Wardah UV Shield Essential Gel Sunscreen Serum SPF 35 PA+++ Versus Dear Me Beauty Skin Barrier Sunscreen Gel SPF50+ PA++++
This chemical sunscreen covers most of the UV range, lighter on the deep UVA that drives aging.
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
Alcohol
Antimicrobial
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Pantothenic Acid
Skin ConditioningWater
Skin ConditioningEthylhexyl Methoxycinnamate
UV Absorber
Butyloctyl Salicylate
Skin Conditioning
Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane
UV Absorber
Octocrylene
UV Absorber
Propylene Glycol
Humectant
Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingTocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Sodium Acrylates Copolymer
Chlorphenesin
Antimicrobial
Propanediol
Solvent
Lecithin
Emollient
Allantoin
Skin Conditioning
Panthenol
Skin Conditioning
Disodium EDTA
Parfum
Masking
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningArtemisia Capillaris Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningAlcohol, Tocopherol, Pantothenic Acid, Water, Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate, Butyloctyl Salicylate, Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane, Octocrylene, Propylene Glycol, Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Tocopheryl Acetate, Phenoxyethanol, Sodium Acrylates Copolymer, Chlorphenesin, Propanediol, Lecithin, Allantoin, Panthenol, Disodium EDTA, Parfum, Ethylhexylglycerin, Artemisia Capillaris Flower Extract
Water
Skin ConditioningZinc Oxide
Cosmetic Colorant
Titanium Dioxide
Cosmetic Colorant
Glycerin
Humectant
Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingAloe Ferox Leaf Juice Extract
Skin ConditioningAcrylates/Polytrimethylsiloxymethacrylate Copolymer
Skin ConditioningPolyquaternium-7
Propanediol
Solvent
Isohexadecane
EmollientSodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Ceramide NP
Skin Conditioning
Chlorphenesin
Antimicrobial
Polysorbate 60
Emulsifying
Acrylates Crosspolymer
AbsorbentPhenoxyethanol
Preservative
Allantoin
Skin Conditioning
Panthenol
Skin Conditioning
Laureth-1 Phosphate
SurfactantEctoin
Skin Conditioning
Potassium Hydroxide
BufferingWater, Zinc Oxide, Titanium Dioxide, Glycerin, Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Aloe Ferox Leaf Juice Extract, Acrylates/Polytrimethylsiloxymethacrylate Copolymer, Polyquaternium-7, Propanediol, Isohexadecane, Sodium Hyaluronate, Ceramide NP, Chlorphenesin, Polysorbate 60, Acrylates Crosspolymer, Phenoxyethanol, Allantoin, Panthenol, Laureth-1 Phosphate, Ectoin, Potassium Hydroxide
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Allantoin is a soothing ingredient known for its protective and moisturizing properties; it's basically a quiet workhorse ingredient you can find in a huge range of cosmetics.
Though it can be derived from the comfrey plant, allantoin is produced synthetically for cosmetic products to ensure purity.
Research shows it can encourage your skin cells to turn over and renew by stimulating keratinocyte and fibroblast proliferation.
It also has mild keratolytic properties to help loosen and shed dead skin cells without being harsh.
Studies also suggest allantoin can help calm inflammation by dialing down some of the chemical signals your skin sends out when it is irritated.
This ingredient is typically used in the 0.1-0.5% range, and the FDA recognizes it as a skin protectant in OTC products up to 2%.
Overall, allantoin is a wonderful addition to most routines; it is stable across a wide pH range (~4-8), works well with other ingredients, and is considered non-sensitizing/non-irritating.
Fun fact: Allantoin is naturally occurring in comfrey root, beets, chamomile, and wheat sprouts. Our bodies even produce it as a byproduct of uric acid metabolism.
Learn more about AllantoinChlorphenesin is a synthetic preservative. It helps protect a product against bacteria in order to extend shelf life. In most cases, Chlorphenesin is paired with other preservatives such as phenoxyethanol and caprylyl glycol.
Chlorphenesin is a biocide. This means it is able to help fight the microorganisms on our skin. It is also able to fight odor-releasing bacteria.
Chlorphenesin is soluble in both water and glycerin.
Studies show Chlorphenesin is easily absorbed by our skin. You should speak with a skincare professional if you have concerns about using Chlorphenesin.
Learn more about ChlorphenesinThis is a synthetic polymer. It helps improve the texture of products by adding thickness and gel-like feel.
It is also an emulsifer, meaning it prevents ingredients such as oil and water from separating. It also helps evenly disperse other ingredients.
Panthenol is a common ingredient that helps hydrate and soothe the skin. It is found naturally in our skin and hair.
There are two forms of panthenol: D and L.
D-panthenol is also known as dexpanthenol. Most cosmetics use dexpanthenol or a mixture of D and L-panthenol.
Panthenol is famous due to its ability to go deeper into the skin's layers. Using this ingredient has numerous pros (and no cons):
Like hyaluronic acid, panthenol is a humectant. Humectants are able to bind and hold large amounts of water to keep skin hydrated.
This ingredient works well for wound healing. It works by increasing tissue in the wound and helps close open wounds.
Once oxidized, panthenol converts to pantothenic acid. Panthothenic acid is found in all living cells.
This ingredient is also referred to as pro-vitamin B5.
Learn more about PanthenolPhenoxyethanol 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
