Skin science article
SKIN1004 Madagascar Centella Air-Fit Suncream Plus SPF50+ PA+++ Versus Beauty of Joseon Matte Sun Stick: Mugwort + Camelia SPF 50 PA++++
SKIN1004 Madagascar Centella Air-Fit Suncream Plus SPF50+ PA+++ Versus Beauty of Joseon Matte Sun Stick: Mugwort + Camelia SPF 50 PA++++ This hybrid sunscreen covers the full UV range and blocks ~98% of UVB at SPF 50. This chemical sunscreen covers the full UV
SKIN1004 Madagascar Centella Air-Fit Suncream Plus SPF50+ PA+++ Versus Beauty of Joseon Matte Sun Stick: Mugwort + Camelia SPF 50 PA++++
This hybrid sunscreen covers the full UV range and blocks ~98% of UVB at SPF 50.
This chemical sunscreen covers the full UV range and blocks ~98% of UVB at SPF 50.
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Centella Asiatica Extract 35.8%
Cyclopentasiloxane
Zinc Oxide
Butyloctyl Salicylate
Titanium Dioxide
Propanediol
Benzotriazolyl Dodecyl P-Cresol
Coptis Chinensis Root Extract
PEG-10 Dimethicone
Niacinamide
Disteardimonium Hectorite
Butylene Glycol
Magnesium Sulfate
1,2-Hexanediol
Caprylic/Capric Glycerides
Dimethicone
Vp/Hexadecene Copolymer
Polymethylsilsesquioxane
Aluminum Hydroxide
Stearic Acid
Sorbitan Sesquioleate
Triethoxycaprylylsilane
Dimethicone Crosspolymer
Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer
Dextrin
Theobroma Cacao Extract
Pelargonium Graveolens Flower Oil
Water
Citrus Aurantium Bergamia Fruit Oil
Betaine
Scutellaria Baicalensis Root Extract
Polygonum Cuspidatum Root Extract
Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract
Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
Sodium Hyaluronate
Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract
Chamomilla Recutita Flower Extract
Rosa Damascena Flower Oil
Pentylene Glycol
Madecassoside
Citronellol
Geraniol
Linalool
Centella Asiatica Extract 35.8%, Cyclopentasiloxane, Zinc Oxide, Butyloctyl Salicylate, Titanium Dioxide, Propanediol, Benzotriazolyl Dodecyl P-Cresol, Coptis Chinensis Root Extract, PEG-10 Dimethicone, Niacinamide, Disteardimonium Hectorite, Butylene Glycol, Magnesium Sulfate, 1,2-Hexanediol, Caprylic/Capric Glycerides, Dimethicone, Vp/Hexadecene Copolymer, Polymethylsilsesquioxane, Aluminum Hydroxide, Stearic Acid, Sorbitan Sesquioleate, Triethoxycaprylylsilane, Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Dextrin, Theobroma Cacao Extract, Pelargonium Graveolens Flower Oil, Water, Citrus Aurantium Bergamia Fruit Oil, Betaine, Scutellaria Baicalensis Root Extract, Polygonum Cuspidatum Root Extract, Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Sodium Hyaluronate, Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract, Chamomilla Recutita Flower Extract, Rosa Damascena Flower Oil, Pentylene Glycol, Madecassoside, Citronellol, Geraniol, Linalool
Methyl Methacrylate Crosspolymer
Synthetic Wax
Dibutyl Adipate
Coco-Caprylate/Caprate
Isopropyl Palmitate
Caprylyl Methicone
Caprylyl Trimethicone
Ethylhexyl Palmitate
Silica
Vinyl Dimethicone/Methicone Silsesquioxane Crosspolymer
Diethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl Benzoate
Bis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine
Boron Nitride
Ethylhexyl Triazone
Microcrystalline Wax
Polysilicone-15
Vinyldimethicone
Camellia Japonica Seed Oil
Polyglyceryl-4 Diisostearate/Polyhydroxystearate/Sebacate
Curcuma Longa Root Extract
Melia Azadirachta Flower Extract
Melia Azadirachta Leaf Extract
Corallina Officinalis Extract
Melia Azadirachta Bark Extract
Ocimum Sanctum Leaf Extract
Moringa Oleifera Seed Oil
Coccinia Indica Fruit Extract
Solanum Melongena Fruit Extract
Amber Powder
Aloe Barbadensis Flower Extract
Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil
Artemisia Capillaris Extract
Camellia Sinensis Seed Oil
Hyaluronic Acid
Panthenol
Bambusa Vulgaris Extract
Glycerin
Methylpropanediol
Centella Asiatica Extract
Morinda Citrifolia Extract
Vigna Radiata Seed Extract
Ethylhexylglycerin
Methyl Methacrylate Crosspolymer, Synthetic Wax, Dibutyl Adipate, Coco-Caprylate/Caprate, Isopropyl Palmitate, Caprylyl Methicone, Caprylyl Trimethicone, Ethylhexyl Palmitate, Silica, Vinyl Dimethicone/Methicone Silsesquioxane Crosspolymer, Diethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl Benzoate, Bis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine, Boron Nitride, Butyloctyl Salicylate, Ethylhexyl Triazone, Microcrystalline Wax, Polysilicone-15, Vinyldimethicone, Camellia Japonica Seed Oil, Polyglyceryl-4 Diisostearate/Polyhydroxystearate/Sebacate, Curcuma Longa Root Extract, Melia Azadirachta Flower Extract, Melia Azadirachta Leaf Extract, Corallina Officinalis Extract, Melia Azadirachta Bark Extract, Ocimum Sanctum Leaf Extract, Moringa Oleifera Seed Oil, Coccinia Indica Fruit Extract, Solanum Melongena Fruit Extract, Amber Powder, Water, Aloe Barbadensis Flower Extract, Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil, 1,2-Hexanediol, Artemisia Capillaris Extract, Camellia Sinensis Seed Oil, Hyaluronic Acid, Panthenol, Butylene Glycol, Propanediol, Bambusa Vulgaris Extract, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Glycerin, Methylpropanediol, Centella Asiatica Extract, Morinda Citrifolia Extract, Vigna Radiata Seed Extract, Ethylhexylglycerin
Reviews
Alternatives
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
1,2-Hexanediol is a synthetic liquid and another multi-functional powerhouse.
It is a:
Humectant, drawing moisture into the skin
Emollient, helping to soften skin
Solvent, dispersing and stabilizing formulas
Preservative booster, enhancing the antimicrobial activity of other preservatives
Butylene 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.
Butyloctyl Salicylate is a chemical UV filter structurally similar to octisalate. It is a photostabilizer, SPF booster, emollient and solvent. This ingredient helps evenly spread out ingredients.
According to a manufacturer, it is suitable for pairing with micro Titanium Dioxide, Zinc Oxide, and pigments.
Photostabilizers help stabilize UV-filters and prevents them from degrading quickly.
Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract (tea extract) is one of the most well-researched plant extracts in skincare with an impressive resume.
Black tea, green tea, and oolong tea are all harvested from the Camellia Sinensis plant.
Studies show green tea extract and its catechins (like epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG)) help your skin cells product energy more efficiently and reducing the number of free-radicals that can damage your skin from the inside.
In lab-grown skin models, this translated to younger, healthier, and stronger skin.
There's also good sun protection data; researchers saw less DNA damage and redness on human skin when green tea was applied before UVB exposure. And the more they applied, the better the protection.
Needless to say, this ingredient shouldn't replace your sunscreen. But it is a great supportive ingredient that you can already find in many sunscreens and antioxidant serums.
A 2009 study found a 2% green tea lotion was effective for mild-to-moderate acne thanks to its anti-inflammatory and mild antimicrobial activity.
The quality of the extract matters a lot here:
Good extracts contain 50-90% catechins while lower quality ones are mostly there for marketing. We recommend reaching out to the brand if you have questions about the quality or source of their ingredients.
Human Repeated Insult Patch Testing showed no irritation or sensitization at use concentrations (0.86% in leave-on products and up to 30% as leaf water).
Centella Asiatica Extract (Centella) is one of the most researched botanical extracts in skincare with decades of studies backing its effects on inflammation, collagen, and the skin barrier.
That research keeps pointing back to the same four triterpenoid saponins: Asiaticoside, Madecassoside, Asiatic Acid, and Madecassic Acid.
These compounds allow centella to dial back inflammation, encourage the skin to build and hold onto collagen, support the barrier and hydration, and bring solid antioxidant activity to protect against signs of aging.
Centella also carries a nice supporting cast of Vitamin A, vitamin C, several B vitamins, and amino acids. Put it all together and you get an ingredient that soothes, hydrates, and protects, all at once.
Most of centella's magic comes from the four big compounds (Asiaticoside, Madecassoside, Asiatic Acid, and Madecassic Acid). These are the actives doing the heavy lifting in almost every centella study.
Here is the short version of what they do in the skin:
So it is not just soothing for the sake of soothing. Centella calms the skin AND helps it rebuild.
Just FYI, not all centella on an ingredient list is the same. What you are getting actually depends on the extract:
Fun fact on the ratios: the leaves tend to be richest in Madecassoside and Asiaticoside, and lower in the two acids. The exact amounts shift with where the plant is grown and how it is processed. This means purity really does vary brand to brand.
Centella is one of the most easygoing actives out there.
It layers well with basically everything: niacinamide, hyaluronic acid, peptides, and vitamin C, and also pairs nicely with stronger actives like retinoids and exfoliating acids where it can help take the edge off irritation.
On the safety side, centella and its triterpenes are classified as weak sensitizers, meaning allergic reactions are possible but uncommon.
Patch tests at 1% and 5% came back negative in test panels, and creams at typical use levels did not cause allergic reactions across large groups of people.
But as with any new active, a patch test is still a smart move for very reactive skin.
Centella is widely used because it is effective at low percentages. For context, human safety testing found no meaningful irritation from creams containing centella extract at everyday use levels (the tested amounts were well under 1%).
The irritancy threshold in animal testing was also above 30% (so real-world formulas sit far below anything concerning).
In collagen lab studies, higher concentrations drove more collagen synthesis, so serums built around centella tend to feature it more prominently.
Bottom line: you will find centella working nicely anywhere from a fraction of a percent up to hero-ingredient levels depending on whether it is a supporting soother or the main event.
Fun fact: Centella has been used as a medicine and in food for many centuries. As a medicine, it is used to treat burns, scratches, and wounds.
Propanediol 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.
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!