Vichy Liftactiv Peptide-C Sunscreen SPF 30 Versus EltaMD, Inc UV Clear Broad-Spectrum SPF 46

Vichy Liftactiv Peptide-C Sunscreen SPF 30 Versus EltaMD, Inc UV Clear Broad-Spectrum SPF 46

This chemical sunscreen covers most of the UV range, lighter on the deep UVA that drives aging.

This hybrid sunscreen covers the full UV range and blocks ~98% of UVB at SPF 46.

What's inside

Key Ingredients

Benefits

Concerns

Ingredients Side-by-side

Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane 3%

Homosalate 5%

Ethylhexyl Salicylate 5%

Octocrylene 7%

Water

Glycerin

Dimethicone

Silica

PEG-100 Stearate

Glyceryl Stearate

Glycolic Acid

Stearic Acid

Dicaprylyl Carbonate

Steareth-100

Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer

Sodium Hydroxide

Sodium Hyaluronate

Myristic Acid

Cyclodextrin

Palmitic Acid

Phenoxyethanol

Phenylethyl Resorcinol

Guanosine

Ammonium Polyacryloyldimethyl Taurate

Ascorbyl Glucoside

Tocopherol

Caprylyl Glycol

Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate

Xanthan Gum

Pentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate

Pisum Sativum Extract

Parfum

Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane 3%, Homosalate 5%, Ethylhexyl Salicylate 5%, Octocrylene 7%, Water, Glycerin, Dimethicone, Silica, PEG-100 Stearate, Glyceryl Stearate, Glycolic Acid, Stearic Acid, Dicaprylyl Carbonate, Steareth-100, Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Sodium Hydroxide, Sodium Hyaluronate, Myristic Acid, Cyclodextrin, Palmitic Acid, Phenoxyethanol, Phenylethyl Resorcinol, Guanosine, Ammonium Polyacryloyldimethyl Taurate, Ascorbyl Glucoside, Tocopherol, Caprylyl Glycol, Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate, Xanthan Gum, Pentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate, Pisum Sativum Extract, Parfum

Zinc Oxide 9%

Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate 7.5%

Cyclopentasiloxane

Niacinamide

Octyldodecyl Neopentanoate

Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer

Butylene Glycol

Polyisobutene

Triethoxycaprylylsilane

Tocopheryl Acetate

PEG-7 Trimethylolpropane Coconut Ether

Oleth-3 Phosphate

Iodopropynyl Butylcarbamate

Lactic Acid

Phosphoric Acid

Zinc Oxide 9%, Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate 7.5%, Water, Cyclopentasiloxane, Niacinamide, Octyldodecyl Neopentanoate, Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Butylene Glycol, Phenoxyethanol, Polyisobutene, Triethoxycaprylylsilane, Tocopheryl Acetate, PEG-7 Trimethylolpropane Coconut Ether, Oleth-3 Phosphate, Iodopropynyl Butylcarbamate, Lactic Acid, Sodium Hyaluronate, Phosphoric Acid

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Alternatives

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.

Sodium 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.

Water. 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!

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