MDSolarSciences Mineral Moisture Defense SPF 50 Versus Active Nine Intensive UV Shield Mild Sun Relief Cream SPF50+ PA++++
Updated on November 06, 2024
Overview
What they are
These products are both sunscreens. They have a total of 5 ingredients in common
Cool Features
They both contain SPF
Suited For
They're both likely to be good for fighting acne, anti aging, dry skin, brightening skin, sensitive skin and reducing pores
Free From
They both do not contain any harsh alcohols, common allergens, fragrances, oils or parabens
What's Inside
They both contain silicones
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Ingredient Info
MDSolarSciences Mineral Moisture Defense SPF 50 31 ingredients
Active Nine Intensive UV Shield Mild Sun Relief Cream SPF50+ PA++++ 28 ingredients
What's inside (and what isn't)
What's inside (and what isn't)
At a glance
Click on any of the items below to learn more
MDSolarSciences Mineral Moisture Defense SPF 50 31 ingredients
Active Nine Intensive UV Shield Mild Sun Relief Cream SPF50+ PA++++ 28 ingredients
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Ingredients Side-by-side
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Butyloctyl Salicylate is similar to octisalate. It a photostabilizer, SPF booster, emollient and solvent. Its main purpose is to evenly spread out ingredients.
This ingredient is a common sunscreen ingredient carrier and photostabilizer. According to a manufacturer, it is suitable for carrying micro Titanium Dioxide, Zinc Oxide, and pigments.
Photostabilizers help stabilize UV-filters and prevents them from degrading quickly.
Due to regulation loopholes, this ingredient is not required to be labeled as an active chemical filter like other UV ingredients. This is why you'll likely find this ingredient in mineral sunscreens from the US.
According to EU regulation, this ingredient can cause harmful effects to aquatic life.
Learn more about Butyloctyl SalicylateWater. 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. Stay hydrated!
Learn more about WaterEthylhexylglycerin (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.
Triethoxycaprylylsilane is a silicone used to bind and stabilize ingredients.
As an emulsifier, it helps prevent ingredients from separating. This can help elongate the shelf life of products.
Triethoxycaprylylsilane is often used to coat mineral sunscreens ingredients to help give a better feel. It also helps reduce oxidative stress in sunscreens.
Learn more about TriethoxycaprylylsilaneZinc Oxide is a mineral broad-spectrum UV filter; it is the broadest UVA and UVB reflector approved by the FDA. While it is most commonly man-made for cosmetics, it can naturally occur in zincite, a rare mineral.
Today, traditional and nano-sized zinc oxide can be found in beauty products. Nano-sized zinc oxide can enhance a product's UV protection. While it is not believed to have a negative effect on skin, nano-zinc oxide may be harmful to coral reefs - though the verdict is not entirely out on this one.
Zinc Oxide also has antibacterial and calming properties. It is not water soluble.
Zinc has been used throughout history as an ingredient in paint and medicine. An Indian text from 500BC is believed to list zinc oxide as a salve for open wound. The Ancient Greek physician Dioscorides has also mentioned the use of zinc as an ointment in 1AD.
Learn more about Zinc OxideIngredient Ratings
Here's what our community thinks of the ingredients in these products.
When to use
MDSolarSciences Mineral Moisture Defense SPF 50 31 ingredients
Active Nine Intensive UV Shield Mild Sun Relief Cream SPF50+ PA++++ 28 ingredients

Reviews
Here's what our community thinks
MDSolarSciences Mineral Moisture Defense SPF 50 31 ingredients
This is the only mineral sunscreen I’ve used that doesn’t leave my face greasy. My skin is incredibly acne prone, but I have had only had one pimple in the nearly two weeks since I’ve started using it (which is a MIRACLE for me). It feels so smooth and soft. Doesn’t feel like a sunscreen at all.
Active Nine Intensive UV Shield Mild Sun Relief Cream SPF50+ PA++++ 28 ingredients
i really loved this sunscreen. i don’t think i’ve ever used a physical sunscreen with such a viscous formula. i’m very pleased however because i dislike runny sunscreens, which i feel is a trait most physical sunscreens share.
i found this fairly easy to blend. it might just be the white cast, but i found this to help with the redness on my fair skin. it didn’t burn my eyes at all. it wears Show more
Such a lovely uncomplicated sunscreen! There's minimal white cast on application that melts in shortly after (fair-medium skin, although my eyebrows will remain ashy). It soothes my skin all day, making it less red with a healthy matte finish (honestly it almost feels like a cosmetic product rather than sunscreen for me). Super comfortable to wear, from someone who 9/10 times wants to scratch her Show more