Wardah UV Shield Bright-C Hydrating Sunscreen Serum SPF 35 Versus Garnier Super UV Invisible Serum Sunscreen 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.
AntimicrobialDiisopropyl Sebacate
EmollientSilica
AbrasiveIsopropyl Myristate
EmollientEthylhexyl Salicylate
UV AbsorberBis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine
Skin ConditioningEthylhexyl Triazone
UV AbsorberButyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane
UV AbsorberGlycerin
HumectantPhenylbenzimidazole Sulfonic Acid
UV AbsorberPropanediol
SolventC12-22 Alkyl Acrylate/Hydroxyethylacrylate Copolymer
StabilisingTriethanolamine
BufferingDrometrizole Trisiloxane
UV AbsorberCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingTocopherol
AntioxidantAscorbyl Glucoside
AntioxidantHydroxyacetophenone
AntioxidantSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantHydroxyethylcellulose
Emulsion StabilisingSodium Lactate
BufferingAdenosine
Skin ConditioningTrisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate
Silica Silylate
EmollientCellulose
AbsorbentPolysorbate 20
EmulsifyingPalmitoyl Tripeptide-1
Skin ConditioningPalmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7
Skin ConditioningLimonene
PerfumingLinalool
PerfumingBenzyl Salicylate
PerfumingBenzyl Alcohol
PerfumingTromethamine
BufferingCapryloyl Salicylic Acid
ExfoliatingCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientAcrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingGeraniol
PerfumingButylene Glycol
HumectantCitrus Limon Fruit Extract
MaskingCitral
PerfumingParfum
MaskingWater, Alcohol Denat., Diisopropyl Sebacate, Silica, Isopropyl Myristate, Ethylhexyl Salicylate, Bis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine, Ethylhexyl Triazone, Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane, Glycerin, Phenylbenzimidazole Sulfonic Acid, Propanediol, C12-22 Alkyl Acrylate/Hydroxyethylacrylate Copolymer, Triethanolamine, Drometrizole Trisiloxane, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Tocopherol, Ascorbyl Glucoside, Hydroxyacetophenone, Sodium Hyaluronate, Hydroxyethylcellulose, Sodium Lactate, Adenosine, Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate, Silica Silylate, Cellulose, Polysorbate 20, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1, Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7, Limonene, Linalool, Benzyl Salicylate, Benzyl Alcohol, Tromethamine, Capryloyl Salicylic Acid, Caprylyl Glycol, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Carbomer, Geraniol, Butylene Glycol, Citrus Limon Fruit Extract, Citral, Parfum
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer is a synthetic polymer. It is used to thicken, emulsify, and improve the texture of products.
As an emulsifier, it helps stabilize oil-in-water emulsions to give products an elegant feel when applied.
It can also form a thin protective film on skin. One study found that a formula using this polymer helped slow down how quickly other ingredients (like DEET) were absorbed through skin.
A 2024 study of over 1,300 patients confirmed that sensitization to this ingredient is rare. It is also non-mutagenic and has a clean track record.
Learn more about Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate CrosspolymerAlso known as Avobenzone, this ingredient is an oil-soluble used to absorb the full spectrum of UVA rays (peak 357 nm).
It's one of the most effective UVA filters available but has a major caveat of photostability: avobenzone is susceptible to photodegradation.
This means it can lose efficacy when exposed to sunlight without the help of a stabilizing agent.
Studies show antioxidants (like vitamin E or vitamin C) and some UV filters (like octocrylene and Tinosorb S) can meaningfully improve its stability in a formulation.
The maximum allowable concentration according to regulation is 3% in the US + Canada, and 5% in the EU, Australia, China, Korea, and ASEAN countries.
It has a well-support safety profile: a comprehensive 2025 review found minimal toxicity with no evidence of carcinogenicity.
Overall, avobenzone is a safe and regulated ingredient used in sunscreen for over 40 years.
Learn more about Butyl MethoxydibenzoylmethaneCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride (aka MCT Oil) is a lightweight emollient, solvent, and texture enhancer. It is considered a skin-softener by helping to prevent moisture loss.
Though it behaves like an oil, it is not technically one due to its chemical composition. One perk of this ingredient is that it is very stable, resistant to oxidation, and unlikely to go rancid.
In practice, that translates to a long shelf life and a consistently elegant skin feel.
While there is an assumption Caprylic Triglyceride can clog pores due to it being derived from coconut oil, there is no research supporting this. Just patch test if you have concerns.
Fractionated coconut oil and MCT Oil are both listed as Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride according to INCI. This is because INCI names are based on the ingredient’s final chemical composition and not its marketing name or source.
This ingredient is treated as the gold standard fungal acne safe oil. Even though it is coconut derived, the problematic lauric acid is stripped out.
This leaves just caprylic (C8) and capric (C10) acid. These chain lengths actually trend antifungal; a 2020 study found caprylic acid was enough to disrupt Malassezia furfur cell membrane, with a caprylic acid derivative damaging membrane structures at concentrations as low as 0.2%.
Learn more about Caprylic/Capric TriglycerideEthylhexyl 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 TriazoneGlycerin (or glycerol) is a compound naturally found in your skin. It's a powerhouse humectant that pulls water into the stratum corneum.
Topically, glycerin does several things at once:
Your skin makes glycerin on its own (mostly from sebaceous oil breakdown) and shuttles it to your outermost layer of skin, or your epidermis, via aquaporin-3.
Aquaporin-3 is a transporter that is essential for normal skin hydration, elasticity, and repair. Interestingly, mice lacking in AQP3 have dry and less elastic skin that can be fully corrected with glycerin.
This ingredient is non-irritating, plays well with almost every ingredient, and works across all skin types. Typical use is anywhere between 3-10% but can go up to 79% in some leave-on products.
Just know very high concentrations (>40%) can feel tacky in low humidity.
Glycerin is the name for this ingredient in American English. British English uses Glycerol/Glycerine.
Learn more about GlycerinParfum 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 ParfumPropanediol 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 PropanediolSodium Hyaluronate is the salt form of hyaluronic acid. It is a long sugar chain that is naturally found in your skin, joints, and connective tissue that maintains hydration and elasticity.
In skincare, it works as a humectant. It pulls water from the environment and deeper layers of skin and binds it to the surface.
Interestingly, the size of the molecule affects its behavior:
Some clinical evidence links low molecular weight versions to improved wrinkle depth, elasticity, anti-inflammatory effects, and barrier repair.
Many serums use a blend of both weights so you can get surface hydration plus longer-lasting and deeper effects.
You'll typically see concentrations between 0.1-2% for this ingredient.
Learn more about Sodium HyaluronateWater. 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