Vacation Super Spritz SPF50 Face Mist Versus Pacifica Sea & C Mattify & Protect Daily Priming Lotion SPF 35
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 ~97% of UVB at SPF 35.
What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane 2.9%
UV AbsorberEthylhexyl Salicylate 4.9%
UV AbsorberOctocrylene 9.5%
UV AbsorberAlcohol
AntimicrobialAloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract
EmollientBisabolol
AntioxidantButyloctyl Salicylate
Skin ConditioningButyrospermum Parkii Oil
EmollientCaffeine
Skin ConditioningCamellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialCarthamus Tinctorius Seed Oil
MaskingChlorella Vulgaris Extract
Skin ConditioningCocos Nucifera Fruit Extract
EmollientCucumis Sativus Seed Oil
EmollientDiisooctyl Succinate
EmollientEthyl Ferulate
AntioxidantEthylhexyl Methoxycrylene
Skin ConditioningParfum
MaskingMusa Sapientum Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningPassiflora Edulis Seed Oil
EmollientPolyester-8
Skin ConditioningTocopherol
AntioxidantVa/Butyl Maleate/Isobornyl Acrylate Copolymer
Water
Skin ConditioningButyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane 2.9%, Ethylhexyl Salicylate 4.9%, Octocrylene 9.5%, Alcohol, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract, Bisabolol, Butyloctyl Salicylate, Butyrospermum Parkii Oil, Caffeine, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Carthamus Tinctorius Seed Oil, Chlorella Vulgaris Extract, Cocos Nucifera Fruit Extract, Cucumis Sativus Seed Oil, Diisooctyl Succinate, Ethyl Ferulate, Ethylhexyl Methoxycrylene, Parfum, Musa Sapientum Fruit Extract, Passiflora Edulis Seed Oil, Polyester-8, Tocopherol, Va/Butyl Maleate/Isobornyl Acrylate Copolymer, Water
Octocrylene 7.6%
UV AbsorberZinc Oxide 6%
Cosmetic ColorantWater
Skin ConditioningCoconut Alkanes
EmollientCalcium Sodium Borosilicate
Butyloctyl Salicylate
Skin ConditioningPropanediol
SolventCetearyl Alcohol
EmollientParfum
MaskingNiacinamide
SmoothingTetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate
AntioxidantJojoba Esters
EmollientLaminaria Digitata Extract
Skin ProtectingAscophyllum Nodosum Extract
Skin ConditioningTocopherol
AntioxidantCaprylhydroxamic Acid
Caprylyl Glycol
EmollientCetyl Alcohol
EmollientCitric Acid
BufferingCoco-Caprylate/Caprate
EmollientCoco-Glucoside
CleansingEthyl Ferulate
AntioxidantGlycerin
HumectantMontmorillonite
AbsorbentSclerotium Gum
Emulsion StabilisingSodium Gluconate
Skin ConditioningSodium Stearoyl Glutamate
CleansingSucrose Distearate
EmollientSucrose Stearate
EmollientXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingOctocrylene 7.6%, Zinc Oxide 6%, Water, Coconut Alkanes, Calcium Sodium Borosilicate, Butyloctyl Salicylate, Propanediol, Cetearyl Alcohol, Parfum, Niacinamide, Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate, Jojoba Esters, Laminaria Digitata Extract, Ascophyllum Nodosum Extract, Tocopherol, Caprylhydroxamic Acid, Caprylyl Glycol, Cetyl Alcohol, Citric Acid, Coco-Caprylate/Caprate, Coco-Glucoside, Ethyl Ferulate, Glycerin, Montmorillonite, Sclerotium Gum, Sodium Gluconate, Sodium Stearoyl Glutamate, Sucrose Distearate, Sucrose Stearate, Xanthan Gum
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Butyloctyl Salicylate is a chemical UV filter structurally similar to octisalate. It is a photostabilizer, SPF booster, emollient and solvent. This ingredient helps evenly spread out ingredients.
According to a manufacturer, it is suitable for pairing with micro Titanium Dioxide, Zinc Oxide, and pigments.
Photostabilizers help stabilize UV-filters and prevents them from degrading quickly.
Learn more about Butyloctyl SalicylateEthyl ferulate is an antioxidant derived from ferulic acid and ethyl alcohol. You'll most likely see this ingredient in sunscreens.
One study from 2014 found a concentration of 10% showed a similar SPF to Benzimidazole. Though this is considered a chemical UV filter, this ingredient is not listed as so. This is due to regulatory loopholes. You'll likely find this ingredient in "100% mineral" sunscreens.
This ingredient is typically found in concentrations between 0.5-1%. It is usually created synthetically or from rice bran oil.
Learn more about Ethyl FerulateOctocrylene is an oil-soluble organic UV filter that mainly absorbs UVB and short wave UVA II light.
Its real superpower is teamwork: octocrylene is remarkably photostable and is most famous for stabilizing avobenzone (the workhorse UVA filter).
This ingredient is commonly used to enhance both UVB and UVA protection due to its unique property in stabilizing avobenzone. It also pulls double duty by boosting water resistance and giving formulas a smooth, spreadable feel.
The EU's Scientific Committee on Consumer Safety (SCCS) has deemed octocrylene to be safe as a UV-filter at concentrations up to 10% (capped at 9% in propellant sprays). The US also permits it up to 10%.
Two things worth knowing:
You'll usually see this ingredient used in concentrations between 2-10% (higher amounts when used as a stabilizer for avobenzone).
Learn more about OctocryleneParfum 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 ParfumTocopherol 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 TocopherolWater. 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