Watsons Physical Sunscreen Face Serum SPF50+ PA++++ Versus First Aid Beauty Weightless Liquid Mineral Sunscreen With Zinc Oxide SPF 30
Updated on February 12, 2024
Overview
What they are
These products are both sunscreens. They have a total of 13 ingredients in common
Cool Features
They both contain exfoliants, SPF and Vitamin E
Suited For
They're both likely to be good for fighting acne and dry skin
Free From
They both do not contain any harsh alcohols, common allergens, fragrances, oils, parabens or sulfates
We independently verify ingredients, and our claims are backed by peer-reviewed research. Spot a product that needs an update? Let us know.
Ingredient Info
Watsons Physical Sunscreen Face Serum SPF50+ PA++++ 35 ingredients
First Aid Beauty Weightless Liquid Mineral Sunscreen With Zinc Oxide SPF 30 35 ingredients
What's inside (and what isn't)
What's inside (and what isn't)
At a glance
Click on any of the items below to learn more
Watsons Physical Sunscreen Face Serum SPF50+ PA++++ 35 ingredients
First Aid Beauty Weightless Liquid Mineral Sunscreen With Zinc Oxide SPF 30 35 ingredients
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Isononyl Isononanoate
EmollientWater
Skin ConditioningIsododecane
EmollientCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Titanium Dioxide
Cosmetic Colorant
Zinc Oxide
Cosmetic Colorant
Dimethicone
Emollient
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Cetyl PEG/PPG-10/1 Dimethicone
Emulsifying
Polymethyl Methacrylate
Stearalkonium Hectorite
Gel FormingDimethicone Crosspolymer
Emulsion Stabilising
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Polyglyceryl-3 Diisostearate
Emulsifying
Sodium Chloride
Masking
Propylene Carbonate
SolventPropanediol
Solvent
Methicone
Emollient
Chlorphenesin
Antimicrobial
Alumina
Abrasive
Stearic Acid
Cleansing
Disodium EDTA
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Buddleja Officinalis Flower Extract
UV Filter1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Maltodextrin
Absorbent
Biosaccharide Gum-4
Skin Conditioning
Ethylene/Propylene/Styrene Copolymer
Sorbitan Oleate
Emulsifying
Triethoxycaprylylsilane
Caesalpinia Spinosa Fruit Pod Extract
Helianthus Annuus Sprout Extract
Skin ConditioningCI 77492
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77163
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77491
Cosmetic ColorantIsononyl Isononanoate, Water, Isododecane, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Titanium Dioxide, Zinc Oxide, Dimethicone, Butylene Glycol, Cetyl PEG/PPG-10/1 Dimethicone, Polymethyl Methacrylate, Stearalkonium Hectorite, Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Phenoxyethanol, Polyglyceryl-3 Diisostearate, Sodium Chloride, Propylene Carbonate, Propanediol, Methicone, Chlorphenesin, Alumina, Stearic Acid, Disodium EDTA, Tocopheryl Acetate, Buddleja Officinalis Flower Extract, 1,2-Hexanediol, Maltodextrin, Biosaccharide Gum-4, Ethylene/Propylene/Styrene Copolymer, Sorbitan Oleate, Triethoxycaprylylsilane, Caesalpinia Spinosa Fruit Pod Extract, Helianthus Annuus Sprout Extract, CI 77492, CI 77163, CI 77491
Zinc Oxide 22%
Cosmetic Colorant
Ethylhexyl Olivate
Skin Conditioning
Isododecane
EmollientCoconut Alkanes
Emollient
Water
Skin ConditioningAluminum Starch Octenylsuccinate
Absorbent
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Mica
Cosmetic Colorant
Polyglyceryl-6 Polyricinoleate
Emulsifying
Jojoba Esters
Emollient
Cellulose
AbsorbentStearalkonium Hectorite
Gel FormingSodium Chloride
Masking
Squalane
Emollient
Polyglyceryl-3 Diisostearate
Emulsifying
Polyglyceryl-3 Polyricinoleate
Emulsifying
Iron Oxides
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Coco-Caprylate/Caprate
Emollient
Trihydroxystearin
Skin Conditioning
Caprylyl Glycol
EmollientPolyhydroxystearic Acid
Emulsifying
Glycerin
Humectant
Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate
Propanediol
Solvent
Sorbic Acid
Preservative
Titanium Dioxide
Cosmetic Colorant
Silica
Abrasive
Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract
Bleaching
Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
Antimicrobial
Alumina
Abrasive
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Chrysanthemum Parthenium Extract
Skin ConditioningZinc Oxide 22%, Ethylhexyl Olivate, Isododecane, Coconut Alkanes, Water, Aluminum Starch Octenylsuccinate, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Butylene Glycol, Mica, Polyglyceryl-6 Polyricinoleate, Jojoba Esters, Cellulose, Stearalkonium Hectorite, Sodium Chloride, Squalane, Polyglyceryl-3 Diisostearate, Polyglyceryl-3 Polyricinoleate, Iron Oxides, Phenoxyethanol, Tocopheryl Acetate, Coco-Caprylate/Caprate, Trihydroxystearin, Caprylyl Glycol, Polyhydroxystearic Acid, Glycerin, Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate, Propanediol, Sorbic Acid, Titanium Dioxide, Silica, Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Alumina, Tocopherol, Chrysanthemum Parthenium Extract
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Alumina is another name for the compound aluminum oxide. It is used as a thickener, absorbent, and abrasive.
As an absorbent, alumina can give a mattifying effect. It is used in mineral sunscreens to help coat nano-sized filters, such as titanium dioxide. By increasing the size of the UV filters, these ingredients stay on the skin for a longer time. By coating small sized ingredients, alumina helps thicken a product.
Alumina may be used as an abrasive, or exfoliant.
Alumina is naturally occurring in the mineral corundum. Certain varieties of corundum create rubies and sapphires. Corundum is also the crystalline form of alumina.
Learn more about AluminaButylene Glycol (or BG) is used within cosmetic products for a few different reasons:
Overall, Butylene Glycol is a safe and well-rounded ingredient that works well with other ingredients.
Though this ingredient works well with most skin types, some people with sensitive skin may experience a reaction such as allergic rashes, closed comedones, or itchiness.
Learn more about Butylene GlycolThis ingredient is an emollient, solvent, and texture enhancer. It is considered a skin-softener by helping the skin prevent moisture loss.
It helps thicken a product's formula and makes it easier to spread by dissolving clumping compounds.
Caprylic Triglyceride is made by combining glycerin with coconut oil, forming a clear liquid.
While there is an assumption Caprylic Triglyceride can clog pores due to it being derived from coconut oil, there is no research supporting this.
Learn more about Caprylic/Capric TriglycerideIsododecane is a fragrance, emollient, and solvent.
As an emollient, it helps your skin stay soft and hydrated. Emollients help trap moisture into your skin.
Isododecane's role as a solvent makes it a great texture enhancer. It spreads smoothly on skin and does not leave a sticky feeling behind. Isododecane also helps prevent color transfer in makeup products.
Isododecane is not absorbed into skin.
Learn more about IsododecanePhenoxyethanol 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.
Polyglyceryl-3 Diisostearate is an emulsifer and emollient. It comes from Isostearic Acid and Polyglycerin-3.
As an emulsifier, it helps stabilize products by preventing oils and water from separating.
This ingredient may not be Malassezia folliculitis, or fungal acne safe.
Learn more about Polyglyceryl-3 DiisostearatePropanediol 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 PropanediolChances are, you eat sodium chloride every day. Sodium Chloride is also known as table salt.
This ingredient has many purposes in skincare: thickener, emulsifier, and exfoliator.
You'll most likely find this ingredient in cleansers where it is used to create a gel-like texture. As an emulsifier, it also prevents ingredients from separating.
There is much debate on whether this ingredient is comedogenic. The short answer - comedogenic ratings don't tell the whole story. Learn more about comegodenic ratings here.
The concensus about this ingredient causing acne seems to be divided. Research is needed to understand if this ingredient does cause acne.
Scrubs may use salt as the primary exfoliating ingredient.
Learn more about Sodium ChlorideWe don't have a description for Stearalkonium Hectorite yet.
Titanium Dioxide is a mineral (or physical) sunscreen ingredient that provides broad-spectrum protection by blocking both UV-A and UV-B rays.
It sits on the skin’s surface and primarily reflects and scatters UV light and also absorbs some of it.
This makes the line between “mineral” and “chemical” sunscreens a bit blurry, but in skincare labeling, Titanium Dioxide and Zinc Oxide are the two ingredients officially classified as mineral filters.
Because it’s non-irritating, Titanium Dioxide is often recommended for sensitive or acne-prone skin.
Thanks to modern production methods, nano-scale or fine-grade Titanium Dioxide is now widely used in cosmetics to reduce white cast and improve texture.
Despite its small particle size, studies show that Titanium Dioxide, even in nanoparticle form, is not absorbed into the skin.
Learn more about Titanium DioxideTocopheryl Acetate is AKA Vitamin E. It is an antioxidant and protects your skin from free radicals. Free radicals damage the skin by breaking down collagen.
One study found using Tocopheryl Acetate with Vitamin C decreased the number of sunburned cells.
Tocopheryl Acetate is commonly found in both skincare and dietary supplements.
Learn more about Tocopheryl AcetateWater. 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. Stay hydrated!
Learn more about WaterZinc Oxide is a mineral broad-spectrum UV filter; it is the broadest UVA and UVB reflector approved by the FDA. While it is most commonly man-made for cosmetics, it can naturally occur in zincite, a rare mineral.
Today, traditional and nano-sized zinc oxide can be found in beauty products. Nano-sized zinc oxide can enhance a product's UV protection. While it is not believed to have a negative effect on skin, nano-zinc oxide may be harmful to coral reefs - though the verdict is not entirely out on this one.
Zinc Oxide also has antibacterial and calming properties. It is not water soluble.
Zinc has been used throughout history as an ingredient in paint and medicine. An Indian text from 500BC is believed to list zinc oxide as a salve for open wound. The Ancient Greek physician Dioscorides has also mentioned the use of zinc as an ointment in 1AD.
Learn more about Zinc OxideIngredient Ratings
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When to use
Watsons Physical Sunscreen Face Serum SPF50+ PA++++ 35 ingredients
First Aid Beauty Weightless Liquid Mineral Sunscreen With Zinc Oxide SPF 30 35 ingredients
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