Somethinc Holyshield! UV Watery Sunscreen Gel SPF 50+ Versus Whitelab Ultra Light Sunscreen Gel SPF 50
What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningEthylhexyl Methoxycinnamate
UV Absorber
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane
UV Absorber
Octocrylene
UV Absorber
Ammonium Polyacryloyldimethyl Taurate
Emulsion StabilisingPolymethyl Methacrylate
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Propylene Glycol
Humectant
Aroma
Triethanolamine
BufferingTrimethoxybenzylidene Pentanedione
Antioxidant
Polyglyceryl-4 Caprate
EmulsifyingLecithin
Emollient
Disodium EDTA
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningCaesalpinia Spinosa Fruit Pod Extract
Helianthus Annuus Sprout Extract
Skin ConditioningSodium Benzoate
Masking
Water, 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 Absorber
Cyclopentasiloxane
Emollient
Ethylhexyl Salicylate
UV Absorber
Diethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl Benzoate
UV Filter
Methylpropanediol
SolventMethylene Bis-Benzotriazolyl Tetramethylbutylphenol
UV Filter
Phenylbenzimidazole Sulfonic Acid
UV Absorber
Triethanolamine
BufferingEthylhexyl Triazone
UV Absorber
Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract
Bleaching
Hydrolyzed Algin
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Panthenol
Skin Conditioning
Chamomilla Recutita Extract
Skin Conditioning
Centella Asiatica Leaf Extract
Skin Conditioning
Allantoin
Skin Conditioning
Bisabolol
Antioxidant
Glycine Soja Oil
Emollient
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
BHT
Antioxidant
Sodium Polyacrylate
Absorbent
Propylene Glycol
Humectant
Decyl Glucoside
Cleansing
Dicaprylyl Carbonate
EmollientAmmonium Polyacryloyldimethyl Taurate
Emulsion StabilisingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningTetrasodium EDTA
Polyglyceryl-3 Caprate
EmulsifyingXanthan Gum
Emulsifying1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
T-Butyl Alcohol
Perfuming
Glyceryl Acrylate/Acrylic Acid Copolymer
HumectantPvm/Ma Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingGlycerin
Humectant
Citric Acid
Buffering
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Silica
Abrasive
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
Potassium Sorbate
Preservative
Water, Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate, Cyclopentasiloxane, Ethylhexyl Salicylate, Diethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl Benzoate, Methylpropanediol, Methylene Bis-Benzotriazolyl Tetramethylbutylphenol, Phenylbenzimidazole Sulfonic Acid, Triethanolamine, Ethylhexyl Triazone, Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract, Hydrolyzed Algin, Sodium Hyaluronate, Panthenol, Chamomilla Recutita Extract, Centella Asiatica Leaf Extract, Allantoin, Bisabolol, Glycine Soja Oil, Tocopherol, BHT, Sodium Polyacrylate, Propylene Glycol, Decyl Glucoside, Dicaprylyl Carbonate, Ammonium Polyacryloyldimethyl Taurate, Ethylhexylglycerin, Tetrasodium EDTA, Polyglyceryl-3 Caprate, Xanthan Gum, 1,2-Hexanediol, T-Butyl Alcohol, Glyceryl Acrylate/Acrylic Acid Copolymer, Pvm/Ma Copolymer, Glycerin, Citric Acid, Phenoxyethanol, Silica, Sodium Benzoate, Potassium Sorbate
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Ammonium Polyacryloyldimethyl Taurate is a polymer made from ammonium salts. It works as a thickener, emulsifier, and texture enhancer that gives gel-creams a silky, lightweight feel.
This ingredient is versatile and low-maintenance so manufacturers love working with it.
Typical usage levels in cosmetics are usually low and in the range of 0.015 - 2.3%.
Learn more about Ammonium Polyacryloyldimethyl TaurateThis ingredient is also known as Octinoxate and is one of the oldest and most widely used chemical UV filters in skincare.
It has a simple job: soap up UVB radiation (290-320 nm), the wavelengths responsible for sunburn and a big chunk of long-term sun damage.
In formulas, it's always paired with a separate UVA filter because octinoxate solely protects skin from UVB.
Because it's an oil-soluble liquid, it's easy to blend into the oil phase of lotions/creams and gives a cosmetically elegant feel.
The one quirk about formulating this ingredient is photostability; the molecule slowly changes shape into a less effective version when sunlight hits it. So the longer you're in the sun, the weaker its protection gets. The drop can be more than 30% in some formulas.
It also doesn't play nice with Avobenzone (the common UVA filter) since avobenzone destabilizes octinoxate and the two degrade each other. But don't worry: brands have solved this issue by adding photostabilizers like Tinosorb S to prevent degradation and keep SPF stable under heavy UV exposure.
The maximum allowed level is 10% in the EU and Australia, 7.5% in the US and Canada, and 20% in Japan.
The Cosmetic Ingredient Review Panel has concluded this ingredient to be safe in cosmetics up to 10%.
One last thing worth knowing for context:
Octinoxate has been the subject of ongoing review in Europe where the Scientific Committee on Consumer Safety's (SCCS) 2025 final opinion is that this ingredient is an endocrine-active substance.
Lab and animal studies suggest it can act a bit like a hormone in the body (mildly mimicking estrogen and slightly blocking male hormones). It's important to know this hasn't really been shown to happen in everyday human use.
This ingredient is also banned in Hawaii over coral reef concerns.
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 EthylhexylglycerinPhenoxyethanol 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 GlycolSodium Benzoate is a preservative. It's used in both cosmetic and food products to inhibit the growth of mold and bacteria. It is typically produced synthetically.
Both the US FDA and EU Health Committee have approved the use of sodium benzoate. In the US, levels of 0.1% (of the total product) are allowed.
Sodium benzoate works as a preservative by inhibiting the growth of bacteria inside of cells. It prevents the cell from fermenting a type of sugar using an enzyme called phosphofructokinase.
It is the salt of benzoic acid. Foods containing sodium benzoate include soda, salad dressings, condiments, fruit juices, wines, and snack foods.
Studies for using ascorbic acid and sodium benzoate in cosmetics are lacking, especially in skincare routines with multiple steps.
We always recommend speaking with a professional, such as a dermatologist, if you have any concerns.
Learn more about Sodium BenzoateTriethanolamine (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
