Paula's Choice Extra Care Non-Greasy Sunscreen SPF 50 Versus Ultra Violette Fave Fluid SPF 50+ Ultralight Skinscreen

Paula's Choice Extra Care Non-Greasy Sunscreen SPF 50 Versus Ultra Violette Fave Fluid SPF 50+ Ultralight Skinscreen

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

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

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

Isoamyl Laurate

Alcohol Denat.

Polyester-8

Bis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine

Phenylbenzimidazole Sulfonic Acid

Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane

Phenyl Trimethicone

Caprylyl Methicone

Propanediol

Aluminum Starch Octenylsuccinate

Ethylhexyl Triazone

Acrylates/C12-22 Alkyl Methacrylate Copolymer

PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil

Hydroxyacetophenone

Acrylates Copolymer

Niacinamide

Disodium Lauriminodipropionate Tocopheryl Phosphates

Hydrolyzed Adansonia Digitata Seed Extract

Hydrolyzed Soy Protein

Rice Amino Acids

Proline

Arginine

Coco-Glucoside

Disodium Lauryl Sulfosuccinate

Ascorbyl Glucoside

Hydroxystearic Acid

Water, Isoamyl Laurate, Alcohol Denat., Polyester-8, Bis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine, Phenylbenzimidazole Sulfonic Acid, Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane, Phenyl Trimethicone, Caprylyl Methicone, Propanediol, Aluminum Starch Octenylsuccinate, Ethylhexyl Triazone, Sodium Hydroxide, Acrylates/C12-22 Alkyl Methacrylate Copolymer, PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Hydroxyacetophenone, Acrylates Copolymer, Phenoxyethanol, Niacinamide, Disodium Lauriminodipropionate Tocopheryl Phosphates, Hydrolyzed Adansonia Digitata Seed Extract, Hydrolyzed Soy Protein, Rice Amino Acids, Proline, Arginine, Coco-Glucoside, Disodium Lauryl Sulfosuccinate, Ascorbyl Glucoside, Hydroxystearic 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.

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.

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.

Sodium Hydroxide is also known as lye or caustic soda. It is used to adjust the pH of products; many ingredients require a specific pH to be effective.

In small amounts, sodium hydroxide is considered safe to use. However, large amounts may cause chemical burns due to its high alkaline.

Your skin has a natural pH and acid mantle. This acid mantle helps prevent harmful bacteria from breaking through. The acid mantle also helps keep your skin hydrated.

"Alkaline" refers to a high pH level. A low pH level would be considered acidic.

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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