SkinCeuticals Advanced Brightening UV Defense SPF50 Sunscreen Versus SkinCeuticals Ultra Facial UV Defense Sunscreen SPF50
What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningAlcohol Denat.
Antimicrobial
Ethylhexyl Triazone
UV Absorber
Drometrizole Trisiloxane
UV Absorber
Isononyl Isononanoate
EmollientIsopropyl Lauroyl Sarcosinate
Skin ConditioningButyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane
UV Absorber
Diisopropyl Sebacate
EmollientBis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine
Skin Conditioning
Niacinamide
Smoothing
Dimethicone
Emollient
Methylene Bis-Benzotriazolyl Tetramethylbutylphenol
UV Filter
Octocrylene
UV Absorber
Propanediol
Solvent
Ethylhexyl Salicylate
UV Absorber
Cetearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Silica
Abrasive
Tranexamic Acid
Astringent
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
PEG-10 Dimethicone
Skin Conditioning
CI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantPolyglyceryl-10 Laurate
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Stearoyl Glutamate
CleansingCaprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Cetearyl Glucoside
EmulsifyingMica
Cosmetic Colorant
Glycerin
Humectant
PEG-20
HumectantAmmonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer
Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate
Carbomer
Emulsion StabilisingInulin Lauryl Carbamate
Emulsion StabilisingT-Butyl Alcohol
Perfuming
Water, Alcohol Denat., Ethylhexyl Triazone, Drometrizole Trisiloxane, Isononyl Isononanoate, Isopropyl Lauroyl Sarcosinate, Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane, Diisopropyl Sebacate, Bis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine, Niacinamide, Dimethicone, Methylene Bis-Benzotriazolyl Tetramethylbutylphenol, Octocrylene, Propanediol, Ethylhexyl Salicylate, Cetearyl Alcohol, Silica, Tranexamic Acid, Tocopherol, Phenoxyethanol, PEG-10 Dimethicone, CI 77891, Polyglyceryl-10 Laurate, Sodium Stearoyl Glutamate, Caprylyl Glycol, Butylene Glycol, Cetearyl Glucoside, Mica, Glycerin, PEG-20, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer, Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate, Carbomer, Inulin Lauryl Carbamate, T-Butyl Alcohol
Water
Skin ConditioningEthylhexyl Methoxycinnamate
UV Absorber
Drometrizole Trisiloxane
UV Absorber
Glycerin
Humectant
Propylene Glycol
Humectant
Dimethicone
Emollient
Titanium Dioxide
Cosmetic Colorant
Alcohol Denat.
Antimicrobial
Pentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningTerephthalylidene Dicamphor Sulfonic Acid
UV Absorber
Diethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl Benzoate
UV Filter
Triethanolamine
BufferingBis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine
Skin Conditioning
Stearic Acid
Cleansing
Potassium Cetyl Phosphate
EmulsifyingTocopherol
Antioxidant
Sodium Cocoyl Sarcosinate
CleansingPhenoxyethanol
Preservative
PEG-100 Stearate
Palmitic Acid
Emollient
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingTromethamine
BufferingCaprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Carbomer
Emulsion StabilisingDisodium EDTA
Cetyl Alcohol
Emollient
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Butyrospermum Parkii Seedcake Extract
Skin Protecting
Aluminum Hydroxide
EmollientGlyceryl Stearate
Emollient
Water, Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate, Drometrizole Trisiloxane, Glycerin, Propylene Glycol, Dimethicone, Titanium Dioxide, Alcohol Denat., Pentylene Glycol, Terephthalylidene Dicamphor Sulfonic Acid, Diethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl Benzoate, Triethanolamine, Bis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine, Stearic Acid, Potassium Cetyl Phosphate, Tocopherol, Sodium Cocoyl Sarcosinate, Phenoxyethanol, PEG-100 Stearate, Palmitic Acid, Xanthan Gum, Tromethamine, Caprylyl Glycol, Carbomer, Disodium EDTA, Cetyl Alcohol, Butylene Glycol, Butyrospermum Parkii Seedcake Extract, Aluminum Hydroxide, Glyceryl Stearate
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Alcohol Denat. is an alcohol with a denaturant property. It is created by mixing ethanol with other additives.
This ingredient gets a bad rep because it is irritating and drying - mostly due to its astringent property. Astringents draw out natural oils in tissue, constricting pores and leaving your skin dried out.
However, alcohol denat. is not all that bad.
Due to its low molecular weight, alcohol denat. tends to evaporate quickly. One study on pig skin found half of applied alcohol evaporated in 10 seconds and less than 3% stayed on skin.
This also helps other ingredients become better absorbed upon application.
Studies are conflicted about whether this ingredient causes skin dehydration. One study from 2005 found adding emollients to propanol-based sanitizer decreased skin dryness and irritation. Another study found irritation only occurs if your skin is already damaged.
Small amounts of alcohol are generally tolerated by oily skin or people who live in humid environments.
The rule of thumb is if this alcohol is near the end of an ingredients list, it will probably not affect your skin much.
Also...
This ingredient has antimicrobial and solvent properties.
The antimicrobial property helps preserve products and increase their shelf life. As a solvent, it helps dissolve other ingredients.
Other types of astringent alcohols include:
Learn more about Alcohol Denat.You 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 TriazineButylene 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 GlycolCaprylyl Glycol is a humectant and emollient, meaning it attracts and preserves moisture.
It is a common ingredient in many products, especially those designed to hydrate skin. The primary benefits are retaining moisture, skin softening, and promoting a healthy skin barrier.
Though Caprylyl Glycol is an alcohol derived from fatty acids, it is not the kind that can dry out skin.
This ingredient is also used as a preservative to extend the life of products. It has slight antimicrobial properties.
Learn more about Caprylyl GlycolCarbomer is a polymer of acrylic acid. Its main role is to create a gel consistency.
A high amount of carbomer can cause pilling or balling up of products. Don't worry, most products contain 1% or less of carbomer.
Dimethicone is a type of synthetic silicone created from natural materials such as quartz.
What it does:
Dimethicone comes in different viscosities:
Depending on the viscosity, dimethicone has different properties.
Ingredients lists don't always show which type is used, so we recommend reaching out to the brand if you have questions about the viscosity.
This ingredient is unlikely to cause irritation because it does not get absorbed into skin. However, people with silicone allergies should be careful about using this ingredient.
Note: Dimethicone may contribute to pilling. This is because it is not oil or water soluble, so pilling may occur when layered with products. When mixed with heavy oils in a formula, the outcome is also quite greasy.
Learn more about DimethiconeDrometrizole Trisiloxane is a UV filter that provides both UV-A (344 nm) and UV-B (303 nm) protection.
This ingredient is photostable and studies show it to be generally safe and effective. The compound Meroxyl XL is owned by L'Oreal while Drometrizole trisiloxane can be found in other sunscreen brands.
It is currently approved for use in the EU, Canada, Australia, and Japan. However, it is not yet approved for use in the US.
This ingredient is often used with other sunscreen ingredients, such as Ecamsule.
Learn more about Drometrizole TrisiloxaneGlycerin 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 GlycerinPhenoxyethanol 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.
Tocopherol (also known as Vitamin E) is a common antioxidant used to help protect the skin from free-radicals and strengthen the skin barrier. It's also fat soluble - this means our skin is great at absorbing it.
Vitamin E also helps keep your natural skin lipids healthy. Your lipid skin barrier naturally consists of lipids, ceramides, and fatty acids. Vitamin E offers extra protection for your skin’s lipid barrier, keeping your skin healthy and nourished.
Another benefit is a bit of UV protection. Vitamin E helps reduce the damage caused by UVB rays. (It should not replace your sunscreen). Combining it with Vitamin C can decrease sunburned cells and hyperpigmentation after UV exposure.
You might have noticed Vitamin E + C often paired together. This is because it is great at stabilizing Vitamin C. Using the two together helps increase the effectiveness of both ingredients.
There are often claims that Vitamin E can reduce/prevent scarring, but these claims haven't been confirmed by scientific research.
Learn more about TocopherolWater. 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 Water
