Skin Aqua Tone Up UV Essence SPF 50+ PA++++ - Lavender Versus VT Cosmetics Cica Essence Sun SPF50+ PA++++
Updated on November 12, 2024
Overview
What they are
These products are both sunscreens. They have a total of 7 ingredients in common
Cool Features
They both contain exfoliants and SPF
Suited For
They're both likely to be good for dry skin, brightening skin, reducing pores, scar healing and better texture
Free From
They both do not contain any common allergens, oils, parabens or sulfates
What's Inside
They both contain fragrances and 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 Tone Up UV Essence SPF 50+ PA++++ 33 ingredients
VT Cosmetics Cica Essence Sun SPF50+ PA++++ 66 ingredients
About this product
About this product
At a glance
Click on any of the items below to learn more
Skin Aqua Tone Up UV Essence SPF 50+ PA++++ 33 ingredients
VT Cosmetics Cica Essence Sun SPF50+ PA++++ 66 ingredients
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningAlcohol Denat.
Antimicrobial
Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate
UV Absorber
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Diphenylsiloxy Phenyl Trimethicone
Skin Conditioning
Diethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl Benzoate
UV Filter
Titanium Dioxide
Cosmetic Colorant
PEG-8 Hyaluronate
EmollientSodium Ascorbyl Phosphate
Antioxidant
Rosa Canina Fruit Extract
Astringent
Barm Extract
Skin ConditioningBis-PEG-18 Methyl Ether Dimethyl Silane
EmollientMethyl Methacrylate Crosspolymer
Bis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine
Skin Conditioning
Acrylates Copolymer
Polysorbate 60
Emulsifying
Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingTea-PCA
HumectantAmmonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer
Silica
Abrasive
PEG-12 Dimethicone
Skin Conditioning
Polystyrene
Polyvinyl Alcohol
EDTA
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingAlumina
Abrasive
BHT
Antioxidant
Polyglyceryl-2 Triisostearate
Emulsifying
Synthetic Fluorphlogopite
Tin Oxide
Abrasive
CI 45380
Cosmetic ColorantBlue 1 Lake
Cosmetic ColorantParfum
Masking
Water, Alcohol Denat., Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate, Butylene Glycol, Diphenylsiloxy Phenyl Trimethicone, Diethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl Benzoate, Titanium Dioxide, PEG-8 Hyaluronate, Sodium Ascorbyl Phosphate, Rosa Canina Fruit Extract, Barm Extract, Bis-PEG-18 Methyl Ether Dimethyl Silane, Methyl Methacrylate Crosspolymer, Bis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine, Acrylates Copolymer, Polysorbate 60, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Tea-PCA, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer, Silica, PEG-12 Dimethicone, Polystyrene, Polyvinyl Alcohol, EDTA, Xanthan Gum, Alumina, BHT, Polyglyceryl-2 Triisostearate, Synthetic Fluorphlogopite, Tin Oxide, CI 45380, Blue 1 Lake, Parfum
Water
Skin ConditioningDiisobutyl Adipate
EmollientC12-15 Alkyl Benzoate
AntimicrobialGlycerin
Humectant
Diethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl Benzoate
UV Filter
Polysilicone-15
UV FilterPolyglyceryl-6 Distearate
Emulsifying
Niacinamide
Smoothing
Silica
Abrasive
Methylene Bis-Benzotriazolyl Tetramethylbutylphenol
UV Filter
Bis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine
Skin Conditioning
Ethylhexyl Triazone
UV Absorber
Polymethylsilsesquioxane
Cetearyl Olivate
Sorbitan Olivate
Emulsifying
Dipropylene Glycol
MaskingCetearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Panthenol
Skin Conditioning
Glyceryl Stearate
Emollient
Polyglyceryl-6 Behenate
Emulsion Stabilising
Hydroxyacetophenone
Antioxidant
Decyl Glucoside
CleansingSodium Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Tromethamine
BufferingParfum
Masking
Caprylyl Glycol
EmollientAllantoin
Skin Conditioning
Adenosine
Skin Conditioning
Disodium EDTA
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingButylene Glycol
Humectant
Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate
Humectant
Ceramide NP
Skin Conditioning
Pearl Extract
Antioxidant
Centella Asiatica Extract
Cleansing
Saccharum Officinarum Extract
MoisturisingPropanediol
Solvent1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningSodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Allium Victorialis Extract
Antioxidant
Brassica Oleracea Italica Extract
AstringentVaccinium Angustifolium Fruit Extract
Skin ProtectingSpinacia Oleracea Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningSalicornia Herbacea Extract
Skin ConditioningVitis Vinifera Skin Extract
Antioxidant
Juglans Regia Seedcoat Extract
Antioxidant
Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
Antimicrobial
Solanum Lycopersicum Fruit Extract
Antioxidant
Avena Sativa Meal Extract
SoothingBenzyl Glycol
SolventPhenoxyethanol
Preservative
Hydrolyzed Glycosaminoglycans
HumectantPropolis Extract
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer
Humectant
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningAsiaticoside
Antioxidant
Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid
Humectant
Madecassoside
Antioxidant
Madecassic Acid
Skin Conditioning
Asiatic Acid
Skin ConditioningHydroxypropyltrimonium Hyaluronate
Acetyl Hexapeptide-8
Humectant
Copper Tripeptide-1
Skin Conditioning
Hyaluronic Acid
Humectant
Palmitoyl Pentapeptide-4
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Acetylated Hyaluronate
Humectant
Water, Diisobutyl Adipate, C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate, Glycerin, Diethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl Benzoate, Polysilicone-15, Polyglyceryl-6 Distearate, Niacinamide, Silica, Methylene Bis-Benzotriazolyl Tetramethylbutylphenol, Bis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine, Ethylhexyl Triazone, Polymethylsilsesquioxane, Cetearyl Olivate, Sorbitan Olivate, Dipropylene Glycol, Cetearyl Alcohol, Panthenol, Glyceryl Stearate, Polyglyceryl-6 Behenate, Hydroxyacetophenone, Decyl Glucoside, Sodium Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Tromethamine, Parfum, Caprylyl Glycol, Allantoin, Adenosine, Disodium EDTA, Xanthan Gum, Butylene Glycol, Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate, Ceramide NP, Pearl Extract, Centella Asiatica Extract, Saccharum Officinarum Extract, Propanediol, 1,2-Hexanediol, Sodium Hyaluronate, Allium Victorialis Extract, Brassica Oleracea Italica Extract, Vaccinium Angustifolium Fruit Extract, Spinacia Oleracea Leaf Extract, Salicornia Herbacea Extract, Vitis Vinifera Skin Extract, Juglans Regia Seedcoat Extract, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Solanum Lycopersicum Fruit Extract, Avena Sativa Meal Extract, Benzyl Glycol, Phenoxyethanol, Hydrolyzed Glycosaminoglycans, Propolis Extract, Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer, Ethylhexylglycerin, Asiaticoside, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, Madecassoside, Madecassic Acid, Asiatic Acid, Hydroxypropyltrimonium Hyaluronate, Acetyl Hexapeptide-8, Copper Tripeptide-1, Hyaluronic Acid, Palmitoyl Pentapeptide-4, Sodium Acetylated Hyaluronate
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Water. 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 WaterButylene Glycol (or BG) is used within cosmetic products for a few different reasons:
- It is a solvent, meaning that it helps to dissolve other ingredients. This also enhances the absorption of the product into one's skin.
- It is a humectant, which means that it helps attract moisture into the skin.
- It helps improve product application.
- It has mild preservative properties.
Overall, Butylene Glycol is a safe and well-rounded ingredient that works well with other ingredients.
Diethylamino 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 BenzoateYou might know this ingredient as Tinosorb S or Bemotrizinol. It is a UV filter that covers both UVA and UVB rays.
This ingredient has two peak UV absorption peaks ( 310 and 340 nm) and is able to absorb both UV-A and UV-B rays. This ingredient works by preventing UV rays from reaching and damaging your skin.
On top of that - it is highly photostable and helps prevent the photodegration of other sunscreen ingredients such as avobenzone.
Tinosorb S is allowed in the EU, Australia, and Asia. It is close to being approved by the FDA and we'll hopefully get this ingredient in the U.S. by late 2025.
Fun fact: Tinosorb S is the most effective UV absorber at maximum concentration (measured by SPF) permitted in the EU.
This ingredient is oil-soluble, so your oil-cleansers will take this right off at night.
Learn more about Bis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl TriazineSilica is a mineral naturally found in our skin. It helps to thicken and smooth the texture of a product. It also acts as an agent for other ingredients by increasing the absorption of other ingredients into the skin.
Silica is often used for absorption and can help reduce shine when products are applied. Silica occurs in naturally in materials like clay and sandstone, and it can also be produced synthetically.
Silica is present naturally within the skin during collagen production and when reducing inflammation.
Learn more about SilicaXanthan 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 GumParfum is a catch-all term for an ingredient or more that is used to give a scent to products.
Also called "fragrance", this ingredient can be a blend of hundreds of chemicals or plant oils. This means every product with "fragrance" or "parfum" in the ingredients list is a different mixture.
For instance, Habanolide is a proprietary trade name for a specific aroma chemical. When used as a fragrance ingredient in cosmetics, most aroma chemicals fall under the broad labeling category of “FRAGRANCE” or “PARFUM” according to EU and US regulations.
The term 'parfum' or 'fragrance' is not regulated in many countries. In many cases, it is up to the brand to define this term.
For instance, many brands choose to label themselves as "fragrance-free" because they are not using synthetic fragrances. However, their products may still contain ingredients such as essential oils that are considered a fragrance by INCI standards.
One example is Calendula flower extract. Calendula is an essential oil that still imparts a scent or 'fragrance'.
Depending on the blend, the ingredients in the mixture can cause allergies and sensitivities on the skin. Some ingredients that are known EU allergens include linalool and citronellol.
Parfum can also be used to mask or cover an unpleasant scent.
The bottom line is: not all fragrances/parfum/ingredients are created equally. If you are worried about fragrances, we recommend taking a closer look at an ingredient. And of course, we always recommend speaking with a professional.
Learn more about ParfumIngredient Ratings
Here's what our community thinks of the ingredients in these products.
When to use
Skin Aqua Tone Up UV Essence SPF 50+ PA++++ 33 ingredients
VT Cosmetics Cica Essence Sun SPF50+ PA++++ 66 ingredients
Reviews
Here's what our community thinks
Skin Aqua Tone Up UV Essence SPF 50+ PA++++ 33 ingredients
Love this sunscreen- it's so smooth, lightweight, not sticky or drying at all. I also find that the violet color helps my skin not look too sallow and it prevents my makeup from looking yellow.
It gave me tiny bumps of a broken skin barrier, dried out my cheeks completely, had to focus on barrier health.
One of the first ingredients is alcohol, RUN!
SO IRRITATING
However it doesn't leave a white cast and does color correct skin.
VT Cosmetics Cica Essence Sun SPF50+ PA++++ 66 ingredients
Beautiful and lightweight product. Unfortunately I can't stand the fragrance and won't be repurchasing
