Mistine Aqua Base Ultra Protection Matte & Light Facial Sunscreen Pro SPF 50 Versus Skin Aqua UV Super Moisture Gel SPF 50+ PA ++++
This hybrid sunscreen covers the full UV range and blocks ~98% of UVB at SPF 50.
This chemical 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 ConditioningOctocrylene
UV Absorber
Homosalate
Skin Conditioning
Dimethicone
Emollient
Isohexadecane
EmollientButyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane
UV Absorber
Silica
Abrasive
Ethylhexyl Salicylate
UV Absorber
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Cyclopentasiloxane
Emollient
Dibutyl Adipate
EmollientPhenylbenzimidazole Sulfonic Acid
UV Absorber
Methylene Bis-Benzotriazolyl Tetramethylbutylphenol
UV Filter
Titanium Dioxide
Cosmetic Colorant
Bis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine
Skin Conditioning
Cistus Monspeliensis Extract
MaskingHydrolyzed Pea Protein
EmollientErgothioneine
Antioxidant
Ectoin
Skin Conditioning
Nephelium Lappaceum Peel Extract
Skin ConditioningStearalkonium Hectorite
Gel FormingTricholoma Matsutake Extract
Skin ConditioningOryza Sativa Bran Extract
Skin Conditioning
Maltodextrin
Absorbent
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Glucose
Humectant
Glycerin
Humectant
Dicaprylyl Carbonate
EmollientCetearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Potassium Phosphate
BufferingGlyceryl Stearate
Emollient
PEG-100 Stearate
Surfactant
Polyacrylate Crosspolymer-6
Emulsion StabilisingAcrylates Copolymer
Carbomer
Emulsion StabilisingSodium Hydroxide
BufferingPhenoxyethanol
Preservative
Disodium EDTA
Decyl Glucoside
Cleansing
Dimethicone Crosspolymer
Emulsion Stabilising
Propylene Glycol
Humectant
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingSodium Stearoyl Glutamate
CleansingPropylene Carbonate
SolventPentylene Glycol
Skin Conditioning
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningSodium Chloride
MaskingSodium Succinate
BufferingWater, Octocrylene, Homosalate, Dimethicone, Isohexadecane, Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane, Silica, Ethylhexyl Salicylate, Butylene Glycol, Cyclopentasiloxane, Dibutyl Adipate, Phenylbenzimidazole Sulfonic Acid, Methylene Bis-Benzotriazolyl Tetramethylbutylphenol, Titanium Dioxide, Bis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine, Cistus Monspeliensis Extract, Hydrolyzed Pea Protein, Ergothioneine, Ectoin, Nephelium Lappaceum Peel Extract, Stearalkonium Hectorite, Tricholoma Matsutake Extract, Oryza Sativa Bran Extract, Maltodextrin, Tocopheryl Acetate, Tocopherol, Glucose, Glycerin, Dicaprylyl Carbonate, Cetearyl Alcohol, Potassium Phosphate, Glyceryl Stearate, PEG-100 Stearate, Polyacrylate Crosspolymer-6, Acrylates Copolymer, Carbomer, Sodium Hydroxide, Phenoxyethanol, Disodium EDTA, Decyl Glucoside, Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Propylene Glycol, Xanthan Gum, Sodium Stearoyl Glutamate, Propylene Carbonate, Pentylene Glycol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Sodium Chloride, Sodium Succinate
Water
Skin ConditioningEthylhexyl Methoxycinnamate
UV Absorber
Alcohol
Antimicrobial
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Isononyl Isononanoate
EmollientDiethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl Benzoate
UV Filter
Ethylhexyl Triazone
UV Absorber
Bis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine
Skin Conditioning
Polyglyceryl-10 Pentaisostearate
Emollient
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingTriethanolamine
BufferingBis-PEG-18 Methyl Ether Dimethyl Silane
EmollientDisodium EDTA
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingSilica
Abrasive
Diethoxyethyl Succinate
SolventHydrolyzed Sodium Hyaluronate
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Hydroxypropyltrimonium Hyaluronate
Water, Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate, Alcohol, Butylene Glycol, Isononyl Isononanoate, Diethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl Benzoate, Ethylhexyl Triazone, Bis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine, Polyglyceryl-10 Pentaisostearate, Phenoxyethanol, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Triethanolamine, Bis-PEG-18 Methyl Ether Dimethyl Silane, Disodium EDTA, Xanthan Gum, Silica, Diethoxyethyl Succinate, Hydrolyzed Sodium Hyaluronate, Sodium Hyaluronate, Hydroxypropyltrimonium Hyaluronate
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
This ingredient is better known as bemotrizinol or Tinosorb S and is one of the best broad-spectrum UV filters in modern sunscreen.
It works by absorbing UV light across a whole range (280-400 nm) with peaks around 310 nm (UVB) and 340-345 nm (UVA). This means it covers UVB plus the deeper UVA wavelengths that drive photoaging and pigmentation.
Another pro?
It's exceptionally photostable, barely degrades in sunlight, and acts as a "bodyguard" for less stable filters.
That's why you'll see it paired with avobenzone or octinoxate; this team up ensures they keep working through sun exposure.
Safety reviews have been reassuring across the board. This ingredient shows low absorption through the skin, rarely irritates, and lab studies found it doesn't act like a hormone in the body (a concern that's been raised about some older sunscreen filters).
On maximum concentrations:
In 2026, the US F.D.A finally added it as an OTC sunscreen ingredient at concentrations up to 6% for adults / children 6 months and older
Learn more about Bis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl TriazineButylene 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 GlycolDisodium EDTA is a chelating agent. It grabs onto and deactivates metal ions that sneak into your products from water, packaging, or air.
This ingredient mainly works behind the scenes and helps with:
On top of that, this ingredient can counteract the effects of hard water by binding to the minerals in it.
One thing worth knowing is that Disodium EDTA has been shown to be a mild penetration enhancer. It can help other ingredients absorb into skin more effectively which can be a double-edged sword (great for actives, but can also make the active too strong if you have sensitive skin).
Clinical patch testing showed no significant skin irritation at typical use concentrations and minimal dermal absorption.
You'll most likely see this ingredient near the end of an ingredient list. It's typically found in concentrations less than 1%.
Learn more about Disodium EDTAPhenoxyethanol is one of the most widely used preservatives in skincare (and for good reason!).
It has a large spectrum of antimicrobial activity and especially effective bacteria, yeast, and mold while only having a weak effect on your skin's natural microbiome.
On a cellular level, it disrupts the cell membranes of microbes by poking holes that make the cell leak. This shuts down the chemical reactions the microbe needs to make energy so it can no longer survive.
Another perk of this ingredient is that it stays functional across a wide pH range (3-10).
You'll often see it paired with boosters like Ethylhexylglycerin; one study showed that a 1:9 ratio of Ethylhexylglycerin to Phenoxyethanol damages bacterial membranes as effectively as doubling the Phenoxyethanol concentration on its own.
Typical use concentrations range from 0.3-1% depending on the formula, and this ingredient is capped at 1% int the EU.
Safety-wise, the fear mongering does not hold up to the evidence. The EU's Scientific Committee on Consumer Safety and FDA consider it safe as a preservative at up to 1%, including for children of all ages.
Adverse systemic effects only showed up in animal studies at exposures roughly 200x higher than what people get from cosmetics. And despite its very widespread use, this ingredient is a rare sensitizer and allergic reactions are uncommon.
Learn more about PhenoxyethanolSilica, also known as silicon dioxide, is a naturally occurring mineral. It is used as a fine, spherical, and porous powder in cosmetics.
Though it has exfoliant properties, the function of silica varies depending on the product.
The unique structure of silica enhances the spreadability and adds smoothness, making it a great texture enhancer.
It is also used as an active carrier, emulsifier, and mattifier due to its ability to absorb excess oil.
In some products, tiny microneedles called spicules are made from silica or hydrolyzed sponge. When you rub them in, they lightly polish away dead skin layers and enhance the penetration of active ingredients.
Learn more about SilicaWater. 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 WaterXanthan 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
