Luxe Organix High Protection Cloud Matte Soft Blurring Mineral Serum Sunscreen SPF 50+ PA++++ Versus iWhite Korea BB Holic Sun SPF 30
This hybrid 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
Water
Skin ConditioningCyclopentasiloxane
EmollientZinc Oxide
Cosmetic ColorantButyloctyl Salicylate
Skin ConditioningDimethicone
EmollientDipropylene Glycol
HumectantTitanium Dioxide
Cosmetic ColorantIsododecane
EmollientCetyl PEG/PPG-10/1 Dimethicone
EmulsifyingPEG-10 Dimethicone
Skin ConditioningNiacinamide
SmoothingPolymethyl Methacrylate
Cyclomethicone
EmollientHydrogenated Polydecene
EmollientSilica
AbrasivePropanediol
SolventHydrogen Dimethicone
Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer
Skin ConditioningVinyl Dimethicone/Methicone Silsesquioxane Crosspolymer
Sodium Chloride
MaskingSorbitan Sesquioleate
EmulsifyingAluminum Hydroxide
EmollientDisteardimonium Hectorite
StabilisingPolyhydroxystearic Acid
EmulsifyingStearic Acid
CleansingPolyglyceryl-2 Triisostearate
EmulsifyingCI 77492
Cosmetic ColorantCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningAdenosine
Skin ConditioningCI 77491
Cosmetic ColorantBisabolol
AntioxidantQuartz
AbrasivePentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate
AntioxidantButylene Glycol
HumectantCI 77499
Cosmetic ColorantGlycerin
Humectant1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningCentella Asiatica Extract
CleansingCamellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialLactobacillus Ferment
Skin ConditioningPrunus Mume Fruit Extract
HumectantPrunus Persica Leaf Extract
EmollientSalix Nigra Bark Extract
Skin ProtectingMorus Alba Root Extract
BleachingCornus Officinalis Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningGlycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract
BleachingArtemisia Princeps Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningHouttuynia Cordata Extract
Skin ConditioningCitrus Junos Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningAngelica Gigas Root Extract
Skin ConditioningPueraria Lobata Root Extract
HumectantScutellaria Baicalensis Root Extract
AstringentAstragalus Membranaceus Root Extract
EmollientSophora Japonica Root Extract
Skin ProtectingPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeBeta-Glucan
Skin ConditioningAsiaticoside
AntioxidantMadecassic Acid
Skin ConditioningAsiatic Acid
Skin ConditioningMadecassoside
AntioxidantWater, Cyclopentasiloxane, Zinc Oxide, Butyloctyl Salicylate, Dimethicone, Dipropylene Glycol, Titanium Dioxide, Isododecane, Cetyl PEG/PPG-10/1 Dimethicone, PEG-10 Dimethicone, Niacinamide, Polymethyl Methacrylate, Cyclomethicone, Hydrogenated Polydecene, Silica, Propanediol, Hydrogen Dimethicone, Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Vinyl Dimethicone/Methicone Silsesquioxane Crosspolymer, Sodium Chloride, Sorbitan Sesquioleate, Aluminum Hydroxide, Disteardimonium Hectorite, Polyhydroxystearic Acid, Stearic Acid, Polyglyceryl-2 Triisostearate, CI 77492, Caprylyl Glycol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Adenosine, CI 77491, Bisabolol, Quartz, Pentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate, Butylene Glycol, CI 77499, Glycerin, 1,2-Hexanediol, Centella Asiatica Extract, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Lactobacillus Ferment, Prunus Mume Fruit Extract, Prunus Persica Leaf Extract, Salix Nigra Bark Extract, Morus Alba Root Extract, Cornus Officinalis Fruit Extract, Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract, Artemisia Princeps Leaf Extract, Houttuynia Cordata Extract, Citrus Junos Fruit Extract, Angelica Gigas Root Extract, Pueraria Lobata Root Extract, Scutellaria Baicalensis Root Extract, Astragalus Membranaceus Root Extract, Sophora Japonica Root Extract, Phenoxyethanol, Beta-Glucan, Asiaticoside, Madecassic Acid, Asiatic Acid, Madecassoside
Water
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
HumectantCI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantGlycerin
HumectantDicaprylyl Carbonate
EmollientDimethicone
EmollientNiacinamide
SmoothingCyclotetrasiloxane
EmollientHippophae Rhamnoides Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningCitrus Limon Fruit Extract
MaskingOryza Sativa Bran Extract
Skin ConditioningMilk Extract
Skin ConditioningAloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice
Skin ConditioningBoswellia Serrata Resin Extract
SmoothingAscorbyl Glucoside
AntioxidantTetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate
AntioxidantSodium Riboflavin Phosphate
Skin ConditioningLinolenic Acid
CleansingTocopherol
AntioxidantAllantoin
Skin ConditioningAdenosine
Skin ConditioningBisabolol
AntioxidantAluminum Hydroxide
EmollientEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningSodium Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingIsohexadecane
EmollientSodium Ascorbyl Phosphate
AntioxidantMagnesium Ascorbyl Phosphate
AntioxidantCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientDimethiconol
EmollientCetearyl Olivate
Sorbitan Olivate
EmulsifyingSorbitan Oleate
EmulsifyingPolysorbate 80
EmulsifyingMethyl Methacrylate Crosspolymer
Talc
AbrasiveDistarch Phosphate
AbsorbentTriethoxycaprylylsilane
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningCaprylhydroxamic Acid
Disodium EDTA
Mica
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77492
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77491
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77499
Cosmetic ColorantCitrus Limon Peel Oil
MaskingCitral
PerfumingLimonene
PerfumingWater, Butylene Glycol, CI 77891, Glycerin, Dicaprylyl Carbonate, Dimethicone, Niacinamide, Cyclotetrasiloxane, Hippophae Rhamnoides Fruit Extract, Citrus Limon Fruit Extract, Oryza Sativa Bran Extract, Milk Extract, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Boswellia Serrata Resin Extract, Ascorbyl Glucoside, Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate, Sodium Riboflavin Phosphate, Linolenic Acid, Tocopherol, Allantoin, Adenosine, Bisabolol, Aluminum Hydroxide, Ethylhexylglycerin, Sodium Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Isohexadecane, Sodium Ascorbyl Phosphate, Magnesium Ascorbyl Phosphate, Caprylyl Glycol, Dimethiconol, Cetearyl Olivate, Sorbitan Olivate, Sorbitan Oleate, Polysorbate 80, Methyl Methacrylate Crosspolymer, Talc, Distarch Phosphate, Triethoxycaprylylsilane, 1,2-Hexanediol, Caprylhydroxamic Acid, Disodium EDTA, Mica, CI 77492, CI 77491, CI 77499, Citrus Limon Peel Oil, Citral, Limonene
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
1,2-Hexanediol is a synthetic liquid and another multi-functional powerhouse.Â
It is a:
- Humectant, drawing moisture into the skin
- Emollient, helping to soften skin
- Solvent, dispersing and stabilizing formulas
- Preservative booster, enhancing the antimicrobial activity of other preservativesÂ
Adenosine is a purine nucleoside that your body already makes in every cell. In skincare, it acts mainly as a skin conditioning and anti-aging agent.
The way it works is fairly well mapped out:
Your skin has cells called fibroblasts that build collagen (the stuff that keeps skin firm and smooth). Adenosine basically flips a switch on these cells that tells them to get to work making more collagen and other proteins. These cells slow down on their own as skin ages, so Adenosine helps give them a little nudge to keep going.
The clinical backing is pretty solid too.
A blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trial of 126 women aged 45-65 tested a 0.1% cream twice daily and found real improvements in crow's feet and frown lines using a precise 3D skin-mapping technique; these changes showed up by week 3 and held at 2 months.
A later study using Adenosine-loaded dissolving microneedle patches reported gains in wrinkle depth, dermal density, elasticity, and hydration.
On concentrations, South Korea's Ministry of Food and Drug Safety has set 0.04% as the approved functional anti-wrinkle level. You'll typically see this ingredient used somewhere in the 0.04-0.1% range since it works at low doses.
This ingredient has been found safe for cosmetics with the data showing no irritation or sensitization.
Overall, this is a great ingredient for any anti-aging routine and has no photosensitizing effect, so it suits both AM and PM use.
Learn more about AdenosineAluminum Hydroxide is a form of aluminum. It can be naturally found in nature as the mineral gibbsite. In cosmetics, Aluminum Hydroxide is used as a colorant, pH adjuster, and absorbent.
As a colorant, Aluminum Hydroxide may add opacity, or reduce the transparency. Aluminum hydroxide is contains both basic and acidic properties.
According to manufacturers, this ingredient is an emollient and humectant. This means it helps hydrate the skin.
In medicine, this ingredient is used to help relieve heartburn and help heal ulcers.
There is currently no credible scientific evidence linking aluminum hydroxide in cosmetics to increased cancer risk.
Major health organizations allow the use of aluminum hydroxide in personal care products and have not flagged it as a carcinogenic risk at typical usage levels.
Learn more about Aluminum HydroxideBisabolol is a gentle skin conditioner, antioxidant, and soothing ingredient.
It's primary claim to fame is soothing and research shows topically applied bisabolol can quiet the chemical messengers that cause your skin to become inflamed, helping to sooth any irritation.
A clinical study found that applying 0.5% bisabolol daily for 8 weeks produced an average 9% decrease in skin pigmentation. Researchers found it can also suppress the process that leads to excess melanin production in skin.
In vitro studies found that bisabolol combined with propylene glycol significantly increased skin permeability by increasing lipid fluidity in the stratum corneum.
You'll likely see use concentrations quite low, usually 0.1-0.2%.
Overall, this is a well-tolerated ingredient that works well in formulas designed for sensitive, reactive, or post-procedure skin.
Learn more about BisabololButylene Glycol (or BG) is used within cosmetic products for a few different reasons:
Overall, Butylene Glycol is a safe and well-rounded ingredient that works well with other ingredients.
Though this ingredient works well with most skin types, some people with sensitive skin may experience a reaction such as allergic rashes, closed comedones, or itchiness.
Learn more about Butylene GlycolCaprylyl Glycol is a humectant, skin conditioner, emollient, and preservative booster derived from either caprylic acid or synthetically created.
Typical use levels vary from 0.3-1% as a preservative booster and go up to 2% to condition skin.
Because it is not a free-fatty acid, this ingredient is fungal acne safe (there's nothing for Malassezia to feed on).
Learn more about Caprylyl GlycolCi 77491 is also hydrated iron III oxide. It's sole purpose is to give a red/pink hue to products.
Iron III oxides are classified as inorganic chemicals for coloring.
Synthetically created Ci 77491 is considered safer than those naturally found. This is because the synthetically created version may contain less impurities. Iron oxides are generally non-toxic and non-allergenic.
Learn more about CI 77491CI 77492 is also hydrated iron III oxide. It's sole purpose is to give a yellow hue to products.
Iron III oxides are classified as inorganic chemicals for coloring.
Synthetically created CI 77492 is considered safer than those naturally found. This is because the synthetically created version may contain less impurities. Iron oxides are generally non-toxic and non-allergenic.
Learn more about CI 77492Ci 77499 is also hydrated iron III oxide. It is created from mixing red and black iron oxides. This helps give shades of darkness to a product.
Iron III oxides are classified as inorganic chemicals for coloring.
Dimethicone is a type of synthetic silicone created from natural materials such as quartz. It is also known as polydimethylsiloxane.
What it does:
Dimethicone comes in different viscosities:
Depending on the viscosity, dimethicone has different properties.
Ingredients lists don't always show which type is used, so we recommend reaching out to the brand if you have questions about the viscosity.
This ingredient is unlikely to cause irritation because it does not get absorbed into skin. However, people with silicone allergies should be careful about using this ingredient.
Note: Dimethicone may contribute to pilling. This is because it is not oil or water soluble, so pilling may occur when layered with products. When mixed with heavy oils in a formula, the outcome is also quite greasy.
Learn more about DimethiconeEthylhexylglycerin is created from glycerin. It is a multitasker ingredient that:
The CIR Expert Panel found minimal skin absorption or sensitization of any kind in a safety assessment. Though this ingredient is considered well-tolerated, a small number of cases of allergic dermatitis have been published since 2002. Just be sure to patch test if you are unsure.
Industry-reported use ranges from 8% in rinse-off products and 2% in leave-on formulations.
Learn more about EthylhexylglycerinGlycerin (or glycerol) is a compound naturally found in your skin. It's a powerhouse humectant that pulls water into the stratum corneum.
Topically, glycerin does several things at once:
Your skin makes glycerin on its own (mostly from sebaceous oil breakdown) and shuttles it to your outermost layer of skin, or your epidermis, via aquaporin-3.
Aquaporin-3 is a transporter that is essential for normal skin hydration, elasticity, and repair. Interestingly, mice lacking in AQP3 have dry and less elastic skin that can be fully corrected with glycerin.
This ingredient is non-irritating, plays well with almost every ingredient, and works across all skin types. Typical use is anywhere between 3-10% but can go up to 79% in some leave-on products.
Just know very high concentrations (>40%) can feel tacky in low humidity.
Glycerin is the name for this ingredient in American English. British English uses Glycerol/Glycerine.
Learn more about GlycerinNiacinamide is a multitasking form of vitamin B3 that strengthens the skin barrier, reduces pores and dark spots, regulates oil, and improves signs of aging.
And the best part? It's gentle and well-tolerated by most skin types, including sensitive and reactive skin.
You might have heard of "niacin flush", or the reddening of skin that causes itchiness. Niacinamide has not been found to cause this.
In very rare cases, some individuals may not be able to tolerate niacinamide at all or experience an allergic reaction to it.
If you are experiencing flaking, irritation, and dryness with this ingredient, be sure to double check all your products as this ingredient can be found in all categories of skincare.
When incorporating niacinamide into your routine, look out for concentration amounts. Typically, 5% niacinamide provides benefits such as fading dark spots. However, if you have sensitive skin, it is better to begin with a smaller concentration.
When you apply niacinamide to your skin, your body converts it into nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD). NAD is an essential coenzyme that is already found in your cells as "fuel" and powers countless biological processes.
In your skin, NAD helps repair cell damage, produce new healthy cells, support collagen production, strengthen the skin barrier, and fight environmental stressors (like UV and pollution).
Our natural NAD levels start to decline with age, leading to slower skin repair, visible aging, and a weaker skin barrier. By providing your skin niacinamide, you're recharging your skin's NAD levels. This leads to stronger, healthier, and younger looking skin.
Another name for vitamin B3 is nicotinamide. This vitamin is water-soluble and our bodies don't store it. We obtain Vitamin B3 from either food or skincare. Meat, fish, wheat, yeast, and leafy greens contain vitamin B3.
The type of niacinamide used in skincare is synthetically created.
Learn more about NiacinamideWater. 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