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Product Comparison

Here's our complete breakdown comparing the ingredients, attributes, and more of Mary & May Cica Soothing Sun Cream SPF50+ PA++++ versus Troiareuke ACSEN UV Protector Essence SPF50+ PA+++ .

Published on January 23, 2024

Overview

What they are

These products are both cruelty-free sunscreens. They have a total of 15 ingredients in common

Cool Features

They both contain hyaluronic acid, niacinamide, SPF and Vitamin E

Suited For

They're both likely to be good for fighting acne, anti aging, dry skin, brightening skin, sensitive skin, oily skin, reducing pores, scar healing and dark spots

Free From

They both do not contain any common allergens, parabens or sulfates

What's Inside

They both contain harsh alcohols, 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.

Sunscreen South Korean Brand South Korea
Sunscreen South Korean Brand South Korea

Sunscreen

Sunscreens help absorb or reflect UV radiation and protect skin against skin damage. Sunscreens may come in the form of lotion, gel, foam, spray, or solid-stick.

Sunscreen

Sunscreens help absorb or reflect UV radiation and protect skin against skin damage. Sunscreens may come in the form of lotion, gel, foam, spray, or solid-stick.

Price

Shop

Buy Cica Soothing Sun Cream SPF50+ PA++++

Starts at $28.50
Shop

Buy ACSEN UV Protector Essence SPF50+ PA+++

Ingredient Info

Click any item below to learn more and view relevant ingredients.
alcohol-free
silicon-free
fragrance-free
sulfate-free
paraben-free
oil-free
fungal-acne safe
reef-safe
eu-allergen-free
vegan
cruelty-free
spf rating
50
alcohol-free
silicon-free
fragrance-free
sulfate-free
paraben-free
oil-free
fungal-acne safe
reef-safe
eu-allergen-free
vegan
cruelty-free

At a glance

Click on any of the items below to learn more

Notable Ingredients

Chemical UV Filter (4)
Mineral UV Filter
Vitamin E
Niacinamide
Hyaluronic Acid

Benefits

Hydrating (2)
Good For Oily Skin
Redness Reducing (4)
Reduces Irritation (2)
Reduces Large Pores
Anti-Aging (2)
Dark Spots
Scar Healing (2)
Acne Fighting
Brightening (3)

Concerns

Irritating
Rosacea
Eczema

Notable Ingredients

Chemical UV Filter (5)
Mineral UV Filter
Vitamin C
Vitamin E
Niacinamide
Hyaluronic Acid
Peptides (2)

Benefits

Hydrating
Good For Oily Skin
Redness Reducing (5)
Reduces Irritation (3)
Skin Texture
Reduces Large Pores
Anti-Aging
Dark Spots (2)
Scar Healing (2)
Acne Fighting
Brightening (4)

Concerns

May Worsen Oily Skin
Acne Trigger
Irritating
Rosacea (2)
Eczema (2)
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Ingredients Compared

Ingredients that are highlighted in purple are present in both products.

Ingredients Side-by-side

Ingredients that are highlighted in purple are present in both products.

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Ingredients Explained

These ingredients are found in both products.

Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.

1
What it does: Skin Conditioning, Solvent
Community Rating: Loved

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 Water

Mary & May Cica Soothing Sun Cream SPF50+ PA++++ contains this as ingredient number 1.

Troiareuke ACSEN UV Protector Essence SPF50+ PA+++ contains this as ingredient number 1.

2
What it does: UV Absorber, UV Filter
Community Rating: Liked

Ethylhexyl Triazone is a modern chemical sunscreen that protects from UV-B radiation.

It is the most effective of existing UV-B filters, as it provides the highest level of photo-stable absorption. It protects from the entire UV-B range (280 to 320nm), with it's highest level of protection at 314nm.

Ethylhexyl Triazone is oil soluble, oderless and colorless, which mean it is able to be incorporated into a variety of different formulations.

It is not currently available within the United States due to slow changing FDA regulations. Outside of the US, it is used in formulations at concentrations up to 5%.

Learn more about Ethylhexyl Triazone

Mary & May Cica Soothing Sun Cream SPF50+ PA++++ contains this as ingredient number 6.

Troiareuke ACSEN UV Protector Essence SPF50+ PA+++ contains this as ingredient number 11.

3
What it does: Smoothing
Community Rating: Loved

Niacinamide has emerged as an all-star ingredient due to its many benefits.

It is known to treat acne by reducing inflammation. It also helps fade dark-spots and strengthen the skin by promoting the growth of the ceramide barrier.

Other benefits include smoothing wrinkles and minimizing redness.

The cherry on top? Niacinamide can also help build keratin, a protein that keeps skin firm.

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.

Niacinamide can be mixed with other ingredients to boost benefits. For instance, it has shown to be effective when used with copper, folic acid, and zinc to treat acne.

Learn more about Niacinamide

Mary & May Cica Soothing Sun Cream SPF50+ PA++++ contains this as ingredient number 7.

Troiareuke ACSEN UV Protector Essence SPF50+ PA+++ contains this as ingredient number 33.

4
What it does: Humectant, Masking, Skin Conditioning, Solvent
Community Rating: Mixed

Butylene Glycol (or BG) is used within cosmetic products for a few different reasons:

  • It is a solvent, meaning that it helps to dissolve other ingredients. This also enhances the absorption of the product into one's skin.
  • It is a humectant, which means that it helps attract moisture into the skin.
  • It helps improve product application.

Overall, Butylene Glycol is a safe and well-rounded ingredient. It is unlikely to irritate skin, and works well with pretty much all other ingredients.

Mary & May Cica Soothing Sun Cream SPF50+ PA++++ contains this as ingredient number 11.

Troiareuke ACSEN UV Protector Essence SPF50+ PA+++ contains this as ingredient number 22.

5
What it does: Skin Conditioning
Community Rating: Very Disliked

Caprylyl Methicone is a type of silicone.

It helps soften and soothe the skin by creating a thin film on top. This film helps trap moisture, keeping your skin hydrated.

Mary & May Cica Soothing Sun Cream SPF50+ PA++++ contains this as ingredient number 12.

Troiareuke ACSEN UV Protector Essence SPF50+ PA+++ contains this as ingredient number 8.

6
What it does: Humectant, Skin Conditioning, Skin Protecting, Solvent
Community Rating: Loved

Glycerin 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 Glycerin

Mary & May Cica Soothing Sun Cream SPF50+ PA++++ contains this as ingredient number 14.

Troiareuke ACSEN UV Protector Essence SPF50+ PA+++ contains this as ingredient number 38.

7
What it does: Skin Conditioning, Solvent
Community Rating: Mixed

1,2-Hexanediol is a multi-tasker ingredient. It acts as a preservative to increase shelf-life and can aid other preservatives in preventing microbe growth. 1,2-Hexanediol also helps the skin retain moisture as a humectant.

In products that are water-based, this ingredient can help stabilize perfumes and fragrances. It can also help make the texture of products softer and more smooth.

Mary & May Cica Soothing Sun Cream SPF50+ PA++++ contains this as ingredient number 15.

Troiareuke ACSEN UV Protector Essence SPF50+ PA+++ contains this as ingredient number 45.

8
What it does: Skin Conditioning, Solvent
Community Rating: Mixed

Pentylene glycol is typically used within a product to thicken it. It also adds a smooth, soft, and moisturizing feel to the product. It is naturally found in plants such as sugar beets.

The hydrophilic trait of Pentylene Glycol makes it a humectant. As a humectant, Pentylene Glycol helps draw moisture from the air to your skin. This can help keep your skin hydrated.

This property also makes Pentylene Glycol a great texture enhancer. It can help thicken or emulsify a product. Emulsifiers help stabilize a product. It does this by preventing certain ingredients from separating.

Pentylene Glycol also acts as a mild preservative and helps to keep a product microbe-free.

Some people may experience mild eye and skin irritation from Pentylene Glycol. We always recommend speaking with a professional about using this ingredient in your routine.

Pentylene Glycol has a low molecular weight and is part of the 1,2-glycol family.

Learn more about Pentylene Glycol

Mary & May Cica Soothing Sun Cream SPF50+ PA++++ contains this as ingredient number 16.

Troiareuke ACSEN UV Protector Essence SPF50+ PA+++ contains this as ingredient number 5.

9
What it does: Emulsifying
Community Rating: Very Disliked

Polyglyceryl-3 Methylglucose Distearate is created from the diester of stearic acid and the condensation product of methylglucose and Polyglycerin-3.

As an emulsifier, it is used to bind ingredients together. Many ingredients, such as oils and water, separate naturally. Emulsifiers prevent them from separating to ensure even consistency in texture.

One of the manufacturer for this ingredient states it is vegetable-based. It is also claimed to be stable at both high and low temperatures.

This ingredient may not be safe for fungal acne. We recommend speaking with a professional if you have any concerns.

Learn more about Polyglyceryl-3 Methylglucose Distearate

Mary & May Cica Soothing Sun Cream SPF50+ PA++++ contains this as ingredient number 19.

Troiareuke ACSEN UV Protector Essence SPF50+ PA+++ contains this as ingredient number 26.

10
What it does: Masking, Perfuming
Community Rating: Very Disliked

Parfum is a catch-all term for an ingredient or more that is used to give aroma to products. Parfum, or fragrance, can be a blend of hundreds of chemicals or plant oils. This means every product with "fragrance" or "Parfum" in the ingredients list is a different mixture.

In the US, the alternative name for parfum is 'fragrance'. The term 'fragrance' is not regulated in many countries. In many cases, it is up to the brand to define this term.

For instance, many brands choose to label themselves as "fragrance-free" because they are not using synthetic fragrances. However, their products may still contain ingredients such as essential oils that are considered a fragrance. One example is Calendula flower extract. Essential oil ingredients still impart a scent or 'fragrance'.

Depending on the blend, it can cause allergies and sensitivities on the skin. Some ingredients that are known EU allergens include linalool and citronellol.

Products use parfum often to give products a scent or cover up smells of different ingredients.

The bottom line is: not all fragrances/parfum/ingredients are created equally. If you are worried about fragrances, we recommend taking a closer look at an ingredient. And of course, we always recommend speaking with a professional.

Learn more about Parfum

Mary & May Cica Soothing Sun Cream SPF50+ PA++++ contains this as ingredient number 22.

Troiareuke ACSEN UV Protector Essence SPF50+ PA+++ contains this as ingredient number 19.

11
What it does: Skin Conditioning
Community Rating: Mixed

Ethylhexylglycerin (we can't pronounce this either) is commonly used as a preservative and skin softener. It is derived from glyceryl.

You might see Ethylhexylglycerin often paired with other preservatives such as phenoxyethanol. Ethylhexylglycerin has been found to increase the effectiveness of these other preservatives.

Mary & May Cica Soothing Sun Cream SPF50+ PA++++ contains this as ingredient number 27.

Troiareuke ACSEN UV Protector Essence SPF50+ PA+++ contains this as ingredient number 30.

12
What it does: Emulsifying, Emulsion Stabilising, Gel Forming, Skin Conditioning
Community Rating: Disliked

Xanthan gum is used as a stabilizer and thickener within cosmetic products. It helps give products a sticky, thick feeling - preventing them from being too runny.

On the technical side of things, xanthan gum is a polysaccharide - a combination consisting of multiple sugar molecules bonded together.

Xanthan gum is a pretty common and great ingredient. It is a natural, non-toxic, non-irritating ingredient that is also commonly used in food products.

Learn more about Xanthan Gum

Mary & May Cica Soothing Sun Cream SPF50+ PA++++ contains this as ingredient number 29.

Troiareuke ACSEN UV Protector Essence SPF50+ PA+++ contains this as ingredient number 24.

13
What it does: Cleansing, Skin Conditioning, Smoothing, Soothing, Tonic
Community Rating: Loved

Centella Asiatica Extract is derived from an herb plant native to Southeast Asia. It is rich in antioxidants and amino acids. In skincare products, Centella Asiatica Extract is used for its anti-inflammatory and soothing properties.

Many active components found in Centella Asiatica Extract, such as Madecassic Acid and Asiaticoside, encourage the skin to naturally produce hyaluronic acid. This helps keep our skin hydrated. Many of these components also show antioxidant activity and may help reduce the signs of aging.

Research shows Centella Asiatica can help increase Type I collagen production by increasing fibroblast production. Fibroblast helps form connective tissue.

The combination of all these properties makes Centella Asiatica Extract effective at soothing the skin.

Other components of Centella Asiatic Extract include Vitamin A, vitamin C, several B vitamins, and Asiatic Acid.

Recent studies found madecassoside may help prevent damage from UV rays by preventing UV-induced inflammation. Further research is needed.

This plant has been used as a medicine and in food for many centuries. As a medicine, it is used to treat burns, scratches, and wounds.

Learn more about Centella Asiatica Extract

Mary & May Cica Soothing Sun Cream SPF50+ PA++++ contains this as ingredient number 32.

Troiareuke ACSEN UV Protector Essence SPF50+ PA+++ contains this as ingredient number 35.

14
What it does: Perfuming, Solvent
Community Rating: Very Disliked

T-Butyl Alcohol it is most commonly used as a solvent.

At room temperature, T-Butyl Alcohol melts and has a similar smell to camphor.

This ingredient is derived from isobutane. It is the simplest form of a tertiary alcohol. Due to its chemical structure, it is more resistant to oxidation.

Learn more about T-Butyl Alcohol

Mary & May Cica Soothing Sun Cream SPF50+ PA++++ contains this as ingredient number 34.

Troiareuke ACSEN UV Protector Essence SPF50+ PA+++ contains this as ingredient number 6.

15
What it does: Humectant, Skin Conditioning
Community Rating: Loved

Sodium Hyaluronate is hyaluronic acid's salt form. It is commonly derived from the sodium salt of hyaluronic acid.

Like hyaluronic acid, it is great at holding water and acts as a humectant. This makes it a great skin hydrating ingredient.

Sodium Hyaluronate is naturally occurring in our bodies and is mostly found in eye fluid and joints.

These are some other common types of Hyaluronic Acid:

Learn more about Sodium Hyaluronate

Mary & May Cica Soothing Sun Cream SPF50+ PA++++ contains this as ingredient number 41.

Troiareuke ACSEN UV Protector Essence SPF50+ PA+++ contains this as ingredient number 28.

Here's what our community thinks of the ingredients in these two products.

50% are loved or liked
17% have mixed ratings
31% are disliked or very disliked
2% have no rating yet
36% are loved or liked
11% have mixed ratings
40% are disliked or very disliked
13% have no rating yet

Usage

Here's some more info on how this product is used by our community.

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Reviews

Here's what our community thinks

Mary & May Cica Soothing Sun Cream SPF50+ PA++++ 42 ingredients

4.0 /5
from 1 rating
Light (1) Light Scent (1)
AyeChanKhinHtun's avatar

AyeChanKhinHtun

1 month ago · Dry Skin
Review

I like the ingredients and the slight scent isn't overwhelming. It feels like a moisturizer so I like using this a lot. However, my skin can get...

I like the ingredients and the slight scent isn't overwhelming. It feels like a moisturizer so I like using this a lot. However, my skin can get sensitive so it stings on some days and makes my eyes water a little. I liked it but don't think I'll repurchase for these reasons.

Troiareuke ACSEN UV Protector Essence SPF50+ PA+++ 47 ingredients

ACSEN UV Protector Essence SPF50+ PA+++ hasn't been rated yet.
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Our Dupe Finder has found 50 potential alternatives that have similar ingredients to Troiareuke ACSEN UV Protector Essence SPF50+ PA+++.

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