Paula's Choice Extra Care Non-Greasy Sunscreen SPF 50 Versus Good Molecules Sheer Mineral Sunscreen SPF 30

Paula's Choice Extra Care Non-Greasy Sunscreen SPF 50 Versus Good Molecules Sheer Mineral Sunscreen SPF 30

This hybrid sunscreen covers the full UV range and blocks ~98% of UVB at SPF 50.

This hybrid 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

Homosalate 10%

Benzophenone-3 6%

Ethylhexyl Salicylate 5%

Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane 3%

Octocrylene 2%

Water

Butylene Glycol

PEG-8

Polyethylene

Silica

Dimethicone

Picrasma Excelsa Wood Extract

Sodium Ascorbyl Phosphate

Retinyl Palmitate

Tocopherol

Tocopheryl Acetate

Titanium Dioxide

Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice

Bentonite

Methyl Glucose Sesquistearate

Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer

Sodium Polyacrylate

Kaolin

Ethylhexylglycerin

Disodium EDTA

Sodium Hydroxide

Phenoxyethanol

Chlorphenesin

Homosalate 10%, Benzophenone-3 6%, Ethylhexyl Salicylate 5%, Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane 3%, Octocrylene 2%, Water, Butylene Glycol, PEG-8, Polyethylene, Silica, Dimethicone, Picrasma Excelsa Wood Extract, Sodium Ascorbyl Phosphate, Retinyl Palmitate, Tocopherol, Tocopheryl Acetate, Titanium Dioxide, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Bentonite, Methyl Glucose Sesquistearate, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Sodium Polyacrylate, Kaolin, Ethylhexylglycerin, Disodium EDTA, Sodium Hydroxide, Phenoxyethanol, Chlorphenesin

Zinc Oxide

Coco-Caprylate

Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride

Butyloctyl Salicylate

Propanediol

Vitis Vinifera Seed Oil

Sodium Stearoyl Glutamate

Cetearyl Alcohol

Arachidyl Alcohol

Caprylyl Glycol

Coco-Glucoside

Astrocaryum Tucuma Seed Butter

Ethyl Ferulate

Behenyl Alcohol

Cetyl Palmitate

Sorbitan Palmitate

Sorbitan Olivate

Arachidyl Glucoside

Sodium Gluconate

Citric Acid

Bisabolol

Acacia Senegal Gum

Caprylhydroxamic Acid

Glycerin

Xanthan Gum

Acetyl Glucosamine

Sodium Hyaluronate

Polyhydroxystearic Acid

Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate

Water, Zinc Oxide, Coco-Caprylate, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Butyloctyl Salicylate, Propanediol, Vitis Vinifera Seed Oil, Sodium Stearoyl Glutamate, Cetearyl Alcohol, Arachidyl Alcohol, Tocopherol, Caprylyl Glycol, Coco-Glucoside, Astrocaryum Tucuma Seed Butter, Ethyl Ferulate, Behenyl Alcohol, Cetyl Palmitate, Sorbitan Palmitate, Sorbitan Olivate, Arachidyl Glucoside, Sodium Gluconate, Citric Acid, Bisabolol, Acacia Senegal Gum, Caprylhydroxamic Acid, Glycerin, Xanthan Gum, Acetyl Glucosamine, Sodium Hyaluronate, Polyhydroxystearic Acid, Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice

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.

Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice is the filtered, stabilized liquid pressed from the inner gel of the aloe vera leaf.

In cosmetics, it shows up as either soothing active or a water-replacement base. It is roughly 98-99% water and the last 1-2% is an interesting mix of polysaccharides, amino acids, vitamins, minerals, and enzymes.

The polysaccharides do most of the work: they bind water at the skin surface for a light, non-greasy hydration boost. And one of the polysaccharides, glycomannan, is linked to fibroblast stimulation + collagen synthesis. This is also why aloe has such a long track record in wound and burn healing.

This ingredient is also calming with anti-inflammatory and mild antimicrobial activity, making it a great pick for sensitive, irritated, or post-sun skin.

Realistic expectations matter though; the solid evidence is mostly limited to hydration, soothing, and wound support. Deeper claims about anti-aging or sun protection are not well backed, and science reviews note it does not prevent radiation-induced skin injury.

Because it plays well with almost everything, it's commonly used as a base alongside other actives like niacinamide or vitamin C.

Typical usage concentrations range from 0.5% (where hydration benefits already show up) all the way to 90%+ (where it replaces water as the main base).

The safety for this ingredient is well-establish as well. Overall, this is a great supporting ingredient for those who want a boost in hydration.

Tocopherol is a fat-soluble antioxidant known as Vitamin E.

You'll find this ingredient in the vast majority of skincare (for good reason). It works to neutralize free radicals, or unstable molecules generated by UV exposure, pollution, and other environmental stressors, before they can cause oxidative damage to your skin cells.

Topically applied tocopherol has been shown to protect against UV damage by ramping up the skin's own natural defense enzymes.

It also acts as a skin conditioning agent; some studies show that regular topical use can improve the skin's water-binding capacity over 2-4 weeks.

This ingredient is especially loved for being a team player. When combined with Vitamin C, the photoprotective effect of both ingredients roughly doubles and the combo also helps reduce UV-induced DNA damage.

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.

In formulations, it also serves as a stabilizer that helps protect other oxidation-prone ingredients from degrading.

Concentrations usually range from 0.1-1% in most leave-on products.

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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