La Roche-Posay Anthelios Ultra Light Face Sunscreen-SPF 60 Versus Isntree Hyaluronic Acid Perfect Sun Block SPF 50 PA++++
This chemical sunscreen covers most of the UV range, lighter on the deep UVA that drives aging.
This mineral sunscreen covers the full UV range and blocks ~98% of UVB at SPF 50.
What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane 3%
UV AbsorberHomosalate 10%
Skin ConditioningEthylhexyl Salicylate 5%
UV AbsorberOctocrylene 7%
UV AbsorberWater
Skin ConditioningCyclopentasiloxane
EmollientAlcohol Denat.
AntimicrobialSilica
AbrasiveDicaprylyl Ether
EmollientStyrene/Acrylates Copolymer
PEG-30 Dipolyhydroxystearate
EmulsifyingDimethicone
EmollientCyclohexasiloxane
EmollientPolymethylsilsesquioxane
Nylon-12
Dicaprylyl Carbonate
EmollientDiethylhexyl Syringylidenemalonate
Skin ProtectingPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeLauryl PEG/PPG-18/18 Methicone
Skin ConditioningSodium Chloride
MaskingCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientPEG-8 Laurate
EmulsifyingIsostearyl Alcohol
EmollientPoly C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate
Emulsion StabilisingDisteardimonium Hectorite
StabilisingP-Anisic Acid
MaskingCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingDisodium EDTA
Cassia Alata Leaf Extract
AstringentPropylene Carbonate
SolventSodium Dodecylbenzenesulfonate
CleansingTocopherol
AntioxidantButyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane 3%, Homosalate 10%, Ethylhexyl Salicylate 5%, Octocrylene 7%, Water, Cyclopentasiloxane, Alcohol Denat., Silica, Dicaprylyl Ether, Styrene/Acrylates Copolymer, PEG-30 Dipolyhydroxystearate, Dimethicone, Cyclohexasiloxane, Polymethylsilsesquioxane, Nylon-12, Dicaprylyl Carbonate, Diethylhexyl Syringylidenemalonate, Phenoxyethanol, Lauryl PEG/PPG-18/18 Methicone, Sodium Chloride, Caprylyl Glycol, PEG-8 Laurate, Isostearyl Alcohol, Poly C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate, Disteardimonium Hectorite, P-Anisic Acid, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Disodium EDTA, Cassia Alata Leaf Extract, Propylene Carbonate, Sodium Dodecylbenzenesulfonate, Tocopherol
Water
Skin ConditioningC12-15 Alkyl Benzoate
AntimicrobialTitanium Dioxide
Cosmetic ColorantPropanediol
SolventButylene Glycol
HumectantAcrylates Copolymer
Niacinamide
SmoothingCetyl Ethylhexanoate
Emollient1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningAluminum Stearate
Cosmetic ColorantPolyhydroxystearic Acid
EmulsifyingPentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningPolymethylsilsesquioxane
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingPinus Pinaster Bark Extract
AntioxidantCeramide NP
Skin ConditioningOlea Europaea Fruit Oil
MaskingFicus Carica Fruit Extract
HumectantCentella Asiatica Extract
CleansingLactobacillus Ferment Lysate
Skin ConditioningSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantSilica
AbrasiveAlumina
AbrasiveGlycerin
HumectantHydrogenated Lecithin
EmulsifyingStearic Acid
CleansingHydroxypropyl Methylcellulose Stearoxy Ether
Sodium Stearoyl Glutamate
CleansingPolyacrylate Crosspolymer-6
Emulsion StabilisingTocopherol
AntioxidantAstaxanthin
Skin ConditioningHyaluronic Acid
HumectantSodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer
HumectantHydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid
HumectantAscorbyl Propyl Hyaluronate
Skin ConditioningHydroxypropyltrimonium Hyaluronate
Adenosine
Skin ConditioningAmmonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer
Hydrolyzed Sodium Hyaluronate
Skin ConditioningSodium Acetylated Hyaluronate
HumectantXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingT-Butyl Alcohol
PerfumingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningWater, C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate, Titanium Dioxide, Propanediol, Butylene Glycol, Acrylates Copolymer, Niacinamide, Cetyl Ethylhexanoate, 1,2-Hexanediol, Aluminum Stearate, Polyhydroxystearic Acid, Pentylene Glycol, Polymethylsilsesquioxane, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Pinus Pinaster Bark Extract, Ceramide NP, Olea Europaea Fruit Oil, Ficus Carica Fruit Extract, Centella Asiatica Extract, Lactobacillus Ferment Lysate, Sodium Hyaluronate, Silica, Alumina, Glycerin, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Stearic Acid, Hydroxypropyl Methylcellulose Stearoxy Ether, Sodium Stearoyl Glutamate, Polyacrylate Crosspolymer-6, Tocopherol, Astaxanthin, Hyaluronic Acid, Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, Ascorbyl Propyl Hyaluronate, Hydroxypropyltrimonium Hyaluronate, Adenosine, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer, Hydrolyzed Sodium Hyaluronate, Sodium Acetylated Hyaluronate, Xanthan Gum, T-Butyl Alcohol, Ethylhexylglycerin
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride (aka MCT Oil) is a lightweight emollient, solvent, and texture enhancer. It is considered a skin-softener by helping to prevent moisture loss.
Though it behaves like an oil, it is not technically one due to its chemical composition. One perk of this ingredient is that it is very stable, resistant to oxidation, and unlikely to go rancid.
In practice, that translates to a long shelf life and a consistently elegant skin feel.
While there is an assumption Caprylic Triglyceride can clog pores due to it being derived from coconut oil, there is no research supporting this. Just patch test if you have concerns.
Fractionated coconut oil and MCT Oil are both listed as Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride according to INCI. This is because INCI names are based on the ingredient’s final chemical composition and not its marketing name or source.
This ingredient is treated as the gold standard fungal acne safe oil. Even though it is coconut derived, the problematic lauric acid is stripped out.
This leaves just caprylic (C8) and capric (C10) acid. These chain lengths actually trend antifungal; a 2020 study found caprylic acid was enough to disrupt Malassezia furfur cell membrane, with a caprylic acid derivative damaging membrane structures at concentrations as low as 0.2%.
Learn more about Caprylic/Capric TriglyceridePolymethylsilsesquioxane is a silicone used as a film forming agent.
When applied to the skin, this ingredient creates an invisible film on the surface. This film still allows oxygen to pass through, but prevents moisture from escaping. This can help condition and hydrate the skin. It also leaves a silky feel when applied.
Polymethylsilsesquioxane has not been shown to clog pores. It has been deemed safe to use up to 55%, but most cosmetics use much less.
If you have concerns about using this ingredient, we recommend speaking with a professional.
Learn more about PolymethylsilsesquioxaneSilica, 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 SilicaTocopherol 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 TocopherolWater. 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