SkinCeuticals Ultra Facial UV Defense Sunscreen SPF50 Versus ACO Sun Ultra Light Face Fluid SPF 50+
Updated on October 15, 2023
Overview
What they are
These products are both sunscreens. They have a total of 9 ingredients in common
Cool Features
They both contain SPF and Vitamin E
Suited For
They're both likely to be good for dry skin
Free From
They both do not contain any common allergens, fragrances, oils, parabens or sulfates
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
SkinCeuticals Ultra Facial UV Defense Sunscreen SPF50 31 ingredients
ACO Sun Ultra Light Face Fluid SPF 50+ 26 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
SkinCeuticals Ultra Facial UV Defense Sunscreen SPF50 31 ingredients
ACO Sun Ultra Light Face Fluid SPF 50+ 26 ingredients
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
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
Xylene Sulfonic Acid
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
EmollientCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingDisodium EDTA
Cetyl Alcohol
Emollient
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Butyrospermum Parkii Butter Extract
Skin Conditioning
Aluminum Hydroxide
EmollientGlyceryl Stearate
Emollient
Water, Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate, Drometrizole Trisiloxane, Glycerin, Propylene Glycol, Dimethicone, Titanium Dioxide, Alcohol Denat., Pentylene Glycol, Terephthalylidene Dicamphor Sulfonic Acid, Xylene 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 Butter Extract, Aluminum Hydroxide, Glyceryl Stearate
Water
Skin ConditioningDiisopropyl Sebacate
EmollientDibutyl Adipate
EmollientDiethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl Benzoate
UV Filter
Tris-Biphenyl Triazine
UV Absorber
Ethylhexyl Salicylate
UV Absorber
Propanediol
Solvent
Silica
Abrasive
Ethylhexyl Triazone
UV Absorber
Bis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine
Skin Conditioning
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Potassium Cetyl Phosphate
EmulsifyingCetyl Alcohol
Emollient
Bis-Ethylhexyl Hydroxydimethoxy Benzylmalonate
Antioxidant
Sarcosine
Skin ConditioningSodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Decyl Glucoside
CleansingVp/Eicosene Copolymer
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Pentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingCitric Acid
Buffering
Disodium Phosphate
BufferingSodium Benzoate
Masking
Water, Diisopropyl Sebacate, Dibutyl Adipate, Diethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl Benzoate, Tris-Biphenyl Triazine, Ethylhexyl Salicylate, Propanediol, Silica, Ethylhexyl Triazone, Bis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine, 1,2-Hexanediol, Tocopheryl Acetate, Potassium Cetyl Phosphate, Cetyl Alcohol, Bis-Ethylhexyl Hydroxydimethoxy Benzylmalonate, Sarcosine, Sodium Hyaluronate, Decyl Glucoside, Vp/Eicosene Copolymer, Butylene Glycol, Pentylene Glycol, Xanthan Gum, Carbomer, Citric Acid, Disodium Phosphate, Sodium Benzoate
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 WaterPentylene glycol is typically used within a product to thicken it. It also adds a smooth, soft, and moisturizing feel to the product. It is naturally found in plants such as sugar beets.
The hydrophilic trait of Pentylene Glycol makes it a humectant. As a humectant, Pentylene Glycol helps draw moisture from the air to your skin. This can help keep your skin hydrated.
This property also makes Pentylene Glycol a great texture enhancer. It can also help thicken or stabilize a product.
Pentylene Glycol also acts as a mild preservative and helps to keep a product microbe-free.
Some people may experience mild eye and skin irritation from Pentylene Glycol. We always recommend speaking with a professional about using this ingredient in your routine.
Pentylene Glycol has a low molecular weight and is part of the 1,2-glycol family.
Learn more about Pentylene GlycolDiethylamino 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 TriazinePotassium Cetyl Phosphate is the potassium salt of a mixture. This mixture consists of the esters from phosphoricacid and cetyl alcohol.
Potassium Cetyl Phosphate is an emulsifier and cleansing agent. Emulsifiers help stabilize a product. It does this by preventing certain ingredients from separating.
As a cleansing agent, Potassium Cetyl Phosphate helps gather oils, dirts, and pollutants from your skin. This makes it easier to rinse them away with water.
Learn more about Potassium Cetyl PhosphateXanthan 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 GumCarbomer 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.
Cetyl Alcohol is a fatty alcohol. Fatty Alcohols are most often used as an emollient or to thicken a product.
Its main roles are:
Though it has "alcohol" in the name, it is not related to denatured alcohol or ethyl alcohol. The FDA allows products labeled "alcohol-free" to have fatty alcohols.
Learn more about Cetyl AlcoholButylene 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 GlycolIngredient Ratings
Here's what our community thinks of the ingredients in these products.
When to use
SkinCeuticals Ultra Facial UV Defense Sunscreen SPF50 31 ingredients
ACO Sun Ultra Light Face Fluid SPF 50+ 26 ingredients
Reviews
Here's what our community thinks
SkinCeuticals Ultra Facial UV Defense Sunscreen SPF50 31 ingredients
I got this product free as part of a brand offer and I'm glad. The SPF doesn't work well with other products like moisturiser or make up. You can get much better SPF for a fraction of the price.
ACO Sun Ultra Light Face Fluid SPF 50+ 26 ingredients
The only spf that didn't make my skin break out
Very easy to apply and feels light on my oily/combination skin type. It also doesn't make my foundation look cakey (like some other sunscreens do).
The only downside is that it stings the eyes (I assume sweat and moisture makes the product end up in the eye hours after application). Otherwise it's a great product.
