Neutrogena Hydro Boost Water Gel Facial Moisturizer SPF 25 Versus Merle Norman Anti-Aging Complex Emulsion Broad Spectrum SPF 30
What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
Humectant
Ethylhexyl Salicylate
UV Absorber
Caprylyl Methicone
Skin Conditioning
Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane
UV Absorber
Homosalate
Skin Conditioning
Octocrylene
UV Absorber
Sodium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingPhenylbenzimidazole Sulfonic Acid
UV Absorber
Silica
Abrasive
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Benzyl Alcohol
Perfuming
Dicaprylyl Carbonate
EmollientGlyceryl Stearate
Emollient
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingSteareth-21
CleansingSodium Polyacrylate
Absorbent
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Sodium Ascorbyl Phosphate
Antioxidant
Chlorphenesin
Antimicrobial
Disodium EDTA
Parfum
Masking
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
CI 42090
Cosmetic ColorantCI 16035
Cosmetic ColorantWater, Glycerin, Ethylhexyl Salicylate, Caprylyl Methicone, Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane, Homosalate, Octocrylene, Sodium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Crosspolymer, Phenylbenzimidazole Sulfonic Acid, Silica, Phenoxyethanol, Benzyl Alcohol, Dicaprylyl Carbonate, Glyceryl Stearate, Sodium Hydroxide, Steareth-21, Sodium Polyacrylate, Tocopheryl Acetate, Sodium Ascorbyl Phosphate, Chlorphenesin, Disodium EDTA, Parfum, Sodium Hyaluronate, CI 42090, CI 16035
Homosalate 8%
Skin Conditioning
Benzophenone-3 5%
UV Absorber
Ethylhexyl Salicylate 4%
UV Absorber
Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane 3%
UV Absorber
Octocrylene 2.35%
UV Absorber
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
Humectant
Ethoxydiglycol
HumectantButylene Glycol
Humectant
Cyclopentasiloxane
Emollient
Glycereth-26
Humectant
Isostearyl Neopentanoate
Emollient
Alcohol Denat.
Antimicrobial
Nylon-12
Acetyl Octapeptide-3
Humectant
Palmitoyl Tripeptide-38
Skin Conditioning
Acetylarginyltryptophyl Diphenylglycine
Skin ConditioningAcetyl Tyrosine
Skin ConditioningProline
Skin Conditioning
Adenosine Triphosphate
Skin ConditioningHydrolyzed Malt Extract
Skin ConditioningHydrolyzed Vegetable Protein
Skin ConditioningOpuntia Ficus-Indica Stem Extract
Skin Conditioning
Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
Antimicrobial
Equisetum Arvense Extract
AstringentPanax Ginseng Root Extract
Emollient
Bisabolol
Antioxidant
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Ascorbyl Palmitate
Antioxidant
Retinyl Palmitate
Skin Conditioning
Isononyl Isononanoate
EmollientCaprylyl/Capryl Glucoside
CleansingCoco-Glucoside
Cleansing
Hydrogenated Lecithin
Emulsifying
Glyceryl Stearate
Emollient
PEG-100 Stearate
Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer
Polymethyl Methacrylate
Sodium Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingPhospholipids
Skin Conditioning
Hydroxypropyl Cyclodextrin
MaskingBis-Ethylhexyl Hydroxydimethoxy Benzylmalonate
Antioxidant
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Propylene Glycol
Humectant
Polyisobutene
Coconut Alcohol
Emollient
Silica
Abrasive
Tetrasodium EDTA
BHT
Antioxidant
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Methylisothiazolinone
Preservative
Mica
Cosmetic ColorantHomosalate 8%, Benzophenone-3 5%, Ethylhexyl Salicylate 4%, Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane 3%, Octocrylene 2.35%, Water, Glycerin, Ethoxydiglycol, Butylene Glycol, Cyclopentasiloxane, Glycereth-26, Isostearyl Neopentanoate, Alcohol Denat., Nylon-12, Acetyl Octapeptide-3, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-38, Acetylarginyltryptophyl Diphenylglycine, Acetyl Tyrosine, Proline, Adenosine Triphosphate, Hydrolyzed Malt Extract, Hydrolyzed Vegetable Protein, Opuntia Ficus-Indica Stem Extract, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Equisetum Arvense Extract, Panax Ginseng Root Extract, Bisabolol, Tocopheryl Acetate, Ascorbyl Palmitate, Retinyl Palmitate, Isononyl Isononanoate, Caprylyl/Capryl Glucoside, Coco-Glucoside, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Glyceryl Stearate, PEG-100 Stearate, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer, Polymethyl Methacrylate, Sodium Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Xanthan Gum, Phospholipids, Hydroxypropyl Cyclodextrin, Bis-Ethylhexyl Hydroxydimethoxy Benzylmalonate, Caprylyl Glycol, Propylene Glycol, Polyisobutene, Coconut Alcohol, Silica, Tetrasodium EDTA, BHT, Phenoxyethanol, Methylisothiazolinone, Mica
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
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 MethoxydibenzoylmethaneEthylhexyl Salicylate is an organic compound used to block UV rays. It primarily absorbs UVB rays but offers a small amount of UVA protection as well.
Commonly found in sunscreens, Ethylhexyl Salicylate is created from salicylic acid and 2-ethylhexanol. You might know salicylic acid as the effective acne fighter ingredient and BHA.
The ethylhexanol in this ingredient is a fatty alcohol and helps hydrate your skin, similar to oils. It is an emollient, which means it traps moisture into the skin.
According to manufacturers, Ethylhexyl Salicylate absorbs UV wavelength of 295-315 nm, with a peak absorption at 307-310 nm. UVA rays are linked to long term skin damage, such as hyperpigmentation. UVB rays emit more energy and are capable of damaging our DNA. UVB rays cause sunburn.
Learn more about Ethylhexyl SalicylateGlycerin (or glycerol) is a compound naturally found in your skin. It's a powerhouse humectant that pulls water into the stratum corneum.
Topically, glycerin does several things at once:
Your skin makes glycerin on its own (mostly from sebaceous oil breakdown) and shuttles it to your outermost layer of skin, or your epidermis, via aquaporin-3.
Aquaporin-3 is a transporter that is essential for normal skin hydration, elasticity, and repair. Interestingly, mice lacking in AQP3 have dry and less elastic skin that can be fully corrected with glycerin.
This ingredient is non-irritating, plays well with almost every ingredient, and works across all skin types. Typical use is anywhere between 3-10% but can go up to 79% in some leave-on products.
Just know very high concentrations (>40%) can feel tacky in low humidity.
Glycerin is the name for this ingredient in American English. British English uses Glycerol/Glycerine.
Learn more about GlycerinGlyceryl Stearate is made by reacting glycerin with stearic acid (typically sourced from plant oils like palm or coconut). It's an emulsifier, emollient, and mild occlusive.
Emulsifiers help ingredients like oil and water stay mixed so your formula stays nicely blended and uniform in texture.
This ingredient is typically used in concentrations between 1-10%. Studies have found it to be non-sensitizing, non-phototoxic, and non-photoallergenic.
A close cousin of this ingredient is Glyceryl Stearate SE ("self-emulsifying"). This just has a small amount of sodium or potassium stearate added so it can emulsify without a co-emulsifier.
Since this ingredient is an ester of a C18 fatty acid, it may not be fungal acne safe. The Malassezia yeast can potentially metabolize within the C11-C24 range.
Fun fact: The human body also creates Glyceryl Stearate naturally.
Learn more about Glyceryl StearateHomosalate is a chemical sunscreen filter that provides protection in the UV-B range (280nm - 320 nm), with a peak protection at 306 nm. It is internationally approved for use in sunscreens.
Homosalate is not photo-stable, meaning it's strength as a UV filter degrades over time with exposure to the sun. Because of this, it's often used in combination with other chemical sunscreen filters as avobenzone (which protects from the UV-A range). Homosalate also helps act as a solvent for harder-to-dissolve UV filters.
(Part of the reason that sunscreens need to be frequently re-applied is due to the photo instability of many chemical sunscreen filters)
Currently, homosalate is approved in concentrations up to 10% in the EU and 15% in the US. The FDA is currently doing further research on the effects of homosalate, and it is possible that these approved concentrations will change in the future.
Learn more about HomosalateOctocrylene protects skin from sun damage. It absorbs UV-B with peak absorption of 304 nm. It is a common sunscreen ingredient and often paired with avobenzone, a UVA filter. This is because octocrylene stabilizes other sunscreen ingredients by protecting them from degradation when exposed to sunlight. Octocrylene is a photostable ingredient and loses about 10% of SPF in 95 minutes.
Octocrylene also acts as an emollient, meaning it helps skin retain moisture and softens skin. It is oil-soluble and hydrophobic, enhancing water-resistant properties in a product.
Those who are using ketoprofen, a topical anti-inflammatory drug, may experience an allergic reaction when using octocrylene. It is best to speak with a healthcare professional about using sunscreens with octocrylene.
The EU allows a maximum of these concentrations:
Learn more about OctocrylenePhenoxyethanol is a preservative that has germicide, antimicrobial, and aromatic properties. Studies show that phenoxyethanol can prevent 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.
Silica, 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 SilicaTocopheryl 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 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
