Supergoop! Unseen Sunscreen SPF 50 PA+++ Versus Summer Fridays ShadeDrops Broad Spectrum SPF 50 Mineral Milk Sunscreen
This chemical sunscreen covers most of the UV range, lighter on the deep UVA that drives aging.
This hybrid 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 7%
Skin Conditioning
Ethylhexyl Salicylate 5%
UV Absorber
Octocrylene 9%
UV Absorber
Isododecane
EmollientDimethicone/Bis-Isobutyl PPG-20 Crosspolymer
Emollient
Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer
Skin Conditioning
Dimethicone
Emollient
Dimethicone Crosspolymer
Emulsion Stabilising
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Butyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin Conditioning
Physalis Angulata Extract
Skin ProtectingHimanthalia Elongata Extract
Skin Protecting
Meadowfoam Estolide
Skin ConditioningTocopherol
Antioxidant
Jojoba Esters
Emollient
Polymethylsilsesquioxane
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Diethylhexyl Syringylidenemalonate
Skin Protecting
Silica
Abrasive
Bisabolol
Antioxidant
Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate
Humectant
Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane 3%, Homosalate 7%, Ethylhexyl Salicylate 5%, Octocrylene 9%, Isododecane, Dimethicone/Bis-Isobutyl PPG-20 Crosspolymer, Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Dimethicone, Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Physalis Angulata Extract, Himanthalia Elongata Extract, Meadowfoam Estolide, Tocopherol, Jojoba Esters, Polymethylsilsesquioxane, Caprylyl Glycol, Diethylhexyl Syringylidenemalonate, Silica, Bisabolol, Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate
Zinc Oxide 5.93%
Cosmetic Colorant
Titanium Dioxide 5.46%
Cosmetic Colorant
Water
Skin ConditioningCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Butyloctyl Salicylate
Skin Conditioning
Propanediol
Solvent
Coconut Alkanes
Emollient
Butyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin Conditioning
Alumina
Abrasive
Polyglyceryl-10 Diisostearate
Emulsifying
Glycerin
Humectant
Ceramide NP
Skin Conditioning
Chamomilla Recutita Flower Extract
Masking
Ethylhexyl Methoxycrylene
Skin Conditioning
Allantoin
Skin Conditioning
Polyhydroxystearic Acid
Emulsifying
Hydrogenated Lecithin
Emulsifying
Ectoin
Skin Conditioning
Coco-Caprylate/Caprate
Emollient
Stearic Acid
Cleansing
Caramel
Cosmetic ColorantSuccinoglycan
Skin ConditioningTocopherol
Antioxidant
Ascorbyl Glucoside
Antioxidant
Glycine Soja Oil
Emollient
Triethoxycaprylylsilane
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Benzyl Alcohol
Perfuming
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Silica
Abrasive
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingDistarch Phosphate
AbsorbentCaprylhydroxamic Acid
Diethylhexyl Syringylidenemalonate
Skin Protecting
Zinc Oxide 5.93%, Titanium Dioxide 5.46%, Water, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Butyloctyl Salicylate, Propanediol, Coconut Alkanes, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Alumina, Polyglyceryl-10 Diisostearate, Glycerin, Ceramide NP, Chamomilla Recutita Flower Extract, Ethylhexyl Methoxycrylene, Allantoin, Polyhydroxystearic Acid, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Ectoin, Coco-Caprylate/Caprate, Stearic Acid, Caramel, Succinoglycan, Tocopherol, Ascorbyl Glucoside, Glycine Soja Oil, Triethoxycaprylylsilane, 1,2-Hexanediol, Benzyl Alcohol, Phenoxyethanol, Tocopheryl Acetate, Silica, Xanthan Gum, Distarch Phosphate, Caprylhydroxamic Acid, Diethylhexyl Syringylidenemalonate
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
This ingredient is also known as shea butter. It is a plant-derived extract from the nuts of the Africa shea tree and one of the most well-studied emollients.
Because it has a high concentration of fatty acids (primarily oleic, stearic, and linoleic) it is able to form a protective barrier on the skin's surface. This helps seal in moisture and prevents transepidermal water loss (TEWL).
In vitro research found an increase in skin hydration by 58% and a decrease in TEWL by 37.8% after 24 hours of applying this ingredient (pretty impressive for a single ingredient!).
Besides hydration, shea butter also contains triterpenes that have anti-inflammatory potential. In particule, lupeol cinnamate has shown the highest anti-inflammatory activity in vivo.
Shea butter also contains vitamins A and E which may contribute to antioxidant activity.
While Shea Butter has an SPF rating of about 3-4, it is not a sunscreen replacement.
This ingredient may not be fungal acne safe because its fatty acids fall within the C11-C24 range that the Malassezia yeast can metabolize.
Learn more about Butyrospermum Parkii ButterCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride (aka MCT Oil) is a lightweight emollient, solvent, and texture enhancer. It is considered a skin-softener by helping to prevent moisture loss.
Though it behaves like an oil, it is not technically one due to its chemical composition. One perk of this ingredient is that it is very stable, resistant to oxidation, and unlikely to go rancid.
In practice, that translates to a long shelf life and a consistently elegant skin feel.
While there is an assumption Caprylic Triglyceride can clog pores due to it being derived from coconut oil, there is no research supporting this. Just patch test if you have concerns.
Fractionated coconut oil and MCT Oil are both listed as Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride according to INCI. This is because INCI names are based on the ingredient’s final chemical composition and not its marketing name or source.
This ingredient is treated as the gold standard fungal acne safe oil. Even though it is coconut derived, the problematic lauric acid is stripped out.
This leaves just caprylic (C8) and capric (C10) acid. These chain lengths actually trend antifungal; a 2020 study found caprylic acid was enough to disrupt Malassezia furfur cell membrane, with a caprylic acid derivative damaging membrane structures at concentrations as low as 0.2%.
Learn more about Caprylic/Capric TriglycerideDiethylhexyl Syringylidenemalonate (DESM) is a photostabilizer, antioxidant, and SPF booster.
One of DESM's main roles is stabilizing UV filters, especially avobenzone. Avobenzone is notoriously unstable when exposed to sunlight. By enhancing the stability of these filters, DESM helps maintain the sunscreen's effectivess through wear. It also helps improve protection against long-wave UVA rays by increasing the wavelength of the formula.
Besides enhancing UVA protection, DESM can boost the SPF of high-SPF formulations by up to 5 units.
DESM also preserves the color integrity of cosmetic products and helps reduce the chance of yellowing of fading due to light exposure.
This ingredient is typically found in concentrations between 0.3% - 0.5%. There are currently no maximum usage limits by regulatory bodies.
Though this ingredient is a chemical UV filter, it can often be found in "100% mineral" sunscreens. This is due to regulatory loopholes.
Learn more about Diethylhexyl SyringylidenemalonateSilica, also known as silicon dioxide, is a naturally occurring mineral. It is used as a fine, spherical, and porous powder in cosmetics.
Though it has exfoliant properties, the function of silica varies depending on the product.
The unique structure of silica enhances the spreadability and adds smoothness, making it a great texture enhancer.
It is also used as an active carrier, emulsifier, and mattifier due to its ability to absorb excess oil.
In some products, tiny microneedles called spicules are made from silica or hydrolyzed sponge. When you rub them in, they lightly polish away dead skin layers and enhance the penetration of active ingredients.
Learn more about SilicaTocopherol is a fat-soluble antioxidant known as Vitamin E.
You'll find this ingredient in the vast majority of skincare (for good reason). It works to neutralize free radicals, or unstable molecules generated by UV exposure, pollution, and other environmental stressors, before they can cause oxidative damage to your skin cells.
Topically applied tocopherol has been shown to protect against UV damage by ramping up the skin's own natural defense enzymes.
It also acts as a skin conditioning agent; some studies show that regular topical use can improve the skin's water-binding capacity over 2-4 weeks.
This ingredient is especially loved for being a team player. When combined with Vitamin C, the photoprotective effect of both ingredients roughly doubles and the combo also helps reduce UV-induced DNA damage.
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.
In formulations, it also serves as a stabilizer that helps protect other oxidation-prone ingredients from degrading.
Concentrations usually range from 0.1-1% in most leave-on products.
Learn more about Tocopherol
