SOS Serum SOS SPF 50 Versus Cetaphil Sheer Mineral Face Liquid Sunscreen Broad Spectrum SPF 50
Updated on April 01, 2025
Overview
What they are
These products are both fungal acne (malassezia) safe sunscreens. They have a total of 3 ingredients in common
Cool Features
They both contain SPF and Vitamin E
Suited For
They're both likely to be good for fighting acne, anti aging, dry skin, brightening skin and scar healing
Free From
They both do not contain any oils, parabens or sulfates
What's Inside
They both contain silicones
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
SOS Serum SOS SPF 50 16 ingredients
Cetaphil Sheer Mineral Face Liquid Sunscreen Broad Spectrum SPF 50 26 ingredients
About this product
About this product
At a glance
Click on any of the items below to learn more
SOS Serum SOS SPF 50 16 ingredients
Cetaphil Sheer Mineral Face Liquid Sunscreen Broad Spectrum SPF 50 26 ingredients
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningEthylhexyl Salicylate
UV Absorber
Phenylbenzimidazole Sulfonic Acid
UV Absorber
Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane
UV Absorber
Isoamyl P-Methoxycinnamate
UV Absorber
Titanium Dioxide
Cosmetic Colorant
Zinc Oxide
Cosmetic Colorant
Dimethicone
Emollient
Glycerin
Humectant
Sodium Polyacrylate
AbsorbentGlycine Max Callus Culture
Antioxidant
Citric Acid
Buffering
Hyaluronic Acid
Humectant
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Benzyl Alcohol
Perfuming
Dehydroacetic Acid
Preservative
Water, Ethylhexyl Salicylate, Phenylbenzimidazole Sulfonic Acid, Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane, Isoamyl P-Methoxycinnamate, Titanium Dioxide, Zinc Oxide, Dimethicone, Glycerin, Sodium Polyacrylate, Glycine Max Callus Culture, Citric Acid, Hyaluronic Acid, Tocopheryl Acetate, Benzyl Alcohol, Dehydroacetic Acid
Zinc Oxide 12%
Cosmetic Colorant
Allantoin
Skin Conditioning
Bisabolol
Masking
Butyloctyl Salicylate
Skin Conditioning
C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate
AntimicrobialCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientCaprylyl Methicone
Skin Conditioning
Dimethicone
Emollient
Dimethiconol
Emollient
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningHexylene Glycol
EmulsifyingIsododecane
EmollientLauryl PEG-10 Tris(Trimethylsiloxy)Silylethyl Dimethicone
Emulsifying
Lauryl PEG-8 Dimethicone
Niacinamide
Smoothing
Octyldodecyl Neopentanoate
EmollientPEG-10
HumectantPhenoxyethanol
Preservative
Polymethylsilsesquioxane
Propanediol
SolventSodium Chloride
Masking
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingTetrasodium Glutamate Diacetate
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Trilaureth-4 Phosphate
EmulsifyingWater
Skin ConditioningZinc Oxide 12%, Allantoin, Bisabolol, Butyloctyl Salicylate, C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate, Caprylyl Glycol, Caprylyl Methicone, Dimethicone, Dimethiconol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Hexylene Glycol, Isododecane, Lauryl PEG-10 Tris(Trimethylsiloxy)Silylethyl Dimethicone, Lauryl PEG-8 Dimethicone, Niacinamide, Octyldodecyl Neopentanoate, PEG-10, Phenoxyethanol, Polymethylsilsesquioxane, Propanediol, Sodium Chloride, Sodium Hydroxide, Tetrasodium Glutamate Diacetate, Tocopherol, Trilaureth-4 Phosphate, Water
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 WaterZinc Oxide is a mineral broad-spectrum UV filter; it is the broadest UVA and UVB reflector approved by the FDA. While it is most commonly man-made for cosmetics, it can naturally occur in zincite, a rare mineral.
Today, traditional and nano-sized zinc oxide can be found in beauty products. Nano-sized zinc oxide can enhance a product's UV protection. While it is not believed to have a negative effect on skin, nano-zinc oxide may be harmful to coral reefs - though the verdict is not entirely out on this one.
Zinc Oxide also has antibacterial and calming properties. It is not water soluble.
Zinc has been used throughout history as an ingredient in paint and medicine. An Indian text from 500BC is believed to list zinc oxide as a salve for open wound. The Ancient Greek physician Dioscorides has also mentioned the use of zinc as an ointment in 1AD.
Learn more about Zinc OxideDimethicone 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 DimethiconeIngredient Ratings
Here's what our community thinks of the ingredients in these products.
When to use
SOS Serum SOS SPF 50 16 ingredients
Cetaphil Sheer Mineral Face Liquid Sunscreen Broad Spectrum SPF 50 26 ingredients
Reviews
Here's what our community thinks
SOS Serum SOS SPF 50 16 ingredients
Quite a moisturising SPF and works well as a makeup base. Hasn't pilled for me at all. The texture is similar to the Bondi Sands in the white tube but thicker. If your skin is prone to clogging I would be a little hesitant - although I can't say this has actively caused breakouts, it feels like it could contribute towards pore clogging you don't thoroughly clean/exfoliate your skin.
after trying so many spfs my long search for the perfect sunscreen is seemingly over, i can't stress enough how much i like this product.
it has a mousse-like texture that feels weightless when applied and it uses a mixture of chemical and physical spf filters, combined with hyaluronic acid for a bit of hydration. it has a lovely satin finish and doesnt pill when layered on top of other Show more
Cetaphil Sheer Mineral Face Liquid Sunscreen Broad Spectrum SPF 50 26 ingredients
just ok
Slightly more drying, irritating, clogging, and expensive(lol) than my current US drugstore mineral favorite - Banana Boat Baby/Sensitive. Despite a lovely, runny texture still leaves almost as much of a white cast on my white/fair-toned skin than BBB which is classically thick & goopy stuff - both are likely incompatible with darker skin tones unfortunately. FA safe and overall probably Show more
Good for sensitive skin. No burn at all. It does not trigger acne. But: drying and the white cast is visible.
