Somethinc Holyshield! UV Watery Sunscreen Gel SPF 50+ Versus Studio Tropik Corrector Hybrid Sunscreen SPF 50+
What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningEthylhexyl Methoxycinnamate
UV AbsorberButylene Glycol
HumectantButyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane
UV AbsorberOctocrylene
UV AbsorberAmmonium Polyacryloyldimethyl Taurate
Emulsion StabilisingPolymethyl Methacrylate
Phenoxyethanol
PreservativePropylene Glycol
HumectantAroma
Triethanolamine
BufferingTrimethoxybenzylidene Pentanedione
AntioxidantPolyglyceryl-4 Caprate
EmulsifyingLecithin
EmollientDisodium EDTA
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningCaesalpinia Spinosa Fruit Pod Extract
Helianthus Annuus Sprout Extract
Skin ConditioningSodium Benzoate
MaskingWater, Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate, Butylene Glycol, Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane, Octocrylene, Ammonium Polyacryloyldimethyl Taurate, Polymethyl Methacrylate, Phenoxyethanol, Propylene Glycol, Aroma, Triethanolamine, Trimethoxybenzylidene Pentanedione, Polyglyceryl-4 Caprate, Lecithin, Disodium EDTA, Ethylhexylglycerin, Caesalpinia Spinosa Fruit Pod Extract, Helianthus Annuus Sprout Extract, Sodium Benzoate
Water
Skin ConditioningEthylhexyl Methoxycinnamate
UV AbsorberDicaprylyl Carbonate
EmollientPropylene Glycol
HumectantEthylhexyl Triazone
UV AbsorberOctocrylene
UV AbsorberPhenylbenzimidazole Sulfonic Acid
UV AbsorberHydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingMethylene Bis-Benzotriazolyl Tetramethylbutylphenol
UV FilterButyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane
UV AbsorberBis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine
Skin ConditioningDimethicone
EmollientTriethanolamine
BufferingDibutyl Adipate
EmollientTris-Biphenyl Triazine
UV AbsorberTitanium Dioxide
Cosmetic ColorantBisabolol
AntioxidantCentella Asiatica Extract
CleansingArtemisia Vulgaris Extract
Skin ConditioningXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingDecyl Glucoside
Cleansing1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningCyclopentasiloxane
EmollientHydrolyzed Wheat Protein/Pvp Crosspolymer
Butylene Glycol
HumectantTetrasodium EDTA
BHT
AntioxidantDisodium Phosphate
BufferingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningChlorphenesin
AntimicrobialPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeSilica Dimethyl Silylate
EmollientTriethoxycaprylylsilane
Mica
Cosmetic ColorantGlycerin
HumectantPolyester-1
CI 77288
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77492
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77491
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77499
Cosmetic ColorantWater, Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate, Dicaprylyl Carbonate, Propylene Glycol, Ethylhexyl Triazone, Octocrylene, Phenylbenzimidazole Sulfonic Acid, Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Methylene Bis-Benzotriazolyl Tetramethylbutylphenol, Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane, Bis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine, Dimethicone, Triethanolamine, Dibutyl Adipate, Tris-Biphenyl Triazine, Titanium Dioxide, Bisabolol, Centella Asiatica Extract, Artemisia Vulgaris Extract, Xanthan Gum, Decyl Glucoside, 1,2-Hexanediol, Cyclopentasiloxane, Hydrolyzed Wheat Protein/Pvp Crosspolymer, Butylene Glycol, Tetrasodium EDTA, BHT, Disodium Phosphate, Ethylhexylglycerin, Chlorphenesin, Phenoxyethanol, Silica Dimethyl Silylate, Triethoxycaprylylsilane, Mica, Glycerin, Polyester-1, CI 77288, CI 77492, CI 77891, CI 77491, CI 77499
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Also 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 GlycolEthylhexyl Methoxycinnamate is an organic compound that provides UVB protection. It often goes by the more common name of octinoxate. It is created from methoxycinnamic acid and 2-ethylhexanol.
Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate absorbs UVB rays with wavelengths between 280-320 nm. UV absorbers protect your skin by using chemical reactions to convert UV rays into heat and energy.
UVB (290-320 nm) rays emit more energy than UVA rays. They are capable of damaging DNA, causing sunburns and are thought to be linked to skin cancer.
The state of Hawaii has banned sunscreens containing octinoxate due to its potential impact on coral reefs. More research is needed to bridge gaps in this research. The European Union allows higher levels of octinoxate in sunscreens than the US and Australia.
Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate is oil soluble. It is not stable and may lose efficacy when exposed to sunlight.
Learn more about Ethylhexyl MethoxycinnamateEthylhexylglycerin is created from glycerin. It is a multitasker ingredient that:
The CIR Expert Panel found minimal skin absorption or sensitization of any kind in a safety assessment. Though this ingredient is considered well-tolerated, a small number of cases of allergic dermatitis have been published since 2002. Just be sure to patch test if you are unsure.
Industry-reported use ranges from 8% in rinse-off products and 2% in leave-on formulations.
Learn more about EthylhexylglycerinOctocrylene 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 OctocrylenePhenoxyethanol 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.
Propylene Glycol is a synthetic, colorless, odorless liquid that has been a staple in cosmetics for decades. It is a skin conditioning agent, humectant, and solvent.
As a humectant, it draw water to the skin to reduce flaking and restore suppleness. It's also a solvent that helps dissolve other actives and keeps formulas stable across temperature changes.
The CIR Expert Panel has confirmed this ingredient to be nontoxic and clinical studies show no sensitization at cosmetic use concentrations.
True allergic reactions are quite rare: a 15-year retrospective study of 6,751 patients found only 0.31% had a positive reaction (and less than half were considered clinically relevant).
It seemed that when sensitization does occur, it's most commonly linked to topical medication (like corticosteroids) and not cosmetics. Allergic contact dermatitis also appears largely limited to individuals with underlying skin conditions.
Overall, propylene glycol is a well-studied ingredient that most people can tolerate without issue.
Learn more about Propylene GlycolTriethanolamine (TEA) is an emulsifier and pH adjuster. It is created using ethylene oxide and ammonia. This gives Triethanolamine a nitrogen core and a similar scent to ammonia.
As an emulsifier, it prevents ingredients from separating and enhances texture by adding volume to a product.
PH adjusters are common in cosmetic products. The pH of a product can affect the effectiveness of other ingredients. A product with a high pH may also irritate the skin.
If you are looking for the tea leaf ingredient, click here.
Learn more about TriethanolamineWater. 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. Remember to stay hydrated!
Learn more about Water