Sekkisei Herbal UV Defense Gel SPF 40 Versus Neogen Day-Light Protection Airy Sunscreen SPF 50
Updated on January 30, 2025
Overview
What they are
These products are both fungal acne (malassezia) safe sunscreens. They have a total of 16 ingredients in common
Cool Features
They both contain exfoliants, SPF and Vitamin E
Suited For
They're both likely to be good for dry skin, brightening skin, sensitive skin and scar healing
Free From
They both do not contain any harsh alcohols, parabens or sulfates
What's Inside
They both contain common allergens, fragrances and oils
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
Sekkisei Herbal UV Defense Gel SPF 40 43 ingredients
Neogen Day-Light Protection Airy Sunscreen SPF 50 48 ingredients
What's inside (and what isn't)
What's inside (and what isn't)
At a glance
Click on any of the items below to learn more
Sekkisei Herbal UV Defense Gel SPF 40 43 ingredients
Neogen Day-Light Protection Airy Sunscreen SPF 50 48 ingredients
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane 3%
UV Absorber
Homosalate 9.5%
Skin Conditioning
Ethylhexyl Salicylate 5%
UV Absorber
Octocrylene
UV Absorber
Water
Skin ConditioningButyloctyl Salicylate
Skin Conditioning
Dipropylene Glycol
MaskingCaprylyl Methicone
Skin Conditioning
Methyl Trimethicone
Skin Conditioning
Betaine
Humectant
Silica
Abrasive
Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract
Emollient
Bioflavonoids
Skin ConditioningBrassica Oleracea Italica Extract
AstringentCaesalpinia Spinosa Fruit Extract
Skin ProtectingCitrus Aurantium Dulcis Peel Oil
Masking
Citrus Limon Peel Oil
Masking
Coix Lacryma-Jobi Ma-Yuen Seed Extract
Skin ConditioningGlycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract
Bleaching
Kappaphycus Alvarezii Extract
Skin ConditioningLavandula Angustifolia Oil
Masking
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Tropaeolum Majus Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract
Skin Conditioning1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Aminomethyl Propanol
BufferingAmmonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer
Angelica Gigas Root Extract
Skin ConditioningBiosaccharide Gum-4
Skin Conditioning
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Carbomer
Emulsion StabilisingCitrus Aurantium Bergamia Fruit Oil
Masking
Dibutyl Ethylhexanoyl Glutamide
Skin ConditioningDibutyl Lauroyl Glutamide
Skin ConditioningDisodium EDTA
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
Humectant
Hydrolyzed Wheat Protein/Pvp Crosspolymer
Hydroxyacetophenone
Antioxidant
Ocimum Basilicum Oil
Masking
Pelargonium Graveolens Flower Oil
Masking
Propanediol
Solvent
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Potassium Sorbate
Preservative
Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane 3%, Homosalate 9.5%, Ethylhexyl Salicylate 5%, Octocrylene, Water, Butyloctyl Salicylate, Dipropylene Glycol, Caprylyl Methicone, Methyl Trimethicone, Betaine, Silica, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract, Bioflavonoids, Brassica Oleracea Italica Extract, Caesalpinia Spinosa Fruit Extract, Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Peel Oil, Citrus Limon Peel Oil, Coix Lacryma-Jobi Ma-Yuen Seed Extract, Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract, Kappaphycus Alvarezii Extract, Lavandula Angustifolia Oil, Tocopheryl Acetate, Tropaeolum Majus Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract, 1,2-Hexanediol, Aminomethyl Propanol, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer, Angelica Gigas Root Extract, Biosaccharide Gum-4, Butylene Glycol, Carbomer, Citrus Aurantium Bergamia Fruit Oil, Dibutyl Ethylhexanoyl Glutamide, Dibutyl Lauroyl Glutamide, Disodium EDTA, Ethylhexylglycerin, Glycerin, Hydrolyzed Wheat Protein/Pvp Crosspolymer, Hydroxyacetophenone, Ocimum Basilicum Oil, Pelargonium Graveolens Flower Oil, Propanediol, Phenoxyethanol, Potassium Sorbate
Water
Skin ConditioningOctocrylene
UV Absorber
Homosalate
Skin Conditioning
Isododecane
EmollientDipropylene Glycol
MaskingSilica
Abrasive
Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane
UV Absorber
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Octyldodeceth-16
EmulsifyingAcrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingTromethamine
BufferingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningTocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Coptis Japonica Extract
AntimicrobialButylene Glycol
Humectant
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingCitrus Aurantium Dulcis Peel Oil
Masking
Litsea Cubeba Fruit Oil
Masking
Citrus Aurantium Bergamia Fruit Oil
Masking
Pelargonium Graveolens Flower Oil
Masking
Lavandula Angustifolia Oil
Masking
Melaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Oil
Antioxidant
Citrus Aurantifolia Oil
Cleansing
Eugenia Caryophyllus Leaf Oil
Masking
Cinnamomum Camphora Bark Oil
Masking
Maltodextrin
Absorbent
Persea Gratissima Fruit Extract
EmollientOenothera Biennis Flower Extract
AstringentPinus Palustris Leaf Extract
TonicUlmus Davidiana Root Extract
Skin Conditioning
Pueraria Lobata Root Extract
HumectantCitrus Limon Fruit Extract
Masking
Glycerin
Humectant
Rosa Damascena Extract
MaskingLippia Citriodora Leaf Extract
Astringent
Adansonia Digitata Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningRubus Idaeus Fruit Extract
AstringentPortulaca Oleracea Extract
Skin Conditioning
Vaccinium Angustifolium Fruit Extract
Skin Protecting
Achillea Millefolium Extract
CleansingArnica Montana Flower Extract
Masking
Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract
Emollient
Artemisia Capillaris Extract
Euterpe Oleracea Fruit Extract
Phellinus Linteus Extract
Skin ConditioningSodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Hibiscus Sabdariffa Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningBeta-Glucan
Skin Conditioning
Water, Octocrylene, Homosalate, Isododecane, Dipropylene Glycol, Silica, Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane, 1,2-Hexanediol, Octyldodeceth-16, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Tromethamine, Ethylhexylglycerin, Tocopheryl Acetate, Coptis Japonica Extract, Butylene Glycol, Xanthan Gum, Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Peel Oil, Litsea Cubeba Fruit Oil, Citrus Aurantium Bergamia Fruit Oil, Pelargonium Graveolens Flower Oil, Lavandula Angustifolia Oil, Melaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Oil, Citrus Aurantifolia Oil, Eugenia Caryophyllus Leaf Oil, Cinnamomum Camphora Bark Oil, Maltodextrin, Persea Gratissima Fruit Extract, Oenothera Biennis Flower Extract, Pinus Palustris Leaf Extract, Ulmus Davidiana Root Extract, Pueraria Lobata Root Extract, Citrus Limon Fruit Extract, Glycerin, Rosa Damascena Extract, Lippia Citriodora Leaf Extract, Adansonia Digitata Leaf Extract, Rubus Idaeus Fruit Extract, Portulaca Oleracea Extract, Vaccinium Angustifolium Fruit Extract, Achillea Millefolium Extract, Arnica Montana Flower Extract, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract, Artemisia Capillaris Extract, Euterpe Oleracea Fruit Extract, Phellinus Linteus Extract, Sodium Hyaluronate, Hibiscus Sabdariffa Flower Extract, Beta-Glucan
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
1,2-Hexanediol is a synthetic liquid and another multi-functional powerhouse.
It is a:
- Humectant, drawing moisture into the skin
- Emollient, helping to soften skin
- Solvent, dispersing and stabilizing formulas
- Preservative booster, enhancing the antimicrobial activity of other preservatives
Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract is an extract of the leaves of the aloe, Aloe barbadensis, Liliaceae.
Aloe is one of the most well-known natural soothing ingredients, and for good reason. It’s full of water and has a cooling, calming effect on the skin, especially when it’s sunburned, itchy, or irritated. Aloe also helps your skin stay hydrated and smooth by mimicking what healthy skin naturally produces. On top of that, it contains vitamins and nutrients that support skin recovery.
It doesn’t protect you from the sun, but it can help your skin bounce back after too much time in it.
Let’s get into the details:
Aloe contains antioxidant Vitamins A, C, and E, which help fight off free radicals (unstable molecules from things like pollution that can damage your skin).
It’s also rich in polysaccharides, which are natural sugars that help hydrate the skin by acting like the skin’s own moisturizing agents. These, along with other sugars like monosaccharides, help form a protective barrier that locks in moisture.
Aloe works as both a humectant and an emollient. That means it draws water into the skin (humectant) and helps trap it there (emollient), making it an effective natural moisturizer.
You’ll also find a mix of other skin-supporting ingredients in aloe, including folic acid, choline, calcium, amino acids, fatty acids, and even Vitamin B12.
Out of the 420+ species of aloe, Aloe barbadensis is the most widely used in skincare products thanks to its gentle yet effective properties.
There are over 420 species of aloe but Aloe Barbadensis is the most commonly used for topical products.
Learn more about Aloe Barbadensis Leaf ExtractAlso 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 MethoxydibenzoylmethaneButylene 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 GlycolCitrus Aurantium Bergamia Fruit Oil is the oil from the bergamot orange. It is native to Italy.
This ingredient is used to add fragrance to products. It contains limonene, linalool, and linalyl acetate.
The term '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.
When used topically, Citrus Aurantium Bergamia Fruit Oil is a photosensitizer due to its furanocoumarins. Photosensitizers make the skin and eyes much more sensitive to sunlight. Photosensitizers are linked to skin cancer.
However, more cosmetics using Citrus Aurantium Bergamia Fruit Oil are removing the furanocoumarins.
Bergamot oil was also found to have anti-inflammatory, antibacterial and antifungal properties.
Learn more about Citrus Aurantium Bergamia Fruit OilCitrus Aurantium Dulcis Peel Oil is oil from the peel of an orange fruit.
Limonene and linalool make up the majority of oils from citrus peels. Limonene has a "citrus" fragrance. Citrus peels also contain flavonoids, which have anti-inflammatory properties.
Citrus peel is also a rich source of flavonoids. Flavonoids are natural antioxidants and help protect your skin against damage. Flavonoids are a group of compounds naturally found in vegetables and fruits.
The term '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.
Learn more about Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Peel OilDipropylene Glycol is a synthetically created stabilizer and solvent. It is a part of the glycol class in the alcohol family.
Dipropylene Glycol helps dissolve and evenly distribute ingredients. It also helps decrease viscosity and thin out texture.
As a masking agent, Dipropylene Glycol can be used to cover the smell of other ingredients. However, it does not have a scent.
Studies show Dipropylene Glycol is considered safe to use in skincare.
Learn more about Dipropylene GlycolEthylhexylglycerin (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.
Glycerin is already naturally found in your skin. It helps moisturize and protect your skin.
A study from 2016 found glycerin to be more effective as a humectant than AHAs and hyaluronic acid.
As a humectant, it helps the skin stay hydrated by pulling moisture to your skin. The low molecular weight of glycerin allows it to pull moisture into the deeper layers of your skin.
Hydrated skin improves your skin barrier; Your skin barrier helps protect against irritants and bacteria.
Glycerin has also been found to have antimicrobial and antiviral properties. Due to these properties, glycerin is often used in wound and burn treatments.
In cosmetics, glycerin is usually derived from plants such as soybean or palm. However, it can also be sourced from animals, such as tallow or animal fat.
This ingredient is organic, colorless, odorless, and non-toxic.
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 HomosalateLavandula Angustifolia Oil is more commonly known as lavender essential oil. It is considered a fragrancing ingredient.
Lavender imparts a famous scent. While the smell is lovely, this ingredient and may sensitize skin in topical products. This is because about 85% of the oil is made up of linalool and linalyl acetate.
When exposed to air, these two compounds become strong allergens. This ingredient exhibits cytotoxicity at low concentrations; amounts of 0.25% have been shown to damage skin cells.
A study from Japan found this ingredient caused lavender sensitivity after widespread exposure.
Lavender essential oil has some antimicrobial, antibacterial, and anti-inflammatory properties. However, the cons of this ingredient may outweight the pros.
More research is needed to confirm lavender essential oil's effects when used in aromatherapy.
Lavandula Angustifolia is known as the English Lavender and famous for creating purple fields in Provence, France.
Learn more about Lavandula Angustifolia OilOctocrylene protects skin from sun damage. It absorbs UV-B with peak absorption of 304 nm. It is a common sunscreen ingredient and often paired with avobenzone, a UVA filter. This is because octocrylene stabilizes other sunscreen ingredients by protecting them from degradation when exposed to sunlight. Octocrylene is a photostable ingredient and loses about 10% of SPF in 95 minutes.
Octocrylene also acts as an emollient, meaning it helps skin retain moisture and softens skin. It is oil-soluble and hydrophobic, enhancing water-resistant properties in a product.
Those who are using ketoprofen, a topical anti-inflammatory drug, may experience an allergic reaction when using octocrylene. It is best to speak with a healthcare professional about using sunscreens with octocrylene.
The EU allows a maximum of these concentrations:
Learn more about OctocrylenePelargonium Graveolens Flower Oil is the pressed oil of the Rose Geranium plant. It is volatile, meaning it evaporates off the skin.
Fragrant components of Rose Geranium include citronellol and geraniol. These may cause allergies and skin-sensitivity. We recommend speaking with a professional if you have any concerns.
The scent of Rose Geranium closely resembles traditional roses.
Learn more about Pelargonium Graveolens Flower OilSilica 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 SilicaTocopheryl 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. Stay hydrated!
Learn more about WaterIngredient Ratings
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When to use
Sekkisei Herbal UV Defense Gel SPF 40 43 ingredients
Neogen Day-Light Protection Airy Sunscreen SPF 50 48 ingredients
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