Versus

The Ordinary Mineral UV Filters SPF 30 with Antioxidants Versus Biore UV Aqua Rich Watery Essence SPF 50+ PA++++ - Japan

Sunscreen
Sunscreen
Canadian Brand Canada
Japanese Brand Japan

Updated on November 06, 2024

Overview

What they are

These products are both sunscreens. They have a total of 6 ingredients in common

Cool Features

They both contain hyaluronic acid and SPF

Suited For

They're both likely to be good for anti aging, dry skin, brightening skin, scar healing and dark spots

Free From

They both do not contain any common allergens, 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

Click any item below to learn more and see relevant ingredients

What's inside (and what isn't)

What's inside (and what isn't)

At a glance

Click on any of the items below to learn more

Key Ingredients

Benefits

Concerns

Key Ingredients

Benefits

Concerns

Ingredients Side-by-side

found in both products
Mineral UV Filters SPF 30 with Antioxidants

Water

Skin Conditioning

Cyclopentasiloxane

Emollient
Silicon Icon

Zinc Oxide

Cosmetic Colorant
1 / 0 Mineral UV Filter IconHelps fight Acne IconNon-Reef-Safe Icon

Titanium Dioxide

Cosmetic Colorant
0 / 0 Mineral UV Filter IconNon-Reef-Safe Icon

PEG-10 Dimethicone

Skin Conditioning
Silicon Icon

Glycerin

Humectant
0 / 0 Helps hydrate Dry Skin IconGood for Scar Healing IconHelps brighten skin Icon

Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil

Emollient
0 / 0 Oil IconHelps hydrate Dry Skin IconNot safe for Fungal Acne Icon

PEG-9 Polydimethylsiloxyethyl Dimethicone

Emulsifying
Silicon Icon

Hexyl Laurate

Emollient
Not safe for Fungal Acne Icon

Polyglyceryl-4 Isostearate

Emulsifying
Not safe for Fungal Acne Icon

Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride

Masking
Helps hydrate Dry Skin Icon

Dimethicone/PEG-10/15 Crosspolymer

Astaxanthin

Skin Conditioning
Helps reduce irritation IconHelps with Anti-Aging Icon

Disodium Uridine Phosphate

Skin Conditioning

Ethyl Ferulate

Antioxidant
Antioxidant Icon

Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract

Antimicrobial

Tasmannia Lanceolata Fruit/Leaf Extract

Antioxidant
Antioxidant Icon

Haematococcus Pluvialis Extract

Antioxidant
Antioxidant Icon

Picea Mariana Bark Extract

Antioxidant
Antioxidant Icon

Arginine

Masking
Good for Scar Healing IconNot safe for Fungal Acne Icon

Aspartic Acid

Masking
Helps hydrate Dry Skin Icon

Glycine

Buffering
Helps hydrate Dry Skin Icon

Alanine

Masking

Serine

Masking
Helps hydrate Dry Skin Icon

Valine

Masking

Isoleucine

Skin Conditioning

Proline

Skin Conditioning

Threonine

Helps hydrate Dry Skin Icon

Histidine

Humectant
Helps hydrate Dry Skin IconHelps with Anti-Aging IconGood for Scar Healing Icon

Phenylalanine

Masking
Helps hydrate Dry Skin IconGood for Scar Healing Icon

Sodium PCA

Humectant
0 / 0 Helps hydrate Dry Skin IconHelps reduce Skin Redness IconHelps reduce irritation Icon

PCA

Humectant
Helps hydrate Dry Skin Icon

Sodium Lactate

Buffering

Glucose

Humectant
Helps hydrate Dry Skin Icon

Maltose

Masking

Fructose

Humectant
Helps hydrate Dry Skin Icon

Trehalose

Humectant
Helps hydrate Dry Skin Icon

Urea

Buffering
Helps hydrate Dry Skin IconGood for Skin Texture IconMay worsen Eczema IconMay worsen Rosacea Icon

Allantoin

Skin Conditioning
0 / 0 Helps hydrate Dry Skin IconHelps reduce Skin Redness IconHelps reduce irritation IconGood for Scar Healing Icon

Sodium Hyaluronate

Humectant
0 / 0 Hyaluronic Acid IconHelps hydrate Dry Skin Icon

Linoleic Acid

Cleansing
Helps hydrate Dry Skin IconHelps reduce irritation IconGood for Dark Spots IconGood for Scar Healing IconHelps fight Acne IconMay worsen Oily Skin IconBad for Acne Prone Skin IconNot safe for Fungal Acne Icon

Oleic Acid

Emollient
May worsen Oily Skin IconBad for Acne Prone Skin IconNot safe for Fungal Acne Icon

Phytosteryl Canola Glycerides

Skin Conditioning
Not safe for Fungal Acne Icon

Palmitic Acid

Emollient
2 / 0 May worsen Oily Skin IconNot safe for Fungal Acne Icon

Stearic Acid

Cleansing
2-3 / 0 May worsen Oily Skin IconNot safe for Fungal Acne Icon

Isochrysis Galbana Extract

Skin Conditioning

Lysolecithin

Emulsifying

Lecithin

Emollient
Helps hydrate Dry Skin Icon

Triolein

Skin Conditioning
Not safe for Fungal Acne Icon

Pentylene Glycol

Skin Conditioning

Dipropylene Glycol

Masking

Polyglyceryl-10 Oleate

Skin Conditioning
Not safe for Fungal Acne Icon

Polyglyceryl-5 Trioleate

Emollient
Not safe for Fungal Acne Icon

Polyglyceryl-10 Stearate

Skin Conditioning
Not safe for Fungal Acne Icon

Tocopherol

Antioxidant
0-3 / 0-3 Vitamin E IconAntioxidant IconHelps hydrate Dry Skin IconHelps with Anti-Aging IconGood for Scar Healing Icon

Alumina

Abrasive
Exfoliant Icon

Citric Acid

Buffering
AHA IconGood for Oily Skin IconGood for Skin Texture IconGood for Minimizing Pores IconGood for Scar Healing IconHelps brighten skin IconMay worsen Rosacea Icon

Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate

Sodium Chloride

Masking
Can worsen Dry Skin IconBad for Acne Prone Skin IconMay worsen Rosacea Icon

Sodium Hydroxide

Buffering

Phenoxyethanol

Preservative
Preservative Icon

Chlorphenesin

Antimicrobial
Preservative Icon
UV Aqua Rich Watery Essence SPF 50+ PA++++

Ingredients Explained

These ingredients are found in both products.

Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.

Skin Conditioning, Solvent

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 Water
Humectant, Skin Conditioning, Skin Protecting

Glycerin 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 Glycerin
Masking, Skin Conditioning

Arginine is an amino acid that is important for human development. Your body uses is it to produce hair keratin and skin collagen.

As a cosmetic ingredient, Arginine has antioxidant properties and can also help repair damaged skin. This ingredient is derived either synthetically or from animals.

Arginine isn't fungal acne safe when used in the presence of other lipids (fats, fatty acids, oils, esters, etc). Oils and fats occur naturally within the skin, so take caution when using Arginine if you're prone to fungal acne.

Learn more about Arginine
Emollient, Emulsifying

Palmitic Acid is a fatty acid found in our skin. In cosmetics, it is usually derived from palm oil. It is a cleanser, emollient, and emulsifier.

As an emollient, it helps hydrate the skin. The emulsifying properties keep ingredients together in a product.

Palmitic Acid may not be fungal-acne safe.

Learn more about Palmitic Acid
Buffering

Sodium Hydroxide is also known as lye or caustic soda. It is used to adjust the pH of products; many ingredients require a specific pH to be effective.

In small amounts, sodium hydroxide is considered safe to use. However, large amounts may cause chemical burns due to its high alkaline.

Your skin has a natural pH and acid mantle. This acid mantle helps prevent harmful bacteria from breaking through. The acid mantle also helps keep your skin hydrated.

"Alkaline" refers to a high pH level. A low pH level would be considered acidic.

Learn more about Sodium Hydroxide
Preservative

Phenoxyethanol 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.

When to use

47 Routines
98% use in am
2% use in pm
96% use every day
When to use See routines that use it ->
482 Routines
98% use in am
2% use in pm
96% use every day
When to use See routines that use it ->

Reviews

Here's what our community thinks

The Ordinary Mineral UV Filters SPF 30 with Antioxidants 62 ingredients

3.7 /5
from 3 ratings
Great Value (1) Works Well (1)
hannah_strike3's avatar

hannah_strike3

1 year ago
Review

I LOVED this product, only SPF that will work for my highly senstive, acne prone, oily skin. I'm SO gutted the ordinary have discontinued it, PLEASE bring it back or find me a good alternative !

#great value
#works well
ivancsicsandras's avatar

ivancsicsandras

3 years ago
Review

White cast
I love this product's smell and texture, but leaves a white cast on skin, even when thoroughly blended.

Biore UV Aqua Rich Watery Essence SPF 50+ PA++++ 37 ingredients

3.2 /5
from 15 ratings
Absorbs Well (12) Strong Scent (9) Light (8)
Shayan's avatar

Shayan

4 months ago
Review

Used the 2017 version and the latest version. All signs point to me hating this sunscreen (alcohol, fragrance etc) but it’s just so good. The texture is unbeatable, it looks so nice on, and layers well throughout the day. Love that it comes in a bigger size these days.

#great value
#hydrating
#absorbs well
#strong scent
phoebe1's avatar

Phoebe

9 months ago
Review

I’ve been using this for a year and a half and it’s my favorite sunscreen. Absorbs into skin quickly, and when applied every two hours I’ve never ever gotten burned. Doesn’t irritate my sensitive acne prone skin and doesn’t make me feel greasy.

#great value
#light
#absorbs well
#light scent