Anessa Perfect UV Sunscreen Skincare Gel N SPF 50+ PA++++ Versus Cancer Council Face Day Wear Moisturiser Matte Zinc Lotion Invisible SPF 50
This hybrid sunscreen covers the full UV range and blocks ~98% of UVB at SPF 50.
This mineral sunscreen covers the full UV range and blocks ~98% of UVB at SPF 50.
What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
No concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningAlcohol
Antimicrobial
Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate
UV Absorber
Dimethicone
Emollient
Ethylhexyl Salicylate
UV Absorber
Homosalate
Skin Conditioning
PEG/PPG-9/2 Dimethyl Ether
Skin ConditioningBis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine
Skin Conditioning
Diethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl Benzoate
UV Filter
Diisopropyl Sebacate
EmollientEthylhexyl Triazone
UV Absorber
Silica
Abrasive
Titanium Dioxide
Cosmetic Colorant
Caprylyl Methicone
Skin Conditioning
Glycerin
Humectant
PPG-17
Skin ConditioningAcrylamides/Dmapa Acrylates/Methoxy PEG Methacrylate Copolymer
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Dextrin Palmitate/Ethylhexanoate
Emulsifying
Trifluoropropyldimethyl/Trimethylsiloxysilicate
EmollientHydrated Silica
Abrasive
PEG-60 Hydrogenated Castor Oil
Emulsifying
C30-45 Alkyl Methicone
Emollient
C30-45 Olefin
Skin ConditioningTriethoxycaprylylsilane
Carbomer
Emulsion StabilisingPotassium Hydroxide
BufferingAgar
MaskingXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingAcrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingParfum
Masking
Distearyldimonium Chloride
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Dextrin Palmitate
Emulsifying
PEG/PPG-14/7 Dimethyl Ether
Skin ConditioningStearic Acid
Cleansing
PEG-6
HumectantBHT
Antioxidant
Saccharide Isomerate
Humectant
Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate
Humectant
Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
Antimicrobial
Potentilla Erecta Root Extract
Skin ConditioningCitric Acid
Buffering
Sodium Acetylated Hyaluronate
Humectant
Sodium Citrate
BufferingSynthetic Fluorphlogopite
Triethoxysilylethyl Polydimethylsiloxyethyl Dimethicone
Skin Conditioning
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Soluble Collagen
Humectant
Water, Alcohol, Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate, Dimethicone, Ethylhexyl Salicylate, Homosalate, PEG/PPG-9/2 Dimethyl Ether, Bis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine, Diethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl Benzoate, Diisopropyl Sebacate, Ethylhexyl Triazone, Silica, Titanium Dioxide, Caprylyl Methicone, Glycerin, PPG-17, Acrylamides/Dmapa Acrylates/Methoxy PEG Methacrylate Copolymer, Phenoxyethanol, Dextrin Palmitate/Ethylhexanoate, Trifluoropropyldimethyl/Trimethylsiloxysilicate, Hydrated Silica, PEG-60 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, C30-45 Alkyl Methicone, C30-45 Olefin, Triethoxycaprylylsilane, Carbomer, Potassium Hydroxide, Agar, Xanthan Gum, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Parfum, Distearyldimonium Chloride, Butylene Glycol, Dextrin Palmitate, PEG/PPG-14/7 Dimethyl Ether, Stearic Acid, PEG-6, BHT, Saccharide Isomerate, Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Potentilla Erecta Root Extract, Citric Acid, Sodium Acetylated Hyaluronate, Sodium Citrate, Synthetic Fluorphlogopite, Triethoxysilylethyl Polydimethylsiloxyethyl Dimethicone, Tocopherol, Soluble Collagen
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Phenoxyethanol is one of the most widely used preservatives in skincare (and for good reason!).
It has a large spectrum of antimicrobial activity and especially effective bacteria, yeast, and mold while only having a weak effect on your skin's natural microbiome.
On a cellular level, it disrupts the cell membranes of microbes by poking holes that make the cell leak. This shuts down the chemical reactions the microbe needs to make energy so it can no longer survive.
Another perk of this ingredient is that it stays functional across a wide pH range (3-10).
You'll often see it paired with boosters like Ethylhexylglycerin; one study showed that a 1:9 ratio of Ethylhexylglycerin to Phenoxyethanol damages bacterial membranes as effectively as doubling the Phenoxyethanol concentration on its own.
Typical use concentrations range from 0.3-1% depending on the formula, and this ingredient is capped at 1% int the EU.
Safety-wise, the fear mongering does not hold up to the evidence. The EU's Scientific Committee on Consumer Safety and FDA consider it safe as a preservative at up to 1%, including for children of all ages.
Adverse systemic effects only showed up in animal studies at exposures roughly 200x higher than what people get from cosmetics. And despite its very widespread use, this ingredient is a rare sensitizer and allergic reactions are uncommon.
Learn more about Phenoxyethanol
