EltaMD, Inc UV Daily Facial Sunscreen Broad-Spectrum SPF 40 Versus Paula's Choice Resist Super-Light Wrinkle Defense SPF 30

EltaMD, Inc UV Daily Facial Sunscreen Broad-Spectrum SPF 40 Versus Paula's Choice Resist Super-Light Wrinkle Defense SPF 30 Detailed comparison of EltaMD, Inc UV Daily Facial Sunscreen Broad-Spectrum SPF 40 versus Paula's Choice Resist Super-Light Wrinkle Defense 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 Cyclopentasiloxane Zinc Oxide PEG-12 Dimethicone PEG/PPG-18/18 Dimethicone Lauroyl Lysine Sodium Chloride Trihydroxystearin Dimethicone Crosspolymer Resveratrol Quercetin Epigallocatechin Gallate Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate Adenosine Bisabolol Salix Nigra Bark Extract Punica Granatum Extract Haematococcus Pluvialis Extract Hydrolyzed Corn Starch Polysorbate 80 Hydrated Silica C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate Isopropyl Titanium Triisostearate Caprylyl Glycol Hexylene Glycol Ethylhexylglycerin Iron Oxides Water, Cyclopentasiloxane, Zinc Oxide, PEG-12 Dimethicone, PEG/PPG-18/18 Dimethicone, Lauroyl Lysine, Sodium Chloride, Trihydroxystearin, Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Resveratrol, Quercetin, Epigallocatechin Gallate, Tocopheryl Acetate, Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate, Adenosine, Bisabolol, Salix Nigra Bark Extract, Punica Granatum Extract, Haematococcus Pluvialis Extract, Hydrolyzed Corn Starch, Polysorbate 80, Hydrated Silica, Triethoxycaprylylsilane, C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate, Isopropyl Titanium Triisostearate, Caprylyl Glycol, Hexylene Glycol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Iron Oxides, Phenoxyethanol These ingredients are found in both products. Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount. 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. Tocopheryl Acetate is a stable, shelf-friendly form of vitamin E. Formulators love it because plain vitamin E oxidizes quickly once it hits air. This acetate version stays stable and resists going off, helping to extend a product's shelf life. It's actually inactive on its own and works like a slow-release "storage" form; the enzymes in your skin called esterases gradually convert it into active vitamin E over time. One in vivo study showed 5% of the acetate in the living layer of the epidermis converted to vitamin E after 5 days of application. This study also found the skin gained protection against UV damage even though the conversion was slow and small. Once converted, vitamin E acts as a skin's main fat-soluble antioxidant that fights free radicals to protect skin from damage. Topical vitamin E generally boosts the skin's photoprotection, and it reduced UV-damage in animal models. 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. Overall, it has a pretty solid safety profile and has been found to be non-irritating and non-comedogenic. Allergic reactions may happen but stay rare due to how widely the ingredient gets used. The concentration will vary depending on the formula; industry data shows 0.1% in baby lotions, 3% in lipsticks, and 5% in foot powders. You can also find this ingredient at