Skin science article
Ziaja Mattifying Cream SPF 50+ Versus Beauty of Joseon Matte Sun Stick: Mugwort + Camelia SPF 50 PA++++
Ziaja Mattifying Cream SPF 50+ Versus Beauty of Joseon Matte Sun Stick: Mugwort + Camelia SPF 50 PA++++ 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
Ziaja Mattifying Cream SPF 50+ Versus Beauty of Joseon Matte Sun Stick: Mugwort + Camelia SPF 50 PA++++
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
Water
C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate
Bis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine
Polymethyl Methacrylate
Diethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl Benzoate
Ethylhexyl Salicylate
Ethylhexyl Triazone
Triethylhexanoin
Dimethicone
Potassium Cetyl Phosphate
Glycerin
Methylene Bis-Benzotriazolyl Tetramethylbutylphenol
Polyurethane-34
Propylene Glycol
Cetyl Alcohol
Aluminum Starch Octenylsuccinate
Glyceryl Stearate
PEG-100 Stearate
Panthenol
Tocopheryl Acetate
Xanthan Gum
Carbomer
Disodium EDTA
Hydroxyacetophenone
Methylparaben
Parfum
Citronellol
Limonene
Sodium Hydroxide
Water, C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate, Bis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine, Polymethyl Methacrylate, Diethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl Benzoate, Ethylhexyl Salicylate, Ethylhexyl Triazone, Triethylhexanoin, Dimethicone, Potassium Cetyl Phosphate, Glycerin, Methylene Bis-Benzotriazolyl Tetramethylbutylphenol, Polyurethane-34, Propylene Glycol, Cetyl Alcohol, Aluminum Starch Octenylsuccinate, Glyceryl Stearate, PEG-100 Stearate, Panthenol, Tocopheryl Acetate, Xanthan Gum, Carbomer, Disodium EDTA, Hydroxyacetophenone, Methylparaben, Parfum, Citronellol, Limonene, Sodium Hydroxide
Methyl Methacrylate Crosspolymer
Synthetic Wax
Dibutyl Adipate
Coco-Caprylate/Caprate
Isopropyl Palmitate
Caprylyl Methicone
Caprylyl Trimethicone
Ethylhexyl Palmitate
Silica
Vinyl Dimethicone/Methicone Silsesquioxane Crosspolymer
Boron Nitride
Butyloctyl Salicylate
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
1,2-Hexanediol
Artemisia Capillaris Extract
Camellia Sinensis Seed Oil
Hyaluronic Acid
Butylene Glycol
Propanediol
Bambusa Vulgaris Extract
Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
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.
This ingredient is better known as bemotrizinol or Tinosorb S and is one of the best broad-spectrum UV filters in modern sunscreen.
It works by absorbing UV light across a whole range (280-400 nm) with peaks around 310 nm (UVB) and 340-345 nm (UVA). This means it covers UVB plus the deeper UVA wavelengths that drive photoaging and pigmentation.
Another pro?
It's exceptionally photostable, barely degrades in sunlight, and acts as a "bodyguard" for less stable filters.
That's why you'll see it paired with avobenzone or octinoxate; this team up ensures they keep working through sun exposure.
Safety reviews have been reassuring across the board. This ingredient shows low absorption through the skin, rarely irritates, and lab studies found it doesn't act like a hormone in the body (a concern that's been raised about some older sunscreen filters).
On maximum concentrations:
In 2026, the US F.D.A finally added it as an OTC sunscreen ingredient at concentrations up to 6% for adults / children 6 months and older
Diethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl Benzoate (DHHB) is a chemical UV-A absorber. It is formulated for high UVA protection (320-400 nm).
DHHB is well-liked for:
DHHB has been approved by the EU, Japan, Taiwan, and South America for use up to 10%. Unfortunately, it has not been approved for use in the US or Canada due to slow regulatory processes.
This ingredient is soluble in oils, fats, and lipids.
Ethylhexyl Triazone (aka Octyl Triazone) is an oil-soluble organic UVB filter. It has peak absorption around 314 nm, right in the middle of the UVB range.
This ingredient is described as one of the most effective UVB filters available and small concentrations are enough to deliver a high SPF thanks to its strong UV absorbing power.
Formulators love it for its stability; its ability to filter UV stays practically unchanged even under intense radiation and it can also help boost the photostability of less stable filters like avobenzone.
It's also a great pick for water resistant products because it's insoluble in water and has a good affinity for keratin.
Because it's a big, heavy molecule, the European Scientific Committee has found to to have very low dermal penetration and negative results for allergenicity.
In vitro testing also showed a low absorption rate and clean results on irritation.
Typical use levels are 1-5% with 5% being the maximum in the EU, Japan, and other markets that allow it. However, this ingredient is not approved yet in the US or Canada.
Glycerin (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.
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.
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!