Nivea Face Sunscreen Alpin SPF 50 Versus Plum Goodness Green Tea & Zinc Super-Matte Sunscreen Gel SPF 50
What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningAlcohol Denat.
Antimicrobial
Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane
UV Absorber
Isopropyl Palmitate
Emollient
Bis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine
Skin Conditioning
C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate
AntimicrobialGlycerin
Humectant
Dibutyl Adipate
EmollientEthylhexyl Triazone
UV Absorber
Butylene Glycol Dicaprylate/Dicaprate
EmollientPhenylbenzimidazole Sulfonic Acid
UV Absorber
Distarch Phosphate
AbsorbentCetearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Glyceryl Stearate
Emollient
Tapioca Starch
Diethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl Benzoate
UV Filter
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Glycyrrhiza Inflata Root Extract
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Stearoyl Glutamate
CleansingHydrogenated Rapeseed Oil
Emollient
Silica Dimethyl Silylate
EmollientCocoglycerides
Emollient
Hydrogenated Coco-Glycerides
Emollient
Hydroxypropyl Starch Phosphate
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingSodium Hydroxide
BufferingSodium Chloride
MaskingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningHydroxyacetophenone
Antioxidant
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Trisodium EDTA
Linalool
Perfuming
Benzyl Alcohol
Perfuming
Alpha-Isomethyl Ionone
Perfuming
Limonene
Perfuming
Geraniol
Perfuming
Citronellol
Perfuming
Parfum
Masking
Water, Alcohol Denat., Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane, Isopropyl Palmitate, Bis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine, C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate, Glycerin, Dibutyl Adipate, Ethylhexyl Triazone, Butylene Glycol Dicaprylate/Dicaprate, Phenylbenzimidazole Sulfonic Acid, Distarch Phosphate, Cetearyl Alcohol, Glyceryl Stearate, Tapioca Starch, Diethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl Benzoate, Tocopheryl Acetate, Glycyrrhiza Inflata Root Extract, Sodium Stearoyl Glutamate, Hydrogenated Rapeseed Oil, Silica Dimethyl Silylate, Cocoglycerides, Hydrogenated Coco-Glycerides, Hydroxypropyl Starch Phosphate, Xanthan Gum, Sodium Hydroxide, Sodium Chloride, Ethylhexylglycerin, Hydroxyacetophenone, Phenoxyethanol, Trisodium EDTA, Linalool, Benzyl Alcohol, Alpha-Isomethyl Ionone, Limonene, Geraniol, Citronellol, Parfum
Water
Skin ConditioningEthylhexyl Methoxycinnamate
UV Absorber
Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane
UV Absorber
Benzophenone-3
UV Absorber
Phospholipids
Skin Conditioning
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate
AntimicrobialDimethicone
Emollient
Sodium Acrylates Copolymer
Lecithin
Emollient
Xylitylglucoside
Humectant
Anhydroxylitol
Humectant
Xylitol
Humectant
Glycerin
Humectant
Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
Antimicrobial
Zinc PCA
Humectant
Oat Amino Acids
Skin ConditioningSalix Nigra Bark Extract
Skin ProtectingGlycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract
Bleaching
Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract
Emollient
Zinc Oxide
Cosmetic Colorant
Hyaluronic Acid
Humectant
Ceramide NP
Skin Conditioning
Ceramide AP
Skin Conditioning
Ceramide EOP
Skin Conditioning
Phytosphingosine
Skin Conditioning
Cholesterol
Emollient
Sodium Lauroyl Lactylate
EmulsifyingCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingAllantoin
Skin Conditioning
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid
Skin Conditioning
Ethoxydiglycol
HumectantHelianthus Annuus Seed Oil
Emollient
Glyceryl Stearate
Emollient
Oxothiazolidine
Skin ProtectingPhenoxyethanol
Preservative
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningTitanium Dioxide
Cosmetic Colorant
Trehalose
Humectant
Water, Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate, Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane, Benzophenone-3, Phospholipids, Butylene Glycol, C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate, Dimethicone, Sodium Acrylates Copolymer, Lecithin, Xylitylglucoside, Anhydroxylitol, Xylitol, Glycerin, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Zinc PCA, Oat Amino Acids, Salix Nigra Bark Extract, Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract, Zinc Oxide, Hyaluronic Acid, Ceramide NP, Ceramide AP, Ceramide EOP, Phytosphingosine, Cholesterol, Sodium Lauroyl Lactylate, Carbomer, Xanthan Gum, Allantoin, Tocopherol, 3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid, Ethoxydiglycol, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Glyceryl Stearate, Oxothiazolidine, Phenoxyethanol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Titanium Dioxide, Trehalose
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 MethoxydibenzoylmethaneC12-15 Alkyl Benzoate is made up of Benzoic Acid and long chain alcohols. It has a low molecular weight.
C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate is an emollient and texture enhancer. Due to its solubility, it is often used in sunscreens to help evenly distribute active ingredients.
As an emollient, C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate helps soften and hydrate your skin. Emollients create a film on your skin that traps moisture within.
This ingredient has been reported to cause eye irritation.
Learn more about C12-15 Alkyl BenzoateEthylhexylglycerin 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 EthylhexylglycerinGlycerin (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 StearatePhenoxyethanol 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.
Water. 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
