Nivea UV Super Water Gel SPF 50 PA+++ Versus Missha All Around Safe Block Velvet Finish Sun Milk SPF50+/PA++++
This chemical sunscreen covers most of the UV range, lighter on the deep UVA that drives aging.
This hybrid sunscreen covers the full UV range and blocks ~98% of UVB at SPF 50.
What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningEthylhexyl Methoxycinnamate
UV Absorber
Alcohol Denat.
Antimicrobial
Propylene Glycol
Humectant
Dimethicone
Emollient
Ethylhexyl Triazone
UV Absorber
Diethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl Benzoate
UV Filter
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Lysine Lauroyl Glutamate
CleansingPyrus Cydonia Seed Extract
MaskingGeranium Robertianum Extract
AstringentPhellodendron Amurense Bark Extract
Skin ConditioningSodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingTocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingBHT
Antioxidant
Methylparaben
Preservative
Water, Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate, Alcohol Denat., Propylene Glycol, Dimethicone, Ethylhexyl Triazone, Diethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl Benzoate, Butylene Glycol, Lysine Lauroyl Glutamate, Pyrus Cydonia Seed Extract, Geranium Robertianum Extract, Phellodendron Amurense Bark Extract, Sodium Hyaluronate, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Carbomer, Tocopheryl Acetate, Sodium Hydroxide, BHT, Methylparaben
Helichrysum Italicum Extract
AntiseborrhoeicCyclopentasiloxane
Emollient
Homosalate
Skin Conditioning
Silica
Abrasive
Titanium Dioxide
Cosmetic Colorant
Ethylhexyl Salicylate
UV Absorber
Alcohol
Antimicrobial
Dipropylene Glycol
HumectantLauryl PEG-10 Tris(Trimethylsiloxy)Silylethyl Dimethicone
Emulsifying
Isopropyl Palmitate
Emollient
Caprylyl Methicone
Skin Conditioning
Diethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl Benzoate
UV Filter
C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate
AntimicrobialBis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine
UV Absorber
Abronia Villosa Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningPsidium Guajava Leaf Extract
AstringentAloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract
Emollient
Cinchona Succirubra Bark Extract
Skin ConditioningRhodiola Rosea Root Extract
EmollientRosa Damascena Flower Water
Masking
Leontopodium Alpinum Flower/Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningWater
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
Humectant
Aluminum Hydroxide
EmollientMagnesium Sulfate
Stearic Acid
Cleansing
Quaternium-18 Bentonite
Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer
Skin Conditioning
Dimethicone
Emollient
Silica Dimethyl Silylate
EmollientSodium Benzoate
Masking
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Potassium Sorbate
Preservative
Polyhydroxystearic Acid
Emulsifying
Ethylhexyl Palmitate
Emollient
Isostearic Acid
Cleansing
Lecithin
Emollient
Polyglyceryl-3 Polyricinoleate
Emulsifying
Vp/Hexadecene Copolymer
Acrylates/Dimethicone Copolymer
Skin Conditioning
Disodium EDTA
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningCI 77491
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77492
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77499
Cosmetic ColorantParfum
Masking
Helichrysum Italicum Extract, Cyclopentasiloxane, Homosalate, Silica, Titanium Dioxide, Ethylhexyl Salicylate, Alcohol, Dipropylene Glycol, Lauryl PEG-10 Tris(Trimethylsiloxy)Silylethyl Dimethicone, Isopropyl Palmitate, Caprylyl Methicone, Diethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl Benzoate, C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate, Bis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine, Abronia Villosa Leaf Extract, Psidium Guajava Leaf Extract, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract, Cinchona Succirubra Bark Extract, Rhodiola Rosea Root Extract, Rosa Damascena Flower Water, Leontopodium Alpinum Flower/Leaf Extract, Water, Butylene Glycol, Aluminum Hydroxide, Magnesium Sulfate, Stearic Acid, Quaternium-18 Bentonite, Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Dimethicone, Silica Dimethyl Silylate, Sodium Benzoate, Tocopheryl Acetate, Potassium Sorbate, Polyhydroxystearic Acid, Ethylhexyl Palmitate, Isostearic Acid, Lecithin, Polyglyceryl-3 Polyricinoleate, Vp/Hexadecene Copolymer, Acrylates/Dimethicone Copolymer, Disodium EDTA, Phenoxyethanol, Caprylyl Glycol, Ethylhexylglycerin, CI 77491, CI 77492, CI 77499, Parfum
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Butylene Glycol (or BG) is used within cosmetic products for a few different reasons:
Overall, Butylene Glycol is a safe and well-rounded ingredient that works well with other ingredients.
Though this ingredient works well with most skin types, some people with sensitive skin may experience a reaction such as allergic rashes, closed comedones, or itchiness.
Learn more about Butylene GlycolDiethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl Benzoate (DHHB) is a chemical UV-A absorber. It is formulated for high UVA protection (320-400 nm).
DHHB is well-liked for:
DHHB has been approved by the EU, Japan, Taiwan, and South America for use up to 10%. Unfortunately, it has not been approved for use in the US or Canada due to slow regulatory processes.
This ingredient is soluble in oils, fats, and lipids.
Learn more about Diethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl BenzoateDimethicone 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 DimethiconeTocopheryl Acetate is a stable, shelf-friendly form of vitamin E.
Formulators love it because plain vitamin E oxidizes quickly once it hits air. This acetate version stays stable and resists going off, helping to extend a product's shelf life.
It's actually inactive on its own and works like a slow-release "storage" form; the enzymes in your skin called esterases gradually convert it into active vitamin E over time.
One in vivo study showed 5% of the acetate in the living layer of the epidermis converted to vitamin E after 5 days of application. This study also found the skin gained protection against UV damage even though the conversion was slow and small.
Once converted, vitamin E acts as a skin's main fat-soluble antioxidant that fights free radicals to protect skin from damage.
Topical vitamin E generally boosts the skin's photoprotection, and it reduced UV-damage in animal models.
This ingredient has some brightening potential but it's more of a prevention ingredient than spot-fader. Cell studies show it can slow down melanin production but it's worth noting that it's not the most powerful brightener out there.
Overall, it has a pretty solid safety profile and has been found to be non-irritating and non-comedogenic. Allergic reactions may happen but stay rare due to how widely the ingredient gets used.
The concentration will vary depending on the formula; industry data shows 0.1% in baby lotions, 3% in lipsticks, and 5% in foot powders. You can also find this ingredient at 100% in a pure vitamin E oil.
Most leave-on skincare keeps it at the lower end, often between 0.5-1%.
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
