Skin science article
Paula's Choice Extra Care Non-Greasy Sunscreen SPF 50 Versus Some By Mi Truecica Mineral 100 Calming Suncream SPF 50+ PA++++
Paula's Choice Extra Care Non-Greasy Sunscreen SPF 50 Versus Some By Mi Truecica Mineral 100 Calming Suncream SPF 50+ PA++++ This hybrid sunscreen covers the full UV range and blocks ~98% of UVB at SPF 50. This mineral sunscreen covers the full UV range and bl
Paula's Choice Extra Care Non-Greasy Sunscreen SPF 50 Versus Some By Mi Truecica Mineral 100 Calming Suncream SPF 50+ PA++++
This hybrid sunscreen covers the full UV range and blocks ~98% of UVB at SPF 50.
This mineral 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
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
Cetyl Ethylhexanoate
Glycerin
Dipropylene Glycol
Zinc Oxide
1,2-Hexanediol
Niacinamide
Polyglyceryl-3 Methylglucose Distearate
Melaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Water
CI 77891
Sodium Polyacryloyldimethyl Taurate
Cetearyl Olivate
Sorbitan Olivate
Stearic Acid
Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Peel Oil
Lauroyl Lysine
Melaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Oil
Lavandula Angustifolia Oil
Adenosine
Centella Asiatica Extract
Artemisia Vulgaris Extract
Caprylyl Glycol
Madecassoside
Asiaticoside
Asiatic Acid
Madecassic Acid
Water, Cetyl Ethylhexanoate, Butylene Glycol, Glycerin, Dipropylene Glycol, Zinc Oxide, Silica, 1,2-Hexanediol, Niacinamide, Polyglyceryl-3 Methylglucose Distearate, Melaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Water, CI 77891, Sodium Polyacryloyldimethyl Taurate, Cetearyl Olivate, Sorbitan Olivate, Stearic Acid, Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Peel Oil, Lauroyl Lysine, Disodium EDTA, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Melaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Oil, Lavandula Angustifolia Oil, Adenosine, Centella Asiatica Extract, Artemisia Vulgaris Extract, Caprylyl Glycol, Madecassoside, Asiaticoside, Asiatic Acid, Madecassic Acid
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.
Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer is a synthetic polymer. It is used to thicken, emulsify, and improve the texture of products.
As an emulsifier, it helps stabilize oil-in-water emulsions to give products an elegant feel when applied.
It can also form a thin protective film on skin. One study found that a formula using this polymer helped slow down how quickly other ingredients (like DEET) were absorbed through skin.
A 2024 study of over 1,300 patients confirmed that sensitization to this ingredient is rare. It is also non-mutagenic and has a clean track record.
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.
Disodium EDTA is a chelating agent. It grabs onto and deactivates metal ions that sneak into your products from water, packaging, or air.
This ingredient mainly works behind the scenes and helps with:
On top of that, this ingredient can counteract the effects of hard water by binding to the minerals in it.
One thing worth knowing is that Disodium EDTA has been shown to be a mild penetration enhancer. It can help other ingredients absorb into skin more effectively which can be a double-edged sword (great for actives, but can also make the active too strong if you have sensitive skin).
Clinical patch testing showed no significant skin irritation at typical use concentrations and minimal dermal absorption.
You'll most likely see this ingredient near the end of an ingredient list. It's typically found in concentrations less than 1%.
Silica, also known as silicon dioxide, is a naturally occurring mineral. It is used as a fine, spherical, and porous powder in cosmetics.
Though it has exfoliant properties, the function of silica varies depending on the product.
The unique structure of silica enhances the spreadability and adds smoothness, making it a great texture enhancer.
It is also used as an active carrier, emulsifier, and mattifier due to its ability to absorb excess oil.
In some products, tiny microneedles called spicules are made from silica or hydrolyzed sponge. When you rub them in, they lightly polish away dead skin layers and enhance the penetration of active ingredients.
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!