Vaseline Gluta-Hya Serum Burst Luminous Defense Sunscreen SPF 50 Versus Fixderma Skincare Shadow Sunscreen Lotion SPF 80+
What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningPhenylbenzimidazole Sulfonic Acid
UV AbsorberEthylhexyl Methoxycinnamate
UV AbsorberTriethanolamine
BufferingDisodium Phenyl Dibenzimidazole Tetrasulfonate
UV AbsorberEthylenediamine
Glycerin
HumectantAcrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingNiacinamide
SmoothingCystine
MaskingGlycine
BufferingTetrahydroxypropyl Ethylenediamine
Sodium Acetylated Hyaluronate
HumectantSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantSodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer
HumectantHydrolyzed Sodium Hyaluronate
Skin ConditioningGlutathione
Cyclopentasiloxane
EmollientXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientPolysorbate 20
EmulsifyingParfum
MaskingSodium Hydroxide
Buffering1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningDimethicone Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingDisodium EDTA
Cyclomethicone
EmollientPetrolatum
EmollientBHT
AntioxidantPentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningTocopherol
AntioxidantWater, Phenylbenzimidazole Sulfonic Acid, Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate, Triethanolamine, Disodium Phenyl Dibenzimidazole Tetrasulfonate, Ethylenediamine, Glycerin, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Niacinamide, Cystine, Glycine, Tetrahydroxypropyl Ethylenediamine, Sodium Acetylated Hyaluronate, Sodium Hyaluronate, Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer, Hydrolyzed Sodium Hyaluronate, Glutathione, Cyclopentasiloxane, Xanthan Gum, Phenoxyethanol, Caprylyl Glycol, Polysorbate 20, Parfum, Sodium Hydroxide, 1,2-Hexanediol, Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Disodium EDTA, Cyclomethicone, Petrolatum, BHT, Pentylene Glycol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Tocopherol
Water
Skin ConditioningEthylhexyl Methoxycinnamate
UV AbsorberOctocrylene
UV AbsorberEthylhexyl Salicylate
UV AbsorberBenzophenone-3
UV AbsorberButyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane
UV AbsorberPhospholipids
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
HumectantTitanium Dioxide
Cosmetic ColorantButylene Glycol Cocoate
EmulsifyingSteareth-2
EmulsifyingMyristyl Myristate
EmollientTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantSilica
AbrasivePhenoxyethanol
PreservativeEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningPolyisobutene
Polysorbate 20
EmulsifyingPolyacrylate-1 Crosspolymer
BHT
AntioxidantDiethylhexyl Syringylidenemalonate
Skin ProtectingDisodium EDTA
Water, Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate, Octocrylene, Ethylhexyl Salicylate, Benzophenone-3, Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane, Phospholipids, Butylene Glycol, Titanium Dioxide, Butylene Glycol Cocoate, Steareth-2, Myristyl Myristate, Tocopheryl Acetate, Silica, Phenoxyethanol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Polyisobutene, Polysorbate 20, Polyacrylate-1 Crosspolymer, BHT, Diethylhexyl Syringylidenemalonate, Disodium EDTA
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
BHT is a synthetic antioxidant and preservative.
As an antioxidant, it helps your body fight off free-radicals. Free-radicals are molecules that may damage your skin cells.
As a preservative, it is used to stabilize products and prevent them from degrading. Specifically, BHT prevents degradation from oxidation.
The concerns related to BHT come from oral studies; this ingredient is currently allowed for use by both the FDA and EU.
However, it was recently restricted for use in the UK as of April 2024.
Learn more about BHTDisodium 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 MethoxycinnamateEthylhexylglycerin is created from glycerin. It is a multitasker ingredient that:
The CIR Expert Panel found minimal skin absorption or sensitization of any kind in a safety assessment. Though this ingredient is considered well-tolerated, a small number of cases of allergic dermatitis have been published since 2002. Just be sure to patch test if you are unsure.
Industry-reported use ranges from 8% in rinse-off products and 2% in leave-on formulations.
Learn more about EthylhexylglycerinPhenoxyethanol 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.
Polysorbate 20 is a gentle, water-soluble emulsifier and mild surfactant. It stops oil and water from separating to keep your formulas blended and stable.
It also acts as a mild penetration enhancer by helping active ingredients absorb slightly better.
The common safety discussion around this ingredient involves a manufacturing byproduct called 1,4-dioxane.
Trace amounts can form during production but the EU's Scientific Committee on Consumer Safety has concluded that levels at/below 10 ppm in finished products are safe (commercial products consistently fall within acceptable margins).
True allergic reactions are uncommon and the CIR Expert Panel has confirmed this ingredient to be safe as used in cosmetics.
Because it is derived from lauric acid, it may not be fungal acne safe.
Learn more about Polysorbate 20Water. 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