebacate, Isopropyl Lauroyl Sarcosinate, Ethylhexyl Triazone, Propylene Glycol, Bis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine, Diethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl Benzoate, Titanium Dioxide, Glycerin, Methyl Methacrylate Crosspolymer, Drometrizole Trisiloxane, Tocopherol, Stearic Acid, Phenoxyethanol, Cetyl Alcohol, Palmitic Acid, Styrene/Acrylates Copolymer, Ceteth-10, Caprylyl Glycol, Menthoxypropanediol, Dextrin Palmitate, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Aluminum Hydroxide, Ammonium Polyacryloyldimethyl Taurate, Butylene Glycol, Potassium Hydroxide, PEG-8 Laurate, Disodium EDTA, Adenosine, Myristic Acid, Gentiana Lutea Root Extract, Pentylene Glycol, Mentha Piperita Extract, Butyrospermum Parkii Seedcake Extract, Rosa Gallica Flower Extract, Sorbitol, Moringa Oleifera Seed Extract, Disodium Phosphate, Citric Acid
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Alcohol Denat. is an alcohol with a denaturant property. It is created by mixing ethanol with other additives.
This ingredient gets a bad rep because it is irritating and drying - mostly due to its astringent property. Astringents draw out natural oils in tissue, constricting pores and leaving your skin dried out.
However, alcohol denat. is not all that bad.
Due to its low molecular weight, alcohol denat. tends to evaporate quickly. One study on pig skin found half of applied alcohol evaporated in 10 seconds and less than 3% stayed on skin.
This also helps other ingredients become better absorbed upon application.
Studies are conflicted about whether this ingredient causes skin dehydration. One study from 2005 found adding emollients to propanol-based sanitizer decreased skin dryness and irritation. Another study found irritation only occurs if your skin is already damaged.
Small amounts of alcohol are generally tolerated by oily skin or people who live in humid environments.
The rule of thumb is if this alcohol is near the end of an ingredients list, it will probably not affect your skin much.
Also...
This ingredient has antimicrobial and solvent properties.
The antimicrobial property helps preserve products and increase their shelf life. As a solvent, it helps dissolve other ingredients.
Other types of astringent alcohols include:
Learn more about Alcohol Denat.Ammonium Polyacryloyldimethyl Taurate is a polymer made from ammonium salts. It helps add stability and texture to a product. This ingredient is stable over a wide pH range.
Due to its ability to absorb water, it can help thicken the texture of a product. As an emulsion stabilizer, this ingredient is stabilizes other ingredients to create a consistent texture.
According to a manufacturer, it helps create a "smooth, light and fresh" texture.
Learn more about Ammonium Polyacryloyldimethyl TaurateWe don't have a description for Diisopropyl Sebacate yet.
Disodium EDTA plays a role in making products more stable by aiding other preservatives.
It is a chelating agent, meaning it neutralizes metal ions that may be found in a product.
Disodium EDTA is a salt of edetic acid and is found to be safe in cosmetic ingredients.
Learn more about Disodium EDTAGlycerin 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 GlycerinWe don't have a description for Isopropyl Lauroyl Sarcosinate yet.
PEG-8 Laurate isn't fungal acne safe.
Propylene Glycol is an odorless, colorless liquid. As a humectant, it helps skin retain moisture. It also aids in delivering active ingredients.
Another role of this ingredient is preventing a product from melting or freezing. Propylene glycol also adds antimicrobrial properties to a product, elongating product lifespan.
This ingredient is considered an organic alcohol and commonly added into both cosmetics and foods.
Those with sensitive skin or conditions may develop a rash when using this ingredient.
Learn more about Propylene GlycolWe don't have a description for Styrene/Acrylates Copolymer yet.
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. If you see this, drink a glass of water. Stay hydrated!
Learn more about WaterIngredient Ratings
Here's what our community thinks of the ingredients in these products.
When to use
La Roche-Posay Effaclar Duo [+] SPF 30 34 ingredients
Kiehl's Ultra Light Daily UV Defense Aqua Gel SPF 50 40 ingredients
Reviews
Here's what our community thinks
La Roche-Posay Effaclar Duo [+] SPF 30 34 ingredients
Kiehl's Ultra Light Daily UV Defense Aqua Gel SPF 50 40 ingredients
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