EltaMD, Inc UV Daily Facial Sunscreen Broad-Spectrum SPF 40 Versus First Aid Beauty Mineral Sunscreen Zinc Oxide Broad Spectrum SPF 30

EltaMD, Inc UV Daily Facial Sunscreen Broad-Spectrum SPF 40 Versus First Aid Beauty Mineral Sunscreen Zinc Oxide Broad Spectrum SPF 30 Detailed comparison of EltaMD, Inc UV Daily Facial Sunscreen Broad-Spectrum SPF 40 versus First Aid Beauty Mineral Sunscreen Zinc Oxide Broad Spectrum SPF 30. This hybrid sunscreen covers the full UV range, though its SPF isn't confirmed on file yet. This mineral sunscreen covers the full UV range and blocks ~97% of UVB at SPF 30. Zinc Oxide 9% Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate 7.5% Water Petrolatum Isopropyl Palmitate Cetearyl Glucoside Dimethicone Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer Polyisobutene PEG-7 Trimethylolpropane Coconut Ether Sodium Hyaluronate Tocopheryl Acetate Polyether-1 Citric Acid Oleth-3 Phosphate Phenoxyethanol Butylene Glycol Iodopropynyl Butylcarbamate Triethoxycaprylylsilane Zinc Oxide 9%, Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate 7.5%, Water, Petrolatum, Isopropyl Palmitate, Cetearyl Glucoside, Dimethicone, Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Polyisobutene, PEG-7 Trimethylolpropane Coconut Ether, Sodium Hyaluronate, Tocopheryl Acetate, Polyether-1, Citric Acid, Oleth-3 Phosphate, Phenoxyethanol, Butylene Glycol, Iodopropynyl Butylcarbamate, Triethoxycaprylylsilane Zinc Oxide 20% Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride Coconut Alkanes Glycerin Cetearyl Alcohol Coco-Glucoside Avena Sativa Kernel Meal Tocopherol Persea Gratissima Oil Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil Arachidyl Alcohol Behenyl Alcohol Arachidyl Glucoside Polyhydroxystearic Acid Benzyl Alcohol Xanthan Gum Coco-Caprylate/Caprate Zinc Oxide 20%, Water, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Coconut Alkanes, Glycerin, Cetearyl Alcohol, Coco-Glucoside, Avena Sativa Kernel Meal, Tocopherol, Persea Gratissima Oil, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Arachidyl Alcohol, Behenyl Alcohol, Arachidyl Glucoside, Polyhydroxystearic Acid, Benzyl Alcohol, Xanthan Gum, Coco-Caprylate/Caprate 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. 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! Zinc Oxide (ZO) is a mineral broad-spectrum UV filter and the broadest-spectrum filter recognized by the FDA. It covers everything from UVB through to long-wave UVA. On top of sun protection, it has skin protectant and skin-soothing properties too. Here's a myth worth busting: mineral filters are usually described as working by "reflecting" or "bouncing" UV off your skin. That's mostly not true: when researchers actually measured it, ZO and Titanium Dioxide reflect only about 4-5% of UV (less than SPF 2 worth of protection). The vast majority of the work (~95%) is done by absorption, similar to chemical UV filters. ZO is a semiconductor that absorbs UV photos through its energy band gap. So the old "physical blocker vs. chemical absorber" framing is really an oversimplification. Zinc Oxide is one of the most effective broad-spectrum UV filters out there. It protects across UVB, UVA2, and UVA1 with a flat, even absorption curve across the whole UVA-UVB range. That uniform UVA coverage is its standout feature; titanium dioxide skews more toward UVB as its particle size drops so ZO gives more consistent and extended UVA protection. It's also very photostable. As an inorganic oxide, ZO doesn't break down in sunlight the way some organic filters can, so it holds up over a day of wear. This ingredient is gentle and soothing, making it go-to for sunscreens aimed at sensitive skin, rosacea, or ecezma-prone skin, babies, and children. It's also unlikely to cause the "eye sting" that some sunscreen ingredients are known for, and regulatory agencies broadly consider it non-toxic and safe for topical use. Beyond sun protection, ZO is also a recognized OTC skin protectant. It forms a breathable barrier that shields skin from moisture and irritation while supporting healing. This is why you'll see it as a classic active in diaper rash creams. The only downside to ZO is that it can leave a visible white cast, especially on deeper skin tones. This is the main reason mineral sunscreens have historically felt less cosmetically elegant than chemical or hybrid formulas. Zinc Oxide comes in both non-nano and nano forms. The dividing line is 100nm and anything under is classified as a nanomaterial by the EU. The nano version scatters less visible light which cuts down white case and gives a lighter, more wearable texture. Another thing worth understanding about formulation: Uncoated ZO has some inherent p