Sunplay Skin Aqua Silky White Gel SPF 50+ Versus Wardah UV Shield Essential Gel Sunscreen Serum SPF 35 PA+++
What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningEthylhexyl Methoxycinnamate
UV AbsorberGlycerin
HumectantDipropylene Glycol
HumectantIsononyl Isononanoate
EmollientCetyl Alcohol
EmollientPolymethylsilsesquioxane
Diethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl Benzoate
UV FilterGlycol Dimethacrylate Crosspolymer
Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialCeramide NP
Skin ConditioningSodium Acetylated Hyaluronate
HumectantAscorbyl Tetraisopalmitate
AntioxidantArginine
MaskingSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantPropylene Glycol
HumectantButylene Glycol
HumectantBis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine
Skin ConditioningEthylhexyl Triazone
UV AbsorberPolyglyceryl-10 Pentaisostearate
EmollientAcrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingPolystyrene
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingPolyvinyl Alcohol
Triethanolamine
BufferingDisodium EDTA
Phenoxyethanol
PreservativeParfum
MaskingWater, Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate, Glycerin, Dipropylene Glycol, Isononyl Isononanoate, Cetyl Alcohol, Polymethylsilsesquioxane, Diethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl Benzoate, Glycol Dimethacrylate Crosspolymer, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Ceramide NP, Sodium Acetylated Hyaluronate, Ascorbyl Tetraisopalmitate, Arginine, Sodium Hyaluronate, Propylene Glycol, Butylene Glycol, Bis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine, Ethylhexyl Triazone, Polyglyceryl-10 Pentaisostearate, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Polystyrene, Xanthan Gum, Polyvinyl Alcohol, Triethanolamine, Disodium EDTA, Phenoxyethanol, Parfum
Alcohol
AntimicrobialTocopherol
AntioxidantPantothenic Acid
Skin ConditioningWater
Skin ConditioningEthylhexyl Methoxycinnamate
UV AbsorberButyloctyl Salicylate
Skin ConditioningButyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane
UV AbsorberOctocrylene
UV AbsorberPropylene Glycol
HumectantHydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeSodium Acrylates Copolymer
Chlorphenesin
AntimicrobialPropanediol
SolventLecithin
EmollientAllantoin
Skin ConditioningPanthenol
Skin ConditioningDisodium EDTA
Parfum
MaskingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningArtemisia Capillaris Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningAlcohol, Tocopherol, Pantothenic Acid, Water, Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate, Butyloctyl Salicylate, Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane, Octocrylene, Propylene Glycol, Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Tocopheryl Acetate, Phenoxyethanol, Sodium Acrylates Copolymer, Chlorphenesin, Propanediol, Lecithin, Allantoin, Panthenol, Disodium EDTA, Parfum, Ethylhexylglycerin, Artemisia Capillaris Flower Extract
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Disodium EDTA is a chelating agent. It grabs onto and deactivates metal ions that sneak into your products from water, packaging, or air.
This ingredient mainly works behind the scenes and helps with:
On top of that, this ingredient can counteract the effects of hard water by binding to the minerals in it.
One thing worth knowing is that Disodium EDTA has been shown to be a mild penetration enhancer. It can help other ingredients absorb into skin more effectively which can be a double-edged sword (great for actives, but can also make the active too strong if you have sensitive skin).
Clinical patch testing showed no significant skin irritation at typical use concentrations and minimal dermal absorption.
You'll most likely see this ingredient near the end of an ingredient list. It's typically found in concentrations less than 1%.
Learn more about Disodium EDTAEthylhexyl 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 MethoxycinnamateParfum is a catch-all term for an ingredient or more that is used to give a scent to products.
Also called "fragrance", this ingredient can be a blend of hundreds of chemicals or plant oils. This means every product with "fragrance" or "parfum" in the ingredients list is a different mixture.
For instance, Habanolide is a proprietary trade name for a specific aroma chemical. When used as a fragrance ingredient in cosmetics, most aroma chemicals fall under the broad labeling category of “FRAGRANCE” or “PARFUM” according to EU and US regulations.
The term 'parfum' or 'fragrance' is not regulated in many countries. In many cases, it is up to the brand to define this term.
For instance, many brands choose to label themselves as "fragrance-free" because they are not using synthetic fragrances. However, their products may still contain ingredients such as essential oils that are considered a fragrance by INCI standards.
One example is Calendula flower extract. Calendula is an essential oil that still imparts a scent or 'fragrance'.
Depending on the blend, the ingredients in the mixture can cause allergies and sensitivities on the skin. Some ingredients that are known EU allergens include linalool and citronellol.
Parfum can also be used to mask or cover an unpleasant scent.
The bottom line is: not all fragrances/parfum/ingredients are created equally. If you are worried about fragrances, we recommend taking a closer look at an ingredient. And of course, we always recommend speaking with a professional.
Learn more about ParfumPhenoxyethanol 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 GlycolWater. 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