CeraVe Mineral Sunscreen Stick SPF 50 Versus Paula's Choice Extra Care Non-Greasy Sunscreen SPF 50

CeraVe Mineral Sunscreen Stick SPF 50 Versus Paula's Choice Extra Care Non-Greasy Sunscreen SPF 50 Detailed comparison of CeraVe Mineral Sunscreen Stick SPF 50 versus Paula's Choice Extra Care Non-Greasy Sunscreen SPF 50. This hybrid sunscreen covers the full UV range and blocks ~98% of UVB at SPF 50. Titanium Dioxide 6% Zinc Oxide 4.7% C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate Butyloctyl Salicylate Neopentyl Glycol Diethylhexanoate Paraffin Euphorbia Cerifera Wax Ozokerite Dimethicone Beeswax Polyethylene Cetyl Alcohol Ceramide NP Ceramide AP Ceramide EOP Cholesterol Phytosphingosine Sodium Hyaluronate Polyhydroxystearic Acid Aluminum Hydroxide Stearic Acid BHT Carbomer Triethoxycaprylylsilane Isostearic Acid Sodium Lauroyl Lactylate Xanthan Gum Titanium Dioxide 6%, Zinc Oxide 4.7%, C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate, Butyloctyl Salicylate, Neopentyl Glycol Diethylhexanoate, Paraffin, Euphorbia Cerifera Wax, Ozokerite, Dimethicone, Beeswax, Polyethylene, Cetyl Alcohol, Ceramide NP, Ceramide AP, Ceramide EOP, Cholesterol, Phytosphingosine, Sodium Hyaluronate, Polyhydroxystearic Acid, Aluminum Hydroxide, Stearic Acid, BHT, Carbomer, Triethoxycaprylylsilane, Isostearic Acid, Sodium Lauroyl Lactylate, Xanthan Gum Homosalate 10% Benzophenone-3 6% Ethylhexyl Salicylate 5% Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane 3% Octocrylene 2% Water Butylene Glycol PEG-8 Silica 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 Be the first to review These ingredients are found in both products. Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount. Dimethicone is a type of synthetic silicone created from natural materials such as quartz. It is also known as polydimethylsiloxane. What it does: Dimethicone comes in different viscosities: Depending on the viscosity, dimethicone has different properties. Ingredients lists don't always show which type is used, so we recommend reaching out to the brand if you have questions about the viscosity. This ingredient is unlikely to cause irritation because it does not get absorbed into skin. However, people with silicone allergies should be careful about using this ingredient. Note: Dimethicone may contribute to pilling. This is because it is not oil or water soluble, so pilling may occur when layered with products. When mixed with heavy oils in a formula, the outcome is also quite greasy. Polyethylene is a synthetic ingredient that helps the skin retain moisture. It is a polymer. It is also typically used within product formulations to help bind solid ingredients together and thicken oil-based ingredients. When added to balms and emulsions, it helps increase the melting point temperature. Titanium Dioxide (TD) is a mineral UV filter widely used in sunscreens and cosmetics. It's one of only two UV filters officially classified as "mineral" by regulatory agencies (the other being Zinc Oxide). A really common myth is that mineral filters work by reflecting UV light off your skin like tiny mirrors. They don't only do that; modern research shows TD protects mostly by absorbing UV radiation, the same way chemical filters do. When researchers measured this, reflection accounted for only about 4-5% of the protection (and less than SPF 2 on its own). The other ~95% comes from absorption: the UV photons hit the particle and their energy gets soaked up by its semiconductor band gap rather than bouncing off. So "reflects vs. absorbs" was never really the right way to split mineral from chemical filters. TD gives broad-spectrum protection that's strongest in the UVB and UVA-2 range and weaker in the UVA-1 range. Its UVA protection isn't quite as strong as Zinc Oxide's which is why you'll often see the two paired together. Together, they make a solid broad-spectrum system. TD is a great pick for sensitive, acne-prone, or redness-prone skin because it's non-irritating and chemically inert. Regulatory reviews classify it as a non-sensitizer and mild-to-non-irritant. It's also unlikely to cause the "eye sting" some chemical filters are known for. The main trade-off is cosmetic; TD can leave a white cast and has a thicker texture. This is why mineral sunscreens are often less cosmetically elegant than chemical or hybrid formulas (and harder to shade-match on deeper skin tones). Formulators often use micronized or nano-sized TD to cut down on white case and improve spreadability. Smaller particles scatter less visible light so the formula lo