Olay Super Cream With Sunscreen SPF 30 Versus Clinique Smart Clinical Repair SPF 15 Wrinkle Correcting Cream
What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane 3%
UV Absorber
Homosalate 9%
Skin Conditioning
Ethylhexyl Salicylate 4.5%
UV Absorber
Octocrylene 6%
UV Absorber
Water
Skin ConditioningZea Mays Starch
Absorbent
Glycerin
Humectant
Niacinamide
Smoothing
Dimethicone
Emollient
3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Palmitoyl Pentapeptide-4
Skin Conditioning
Panthenol
Skin Conditioning
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Dimethiconol
Emollient
Cetearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Cetearyl Glucoside
Emulsifying
Palmitic Acid
Emollient
Stearic Acid
Cleansing
Behenyl Alcohol
Emollient
Stearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Cetyl Alcohol
Emollient
Disodium EDTA
PEG-100 Stearate
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Polyacrylate Starch
AbsorbentPhenoxyethanol
Preservative
Parfum
Masking
Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane 3%, Homosalate 9%, Ethylhexyl Salicylate 4.5%, Octocrylene 6%, Water, Zea Mays Starch, Glycerin, Niacinamide, Dimethicone, 3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid, Sodium Hyaluronate, Tocopheryl Acetate, Palmitoyl Pentapeptide-4, Panthenol, Caprylyl Glycol, Dimethiconol, Cetearyl Alcohol, Cetearyl Glucoside, Palmitic Acid, Stearic Acid, Behenyl Alcohol, Stearyl Alcohol, Cetyl Alcohol, Disodium EDTA, PEG-100 Stearate, 1,2-Hexanediol, Sodium Polyacrylate Starch, Phenoxyethanol, Parfum
Water
Skin ConditioningHomosalate
Skin Conditioning
Ethylhexyl Salicylate
UV Absorber
Glycerin
Humectant
Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate
UV Absorber
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Coco-Caprylate/Caprate
Emollient
Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane
UV Absorber
Polyester-8
Skin Conditioning
Ethylhexyl Methoxycrylene
Skin Conditioning
Butyloctyl Salicylate
Skin Conditioning
Acrylates Copolymer
Dextrin Palmitate
Emulsifying
PEG-100 Stearate
Sigesbeckia Orientalis Extract
Skin ConditioningSodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
7-Dehydrocholesterol
Emulsion StabilisingBiosaccharide Gum-1
Humectant
Caffeine
Skin Conditioning
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1
Skin Conditioning
Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7
Skin Conditioning
Palmitoyl Hexapeptide-12
Skin Conditioning
Acetyl Hexapeptide-8
Humectant
Lauroyl Lysine
Skin Conditioning
Saccharomyces Ferment
Skin Conditioning
Lactis Proteinum
Skin ConditioningAlgae Extract
EmollientPlankton Extract
Skin ConditioningPolyglyceryl-2 Stearate
Emulsifying
Silica
Abrasive
Pentylene Glycol
Skin Conditioning
Hexylene Glycol
EmulsifyingAcrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingGlyceryl Stearate
Emollient
Lecithin
Emollient
Polysorbate 20
Emulsifying
PPG-8-Ceteth-20
EmulsifyingSorbitan Sesquiisostearate
Emulsifying
Sorbeth-30 Tetraisostearate
Emulsifying
PEG-8
HumectantCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingDehydroxanthan Gum
Emulsion StabilisingDipropylene Glycol
HumectantPotassium Hydroxide
BufferingSodium Polyacryloyldimethyl Taurate
Emulsion StabilisingStearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Acrylates/Beheneth-25 Methacrylate Copolymer
Glyceryl Polymethacrylate
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
BHT
Antioxidant
Sodium Citrate
BufferingDisodium EDTA
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Potassium Sorbate
Preservative
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
Water, Homosalate, Ethylhexyl Salicylate, Glycerin, Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate, Butylene Glycol, Coco-Caprylate/Caprate, Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane, Polyester-8, Ethylhexyl Methoxycrylene, Butyloctyl Salicylate, Acrylates Copolymer, Dextrin Palmitate, PEG-100 Stearate, Sigesbeckia Orientalis Extract, Sodium Hyaluronate, 7-Dehydrocholesterol, Biosaccharide Gum-1, Caffeine, Caprylyl Glycol, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1, Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7, Palmitoyl Hexapeptide-12, Acetyl Hexapeptide-8, Lauroyl Lysine, Saccharomyces Ferment, Lactis Proteinum, Algae Extract, Plankton Extract, Polyglyceryl-2 Stearate, Silica, Pentylene Glycol, Hexylene Glycol, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Glyceryl Stearate, Lecithin, Polysorbate 20, PPG-8-Ceteth-20, Sorbitan Sesquiisostearate, Sorbeth-30 Tetraisostearate, PEG-8, Carbomer, Dehydroxanthan Gum, Dipropylene Glycol, Potassium Hydroxide, Sodium Polyacryloyldimethyl Taurate, Stearyl Alcohol, Acrylates/Beheneth-25 Methacrylate Copolymer, Glyceryl Polymethacrylate, Tocopheryl Acetate, BHT, Sodium Citrate, Disodium EDTA, Phenoxyethanol, Potassium Sorbate, Sodium Benzoate
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 MethoxydibenzoylmethaneCaprylyl Glycol is a humectant, skin conditioner, emollient, and preservative booster derived from either caprylic acid or synthetically created.
Typical use levels vary from 0.3-1% as a preservative booster and go up to 2% to condition skin.
Because it is not a free-fatty acid or alcohol, this ingredient is fungal acne safe (there's nothing for Malassezia to feed on).
Learn more about Caprylyl GlycolDisodium EDTA is a chelating agent. It grabs onto and deactivates metal ions that sneak into your products from water, packaging, or air.
This ingredient mainly works behind the scenes and helps with:
On top of that, this ingredient can counteract the effects of hard water by binding to the minerals in it.
One thing worth knowing is that Disodium EDTA has been shown to be a mild penetration enhancer. It can help other ingredients absorb into skin more effectively which can be a double-edged sword (great for actives, but can also make the active too strong if you have sensitive skin).
Clinical patch testing showed no significant skin irritation at typical use concentrations and minimal dermal absorption.
You'll most likely see this ingredient near the end of an ingredient list. It's typically found in concentrations less than 1%.
Learn more about Disodium EDTAEthylhexyl Salicylate is an organic compound used to block UV rays. It primarily absorbs UVB rays but offers a small amount of UVA protection as well.
Commonly found in sunscreens, Ethylhexyl Salicylate is created from salicylic acid and 2-ethylhexanol. You might know salicylic acid as the effective acne fighter ingredient and BHA.
The ethylhexanol in this ingredient is a fatty alcohol and helps hydrate your skin, similar to oils. It is an emollient, which means it traps moisture into the skin.
According to manufacturers, Ethylhexyl Salicylate absorbs UV wavelength of 295-315 nm, with a peak absorption at 307-310 nm. UVA rays are linked to long term skin damage, such as hyperpigmentation. UVB rays emit more energy and are capable of damaging our DNA. UVB rays cause sunburn.
Learn more about Ethylhexyl SalicylateGlycerin (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 GlycerinHomosalate is a chemical sunscreen filter that provides protection in the UV-B range (280nm - 320 nm), with a peak protection at 306 nm. It is internationally approved for use in sunscreens.
Homosalate is not photo-stable, meaning it's strength as a UV filter degrades over time with exposure to the sun. Because of this, it's often used in combination with other chemical sunscreen filters as avobenzone (which protects from the UV-A range). Homosalate also helps act as a solvent for harder-to-dissolve UV filters.
(Part of the reason that sunscreens need to be frequently re-applied is due to the photo instability of many chemical sunscreen filters)
Currently, homosalate is approved in concentrations up to 10% in the EU and 15% in the US. The FDA is currently doing further research on the effects of homosalate, and it is possible that these approved concentrations will change in the future.
Learn more about HomosalatePeg-100 Stearate is an emollient and emulsifier. As an emollient, it helps keep skin soft by trapping moisture in. On the other hand, emulsifiers help prevent oil and water from separating in a product.
PEGS are a hydrophilic polyether compound . There are 100 ethylene oxide monomers in Peg-100 Stearate. Peg-100 Stearate is polyethylene glycol ester of stearic acid.
Phenoxyethanol 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 Hyaluronate is the salt form of hyaluronic acid. It is a long sugar chain that is naturally found in your skin, joints, and connective tissue that maintains hydration and elasticity.
In skincare, it works as a humectant. It pulls water from the environment and deeper layers of skin and binds it to the surface.
Interestingly, the size of the molecule affects its behavior:
Some clinical evidence links low molecular weight versions to improved wrinkle depth, elasticity, anti-inflammatory effects, and barrier repair.
Many serums use a blend of both weights so you can get surface hydration plus longer-lasting and deeper effects.
You'll typically see concentrations between 0.1-2% for this ingredient.
Learn more about Sodium HyaluronateStearyl Alcohol is a type of fatty alcohol from stearic acid. It is a white, waxy compound used to emulsify ingredients used as an emollient or to thicken a product.
Emollients help soothe and hydrate the skin by trapping moisture.
Fatty alcohols are usually derived from natural fats and oils and therefore do not have the same drying or irritating effect as solvent (ethanol) alcohols.
The FDA allows products labeled "alcohol-free" to have fatty alcohols.
Learn more about Stearyl AlcoholTocopheryl Acetate is AKA Vitamin E. It is an antioxidant and protects your skin from free radicals. Free radicals damage the skin by breaking down collagen.
One study found using Tocopheryl Acetate with Vitamin C decreased the number of sunburned cells.
Tocopheryl Acetate is commonly found in both skincare and dietary supplements.
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
