Neutrogena Sun Fresh Derm Care SPF 50 Versus La Roche-Posay Anthelios UVMune 400 Hydrating Cream SPF 50+
What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningHomosalate
Skin ConditioningSilica
AbrasiveOctocrylene
UV AbsorberEthylhexyl Salicylate
UV AbsorberButyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane
UV AbsorberAluminum Starch Octenylsuccinate
AbsorbentEthylhexyl Triazone
UV AbsorberMethylene Bis-Benzotriazolyl Tetramethylbutylphenol
UV FilterTriacontanyl Pvp
HumectantDimethicone
EmollientCaprylyl Methicone
Skin ConditioningSodium Potassium Aluminum Silicate
Glyceryl Stearate
EmollientIsononyl Isononanoate
EmollientNiacinamide
SmoothingPEG-100 Stearate
Potassium Cetyl Phosphate
EmulsifyingStearyl Alcohol
EmollientAlcohol
AntimicrobialPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeHydroxyacetophenone
AntioxidantBis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine
Skin ConditioningTitanium Dioxide
Cosmetic ColorantDimethicone Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingParfum
MaskingSodium Ascorbyl Phosphate
AntioxidantAcrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingDisodium EDTA
Tocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantChrysanthemum Parthenium Flower/Leaf/Stem Juice
AntioxidantAmyl Cinnamal
PerfumingBenzyl Salicylate
PerfumingWater, Homosalate, Silica, Octocrylene, Ethylhexyl Salicylate, Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane, Aluminum Starch Octenylsuccinate, Ethylhexyl Triazone, Methylene Bis-Benzotriazolyl Tetramethylbutylphenol, Triacontanyl Pvp, Dimethicone, Caprylyl Methicone, Sodium Potassium Aluminum Silicate, Glyceryl Stearate, Isononyl Isononanoate, Niacinamide, PEG-100 Stearate, Potassium Cetyl Phosphate, Stearyl Alcohol, Alcohol, Phenoxyethanol, Hydroxyacetophenone, Bis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine, Titanium Dioxide, Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Parfum, Sodium Ascorbyl Phosphate, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Disodium EDTA, Tocopheryl Acetate, Chrysanthemum Parthenium Flower/Leaf/Stem Juice, Amyl Cinnamal, Benzyl Salicylate
Water
Skin ConditioningDiisopropyl Sebacate
EmollientAlcohol Denat.
AntimicrobialEthylhexyl Salicylate
UV AbsorberEthylhexyl Triazone
UV AbsorberBis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine
Skin ConditioningDiisopropyl Adipate
EmollientPEG-8
HumectantDipropylene Glycol
HumectantC12-22 Alkyl Acrylate/Hydroxyethylacrylate Copolymer
StabilisingGlycerin
HumectantDrometrizole Trisiloxane
UV AbsorberAluminum Starch Octenylsuccinate
AbsorbentButyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane
UV AbsorberMethoxypropylamino Cyclohexenylidene Ethoxyethylcyanoacetate
StabilisingSilica
AbrasiveTocopherol
AntioxidantDiethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl Benzoate
UV FilterAcrylates Copolymer
Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientHydroxyacetophenone
AntioxidantPentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate
AntioxidantSodium Polyacrylate
AbsorbentTerephthalylidene Dicamphor Sulfonic Acid
UV AbsorberTriethanolamine
BufferingTrisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate
Water, Diisopropyl Sebacate, Alcohol Denat., Ethylhexyl Salicylate, Ethylhexyl Triazone, Bis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine, Diisopropyl Adipate, PEG-8, Dipropylene Glycol, C12-22 Alkyl Acrylate/Hydroxyethylacrylate Copolymer, Glycerin, Drometrizole Trisiloxane, Aluminum Starch Octenylsuccinate, Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane, Methoxypropylamino Cyclohexenylidene Ethoxyethylcyanoacetate, Silica, Tocopherol, Diethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl Benzoate, Acrylates Copolymer, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Caprylyl Glycol, Hydroxyacetophenone, Pentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate, Sodium Polyacrylate, Terephthalylidene Dicamphor Sulfonic Acid, Triethanolamine, Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer is a synthetic polymer. It is used to thicken and improve the texture of products. Due to its properties, it can prevent water and oil ingredients from separating.
Aluminum Starch Octenylsuccinate is a synthetic powder used as an absorbent, thickener, and anti-caking agent.
As an absorbent, it is great at mattifying skin by soaking up the oil. This is why you'll find it in a range of products from makeup to moisturizers.
This ingredient is considered a modified starch. Starch can also be found naturally in plants.
One study from 1991 found that 5% of this ingredient enhanced titanium dioxide SPF by as much as 40%. The study found 1% titanium dioxide had a 5.6 SPF and adding 5% of aluminum starch octenylsuccinate boosted it to an SPF of 8.1
Although “aluminum” in an ingredient name can raise red flags for some consumers, the form and usage context matter significantly. For typical topical applications, there is no substantial evidence of health risks - such as cancer, neurotoxicity, or systemic “aluminum overload.”
Learn more about Aluminum Starch OctenylsuccinateYou might know this ingredient as Tinosorb S or Bemotrizinol. It is a UV filter that covers both UVA and UVB rays.
This ingredient has two peak UV absorption peaks ( 310 and 340 nm) and is able to absorb both UV-A and UV-B rays. This ingredient works by preventing UV rays from reaching and damaging your skin.
On top of that - it is highly photostable and helps prevent the photodegration of other sunscreen ingredients such as avobenzone.
Tinosorb S is allowed in the EU, Australia, and Asia. It is close to being approved by the FDA and we'll hopefully get this ingredient in the U.S. by late 2025.
Fun fact: Tinosorb S is the most effective UV absorber at maximum concentration (measured by SPF) permitted in the EU.
This ingredient is oil-soluble, so your oil-cleansers will take this right off at night.
Learn more about Bis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl TriazineAlso 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 SalicylateEthylhexyl Triazone is a modern chemical sunscreen that protects from UV-B radiation.
It is the most effective of existing UV-B filters, as it provides the highest level of photo-stable absorption. It protects from the entire UV-B range (280 to 320nm), with it's highest level of protection at 314nm.
Ethylhexyl Triazone is oil soluble, oderless and colorless, which mean it is able to be incorporated into a variety of different formulations.
It is not currently available within the United States due to slow changing FDA regulations. Outside of the US, it is used in formulations at concentrations up to 5%.
Learn more about Ethylhexyl TriazoneHydroxyacetophenone is antioxidant with skin conditioning and soothing properties. It also boosts the efficiency of preservatives.
This ingredient is not irritating or sensitizing.
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 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. Stay hydrated!
Learn more about Water