Here's our complete breakdown comparing the ingredients, attributes, and more of Lancôme UV Expert Aquagel Defense Primer & Moisturizer SPF 50 versus Bobbi Brown Primer Plus Protection SPF 50 .
Published on August 03, 2023
Overview
Cool Features
They both contain SPF
Suited For
They're both likely to be good for dry skin
Free From
They both do not contain any parabens or sulfates
What's Inside
They both contain fragrances and silicones
We independently verify ingredients, and our claims are backed by peer-reviewed research. Spot a product that need an update? Let us know.
General Moisturizer
All-purpose moisturizers hydrate the top layer of skin cells.
Day Moisturizer
Day Moisturizers are marketed to hydrate the skin during the daytime.
Price
Ingredient Info
Lancôme UV Expert Aquagel Defense Primer & Moisturizer SPF 50 31 ingredients
Bobbi Brown Primer Plus Protection SPF 50 42 ingredients
Contains Alcohol
Ingredients in this product that are types of alcohol:
Contains Silicon
Ingredients in this product that are types of silicon:
Contains Fragrance
Ingredients in this product that are forms of fragrance:
Sulfate Free
This product is free of sulfates 🎉
Paraben Free
This product is free of parabens 🎉
Oil Free
This product is free of oils 🎉
Not Malassezia Safe
Ingredients in this product that are not malassezia safe:
Not Reef Safe
Ingredients in this product that are not reef safe:
EU Allergen Free
This product is free of EU allergens 🎉
Non Vegan
This product is not vegan 😥
Not Cruelty Free
This product is not cruelty-free 😥
Alcohol Free
This product is free of harsh alcohols 🎉
Contains Silicon
Ingredients in this product that are types of silicon:
Contains Fragrance
Ingredients in this product that are forms of fragrance:
Sulfate Free
This product is free of sulfates 🎉
Paraben Free
This product is free of parabens 🎉
Contains Oils
Ingredients in this product that are types of oil:
Not Malassezia Safe
Ingredients in this product that are not malassezia safe:
Not Reef Safe
Ingredients in this product that are not reef safe:
Contains EU Allergens
Ingredients in this product that are EU allergens:
Non Vegan
This product is not vegan 😥
Not Cruelty Free
This product is not cruelty-free 😥
At a glance
Click on any of the items below to learn more
Lancôme UV Expert Aquagel Defense Primer & Moisturizer SPF 50 31 ingredients
Bobbi Brown Primer Plus Protection SPF 50 42 ingredients
Notable Ingredients
This product contains 5 ingredients that may have this attribute:
This product contains 1 ingredient that may have this attribute:
This product contains 1 ingredient that may have this attribute:
Benefits
This product contains 2 ingredients that may have this attribute:
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This product contains 1 ingredient that may have this attribute:
This product contains 2 ingredients that may have this attribute:
Concerns
This product contains 1 ingredient that may have this attribute:
This product contains 1 ingredient that may have this attribute:
This product contains 4 ingredients that may have this attribute:
This product contains 5 ingredients that may have this attribute:
This product contains 5 ingredients that may have this attribute:
Notable Ingredients
This product contains 5 ingredients that may have this attribute:
This product contains 1 ingredient that may have this attribute:
Benefits
This product contains 1 ingredient that may have this attribute:
This product contains 1 ingredient that may have this attribute:
Concerns
This product contains 2 ingredients that may have this attribute:
This product contains 2 ingredients that may have this attribute:
This product contains 2 ingredients that may have this attribute:
This product contains 2 ingredients that may have this attribute:
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Join SkinSortIngredients Compared
Ingredients that are highlighted in purple are present in both products.
Lancôme UV Expert Aquagel Defense Primer & Moisturizer SPF 50 31 ingredients
Bobbi Brown Primer Plus Protection SPF 50 42 ingredients
Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane 3% • Homosalate 10.7% • Ethylhexyl Salicylate 3.2% • Octocrylene 6% • Benzophenone-3 3.9% • Water • Dimethicone • Alcohol Denat. • Styrene/Acrylates Copolymer • Acrylates Copolymer • Tocopherol • Sodium Polyacrylate • Sodium Dodecylbenzenesulfonate • Sodium Benzoate • Phenoxyethanol • Peg-8 Laurate • Silica • Pentylene Glycol • Mentha Piperita Extract • Propylene Glycol • Leontopodium Alpinum Flower/Leaf Extract • Caprylyl Glycol • Sorbitol • Moringa Oleifera Seed Extract • Disodium EDTA • Rosa Gallica Flower Extract • Disodium Phosphate • Citric Acid • Potassium Sorbate • Glycerin • Parfum
Water • Ethylhexyl Salicylate • Homosalate • Butyloctyl Salicylate • Methyl Trimethicone • Neopentyl Glycol Diheptanoate • Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane • Benzophenone-3 • Aleurites Moluccanus Seed Oil • Octocrylene • Lauryl Peg-9 Polydimethylsiloxyethyl Dimethicone • Peg-100 Stearate • Butylene Glycol • Glyceryl Stearate • Dipentaerythrityl Tri-Polyhydroxystearate • Laminaria Ochroleuca Extract • Laminaria Digitata Extract • Algae Extract • Lavandula Angustifolia Extract • Pelargonium Graveolens Flower Oil • Sodium Hyaluronate • Caffeine • Ergothioneine • Sorbitol • Ethylhexylglycerin • Potassium Cetyl Phosphate • Cetyl Alcohol • Vp/Eicosene Copolymer • Saccharide Isomerate • Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride • Caprylyl Glycol • Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer • Stearic Acid • Dehydroxanthan Gum • Sodium Dehydroacetate • Disodium EDTA • Phenoxyethanol • Citric Acid • Citronellol • Geraniol • Linalool • Mica
Ingredients Side-by-side
Ingredients that are highlighted in purple are present in both products.
Learn more about what what Com. / Irr. ratings are
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 MethoxydibenzoylmethaneLancôme UV Expert Aquagel Defense Primer & Moisturizer SPF 50 contains this as ingredient number 1.
Bobbi Brown Primer Plus Protection SPF 50 contains this as ingredient number 7.
Homosalate is a chemical sunscreen filter that provides protection in the UV-B range (280nm - 320 nm), with a peak protection at 306 nm. It is internationally approved for use in sunscreens.
Homosalate is not photo-stable, meaning it's strength as a UV filter degrades over time with exposure to the sun. Because of this, it's often used in combination with other chemical sunscreen filters as avobenzone (which protects from the UV-A range). Homosalate also helps act as a solvent for harder-to-dissolve UV filters.
(Part of the reason that sunscreens need to be frequently re-applied is due to the photo instability of many chemical sunscreen filters)
Currently, homosalate is approved in concentrations up to 10% in the EU and 15% in the US. The FDA is currently doing further research on the effects of homosalate, and it is possible that these approved concentrations will change in the future.
Learn more about HomosalateLancôme UV Expert Aquagel Defense Primer & Moisturizer SPF 50 contains this as ingredient number 2.
Bobbi Brown Primer Plus Protection SPF 50 contains this as ingredient number 3.
Ethylhexyl 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 SalicylateLancôme UV Expert Aquagel Defense Primer & Moisturizer SPF 50 contains this as ingredient number 3.
Bobbi Brown Primer Plus Protection SPF 50 contains this as ingredient number 2.
Octocrylene 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 OctocryleneLancôme UV Expert Aquagel Defense Primer & Moisturizer SPF 50 contains this as ingredient number 4.
Bobbi Brown Primer Plus Protection SPF 50 contains this as ingredient number 10.
You probably know this ingredient as Oxybenzone, a sunscreen ingredient. It is a broad-spectrum sunscreen ingredient, meaning it can protect the skin against UVB and short UVA rays. The absorption range is 270-350 nm with peak absorption at 288 and 350 nm.
This chemical ingredient protects your skin by using chemical reactions to convert UV rays into heat and energy. UV absorbers may absorb both UVA and UVB rays. It is often combined with other sunscreen ingredients to help with stability.
Ongoing research is looking into whether oxybenzone causes skin irritation and sensitivity. However, it has been shown to trigger contact dermatitis in some studies.
Oxybenzone is allowed in certain concentrations by many countries. It is allowed up to 6% in the US, and Canada, 5% in Japan, and 10% in Australia. Other countries and regions of the US have banned this ingredient to protect coral reefs and marine ecosystems. These places include Hawaii, Key West, US Virgin Islands, marine parks in Thailand, Aruba, and Palau.
The EU currently allows the following maximum concentrations:
Studies show conflicting results about oxybenzone being absorbed into the human body. The Swedish Research Institute has advised careful use of this ingredient by pregnant women and children. We always recommend speaking with a professional if you have concerns about this ingredient and your health.
Learn more about Benzophenone-3Lancôme UV Expert Aquagel Defense Primer & Moisturizer SPF 50 contains this as ingredient number 5.
Bobbi Brown Primer Plus Protection SPF 50 contains this as ingredient number 8.
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. Talk about multi-purpose! If you see this, drink a glass of water. Stay hydrated!
Learn more about WaterLancôme UV Expert Aquagel Defense Primer & Moisturizer SPF 50 contains this as ingredient number 6.
Bobbi Brown Primer Plus Protection SPF 50 contains this as ingredient number 1.
Phenoxyethanol is a preservative that has germicide, antimicrobial, and aromatic properties. Studies show that phenoxyethanol can prevent germ and 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.
Lancôme UV Expert Aquagel Defense Primer & Moisturizer SPF 50 contains this as ingredient number 15.
Bobbi Brown Primer Plus Protection SPF 50 contains this as ingredient number 37.
Caprylyl Glycol is a humectant and emollient, meaning it attracts and preserves moisture.
It is a common ingredient in many products, especially those designed to hydrate skin. The primary benefits are retaining moisture, skin softening, and promoting a healthy skin barrier.
Though Caprylyl Glycol is an alcohol derived from fatty acids, it is not the kind that can dry out skin.
This ingredient is also used as a preservative to extend the life of products. It has slight antimicrobial properties.
Learn more about Caprylyl GlycolLancôme UV Expert Aquagel Defense Primer & Moisturizer SPF 50 contains this as ingredient number 22.
Bobbi Brown Primer Plus Protection SPF 50 contains this as ingredient number 31.
Sorbitol is a sugar alcohol. It is a hydrating and moisturizing agent created from the reduction process of glucose.
Most sorbitol is usually made from potato starch. It is also found in fruits such as apples and pears.
As a humectant, Sorbitol helps draw water to the skin. This helps keep the skin hydrated. Sorbitol also helps create a thicker texture in products. You might find sorbitol in your toothpaste and other gels.
It is a non-irritating ingredient that is great for those with dry skin.
Sorbitol is a prebiotic. It helps promote the growth of healthy bacteria on your skin. The bacteria on your skin form a microbiome. This microbiome helps protect your skin from infection and harmful bacteria.
Learn more about SorbitolLancôme UV Expert Aquagel Defense Primer & Moisturizer SPF 50 contains this as ingredient number 24.
Bobbi Brown Primer Plus Protection SPF 50 contains this as ingredient number 24.
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 EDTALancôme UV Expert Aquagel Defense Primer & Moisturizer SPF 50 contains this as ingredient number 26.
Bobbi Brown Primer Plus Protection SPF 50 contains this as ingredient number 36.
Citric Acid is an AHA derived from citrus fruits (think oranges, lemons, and limes!).
If you spot Citric Acid near the end of an ingredient list, it's likely there as a pH adjuster rather than an active ingredient.
As an AHA, Citric Acid removes the top layer of skin cells from the newer layer of skin underneath. This helps skin to remove dark spots and look more even.
Read more about some other popular AHA's here:
Learn more about Citric AcidLancôme UV Expert Aquagel Defense Primer & Moisturizer SPF 50 contains this as ingredient number 29.
Bobbi Brown Primer Plus Protection SPF 50 contains this as ingredient number 38.
Here's what our community thinks of the ingredients in these two products.
Lancôme UV Expert Aquagel Defense Primer & Moisturizer SPF 50 31 ingredients
Bobbi Brown Primer Plus Protection SPF 50 42 ingredients
Usage
Here's some more info on how this product is used by our community.
When to use
Lancôme UV Expert Aquagel Defense Primer & Moisturizer SPF 50 31 ingredients
Bobbi Brown Primer Plus Protection SPF 50 42 ingredients
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