Nivea Extra Bright Super C+ Vitamin Serum SPF 50 Versus KUMANO COSME Hatomugi UV Care & Moisturizing The UV Milky Gel SPF 50+ PA++++
What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningC12-15 Alkyl Benzoate
AntimicrobialAlcohol Denat.
Antimicrobial
Distarch Phosphate
AbsorbentOctocrylene
UV Absorber
Phenylbenzimidazole Sulfonic Acid
UV Absorber
Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane
UV Absorber
Glycerin
Humectant
Polyglyceryl-3 Methylglucose Distearate
Emulsifying
Dimethicone
Emollient
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingBehenyl Alcohol
Emollient
Cetyl Alcohol
Emollient
Silica
Abrasive
Silica Dimethyl Silylate
EmollientVp/Hexadecene Copolymer
Methylparaben
Preservative
Trisodium EDTA
Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingPropylene Glycol
Humectant
Creatine
Skin ConditioningPersea Gratissima Oil
Skin Conditioning
Vitis Vinifera Seed Oil
Emollient
Sodium Ascorbyl Phosphate
Antioxidant
Maltodextrin
Absorbent
Citric Acid
Buffering
Citrus Limon Juice
Skin Conditioning
Trideceth-9
EmulsifyingMalpighia Glabra Fruit Juice
Skin ConditioningMangifera Indica Juice
Skin ConditioningFragaria Ananassa Fruit Juice
Skin ConditioningRubus Fruticosus Juice
AstringentRubus Idaeus Juice
AstringentVaccinium Myrtillus Fruit Juice
Skin ConditioningBisabolol
Antioxidant
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
Antimicrobial
Citrus Sinensis Fruit Extract
Antioxidant
Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract
Bleaching
Myrciaria Dubia Fruit Juice
Antioxidant
Potassium Sorbate
Preservative
Ascorbic Acid
Antioxidant
Parfum
Masking
Water, C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate, Alcohol Denat., Distarch Phosphate, Octocrylene, Phenylbenzimidazole Sulfonic Acid, Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane, Glycerin, Polyglyceryl-3 Methylglucose Distearate, Dimethicone, Phenoxyethanol, Sodium Hydroxide, Behenyl Alcohol, Cetyl Alcohol, Silica, Silica Dimethyl Silylate, Vp/Hexadecene Copolymer, Methylparaben, Trisodium EDTA, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Xanthan Gum, Carbomer, Propylene Glycol, Creatine, Persea Gratissima Oil, Vitis Vinifera Seed Oil, Sodium Ascorbyl Phosphate, Maltodextrin, Citric Acid, Citrus Limon Juice, Trideceth-9, Malpighia Glabra Fruit Juice, Mangifera Indica Juice, Fragaria Ananassa Fruit Juice, Rubus Fruticosus Juice, Rubus Idaeus Juice, Vaccinium Myrtillus Fruit Juice, Bisabolol, Sodium Benzoate, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Citrus Sinensis Fruit Extract, Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract, Myrciaria Dubia Fruit Juice, Potassium Sorbate, Ascorbic Acid, Parfum
Water
Skin ConditioningEthylhexyl Methoxycinnamate 9.5%
UV Absorber
Alcohol
Antimicrobial
Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane 1%
UV Absorber
Octocrylene 1%
UV Absorber
Steareth-6
EmulsifyingDimethicone
Emollient
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Carbomer
Emulsion StabilisingCoix Lacryma-Jobi Ma-Yuen Seed Extract
Skin ConditioningRosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialPrunus Persica Leaf Extract
Emollient
Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract
Emollient
Citrus Junos Peel Oil
Astringent
Cocos Nucifera Oil
Masking
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Ceramide Ng
Skin Conditioning
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingTetrasodium EDTA
Sodium Hydroxide 0.1%
BufferingBHT
Antioxidant
Methylparaben 0.2%
Preservative
Ethylparaben 0.01%
Preservative
Phenoxyethanol 0.9%
Preservative
Water, Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate 9.5%, Alcohol, Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane 1%, Octocrylene 1%, Steareth-6, Dimethicone, Butylene Glycol, Carbomer, Coix Lacryma-Jobi Ma-Yuen Seed Extract, Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract, Prunus Persica Leaf Extract, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract, Citrus Junos Peel Oil, Cocos Nucifera Oil, Sodium Hyaluronate, Ceramide Ng, Xanthan Gum, Tetrasodium EDTA, Sodium Hydroxide 0.1%, BHT, Methylparaben 0.2%, Ethylparaben 0.01%, Phenoxyethanol 0.9%
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 an oil-soluble used to absorb the full spectrum of UVA rays (peak 357 nm).
It's one of the most effective UVA filters available but has a major caveat of photostability: avobenzone is susceptible to photodegradation.
This means it can lose efficacy when exposed to sunlight without the help of a stabilizing agent.
Studies show antioxidants (like vitamin E or vitamin C) and some UV filters (like octocrylene and Tinosorb S) can meaningfully improve its stability in a formulation.
The maximum allowable concentration according to regulation is 3% in the US + Canada, and 5% in the EU, Australia, China, Korea, and ASEAN countries.
It has a well-support safety profile: a comprehensive 2025 review found minimal toxicity with no evidence of carcinogenicity.
Overall, avobenzone is a safe and regulated ingredient used in sunscreen for over 40 years.
Learn more about Butyl MethoxydibenzoylmethaneCarbomer is a high-molecular weight polymer of acrylic acid. It is used to form gels and thicken formulas.
Due to its large molecular size, carbomer has minimal skin penetration and is considered an inert ingredient.
A high amount of carbomer can cause pilling or balling up of products. Don't worry, most products contain 1% or less of carbomer.
Learn more about CarbomerDimethicone is a type of synthetic silicone created from natural materials such as quartz. It is also known as polydimethylsiloxane.
What it does:
Dimethicone comes in different viscosities:
Depending on the viscosity, dimethicone has different properties.
Ingredients lists don't always show which type is used, so we recommend reaching out to the brand if you have questions about the viscosity.
This ingredient is unlikely to cause irritation because it does not get absorbed into skin. However, people with silicone allergies should be careful about using this ingredient.
Note: Dimethicone may contribute to pilling. This is because it is not oil or water soluble, so pilling may occur when layered with products. When mixed with heavy oils in a formula, the outcome is also quite greasy.
Learn more about DimethiconeMethylparaben is a synthetic preservative and one of the most widely used in the world. It has a simple, but important job: prevent your products from going bad by stopping bacteria, yeast, and mold from growing.
Typical use levels are low, often 0.1-0.3%.
This is also one of the most heavily studied preservatives out there and major regulatory bodies have repeatedly given it the green light.
In 2023, the EU's Scientific Committee on Consumer Safety (SCCS) confirmed that this ingredient is safe up to 0.4% on its own, of up to 0.8% when mixed with other paraben esters.
Here's the science behind the noise behind parabens/hormones as well:
Methylparaben shows very weak estrogen-like activity in vitro tests (more than 1,000x weaker than your body's own estradiol). In vivo (live-organism) studies don't support a meaningful endocrine-disrupting effect either.
You get a stronger estrogenic effect from eating tofu, actually.
It's also a low sensitizer and allergic reactions are uncommon; they usually happen on damage or broken skin.
There is a caveat: France has proposed to formally re-examine its endocrine classification in 2025 so the regulatory conversation isn't fully closed as of yet.
But as it stands today, this ingredient is considered safe at permitted levels.
Learn more about MethylparabenOctocrylene is an oil-soluble organic UV filter that mainly absorbs UVB and short wave UVA II light.
Its real superpower is teamwork: octocrylene is remarkably photostable and is most famous for stabilizing avobenzone (the workhorse UVA filter).
This ingredient is commonly used to enhance both UVB and UVA protection due to its unique property in stabilizing avobenzone. It also pulls double duty by boosting water resistance and giving formulas a smooth, spreadable feel.
The EU's Scientific Committee on Consumer Safety (SCCS) has deemed octocrylene to be safe as a UV-filter at concentrations up to 10% (capped at 9% in propellant sprays). The US also permits it up to 10%.
Two things worth knowing:
You'll usually see this ingredient used in concentrations between 2-10% (higher amounts when used as a stabilizer for avobenzone).
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.
Sodium Hydroxide is also known as lye or caustic soda. It is used to adjust the pH of products; many ingredients require a specific pH to be effective.
In small amounts, sodium hydroxide is considered safe to use. However, large amounts may cause chemical burns due to its high alkaline.
Your skin has a natural pH and acid mantle. This acid mantle helps prevent harmful bacteria from breaking through. The acid mantle also helps keep your skin hydrated.
"Alkaline" refers to a high pH level. A low pH level would be considered acidic.
Learn more about Sodium HydroxideWater. 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
