Origins Dr. Andrew Weil Mega-Bright SPF 30 Versus Hero Cosmetics Force Shield Superlight Sunscreen SPF 30
This brightening day moisturizer is formulated around Ascorbyl Glucoside and Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate to brighten dull-looking skin and fade the look of dark spots.
This hybrid sunscreen covers the full UV range and blocks ~97% of UVB at SPF 30.
What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane 3%
UV Absorber
Homosalate 5%
Skin Conditioning
Ethylhexyl Salicylate 5%
UV Absorber
Octocrylene 2.7%
UV Absorber
Water
Skin ConditioningButyloctyl Salicylate
Skin Conditioning
Behenyl Alcohol
Emollient
Nylon-12
Octyldodecyl Neopentanoate
EmollientButylene Glycol
Humectant
Dimethicone
Emollient
Myristyl Myristate
Emollient
Cetyl Esters
Emollient
Ascorbyl Glucoside
Antioxidant
Polyethylene
Abrasive
Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer
Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Peel Oil
Masking
Pelargonium Graveolens Flower Oil
Masking
Cananga Odorata Flower Oil
Masking
Eugenia Caryophyllus Bud Oil
Masking
Rosa Damascena Flower Oil
Masking
Jasminum Officinale Oil
Masking
Viola Odorata Flower/Leaf Extract
MaskingPolianthes Tuberosa Extract
MaskingFarnesol
Perfuming
Eugenol
Perfuming
Benzyl Salicylate
Perfuming
Citronellol
Perfuming
Citral
Perfuming
Benzyl Benzoate
Antimicrobial
Geraniol
Perfuming
Rosa Roxburghii Fruit Extract
TonicPaeonia Albiflora Root Extract
Skin ConditioningMolasses Extract
Skin ConditioningCitrus Grandis Peel Extract
Astringent
Triticum Vulgare Germ Extract
Skin ConditioningHordeum Vulgare Extract
EmollientPalmaria Palmata Extract
Skin Protecting
Morus Nigra Root Extract
Skin ConditioningPunica Granatum Fruit Juice
MaskingScutellaria Baicalensis Root Extract
Astringent
Hydrolyzed Rice Bran Extract
Skin ConditioningGentiana Lutea Root Extract
Skin ConditioningCurcuma Longa Root Extract
Antioxidant
Vitis Vinifera Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningSucrose
Humectant
Glyceryl Stearate
Emollient
PEG-100 Stearate
Surfactant
PEG-6
HumectantGlycerin
Humectant
Cholesterol
Emollient
Linoleic Acid
Cleansing
Salicylic Acid
Masking
Di-PPG-2 Myreth-10 Adipate
Emollient
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Betaine
Humectant
Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate
Humectant
Steareth-21
CleansingTrehalose
Humectant
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Myristyl Laurate
SurfactantTrisiloxane
Skin Conditioning
Di-C12-18 Alkyl Dimonium Chloride
Skin ConditioningCaprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Squalane
Emollient
Myristyl Alcohol
Emollient
Tromethamine
BufferingSodium Dehydroacetate
Preservative
Hexylene Glycol
EmulsifyingSodium Hydroxide
BufferingPhenoxyethanol
Preservative
Mica
Cosmetic ColorantEssential Oils
Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane 3%, Homosalate 5%, Ethylhexyl Salicylate 5%, Octocrylene 2.7%, Water, Butyloctyl Salicylate, Behenyl Alcohol, Nylon-12, Octyldodecyl Neopentanoate, Butylene Glycol, Dimethicone, Myristyl Myristate, Cetyl Esters, Ascorbyl Glucoside, Polyethylene, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer, Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Peel Oil, Pelargonium Graveolens Flower Oil, Cananga Odorata Flower Oil, Eugenia Caryophyllus Bud Oil, Rosa Damascena Flower Oil, Jasminum Officinale Oil, Viola Odorata Flower/Leaf Extract, Polianthes Tuberosa Extract, Farnesol, Eugenol, Benzyl Salicylate, Citronellol, Citral, Benzyl Benzoate, Geraniol, Rosa Roxburghii Fruit Extract, Paeonia Albiflora Root Extract, Molasses Extract, Citrus Grandis Peel Extract, Triticum Vulgare Germ Extract, Hordeum Vulgare Extract, Palmaria Palmata Extract, Morus Nigra Root Extract, Punica Granatum Fruit Juice, Scutellaria Baicalensis Root Extract, Hydrolyzed Rice Bran Extract, Gentiana Lutea Root Extract, Curcuma Longa Root Extract, Vitis Vinifera Fruit Extract, Sucrose, Glyceryl Stearate, PEG-100 Stearate, PEG-6, Glycerin, Cholesterol, Linoleic Acid, Salicylic Acid, Di-PPG-2 Myreth-10 Adipate, Sodium Hyaluronate, Betaine, Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate, Steareth-21, Trehalose, Tocopheryl Acetate, Myristyl Laurate, Trisiloxane, Di-C12-18 Alkyl Dimonium Chloride, Caprylyl Glycol, Squalane, Myristyl Alcohol, Tromethamine, Sodium Dehydroacetate, Hexylene Glycol, Sodium Hydroxide, Phenoxyethanol, Mica, Essential Oils
Zinc Oxide 17.53%
Cosmetic Colorant
Water
Skin ConditioningCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
C13-15 Alkane
SolventPropanediol
Solvent
C15-19 Alkane
SolventBis-Diglyceryl Polyacyladipate-2
Emollient
Butyloctyl Salicylate
Skin Conditioning
Ectoin
Skin Conditioning
Alteromonas Ferment Extract
Skin Conditioning
Harungana Madagascariensis Extract
Skin ConditioningIpomoea Batatas Root Extract
Skin ConditioningRubus Idaeus Seed Oil
Emollient
Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
Antimicrobial
Corallina Officinalis Extract
Skin Conditioning
Curcuma Longa Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningMelia Azadirachta Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningMelia Azadirachta Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningMoringa Oleifera Seed Oil
Emollient
Ocimum Sanctum Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningOryza Sativa Hull Extract
MoisturisingSolanum Melongena Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningCoccinia Indica Fruit Extract
Skin Conditioning
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Bisabolol
Antioxidant
Amber Powder
Coco-Glucoside
Cleansing
Glucose
Humectant
Glycerin
Humectant
Xanthan Gum
Emulsifying1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Caprylhydroxamic Acid
ChelatingArachidyl Alcohol
Emollient
Arachidyl Glucoside
EmulsifyingHydroxyacetophenone
Antioxidant
Polyacrylate Crosspolymer-6
Emulsion StabilisingBehenyl Alcohol
Emollient
Cetearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Isostearic Acid
Cleansing
Lecithin
Emollient
Polyglycerin-3
Humectant
Polyglyceryl-3 Lactate/Laurate
CleansingPolyglyceryl-3 Polyricinoleate
Emulsifying
Polyhydroxystearic Acid
Emulsifying
Silica
Abrasive
T-Butyl Alcohol
Perfuming
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
Sodium Citrate
BufferingSodium Dilauramidoglutamide Lysine
HumectantSodium Phytate
ChelatingCitric Acid
Buffering
Inositol
Humectant
Lactobacillus Ferment Lysate
Skin Conditioning
Saccharomyces Lysate
Skin Conditioning
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Zinc Oxide 17.53%, Water, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, C13-15 Alkane, Propanediol, C15-19 Alkane, Bis-Diglyceryl Polyacyladipate-2, Butyloctyl Salicylate, Ectoin, Alteromonas Ferment Extract, Harungana Madagascariensis Extract, Ipomoea Batatas Root Extract, Rubus Idaeus Seed Oil, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Corallina Officinalis Extract, Curcuma Longa Leaf Extract, Melia Azadirachta Flower Extract, Melia Azadirachta Leaf Extract, Moringa Oleifera Seed Oil, Ocimum Sanctum Leaf Extract, Oryza Sativa Hull Extract, Solanum Melongena Fruit Extract, Coccinia Indica Fruit Extract, Tocopherol, Bisabolol, Amber Powder, Coco-Glucoside, Glucose, Glycerin, Xanthan Gum, 1,2-Hexanediol, Caprylhydroxamic Acid, Arachidyl Alcohol, Arachidyl Glucoside, Hydroxyacetophenone, Polyacrylate Crosspolymer-6, Behenyl Alcohol, Cetearyl Alcohol, Isostearic Acid, Lecithin, Polyglycerin-3, Polyglyceryl-3 Lactate/Laurate, Polyglyceryl-3 Polyricinoleate, Polyhydroxystearic Acid, Silica, T-Butyl Alcohol, Sodium Benzoate, Sodium Citrate, Sodium Dilauramidoglutamide Lysine, Sodium Phytate, Citric Acid, Inositol, Lactobacillus Ferment Lysate, Saccharomyces Lysate, Butylene Glycol, Caprylyl Glycol
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Behenyl Alcohol is a type of fatty alcohol (these are different from the drying, solvent alcohols).
Fatty Alcohols have hydrating properties and are most often used as an emollient or to thicken a product. They are usually derived from natural fats and oils; behenyl alcohol is derived from the fats of vegetable oils.
Emollients help keep your skin soft and hydrated by creating a film that traps moisture in.
In 2000, Behenyl Alcohol was approved by the US as medicine to reduce the duration of cold sores.
Learn more about Behenyl AlcoholButylene 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 GlycolButyloctyl Salicylate is a chemical UV filter structurally similar to octisalate. It is a photostabilizer, SPF booster, emollient and solvent. This ingredient helps evenly spread out ingredients.
According to a manufacturer, it is suitable for pairing with micro Titanium Dioxide, Zinc Oxide, and pigments.
Photostabilizers help stabilize UV-filters and prevents them from degrading quickly.
Learn more about Butyloctyl SalicylateCaprylyl 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, this ingredient is fungal acne safe (there's nothing for Malassezia to feed on).
Learn more about Caprylyl GlycolGlycerin (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 GlycerinWater. 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
