Here's our complete breakdown comparing the ingredients, attributes, and more of mCaffeine Coffee Sunscreen SPF 50 PA++ versus Dot & Key Skincare Vitamin C + E SPF 50 PA+++ Sunscreen .
Published on July 23, 2023
Overview
What they are
These products are both sunscreens. They have a total of 11 ingredients in common
Cool Features
They both contain exfoliants, SPF, Vitamin C and Vitamin E
Suited For
They're both likely to be good for anti aging, dry skin, brightening skin, scar healing, dark spots and better texture
Free From
They both do not contain any harsh alcohols, common allergens, oils, parabens, silicones or sulfates
We independently verify ingredients, and our claims are backed by peer-reviewed research. Spot a product that need an update? Let us know.
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
Ingredient Info
mCaffeine Coffee Sunscreen SPF 50 PA++ 36 ingredients
Dot & Key Skincare Vitamin C + E SPF 50 PA+++ Sunscreen 28 ingredients
Alcohol Free
This product is free of harsh alcohols 🎉
Silicon Free
This product is free of silicons 🎉
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 🎉
Vegan
This product is vegan 🎉
Cruelty Free
This product is cruelty-free 🎉
Alcohol Free
This product is free of harsh alcohols 🎉
Silicon Free
This product is free of silicons 🎉
Fragrance Free
This product is free of fragrances 🎉
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 😥
At a glance
Click on any of the items below to learn more
mCaffeine Coffee Sunscreen SPF 50 PA++ 36 ingredients
Dot & Key Skincare Vitamin C + E SPF 50 PA+++ Sunscreen 28 ingredients
Notable Ingredients
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Benefits
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Concerns
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Notable Ingredients
This product contains 3 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:
This product contains 1 ingredient that may have this attribute:
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Benefits
This product contains 1 ingredient 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:
This product contains 1 ingredient that may have this attribute:
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Concerns
This product contains 3 ingredients that may have this attribute:
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Join SkinSortIngredients Compared
Ingredients that are highlighted in purple are present in both products.
mCaffeine Coffee Sunscreen SPF 50 PA++ 36 ingredients
Dot & Key Skincare Vitamin C + E SPF 50 PA+++ Sunscreen 28 ingredients
Water • Diisopropyl Adipate • Propylene Glycol Dicaprylate/Dicaprate • C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate • Diisopropyl Sebacate • Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate • Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane • Octocrylene • Hydrogenated Polyisobutene • Methylpropanediol • Polyacrylate-13 • Polyisobutene • Polysorbate 20 • Phenoxyethanol • Ethylhexylglycerin • Octenidine Hcl • Caffeine • Theobroma Cacao Extract • Hyaluronic Acid • Butyrospermum Parkii Butter • Niacinamide • Calcium Pantothenate • Sodium Ascorbyl Phosphate • Tocopheryl Acetate • Pyridoxine Hcl • Maltodextrin • Sodium Starch Octenylsuccinate • Silica • Acrylates Copolymer • Sodium Hydroxide • Acacia Senegal Gum • Xanthan Gum • CI 77015 • Sodium Gluconate • Parfum • Caramel
Water • Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate • Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane • Benzophenone-3 • Phospholipids • Diethylhexyl Carbonate • Titanium Dioxide • Silica • Glyceryl Citrate/Lactate/Linoleate/Oleate • Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride • Coco-Caprylate/Caprate • Glycerin • Propanediol • Polyacrylate-13 • Polyisobutene • Polysorbate 20 • Polyacrylate Crosspolymer-6 • Ascorbyl Glucoside • Fructooligosaccharides • Beta Vulgaris Root Extract • Tocopheryl Acetate • Terminalia Ferdinandiana Fruit Extract • Citrus Sinensis Fruit Extract • Phenoxyethanol • Ethylhexylglycerin • Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate • Xanthan Gum • Citric Acid
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.
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 WatermCaffeine Coffee Sunscreen SPF 50 PA++ contains this as ingredient number 1.
Dot & Key Skincare Vitamin C + E SPF 50 PA+++ Sunscreen contains this as ingredient number 1.
Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate is an organic compound that provides UVB protection. It often goes by the more common name of octinoxate. It is created from methoxycinnamic acid and 2-ethylhexanol.
Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate absorbs UVB rays with wavelengths between 280-320 nm. UV absorbers protect your skin by using chemical reactions to convert UV rays into heat and energy.
UVB (290-320 nm) rays emit more energy than UVA rays. They are capable of damaging DNA, causing sunburns and are thought to be linked to skin cancer.
The state of Hawaii has banned sunscreens containing octinoxate due to its potential impact on coral reefs. More research is needed to bridge gaps in this research. The European Union allows higher levels of octinoxate in sunscreens than the US and Australia.
Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate is oil soluble. It is not stable and may lose efficacy when exposed to sunlight.
Learn more about Ethylhexyl MethoxycinnamatemCaffeine Coffee Sunscreen SPF 50 PA++ contains this as ingredient number 6.
Dot & Key Skincare Vitamin C + E SPF 50 PA+++ Sunscreen contains this as ingredient number 2.
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 MethoxydibenzoylmethanemCaffeine Coffee Sunscreen SPF 50 PA++ contains this as ingredient number 7.
Dot & Key Skincare Vitamin C + E SPF 50 PA+++ Sunscreen contains this as ingredient number 3.
Polyacrylate-13 is a type of acrylate polymer. Acrylate polymers are commonly used as adhesives in cosmetics.
Polyacrylate-13 creates a film to protect the skin. It is also used to thicken and stabilize a product. It works by making water a gel-like consistency. This gel consistency helps suspend particles.
Polyacrylate-13 is a copolymer of acrylic acid, acrylamide, sodium acrylate, sodium acryloyldimethyltaurate monomers
Learn more about Polyacrylate-13mCaffeine Coffee Sunscreen SPF 50 PA++ contains this as ingredient number 11.
Dot & Key Skincare Vitamin C + E SPF 50 PA+++ Sunscreen contains this as ingredient number 14.
Polyisobutene is a synthetic polymer made from isobutene.
It is a film-forming agent and helps bind ingredients together.
Polyisobutene is not absorbed by the skin.
Learn more about PolyisobutenemCaffeine Coffee Sunscreen SPF 50 PA++ contains this as ingredient number 12.
Dot & Key Skincare Vitamin C + E SPF 50 PA+++ Sunscreen contains this as ingredient number 15.
Polysorbate 20 is made by combining ethoxylation of sorbitan, ethylene oxide, and lauric acid. It is a mild cleansing agent, surfactant, and emulsifier.
As a surfactant, it helps collect dirt and oils for washing. Emulsifiers prevent oils and water from separating.
Polysorbate 20 also adds scent to a product. Since it is made using sorbitol, it has a sweet scent. Sorbitol can also be found in fruits such as apples and peaches.
The lauric acid used to create Polysorbate 20 is often derived from coconuts.
Polysorbate 20 may not be fungal acne safe.
Learn more about Polysorbate 20mCaffeine Coffee Sunscreen SPF 50 PA++ contains this as ingredient number 13.
Dot & Key Skincare Vitamin C + E SPF 50 PA+++ Sunscreen contains this as ingredient number 16.
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.
mCaffeine Coffee Sunscreen SPF 50 PA++ contains this as ingredient number 14.
Dot & Key Skincare Vitamin C + E SPF 50 PA+++ Sunscreen contains this as ingredient number 24.
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.
mCaffeine Coffee Sunscreen SPF 50 PA++ contains this as ingredient number 15.
Dot & Key Skincare Vitamin C + E SPF 50 PA+++ Sunscreen contains this as ingredient number 25.
Tocopheryl Acetate is AKA Vitamin E. It is an antioxidant and protects your skin from free radicals. Free radicals damage the skin by breaking down collagen.
One study found using Tocopheryl Acetate with Vitamin C decreased the number of sunburned cells.
Tocopheryl Acetate is commonly found in both skincare and dietary supplements.
Learn more about Tocopheryl AcetatemCaffeine Coffee Sunscreen SPF 50 PA++ contains this as ingredient number 24.
Dot & Key Skincare Vitamin C + E SPF 50 PA+++ Sunscreen contains this as ingredient number 21.
Silica is a mineral naturally found in our skin. It helps to thicken and smooth the texture of a product. It also acts as an agent for other ingredients by increasing the absorption of other ingredients into the skin.
Silica is often used for absorption and can help reduce shine when products are applied. Silica occurs in naturally in materials like clay and sandstone, and it can also be produced synthetically.
Silica is present naturally within the skin during collagen production and when reducing inflammation.
Learn more about SilicamCaffeine Coffee Sunscreen SPF 50 PA++ contains this as ingredient number 28.
Dot & Key Skincare Vitamin C + E SPF 50 PA+++ Sunscreen contains this as ingredient number 8.
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 GummCaffeine Coffee Sunscreen SPF 50 PA++ contains this as ingredient number 32.
Dot & Key Skincare Vitamin C + E SPF 50 PA+++ Sunscreen contains this as ingredient number 27.
Here's what our community thinks of the ingredients in these two products.
mCaffeine Coffee Sunscreen SPF 50 PA++ 36 ingredients
Dot & Key Skincare Vitamin C + E SPF 50 PA+++ Sunscreen 28 ingredients
Usage
Here's some more info on how this product is used by our community.
When to use
mCaffeine Coffee Sunscreen SPF 50 PA++ 36 ingredients
Dot & Key Skincare Vitamin C + E SPF 50 PA+++ Sunscreen 28 ingredients
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