Nivea UV Super Water Gel EX SPF 50+ Versus SKIN1004 Madagascar Centella Tea-Trica Soothing Sun Milk SPF 50+
What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningAlcohol Denat.
Antimicrobial
Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate
UV Absorber
Propylene Glycol
Humectant
Diethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl Benzoate
UV Filter
Caprylyl Methicone
Skin Conditioning
Diisopropyl Sebacate
EmollientIsopropyl Palmitate
Emollient
Ethylhexyl Triazone
UV Absorber
Trehalose
Humectant
Mannitol
Humectant
Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid
Humectant
Rosa Centifolia Flower Water
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
Humectant
Polyglyceryl-3 Methylglucose Distearate
Emulsifying
Sodium Dilauramidoglutamide Lysine
HumectantBis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine
Skin Conditioning
Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingPhenoxyethanol
Preservative
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingBHT
Antioxidant
Parfum
Masking
Water, Alcohol Denat., Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate, Propylene Glycol, Diethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl Benzoate, Caprylyl Methicone, Diisopropyl Sebacate, Isopropyl Palmitate, Ethylhexyl Triazone, Trehalose, Mannitol, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, Rosa Centifolia Flower Water, Butylene Glycol, Polyglyceryl-3 Methylglucose Distearate, Sodium Dilauramidoglutamide Lysine, Bis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Carbomer, Phenoxyethanol, Sodium Hydroxide, BHT, Parfum
Water
Skin ConditioningButyloctyl Salicylate
Skin Conditioning
Dibutyl Adipate
EmollientPropanediol
Solvent
Ethylhexyl Triazone
UV Absorber
Terephthalylidene Dicamphor Sulfonic Acid
UV Absorber
Bis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine
Skin Conditioning
Polyglyceryl-3 Distearate
Emulsifying
Niacinamide
Smoothing
Tromethamine
Buffering1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Diethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl Benzoate
UV Filter
Caprylyl Methicone
Skin Conditioning
Pentylene Glycol
Skin Conditioning
Polymethylsilsesquioxane
Polysilicone-15
UV Filter
Centella Asiatica Extract
Cleansing
Ficus Carica Fruit Extract
Humectant
Oenothera Biennis Flower Extract
AstringentUlmus Davidiana Root Extract
Skin Conditioning
Pinus Palustris Leaf Extract
TonicPueraria Lobata Root Extract
HumectantChamaecyparis Obtusa Water
MaskingMelaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Water
AntimicrobialHydrogenated Lecithin
Emulsifying
Glyceryl Stearate
Emollient
Cetearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Sorbitan Laurate
Emulsifying
Sodium Stearoyl Glutamate
CleansingCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingAmmonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer
Glyceryl Stearate Citrate
Emollient
Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningPolyglyceryl-4 Laurate
Emulsifying
Adenosine
Skin Conditioning
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Glycerin
Humectant
Zinc Oxide
Cosmetic Colorant
Ethoxydiglycol
HumectantCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Octyldodecanol
Emollient
Asiaticoside
Antioxidant
Glycolipids
Skin ConditioningMadecassic Acid
Skin Conditioning
Asiatic Acid
Skin Conditioning
Polyhydroxystearic Acid
Emulsifying
C12-13 Alketh-9
EmulsifyingTriethoxycaprylylsilane
Ceramide NP
Skin Conditioning
Dilauryl Citrate
EmollientWater, Butyloctyl Salicylate, Dibutyl Adipate, Propanediol, Ethylhexyl Triazone, Terephthalylidene Dicamphor Sulfonic Acid, Bis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine, Polyglyceryl-3 Distearate, Niacinamide, Tromethamine, 1,2-Hexanediol, Diethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl Benzoate, Caprylyl Methicone, Pentylene Glycol, Polymethylsilsesquioxane, Polysilicone-15, Centella Asiatica Extract, Ficus Carica Fruit Extract, Oenothera Biennis Flower Extract, Ulmus Davidiana Root Extract, Pinus Palustris Leaf Extract, Pueraria Lobata Root Extract, Chamaecyparis Obtusa Water, Melaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Water, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Glyceryl Stearate, Cetearyl Alcohol, Sorbitan Laurate, Sodium Stearoyl Glutamate, Carbomer, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer, Glyceryl Stearate Citrate, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Ethylhexylglycerin, Polyglyceryl-4 Laurate, Adenosine, Butylene Glycol, Tocopherol, Glycerin, Zinc Oxide, Ethoxydiglycol, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Octyldodecanol, Asiaticoside, Glycolipids, Madecassic Acid, Asiatic Acid, Polyhydroxystearic Acid, C12-13 Alketh-9, Triethoxycaprylylsilane, Ceramide NP, Dilauryl Citrate
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, emulsify, and improve the texture of products.
As an emulsifier, it helps stabilize oil-in-water emulsions to give products an elegant feel when applied.
It can also form a thin protective film on skin. One study found that a formula using this polymer helped slow down how quickly other ingredients (like DEET) were absorbed through skin.
A 2024 study of over 1,300 patients confirmed that sensitization to this ingredient is rare. It is also non-mutagenic and has a clean track record.
Learn more about Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate CrosspolymerThis ingredient is better known as bemotrizinol or Tinosorb S and is one of the best broad-spectrum UV filters in modern sunscreen.
It works by absorbing UV light across a whole range (280-400 nm) with peaks around 310 nm (UVB) and 340-345 nm (UVA). This means it covers UVB plus the deeper UVA wavelengths that drive photoaging and pigmentation.
Another pro?
It's exceptionally photostable, barely degrades in sunlight, and acts as a "bodyguard" for less stable filters.
That's why you'll see it paired with avobenzone or octinoxate; this team up ensures they keep working through sun exposure.
Safety reviews have been reassuring across the board. This ingredient shows low absorption through the skin, rarely irritates, and lab studies found it doesn't act like a hormone in the body (a concern that's been raised about some older sunscreen filters).
On maximum concentrations:
In 2026, the US F.D.A finally added it as an OTC sunscreen ingredient at concentrations up to 6% for adults / children 6 months and older
Learn more about Bis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl TriazineButylene 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 GlycolCaprylyl Methicone is a synthetic and lightweight silicone fluid. It gives products a silky, dry-touch finish without the heaviness of pure oils.
Though the EU CosIng Database lists this ingredient as a skin conditioner, it is also used for sensory reasons. It spreads easily, cuts greasiness, and reduces tackiness.
This ingredient is volatile which means it will mostly evaporate (but it evaporates slower than older cyclomethicones, like Cyclotetrasiloxane).
Typical concentration ranges from 1-30% depending on if it's being used to tweak the feel of a product or acting as the main emollient.
Learn more about Caprylyl MethiconeCarbomer 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 CarbomerDiethylamino 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 BenzoateEthylhexyl Triazone (aka Octyl Triazone) is an oil-soluble organic UVB filter. It has peak absorption around 314 nm, right in the middle of the UVB range.
This ingredient is described as one of the most effective UVB filters available and small concentrations are enough to deliver a high SPF thanks to its strong UV absorbing power.
Formulators love it for its stability; its ability to filter UV stays practically unchanged even under intense radiation and it can also help boost the photostability of less stable filters like avobenzone.
It's also a great pick for water resistant products because it's insoluble in water and has a good affinity for keratin.
Because it's a big, heavy molecule, the European Scientific Committee has found to to have very low dermal penetration and negative results for allergenicity.
In vitro testing also showed a low absorption rate and clean results on irritation.
Typical use levels are 1-5% with 5% being the maximum in the EU, Japan, and other markets that allow it. However, this ingredient is not approved yet in the US or Canada.
Learn more about Ethylhexyl TriazoneWater. 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
