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.
AntimicrobialDistarch Phosphate
AbsorbentOctocrylene
UV AbsorberPhenylbenzimidazole Sulfonic Acid
UV AbsorberButyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane
UV AbsorberGlycerin
HumectantPolyglyceryl-3 Methylglucose Distearate
EmulsifyingDimethicone
EmollientPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeSodium Hydroxide
BufferingBehenyl Alcohol
EmollientCetyl Alcohol
EmollientSilica
AbrasiveSilica Dimethyl Silylate
EmollientVp/Hexadecene Copolymer
Methylparaben
PreservativeTrisodium EDTA
Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingPropylene Glycol
HumectantCreatine
Skin ConditioningPersea Gratissima Oil
Skin ConditioningVitis Vinifera Seed Oil
EmollientSodium Ascorbyl Phosphate
AntioxidantMaltodextrin
AbsorbentCitric Acid
BufferingCitrus Limon Juice
Skin ConditioningTrideceth-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
MaskingSodium Benzoate
MaskingCamellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialCitrus Sinensis Fruit Extract
AntioxidantGlycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract
BleachingMyrciaria Dubia Fruit Juice
AntioxidantPotassium Sorbate
PreservativeAscorbic Acid
AntioxidantParfum
MaskingWater, 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 AbsorberAlcohol
AntimicrobialButyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane 1%
UV AbsorberOctocrylene 1%
UV AbsorberSteareth-6
EmulsifyingDimethicone
EmollientButylene Glycol
HumectantCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingCoix Lacryma-Jobi Ma-Yuen Seed Extract
Skin ConditioningRosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialPrunus Persica Leaf Extract
EmollientAloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract
EmollientCitrus Junos Peel Oil
AstringentCocos Nucifera Oil
MaskingSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantCeramide Ng
Skin ConditioningXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingTetrasodium EDTA
Sodium Hydroxide 0.1%
BufferingBHT
AntioxidantMethylparaben 0.2%
PreservativeEthylparaben 0.01%
PreservativePhenoxyethanol 0.9%
PreservativeWater, 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 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 MethoxydibenzoylmethaneCarbomer is a polymer of acrylic acid. Its main role is to create a gel consistency.
A high amount of carbomer can cause pilling or balling up of products. Don't worry, most products contain 1% or less of carbomer.
Dimethicone is a type of synthetic silicone created from natural materials such as quartz.
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 preservative and is a paraben. It is used to prevent the growth of fungus, mold, and other harmful bacteria. Parabens are chemicals used as preservatives in both cosmetics and food.
Methylparaben can be synthetically created. It can also be found naturally in some fruits, such as blueberries.
Oftentimes, Methylparaben is combined with other parabens to help increase the shelf life.
The safety of Methylparaben is currently being studied. While ongoing studies are looking into the safety of parabens, the results have been very mixed. Some studies have not found Methylparaben to be harmful.
Learn more about MethylparabenOctocrylene 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.
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. 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