Skin science article
bareMinerals Complexion Rescue Tinted Hydrating Gel Cream SPF30 Versus Paula's Choice Resist Super-Light Wrinkle Defense SPF 30
bareMinerals Complexion Rescue Tinted Hydrating Gel Cream SPF30 Versus Paula's Choice Resist Super-Light Wrinkle Defense SPF 30 This barrier-repair bb, cc, tinted moisturizer is formulated around Squalane and Trehalose to strengthen the skin barrier and hydrat
bareMinerals Complexion Rescue Tinted Hydrating Gel Cream SPF30 Versus Paula's Choice Resist Super-Light Wrinkle Defense SPF 30
This barrier-repair bb, cc, tinted moisturizer is formulated around Squalane and Trehalose to strengthen the skin barrier and hydrate skin.
This mineral sunscreen covers the full UV range and blocks ~97% of UVB at SPF 30.
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Titanium Dioxide 6.2%
Water
Coconut Alkanes
Propanediol
Squalane
Trehalose
Isostearic Acid
Glycerin
Silica
Agar
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Globularia Cordifolia Callus Culture Extract
Salicornia Herbacea Extract
Melilotus Officinalis Extract
Coco-Caprylate/Caprate
Butylene Glycol
Lauroyl Lysine
Sodium Hyaluronate
Succinoglycan
Polysorbate 60
Cellulose Gum
Polyglyceryl-4 Laurate/Succinate
Sorbitan Sesquiisostearate
Magnesium Stearate
Magnesium Hydroxide
Magnesium Chloride
Potassium Chloride
Calcium Chloride
Potassium Sorbate
Phenoxyethanol
Titanium Dioxide 6.2%, Water, Coconut Alkanes, Propanediol, Squalane, Trehalose, Isostearic Acid, Glycerin, Silica, Agar, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Globularia Cordifolia Callus Culture Extract, Salicornia Herbacea Extract, Melilotus Officinalis Extract, Coco-Caprylate/Caprate, Butylene Glycol, Lauroyl Lysine, Sodium Hyaluronate, Succinoglycan, Polysorbate 60, Cellulose Gum, Polyglyceryl-4 Laurate/Succinate, Sorbitan Sesquiisostearate, Magnesium Stearate, Magnesium Hydroxide, Magnesium Chloride, Potassium Chloride, Calcium Chloride, Potassium Sorbate, Phenoxyethanol
Cyclopentasiloxane
Zinc Oxide
PEG-12 Dimethicone
PEG/PPG-18/18 Dimethicone
Sodium Chloride
Trihydroxystearin
Dimethicone Crosspolymer
Resveratrol
Quercetin
Epigallocatechin Gallate
Tocopheryl Acetate
Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate
Adenosine
Bisabolol
Salix Nigra Bark Extract
Punica Granatum Extract
Haematococcus Pluvialis Extract
Hydrolyzed Corn Starch
Polysorbate 80
Hydrated Silica
Triethoxycaprylylsilane
C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate
Isopropyl Titanium Triisostearate
Caprylyl Glycol
Hexylene Glycol
Ethylhexylglycerin
Iron Oxides
Water, Cyclopentasiloxane, Zinc Oxide, PEG-12 Dimethicone, PEG/PPG-18/18 Dimethicone, Lauroyl Lysine, Sodium Chloride, Trihydroxystearin, Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Resveratrol, Quercetin, Epigallocatechin Gallate, Tocopheryl Acetate, Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate, Adenosine, Bisabolol, Salix Nigra Bark Extract, Punica Granatum Extract, Haematococcus Pluvialis Extract, Hydrolyzed Corn Starch, Polysorbate 80, Hydrated Silica, Triethoxycaprylylsilane, C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate, Isopropyl Titanium Triisostearate, Caprylyl Glycol, Hexylene Glycol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Iron Oxides, Phenoxyethanol
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 comes from a fatty acid (lauric acid) and amino acid (lysine). It is used to add a silky feel to cosmetics.
According to a manufacturer, its fatty acid base leaves a silky feeling on the skin. It also has emollient properties because of this. Emollients help soften skin by preventing water from evaporating.
Lauroyl lysine is barely soluble in water.
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.
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!