Skin Aqua UV Brightening Moisture Gel SPF 50 Versus EltaMD, Inc UV Sheer Broad-Spectrum SPF 50+
Updated on June 19, 2025
Overview
What they are
These products are both sunscreens. They have a total of 8 ingredients in common
Cool Features
They both contain hyaluronic acid and SPF
Suited For
They're both likely to be good for dry skin and brightening skin
Free From
They both do not contain any harsh alcohols, common allergens, fragrances, oils, parabens or sulfates
What's Inside
They both contain silicones
We independently verify ingredients, and our claims are backed by peer-reviewed research. Spot a product that needs an update? Let us know.
Ingredient Info
Skin Aqua UV Brightening Moisture Gel SPF 50 46 ingredients
EltaMD, Inc UV Sheer Broad-Spectrum SPF 50+ 23 ingredients
What's inside
What's inside
At a glance
Click on any of the items below to learn more
Skin Aqua UV Brightening Moisture Gel SPF 50 46 ingredients
EltaMD, Inc UV Sheer Broad-Spectrum SPF 50+ 23 ingredients
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningEthylhexyl Methoxycinnamate
UV Absorber
Methylpropanediol
SolventCyclopentasiloxane
Emollient
Hexyl Laurate
Emollient
Polymethylsilsesquioxane
Ethoxydiglycol
HumectantDiethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl Benzoate
UV Filter
Ethylhexyl Triazone
UV Absorber
Methylene Bis-Benzotriazolyl Tetramethylbutylphenol
UV Filter
Polysorbate 60
Emulsifying
Hydrogenated Polyisobutene
EmollientButylene Glycol
Humectant
Silica
Abrasive
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Sodium Polyacrylate
Absorbent
Glycerin
Humectant
Trimethylsiloxysilicate
Emollient
Bis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine
Skin Conditioning
Ethylhexyl Stearate
Emollient
Decyl Glucoside
CleansingInonotus Obliquus Extract
Skin ConditioningDiethylhexyl Butamido Triazone
UV Absorber
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningBisabolol
Masking
Trideceth-6
EmulsifyingGlycine Max Seed Extract
Skin ConditioningTheobroma Grandiflorum Seed Butter
Skin Conditioning
Disodium EDTA
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingCitric Acid
Buffering
Sodium Citrate
BufferingYeast Polysaccharides
Skin ConditioningEctoin
Skin Conditioning
Biosaccharide Gum-1
Skin Conditioning
Sericin
Skin ConditioningPropylene Glycol
Humectant
Diglucosyl Gallic Acid
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Carnosine
Skin Conditioning
Zingiber Officinale Root Extract
Masking
Hydrolyzed Algin
Helichrysum Italicum Extract
Antiseborrhoeic1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Biosaccharide Gum-4
Skin Conditioning
Theobroma Cacao Seed Extract
Antioxidant
Water, Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate, Methylpropanediol, Cyclopentasiloxane, Hexyl Laurate, Polymethylsilsesquioxane, Ethoxydiglycol, Diethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl Benzoate, Ethylhexyl Triazone, Methylene Bis-Benzotriazolyl Tetramethylbutylphenol, Polysorbate 60, Hydrogenated Polyisobutene, Butylene Glycol, Silica, Phenoxyethanol, Sodium Polyacrylate, Glycerin, Trimethylsiloxysilicate, Bis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine, Ethylhexyl Stearate, Decyl Glucoside, Inonotus Obliquus Extract, Diethylhexyl Butamido Triazone, Ethylhexylglycerin, Bisabolol, Trideceth-6, Glycine Max Seed Extract, Theobroma Grandiflorum Seed Butter, Disodium EDTA, Xanthan Gum, Citric Acid, Sodium Citrate, Yeast Polysaccharides, Ectoin, Biosaccharide Gum-1, Sericin, Propylene Glycol, Diglucosyl Gallic Acid, Sodium Hyaluronate, Carnosine, Zingiber Officinale Root Extract, Hydrolyzed Algin, Helichrysum Italicum Extract, 1,2-Hexanediol, Biosaccharide Gum-4, Theobroma Cacao Seed Extract
Octocrylene 10%
UV Absorber
Zinc Oxide 15%
Cosmetic Colorant
Water
Skin ConditioningButyloctyl Salicylate
Skin Conditioning
Coco-Caprylate/Caprate
Emollient
Isohexadecane
EmollientButylene Glycol
Humectant
Isododecane
EmollientPhenoxyethanol
Preservative
Polyhydroxystearic Acid
Emulsifying
Triethoxycaprylylsilane
Polyacrylate Crosspolymer-6
Emulsion StabilisingAcacia Senegal Gum
MaskingPolysilicone-11
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingTetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate
Antioxidant
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningHydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingSqualane
Emollient
Disodium EDTA
Polysorbate 60
Emulsifying
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Sorbitan Isostearate
Emulsifying
Octocrylene 10%, Zinc Oxide 15%, Water, Butyloctyl Salicylate, Coco-Caprylate/Caprate, Isohexadecane, Butylene Glycol, Isododecane, Phenoxyethanol, Polyhydroxystearic Acid, Triethoxycaprylylsilane, Polyacrylate Crosspolymer-6, Acacia Senegal Gum, Polysilicone-11, Xanthan Gum, Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate, Ethylhexylglycerin, Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Squalane, Disodium EDTA, Polysorbate 60, Sodium Hyaluronate, Sorbitan Isostearate
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 GlycolDisodium EDTA plays a role in making products more stable by aiding other preservatives.
It is a chelating agent, meaning it neutralizes metal ions that may be found in a product.
Disodium EDTA is a salt of edetic acid and is found to be safe in cosmetic ingredients.
Learn more about Disodium EDTAEthylhexylglycerin (we can't pronounce this either) is commonly used as a preservative and skin softener. It is derived from glyceryl.
You might see Ethylhexylglycerin often paired with other preservatives such as phenoxyethanol. Ethylhexylglycerin has been found to increase the effectiveness of these other preservatives.
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.
Polysorbate 60 is used to help stabilize products. It is a surfactant and emulsifier. These properties help keep ingredients together in a product. Surfactants help reduce surface tension between ingredients with different states, such as liquids and solids. Emulsifiers help prevent oils and waters from separating.
Polysorbate 60 is sorbitol-based and created from the ethoxylation of sorbitan. Ethoxylation is a chemical reaction used to add ethylene oxide. Sorbitan is a the dehydrated version of sorbitol, a sugar found in fruits.
In this case, the 60 comes from reacting 60 units of ethylene oxide with sorbitan.
Polysorbates are commonly used in medicine and foods.
Learn more about Polysorbate 60Sodium Hyaluronate is hyaluronic acid's salt form. It is commonly derived from the sodium salt of hyaluronic acid.
Like hyaluronic acid, it is great at holding water and acts as a humectant. This makes it a great skin hydrating ingredient.
Sodium Hyaluronate is naturally occurring in our bodies and is mostly found in eye fluid and joints.
These are some other common types of Hyaluronic Acid:
Learn more about Sodium HyaluronateWater. 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. 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 GumIngredient Ratings
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When to use
Skin Aqua UV Brightening Moisture Gel SPF 50 46 ingredients
EltaMD, Inc UV Sheer Broad-Spectrum SPF 50+ 23 ingredients
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