Sun Bum Sunscreen Face Lotion - SPF 50 Versus Banana Boat Sensitive 100% Mineral Face Sunscreen Lotion SPF 50+
This chemical sunscreen covers most of the UV range, lighter on the deep UVA that drives aging.
This mineral sunscreen covers the full UV range and blocks ~98% of UVB at SPF 50.
What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane 3%
UV Absorber
Homosalate 10%
Skin Conditioning
Ethylhexyl Salicylate 5%
UV Absorber
Octocrylene 10%
UV Absorber
Water
Skin ConditioningButyloctyl Salicylate
Skin Conditioning
Hydrated Silica
Abrasive
Vp/Hexadecene Copolymer
Styrene/Acrylates Copolymer
Dimethicone
Emollient
Polyester-8
Skin Conditioning
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
BHT
Antioxidant
Glyceryl Stearate
Emollient
PEG-100 Stearate
Surfactant
Ethylhexyl Stearate
Emollient
Behenyl Alcohol
Emollient
Caprylyl Methicone
Skin Conditioning
Trimethylsiloxysilicate
Emollient
Dimethyl Capramide
Emulsion StabilisingSodium Polyacrylate
Absorbent
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingTrideceth-6
EmulsifyingDisodium EDTA
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningPolyaminopropyl Biguanide
Preservative
Methylisothiazolinone
Preservative
Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane 3%, Homosalate 10%, Ethylhexyl Salicylate 5%, Octocrylene 10%, Water, Butyloctyl Salicylate, Hydrated Silica, Vp/Hexadecene Copolymer, Styrene/Acrylates Copolymer, Dimethicone, Polyester-8, Tocopheryl Acetate, BHT, Glyceryl Stearate, PEG-100 Stearate, Ethylhexyl Stearate, Behenyl Alcohol, Caprylyl Methicone, Trimethylsiloxysilicate, Dimethyl Capramide, Sodium Polyacrylate, Xanthan Gum, Trideceth-6, Disodium EDTA, Ethylhexylglycerin, Polyaminopropyl Biguanide, Methylisothiazolinone
Water
Skin ConditioningIsohexadecane
EmollientEthylhexyl Palmitate
Emollient
Diisopropyl Adipate
EmollientCocos Nucifera Oil
Masking
Octyldodecyl Citrate Crosspolymer
HumectantGlycerin
Humectant
Polyhydroxystearic Acid
Emulsifying
Silica
Abrasive
Sodium Chloride
MaskingPhenoxyethanol
Preservative
Triethoxycaprylylsilane
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingCetyl PEG/PPG-10/1 Dimethicone
Emulsifying
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Lauryl PEG-8 Dimethicone
Surfactant
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningSodium Citrate
BufferingMica
Cosmetic ColorantTocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Titanium Dioxide
Cosmetic Colorant
Iron Oxides
Water, Isohexadecane, Ethylhexyl Palmitate, Diisopropyl Adipate, Cocos Nucifera Oil, Octyldodecyl Citrate Crosspolymer, Glycerin, Polyhydroxystearic Acid, Silica, Sodium Chloride, Phenoxyethanol, Triethoxycaprylylsilane, Xanthan Gum, Cetyl PEG/PPG-10/1 Dimethicone, Caprylyl Glycol, Lauryl PEG-8 Dimethicone, Ethylhexylglycerin, Sodium Citrate, Mica, Tocopheryl Acetate, Titanium Dioxide, Iron Oxides
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Ethylhexylglycerin 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 EthylhexylglycerinTocopheryl Acetate is a stable, shelf-friendly form of vitamin E.
Formulators love it because plain vitamin E oxidizes quickly once it hits air. This acetate version stays stable and resists going off, helping to extend a product's shelf life.
It's actually inactive on its own and works like a slow-release "storage" form; the enzymes in your skin called esterases gradually convert it into active vitamin E over time.
One in vivo study showed 5% of the acetate in the living layer of the epidermis converted to vitamin E after 5 days of application. This study also found the skin gained protection against UV damage even though the conversion was slow and small.
Once converted, vitamin E acts as a skin's main fat-soluble antioxidant that fights free radicals to protect skin from damage.
Topical vitamin E generally boosts the skin's photoprotection, and it reduced UV-damage in animal models.
This ingredient has some brightening potential but it's more of a prevention ingredient than spot-fader. Cell studies show it can slow down melanin production but it's worth noting that it's not the most powerful brightener out there.
Overall, it has a pretty solid safety profile and has been found to be non-irritating and non-comedogenic. Allergic reactions may happen but stay rare due to how widely the ingredient gets used.
The concentration will vary depending on the formula; industry data shows 0.1% in baby lotions, 3% in lipsticks, and 5% in foot powders. You can also find this ingredient at 100% in a pure vitamin E oil.
Most leave-on skincare keeps it at the lower end, often between 0.5-1%.
Learn more about Tocopheryl AcetateWater. 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 WaterXanthan 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 Gum
