Wardah UV Shield Aqua Fresh Sunscreen Serum SPF 50 Versus Somethinc Calm Down 100% Mineral Soothing Sunscreen SPF 50+ PA++++
This chemical sunscreen covers the full UV range and blocks ~98% of UVB at SPF 50.
This mineral 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
Water
Skin ConditioningEthylhexyl Methoxycinnamate
UV Absorber
Ethylhexyl Salicylate
UV Absorber
Homosalate
Skin Conditioning
Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane
UV Absorber
Octocrylene
UV Absorber
Polymethyl Methacrylate
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Butyloctyl Salicylate
Skin Conditioning
Bis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine
UV Absorber
Cyclopentasiloxane
Emollient
Polyurethane-79
Arachidyl Alcohol
Emollient
Polyester-7
Skin ConditioningBehenyl Alcohol
Emollient
Bisabolol
Antioxidant
Nylon-12
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Polyacrylate Crosspolymer-6
Emulsion StabilisingCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Neopentyl Glycol Diheptanoate
EmollientChlorphenesin
Antimicrobial
Arachidyl Glucoside
EmulsifyingPropanediol
Solvent
Polyacrylate-13
Disodium EDTA
ChelatingParfum
Masking
Polyisobutene
Pongamia Glabra Seed Oil
Skin Conditioning
Polysorbate 20
Emulsifying
Artemisia Capillaris Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningWater, Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate, Ethylhexyl Salicylate, Homosalate, Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane, Octocrylene, Polymethyl Methacrylate, Butylene Glycol, Butyloctyl Salicylate, Bis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine, Cyclopentasiloxane, Polyurethane-79, Arachidyl Alcohol, Polyester-7, Behenyl Alcohol, Bisabolol, Nylon-12, Phenoxyethanol, Polyacrylate Crosspolymer-6, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Neopentyl Glycol Diheptanoate, Chlorphenesin, Arachidyl Glucoside, Propanediol, Polyacrylate-13, Disodium EDTA, Parfum, Polyisobutene, Pongamia Glabra Seed Oil, Polysorbate 20, Artemisia Capillaris Flower Extract
Water
Skin ConditioningZinc Oxide
Cosmetic Colorant
Cyclohexasiloxane
Emollient
Propanediol
Solvent
Dicaprylyl Carbonate
EmollientPropylheptyl Caprylate
EmollientDisiloxane
Skin Conditioning
Silica
Abrasive
Vinyldimethicone
Pentylene Glycol
Skin Conditioning
Trimethylsiloxysilicate
Emollient
Lauryl Polyglyceryl-3 Polydimethylsiloxyethyl Dimethicone
Skin Conditioning
Glyceryl Glucoside
Humectant
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Methyl Methacrylate Crosspolymer
Acrylates Copolymer
Osmanthus Fragrans Flower Extract
MaskingAllantoin
Skin Conditioning
Tremella Fuciformis Extract
Humectant
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Caesalpinia Spinosa Fruit Extract
Skin ProtectingHelianthus Annuus Sprout Extract
Skin ConditioningPanthenol
Skin Conditioning
Calcium Gluconate
HumectantPyridoxine Hcl
Skin ConditioningYeast Extract
Skin ConditioningCyanocobalamin
Skin ConditioningPolyglyceryl-2 Dipolyhydroxystearate
Skin Conditioning
Magnesium Sulfate
Glycerin
Humectant
Isododecane
EmollientTriethoxycaprylylsilane
Acrylates/Polytrimethylsiloxymethacrylate Copolymer
Skin ConditioningPolyhydroxystearic Acid
Emulsifying
Hydroxyacetophenone
Antioxidant
Polyglyceryl-4 Diisostearate/Polyhydroxystearate/Sebacate
Emulsifying
Disteardimonium Hectorite
StabilisingLecithin
Emollient
Dimethicone
Emollient
Ethylhexyl Palmitate
Emollient
Isostearic Acid
Cleansing
Isopropyl Myristate
Emollient
Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate
Humectant
Polyglyceryl-3 Polyricinoleate
Emulsifying
Octyldodecanol
Emollient
Propylene Glycol
Humectant
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
Polyglyceryl-4 Isostearate
Emulsifying
Ascorbyl Glucoside
Antioxidant
Isopropyl Titanium Triisostearate
Emollient
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Citric Acid
Buffering
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningMagnesium Chloride
CI 77491
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77492
Cosmetic ColorantWater, Zinc Oxide, Cyclohexasiloxane, Propanediol, Dicaprylyl Carbonate, Propylheptyl Caprylate, Disiloxane, Silica, Vinyldimethicone, Pentylene Glycol, Trimethylsiloxysilicate, Lauryl Polyglyceryl-3 Polydimethylsiloxyethyl Dimethicone, Glyceryl Glucoside, 1,2-Hexanediol, Methyl Methacrylate Crosspolymer, Acrylates Copolymer, Osmanthus Fragrans Flower Extract, Allantoin, Tremella Fuciformis Extract, Tocopherol, Caesalpinia Spinosa Fruit Extract, Helianthus Annuus Sprout Extract, Panthenol, Calcium Gluconate, Pyridoxine Hcl, Yeast Extract, Cyanocobalamin, Polyglyceryl-2 Dipolyhydroxystearate, Magnesium Sulfate, Glycerin, Isododecane, Triethoxycaprylylsilane, Acrylates/Polytrimethylsiloxymethacrylate Copolymer, Polyhydroxystearic Acid, Hydroxyacetophenone, Polyglyceryl-4 Diisostearate/Polyhydroxystearate/Sebacate, Disteardimonium Hectorite, Lecithin, Dimethicone, Ethylhexyl Palmitate, Isostearic Acid, Isopropyl Myristate, Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate, Polyglyceryl-3 Polyricinoleate, Octyldodecanol, Propylene Glycol, Sodium Benzoate, Polyglyceryl-4 Isostearate, Ascorbyl Glucoside, Isopropyl Titanium Triisostearate, Phenoxyethanol, Citric Acid, Ethylhexylglycerin, Magnesium Chloride, CI 77491, CI 77492
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Phenoxyethanol is one of the most widely used preservatives in skincare (and for good reason!).
It has a large spectrum of antimicrobial activity and especially effective bacteria, yeast, and mold while only having a weak effect on your skin's natural microbiome.
On a cellular level, it disrupts the cell membranes of microbes by poking holes that make the cell leak. This shuts down the chemical reactions the microbe needs to make energy so it can no longer survive.
Another perk of this ingredient is that it stays functional across a wide pH range (3-10).
You'll often see it paired with boosters like Ethylhexylglycerin; one study showed that a 1:9 ratio of Ethylhexylglycerin to Phenoxyethanol damages bacterial membranes as effectively as doubling the Phenoxyethanol concentration on its own.
Typical use concentrations range from 0.3-1% depending on the formula, and this ingredient is capped at 1% int the EU.
Safety-wise, the fear mongering does not hold up to the evidence. The EU's Scientific Committee on Consumer Safety and FDA consider it safe as a preservative at up to 1%, including for children of all ages.
Adverse systemic effects only showed up in animal studies at exposures roughly 200x higher than what people get from cosmetics. And despite its very widespread use, this ingredient is a rare sensitizer and allergic reactions are uncommon.
Learn more about PhenoxyethanolPropanediol is an all-star ingredient. It softens, hydrates, and smooths the skin.
It’s often used to:
Propanediol is not likely to cause sensitivity and considered safe to use. It is derived from corn or petroleum with a clear color and no scent.
Learn more about PropanediolWater. 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
