Wardah UV Shield Bright-C Hydrating Sunscreen Serum SPF 35 Versus Biore UV Fresh Look Tinted Cover SPF 50
What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningEthylhexyl Methoxycinnamate
UV AbsorberNiacinamide
Smoothing3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid
Skin ConditioningSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantHydrolyzed Verbascum Thapsus Flower
AntioxidantPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeC12-15 Alkyl Benzoate
AntimicrobialCetearyl Olivate
Ethylhexyl Triazone
UV AbsorberDiethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl Benzoate
UV FilterPropanediol
SolventAcrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingSorbitan Olivate
EmulsifyingAminomethyl Propanol
BufferingPolymethyl Methacrylate
Glycerin
HumectantButyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane
UV AbsorberAllantoin
Skin ConditioningCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingCetyl Palmitate
EmollientLaureth-23
CleansingMethylene Bis-Benzotriazolyl Tetramethylbutylphenol
UV FilterSteareth-100
Gel FormingXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingTriethylene Glycol
MaskingTetrasodium EDTA
Parfum
MaskingCitric Acid
BufferingBHT
AntioxidantSodium Benzoate
MaskingPotassium Sorbate
PreservativeWater, Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate, Niacinamide, 3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid, Sodium Hyaluronate, Hydrolyzed Verbascum Thapsus Flower, Phenoxyethanol, C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate, Cetearyl Olivate, Ethylhexyl Triazone, Diethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl Benzoate, Propanediol, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Sorbitan Olivate, Aminomethyl Propanol, Polymethyl Methacrylate, Glycerin, Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane, Allantoin, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Cetyl Palmitate, Laureth-23, Methylene Bis-Benzotriazolyl Tetramethylbutylphenol, Steareth-100, Xanthan Gum, Triethylene Glycol, Tetrasodium EDTA, Parfum, Citric Acid, BHT, Sodium Benzoate, Potassium Sorbate
Water
Skin ConditioningAlcohol Denat.
AntimicrobialZinc Oxide
Cosmetic ColorantEthylhexyl Methoxycinnamate
UV AbsorberEthylhexyl Triazone
UV AbsorberSorbitan Sesquioleate
EmulsifyingNeopentyl Glycol Diethylhexanoate
EmollientButylene Glycol
HumectantNeopentyl Glycol Dicaprate
EmollientNiacinamide
SmoothingDiethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl Benzoate
UV FilterSodium Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingBis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine
Skin ConditioningIsohexadecane
EmollientTriethoxycaprylylsilane
Behenyl Alcohol
EmollientHydroxyethylcellulose
Emulsion StabilisingPolysorbate 60
EmulsifyingHydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingPolysorbate 80
EmulsifyingXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingAluminum Hydroxide
EmollientDimethicone
EmollientSorbitan Oleate
EmulsifyingDisodium EDTA
Tocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantSorbitan Isostearate
EmulsifyingBHT
AntioxidantTocopherol
AntioxidantCI 77491
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77492
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77499
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantWater, Alcohol Denat., Zinc Oxide, Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate, Ethylhexyl Triazone, Sorbitan Sesquioleate, Neopentyl Glycol Diethylhexanoate, Butylene Glycol, Neopentyl Glycol Dicaprate, Niacinamide, Diethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl Benzoate, Sodium Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Bis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine, Isohexadecane, Triethoxycaprylylsilane, Behenyl Alcohol, Hydroxyethylcellulose, Polysorbate 60, Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Polysorbate 80, Xanthan Gum, Aluminum Hydroxide, Dimethicone, Sorbitan Oleate, Disodium EDTA, Tocopheryl Acetate, Sorbitan Isostearate, BHT, Tocopherol, CI 77491, CI 77492, CI 77499, CI 77891
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 BHTDiethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl Benzoate (DHHB) is a chemical UV-A absorber. It is formulated for high UVA protection (320-400 nm).
DHHB is well-liked for:
DHHB has been approved by the EU, Japan, Taiwan, and South America for use up to 10%. Unfortunately, it has not been approved for use in the US or Canada due to slow regulatory processes.
This ingredient is soluble in oils, fats, and lipids.
Learn more about Diethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl BenzoateThis ingredient is also known as Octinoxate and is one of the oldest and most widely used chemical UV filters in skincare.
It has a simple job: soap up UVB radiation (290-320 nm), the wavelengths responsible for sunburn and a big chunk of long-term sun damage.
In formulas, it's always paired with a separate UVA filter because octinoxate solely protects skin from UVB.
Because it's an oil-soluble liquid, it's easy to blend into the oil phase of lotions/creams and gives a cosmetically elegant feel.
The one quirk about formulating this ingredient is photostability; the molecule slowly changes shape into a less effective version when sunlight hits it. So the longer you're in the sun, the weaker its protection gets. The drop can be more than 30% in some formulas.
It also doesn't play nice with Avobenzone (the common UVA filter) since avobenzone destabilizes octinoxate and the two degrade each other. But don't worry: brands have solved this issue by adding photostabilizers like Tinosorb S to prevent degradation and keep SPF stable under heavy UV exposure.
The maximum allowed level is 10% in the EU and Australia, 7.5% in the US and Canada, and 20% in Japan.
The Cosmetic Ingredient Review Panel has concluded this ingredient to be safe in cosmetics up to 10%.
One last thing worth knowing for context:
Octinoxate has been the subject of ongoing review in Europe where the Scientific Committee on Consumer Safety's (SCCS) 2025 final opinion is that this ingredient is an endocrine-active substance.
Lab and animal studies suggest it can act a bit like a hormone in the body (mildly mimicking estrogen and slightly blocking male hormones). It's important to know this hasn't really been shown to happen in everyday human use.
This ingredient is also banned in Hawaii over coral reef concerns.
Learn more about Ethylhexyl MethoxycinnamateEthylhexyl Triazone is a modern chemical sunscreen that protects from UV-B radiation.
It is the most effective of existing UV-B filters, as it provides the highest level of photo-stable absorption. It protects from the entire UV-B range (280 to 320nm), with it's highest level of protection at 314nm.
Ethylhexyl Triazone is oil soluble, oderless and colorless, which mean it is able to be incorporated into a variety of different formulations.
It is not currently available within the United States due to slow changing FDA regulations. Outside of the US, it is used in formulations at concentrations up to 5%.
Learn more about Ethylhexyl TriazoneNiacinamide is a multitasking form of vitamin B3 that strengthens the skin barrier, reduces pores and dark spots, regulates oil, and improves signs of aging.
And the best part? It's gentle and well-tolerated by most skin types, including sensitive and reactive skin.
You might have heard of "niacin flush", or the reddening of skin that causes itchiness. Niacinamide has not been found to cause this.
In very rare cases, some individuals may not be able to tolerate niacinamide at all or experience an allergic reaction to it.
If you are experiencing flaking, irritation, and dryness with this ingredient, be sure to double check all your products as this ingredient can be found in all categories of skincare.
When incorporating niacinamide into your routine, look out for concentration amounts. Typically, 5% niacinamide provides benefits such as fading dark spots. However, if you have sensitive skin, it is better to begin with a smaller concentration.
When you apply niacinamide to your skin, your body converts it into nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD). NAD is an essential coenzyme that is already found in your cells as "fuel" and powers countless biological processes.
In your skin, NAD helps repair cell damage, produce new healthy cells, support collagen production, strengthen the skin barrier, and fight environmental stressors (like UV and pollution).
Our natural NAD levels start to decline with age, leading to slower skin repair, visible aging, and a weaker skin barrier. By providing your skin niacinamide, you're recharging your skin's NAD levels. This leads to stronger, healthier, and younger looking skin.
Another name for vitamin B3 is nicotinamide. This vitamin is water-soluble and our bodies don't store it. We obtain Vitamin B3 from either food or skincare. Meat, fish, wheat, yeast, and leafy greens contain vitamin B3.
The type of niacinamide used in skincare is synthetically created.
Learn more about NiacinamideWater. 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 WaterXanthan gum is used as a stabilizer and thickener within cosmetic products. It helps give products a sticky, thick feeling - preventing them from being too runny.
On the technical side of things, xanthan gum is a polysaccharide - a combination consisting of multiple sugar molecules bonded together.
Xanthan gum is a pretty common and great ingredient. It is a natural, non-toxic, non-irritating ingredient that is also commonly used in food products.
Learn more about Xanthan Gum