Versus

MDSolarSciences Mineral Moisture Defense SPF 50 Versus Active Nine Intensive UV Shield Mild Sun Relief Cream SPF50+ PA++++

Sunscreen
Sunscreen
American Brand United States
Korean Brand South Korea

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

We independently verify ingredients, and our claims are backed by peer-reviewed research. Spot a product that needs an update? Let us know.

Ingredient Info

Click any item below to learn more and see relevant 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

Key Ingredients

Benefits

Concerns

Key Ingredients

Benefits

Ingredients Side-by-side

found in both products
Mineral Moisture Defense SPF 50
Intensive UV Shield Mild Sun Relief Cream SPF50+ PA++++

Ingredients Explained

These ingredients are found in both products.

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

Skin Conditioning, Solvent

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 Salicylate
Skin Conditioning, Solvent

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. If you see this, drink a glass of water. Stay hydrated!

Learn more about Water
Skin Conditioning

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.

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 Triethoxycaprylylsilane
Cosmetic Colorant, Skin Protecting, UV Absorber

Zinc 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 Oxide

When to use

9 Routines
100% use in am
0% use in pm
89% use every day
36 Routines
92% use in am
8% use in pm
94% use every day
When to use See routines that use it ->

Reviews

Here's what our community thinks

MDSolarSciences Mineral Moisture Defense SPF 50 31 ingredients

5.0 /5
from 1 rating
Absorbs Well (1) Hydrating (1) Light (1)
emmagazarian's avatar

Emma Gazarian

9 months ago
Review

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.

#hydrating
#light
#absorbs well
#no scent

Active Nine Intensive UV Shield Mild Sun Relief Cream SPF50+ PA++++ 28 ingredients

4.5 /5
from 8 ratings
Hydrating (4) Great Value (4) Works Well (4)
sillygirl's avatar

char

1 year ago
Review

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

#hydrating
#light
#absorbs well
#no scent
Helena_Ruao's avatar

Helena Ruão

9 months ago
Review

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

#great value
#hydrating
#absorbs well
#works well