Sundance Sensitive Sun Balm SPF30 Versus SOS Serum SOS SPF 50
Updated on April 01, 2025
Overview
What they are
These products are both cruelty-free sunscreens. They have a total of 8 ingredients in common
Cool Features
They both contain SPF and Vitamin E
Suited For
They're both likely to be good for anti aging, dry skin, brightening skin and scar healing
Free From
They both do not contain any parabens or sulfates
What's Inside
They both contain harsh alcohols and 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
Sundance Sensitive Sun Balm SPF30 26 ingredients
SOS Serum SOS SPF 50 16 ingredients
About this product
About this product
At a glance
Click on any of the items below to learn more
Sundance Sensitive Sun Balm SPF30 26 ingredients
SOS Serum SOS SPF 50 16 ingredients
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningAlcohol Denat.
Antimicrobial
Glycerin
Humectant
C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate
AntimicrobialEthylhexyl Salicylate
UV Absorber
Titanium Dioxide
Cosmetic Colorant
Dibutyl Adipate
EmollientDiethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl Benzoate
UV Filter
Dicaprylyl Carbonate
EmollientPhenylbenzimidazole Sulfonic Acid
UV Absorber
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Triacontanyl Pvp
HumectantDiethylhexyl Butamido Triazone
UV Absorber
Silica
Abrasive
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingVp/Hexadecene Copolymer
Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingCitric Acid
Buffering
Dimethicone
Emollient
Disodium EDTA
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningTocopherol
Antioxidant
Glycine Soja Oil
Emollient
Water, Alcohol Denat., Glycerin, C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate, Ethylhexyl Salicylate, Titanium Dioxide, Dibutyl Adipate, Diethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl Benzoate, Dicaprylyl Carbonate, Phenylbenzimidazole Sulfonic Acid, Tocopheryl Acetate, Triacontanyl Pvp, Diethylhexyl Butamido Triazone, Silica, Sodium Hydroxide, Vp/Hexadecene Copolymer, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Caprylyl Glycol, Carbomer, Xanthan Gum, Citric Acid, Dimethicone, Disodium EDTA, Ethylhexylglycerin, Tocopherol, Glycine Soja Oil
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
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 WaterGlycerin is already naturally found in your skin. It helps moisturize and protect your skin.
A study from 2016 found glycerin to be more effective as a humectant than AHAs and hyaluronic acid.
As a humectant, it helps the skin stay hydrated by pulling moisture to your skin. The low molecular weight of glycerin allows it to pull moisture into the deeper layers of your skin.
Hydrated skin improves your skin barrier; Your skin barrier helps protect against irritants and bacteria.
Glycerin has also been found to have antimicrobial and antiviral properties. Due to these properties, glycerin is often used in wound and burn treatments.
In cosmetics, glycerin is usually derived from plants such as soybean or palm. However, it can also be sourced from animals, such as tallow or animal fat.
This ingredient is organic, colorless, odorless, and non-toxic.
Glycerin is the name for this ingredient in American English. British English uses Glycerol/Glycerine.
Learn more about GlycerinEthylhexyl Salicylate is an organic compound used to block UV rays. It primarily absorbs UVB rays but offers a small amount of UVA protection as well.
Commonly found in sunscreens, Ethylhexyl Salicylate is created from salicylic acid and 2-ethylhexanol. You might know salicylic acid as the effective acne fighter ingredient and BHA.
The ethylhexanol in this ingredient is a fatty alcohol and helps hydrate your skin, similar to oils. It is an emollient, which means it traps moisture into the skin.
According to manufacturers, Ethylhexyl Salicylate absorbs UV wavelength of 295-315 nm, with a peak absorption at 307-310 nm. UVA rays are linked to long term skin damage, such as hyperpigmentation. UVB rays emit more energy and are capable of damaging our DNA. UVB rays cause sunburn.
Learn more about Ethylhexyl SalicylateTitanium dioxide is known for its UVA and UVB protection properties. It is non-comedogenic and non-irritating. Titanium Dioxide is a physical sunscreen. Physical sunscreens reflect light and prevent it from reaching your skin.
Protecting your skin against UV radiation can prevent the signs of aging. Sun damage is associated with fine-lines, wrinkles, loss of firmness, and hyperpigmentation. Titanium dioxide can help prevent premature aging.
With modern production, nano-scale or fine-grade titanium dioxide can be easily produced for cosmetics. In sunscreen, titanium dioxide absorbs UV light. Our skin is not able to absorb Titanium dioxide, even nanoparticles.
Titanium itself is the 9th most common element in the Earth's crust. Titanium dioxide is formed when oxygen is introduced and can be found in ores, dust, sand, and soil.
Pure titanium dioxide is a white powder that is used in many products to add or change color.
Learn more about Titanium DioxideThis ingredient is more commonly known as Ensulizole, a chemical sunscreen ingredient.
Ensulizole mainly protects UV-B (290-340 nm) but offers a little UV-A (320-400 nm) protection. It is often paired with less photo-stable sunscreen ingredients due to its photo-stability.
Due to it being water-soluble, Ensulizole helps give sunscreens a light and non-oily texture.
Ensulizole is approved worldwide:
Learn more about Phenylbenzimidazole Sulfonic AcidTocopheryl Acetate is AKA Vitamin E. It is an antioxidant and protects your skin from free radicals. Free radicals damage the skin by breaking down collagen.
One study found using Tocopheryl Acetate with Vitamin C decreased the number of sunburned cells.
Tocopheryl Acetate is commonly found in both skincare and dietary supplements.
Learn more about Tocopheryl AcetateCitric Acid is an AHA derived from citrus fruits (think oranges, lemons, and limes!).
As an AHA, Citric Acid removes the top layer of skin cells from the newer layer of skin underneath. This helps skin to remove dark spots and even out skin tone.
If you spot Citric Acid near the end of an ingredient list, it's likely there as a pH adjuster rather than an active ingredient.
Read more about some other popular AHA's here:
Learn more about Citric AcidDimethicone 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
Sundance Sensitive Sun Balm SPF30 26 ingredients
SOS Serum SOS SPF 50 16 ingredients
Reviews
Here's what our community thinks
Sundance Sensitive Sun Balm SPF30 26 ingredients
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
