Moody SensiSoothe SPF50 PA++++ Mineral Sunscreen Versus hyphen Vitamin Infused Brightening Sunscreen SPF 50
This mineral sunscreen covers the full UV range and blocks ~98% of UVB at SPF 50.
This chemical sunscreen covers most of the UV range, lighter on the deep UVA that drives aging.
What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
No concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningIsononyl Isononanoate
EmollientZinc Oxide
Cosmetic ColorantTitanium Dioxide
Cosmetic ColorantSilica
AbrasiveDicaprylyl Carbonate
EmollientCyclopentasiloxane
EmollientDimethicone Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingCeramide NP
Skin ConditioningCeramide AP
Skin ConditioningCeramide EOP
Skin ConditioningPhytosphingosine
Skin ConditioningTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantPropanediol
SolventSqualane
EmollientC14-22 Alcohols
Emulsion StabilisingC12-20 Alkyl Glucoside
EmulsifyingEmulsifying Wax Nf
Polyacrylate Crosspolymer-6
Emulsion StabilisingNiacinamide
SmoothingXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningWater, Isononyl Isononanoate, Zinc Oxide, Titanium Dioxide, Silica, Dicaprylyl Carbonate, Cyclopentasiloxane, Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Ceramide NP, Ceramide AP, Ceramide EOP, Phytosphingosine, Tocopheryl Acetate, Propanediol, Squalane, C14-22 Alcohols, C12-20 Alkyl Glucoside, Emulsifying Wax Nf, Polyacrylate Crosspolymer-6, Niacinamide, Xanthan Gum, Phenoxyethanol, Ethylhexylglycerin
Water
Skin ConditioningEthylhexyl Methoxycinnamate
UV AbsorberC12-15 Alkyl Benzoate
AntimicrobialCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingButyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane
UV AbsorberSodium Acrylates Copolymer
Benzophenone-3
UV AbsorberButylene Glycol
HumectantPropanediol
SolventTetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate
AntioxidantTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantCitrus Junos Extract
AntioxidantPhoenix Dactylifera Seed Extract
MoisturisingPhospholipids
Skin ConditioningXylitol
HumectantGlucose
HumectantAnhydroxylitol
HumectantLecithin
EmollientEthoxydiglycol
HumectantSodium Gluconate
Skin ConditioningEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeWater, Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate, C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane, Sodium Acrylates Copolymer, Benzophenone-3, Butylene Glycol, Propanediol, Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate, Tocopheryl Acetate, Citrus Junos Extract, Phoenix Dactylifera Seed Extract, Phospholipids, Xylitol, Glucose, Anhydroxylitol, Lecithin, Ethoxydiglycol, Sodium Gluconate, Ethylhexylglycerin, Phenoxyethanol
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Ethylhexylglycerin is created from glycerin. It is a multitasker ingredient that:
The CIR Expert Panel found minimal skin absorption or sensitization of any kind in a safety assessment. Though this ingredient is considered well-tolerated, a small number of cases of allergic dermatitis have been published since 2002. Just be sure to patch test if you are unsure.
Industry-reported use ranges from 8% in rinse-off products and 2% in leave-on formulations.
Learn more about EthylhexylglycerinPhenoxyethanol 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 PhenoxyethanolPropanediol is an all-star ingredient. It softens, hydrates, and smooths the skin.
It’s often used to:
Propanediol is not likely to cause sensitivity and considered safe to use. It is derived from corn or petroleum with a clear color and no scent.
Learn more about PropanediolTocopheryl Acetate is a stable, shelf-friendly form of vitamin E.
Formulators love it because plain vitamin E oxidizes quickly once it hits air. This acetate version stays stable and resists going off, helping to extend a product's shelf life.
It's actually inactive on its own and works like a slow-release "storage" form; the enzymes in your skin called esterases gradually convert it into active vitamin E over time.
One in vivo study showed 5% of the acetate in the living layer of the epidermis converted to vitamin E after 5 days of application. This study also found the skin gained protection against UV damage even though the conversion was slow and small.
Once converted, vitamin E acts as a skin's main fat-soluble antioxidant that fights free radicals to protect skin from damage.
Topical vitamin E generally boosts the skin's photoprotection, and it reduced UV-damage in animal models.
This ingredient has some brightening potential but it's more of a prevention ingredient than spot-fader. Cell studies show it can slow down melanin production but it's worth noting that it's not the most powerful brightener out there.
Overall, it has a pretty solid safety profile and has been found to be non-irritating and non-comedogenic. Allergic reactions may happen but stay rare due to how widely the ingredient gets used.
The concentration will vary depending on the formula; industry data shows 0.1% in baby lotions, 3% in lipsticks, and 5% in foot powders. You can also find this ingredient at 100% in a pure vitamin E oil.
Most leave-on skincare keeps it at the lower end, often between 0.5-1%.
Learn more about Tocopheryl AcetateWater. 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 Water