Eucerin pH5 Lip Active Versus Paula's Choice Lipscreen Broad Spectrum SPF 50

Eucerin pH5 Lip Active Versus Paula's Choice Lipscreen Broad Spectrum SPF 50

This barrier-repair lip moisturizer is formulated around Ricinus Communis Seed Oil and Panthenol to strengthen the lip barrier and hydrate lips.

This barrier-repair lip moisturizer is formulated around Bis-Diglyceryl Polyacyladipate-2 and Butyrospermum Parkii Butter to strengthen the lip barrier and hydrate lips.

What's inside

Key Ingredients

Benefits

Concerns

Ingredients Side-by-side

Cera Microcristallina

Octyldodecanol

Hydrogenated Polydecene

Ricinus Communis Seed Oil

Cetyl Palmitate

Polyglyceryl-3 Diisostearate

Panthenol

Ethylhexyl Triazone

Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane

Cetearyl Alcohol

Bis-Diglyceryl Polyacyladipate-2

Myristyl Myristate

C20-40 Alkyl Stearate

Glycerin

Copernicia Cerifera Cera

Water

Tocopheryl Acetate

Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil

Butyrospermum Parkii Butter

Bisabolol

Cera Alba

Cera Microcristallina, Octyldodecanol, Hydrogenated Polydecene, Ricinus Communis Seed Oil, Cetyl Palmitate, Polyglyceryl-3 Diisostearate, Panthenol, Ethylhexyl Triazone, Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane, Cetearyl Alcohol, Bis-Diglyceryl Polyacyladipate-2, Myristyl Myristate, C20-40 Alkyl Stearate, Glycerin, Copernicia Cerifera Cera, Water, Tocopheryl Acetate, Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Bisabolol, Cera Alba

Homosalate 3%

Ethylhexyl Salicylate 5%

Octocrylene 5%

Hydrogenated Soybean Oil

Hydrogenated Olive Oil

Beeswax

Ozokerite

Hydrogenated Jojoba Oil

Polyethylene

Hydrogenated Polycyclopentadiene

Microcrystalline Wax

Theobroma Cacao Seed Butter

Silica

Olea Europaea Fruit Oil

Phytosterols

Tocopherol

Hydrogenated Vegetable Oil

Copernicia Cerifera Wax

Phenoxyethanol

Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane, Homosalate 3%, Ethylhexyl Salicylate 5%, Octocrylene 5%, Hydrogenated Soybean Oil, Bis-Diglyceryl Polyacyladipate-2, Hydrogenated Olive Oil, Polyglyceryl-3 Diisostearate, Beeswax, Ozokerite, Hydrogenated Jojoba Oil, Polyethylene, Hydrogenated Polycyclopentadiene, Microcrystalline Wax, Theobroma Cacao Seed Butter, Silica, Tocopheryl Acetate, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Olea Europaea Fruit Oil, Phytosterols, Tocopherol, Hydrogenated Vegetable Oil, Copernicia Cerifera Wax, Water, Phenoxyethanol

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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.

Bis-Diglyceryl Polyacyladipate-2 is a synthetic emollient that works as a lanolin substitute.

This ingredient is a great vegan option for those avoiding animal-derived ingredients.

It mostly stays on the surface of skin where it helps hydrate due to its large molecular size and low water solubility.

Due to it being derived from fatty acids, this ingredient may not be Malassezia or fungal acne safe.

Also known as Avobenzone, this ingredient is an oil-soluble used to absorb the full spectrum of UVA rays (peak 357 nm).

It's one of the most effective UVA filters available but has a major caveat of photostability: avobenzone is susceptible to photodegradation.

This means it can lose efficacy when exposed to sunlight without the help of a stabilizing agent.

Studies show antioxidants (like vitamin E or vitamin C) and some UV filters (like octocrylene and Tinosorb S) can meaningfully improve its stability in a formulation.

The maximum allowable concentration according to regulation is 3% in the US + Canada, and 5% in the EU, Australia, China, Korea, and ASEAN countries.

It has a well-support safety profile: a comprehensive 2025 review found minimal toxicity with no evidence of carcinogenicity.

Overall, avobenzone is a safe and regulated ingredient used in sunscreen for over 40 years.

This ingredient is also known as shea butter. It is a plant-derived extract from the nuts of the Africa shea tree and one of the most well-studied emollients.

Because it has a high concentration of fatty acids (primarily oleic, stearic, and linoleic) it is able to form a protective barrier on the skin's surface. This helps seal in moisture and prevents transepidermal water loss (TEWL).

In vitro research found an increase in skin hydration by 58% and a decrease in TEWL by 37.8% after 24 hours of applying this ingredient (pretty impressive for a single ingredient!).

Besides hydration, shea butter also contains triterpenes that have anti-inflammatory potential. In particule, lupeol cinnamate has shown the highest anti-inflammatory activity in vivo.

Shea butter also contains vitamins A and E which may contribute to antioxidant activity.

While Shea Butter has an SPF rating of about 3-4, it is not a sunscreen replacement.

This ingredient may not be fungal acne safe because its fatty acids fall within the C11-C24 range that the Malassezia yeast can metabolize.

Polyglyceryl-3 Diisostearate is a plant-derived, oil-soluble emulsifier. It keeps water-in-oil emulsions stable to prevent the ingredients from separating.

On the safety front, it's considered non-irritating and well-tolerated (it can even be found in formulations for baby skin).

This ingredient may not be fungal acne safe because research has shown that the Malassezia species can grow in the presence of fatty acid esters with chain lengths above C12 (and this one is C18).

While it does have a comedogenic rating of 4, the comedogenic rating scale was developed from rabbit ear models which has limited clinical relevance to human skin. Studies also show that comedogenic ingredients cannot predict how the overall formula will behave on human skin.

Tocopheryl Acetate is a stable, shelf-friendly form of vitamin E.

Formulators love it because plain vitamin E oxidizes quickly once it hits air. This acetate version stays stable and resists going off, helping to extend a product's shelf life.

It's actually inactive on its own and works like a slow-release "storage" form; the enzymes in your skin called esterases gradually convert it into active vitamin E over time.

One in vivo study showed 5% of the acetate in the living layer of the epidermis converted to vitamin E after 5 days of application. This study also found the skin gained protection against UV damage even though the conversion was slow and small.

Once converted, vitamin E acts as a skin's main fat-soluble antioxidant that fights free radicals to protect skin from damage.

Topical vitamin E generally boosts the skin's photoprotection, and it reduced UV-damage in animal models.

This ingredient has some brightening potential but it's more of a prevention ingredient than spot-fader. Cell studies show it can slow down melanin production but it's worth noting that it's not the most powerful brightener out there.

Overall, it has a pretty solid safety profile and has been found to be non-irritating and non-comedogenic. Allergic reactions may happen but stay rare due to how widely the ingredient gets used.

The concentration will vary depending on the formula; industry data shows 0.1% in baby lotions, 3% in lipsticks, and 5% in foot powders. You can also find this ingredient at 100% in a pure vitamin E oil.

Most leave-on skincare keeps it at the lower end, often between 0.5-1%.

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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