La Roche-Posay Anthelios Melt in Milk Sunscreen Lotion SPF 100 Versus Paula's Choice Resist Youth-Extending Daily Hydrating Fluid SPF 50

La Roche-Posay Anthelios Melt in Milk Sunscreen Lotion SPF 100 Versus Paula's Choice Resist Youth-Extending Daily Hydrating Fluid SPF 50 Detailed comparison of La Roche-Posay Anthelios Melt in Milk Sunscreen Lotion SPF 100 versus Paula's Choice Resist Youth-Extending Daily Hydrating Fluid SPF 50. This chemical sunscreen covers most of the UV range, lighter on the deep UVA that drives aging. This hybrid sunscreen covers the full UV range and blocks ~98% of UVB at SPF 50. Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane 3% Homosalate 15% Ethylhexyl Salicylate 5% Octocrylene 10% Water Polymethylsilsesquioxane Glycerin Dimethicone Poly C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Styrene/Acrylates Copolymer Silica Caprylyl Methicone Acrylates/Dimethicone Copolymer Diethylhexyl Syringylidenemalonate PEG-100 Stearate Glyceryl Stearate Phenoxyethanol Potassium Cetyl Phosphate Tocopherol Caprylyl Glycol Panthenol Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer Triethanolamine PEG-8 Laurate Inulin Lauryl Carbamate Chlorphenesin P-Anisic Acid Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride Xanthan Gum Disodium EDTA Cassia Alata Leaf Extract Maltodextrin Sodium Dodecylbenzenesulfonate Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane 3%, Homosalate 15%, Ethylhexyl Salicylate 5%, Octocrylene 10%, Water, Polymethylsilsesquioxane, Glycerin, Dimethicone, Poly C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate, Styrene/Acrylates Copolymer, Silica, Caprylyl Methicone, Acrylates/Dimethicone Copolymer, Diethylhexyl Syringylidenemalonate, PEG-100 Stearate, Glyceryl Stearate, Phenoxyethanol, Potassium Cetyl Phosphate, Tocopherol, Caprylyl Glycol, Panthenol, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Triethanolamine, PEG-8 Laurate, Inulin Lauryl Carbamate, Chlorphenesin, P-Anisic Acid, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Xanthan Gum, Disodium EDTA, Cassia Alata Leaf Extract, Maltodextrin, Sodium Dodecylbenzenesulfonate Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane 2% Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate 7.5% Octocrylene 2% Chamomilla Recutita Flower Extract Vitis Vinifera Seed Extract Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract Camellia Oleifera Leaf Extract Peucedanum Graveolens Extract Sambucus Nigra Fruit Extract Avena Sativa Bran Extract Punica Granatum Extract Lycium Barbarum Fruit Extract Hydrogenated Lecithin Titanium Dioxide Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer Sodium Carbomer Benzyl Alcohol Sodium Benzoate Potassium Sorbate Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane 2%, Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate 7.5%, Ethylhexyl Salicylate 5%, Octocrylene 2%, Water, Glycerin, Silica, Dimethicone, Tocopherol, Chamomilla Recutita Flower Extract, Vitis Vinifera Seed Extract, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Camellia Oleifera Leaf Extract, Peucedanum Graveolens Extract, Sambucus Nigra Fruit Extract, Avena Sativa Bran Extract, Punica Granatum Extract, Lycium Barbarum Fruit Extract, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Titanium Dioxide, Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Diethylhexyl Syringylidenemalonate, Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Xanthan Gum, Sodium Carbomer, Benzyl Alcohol, Sodium Benzoate, Potassium Sorbate, Phenoxyethanol 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. Diethylhexyl Syringylidenemalonate (DESM) is a photostabilizer, antioxidant, and SPF booster. One of DESM's main roles is stabilizing UV filters, especially avobenzone. Avobenzone is notoriously unstable when exposed to sunlight. By enhancing the stability of these filters, DESM helps maintain the sunscreen's effectivess through wear. It also helps improve protection against long-wave UVA rays by increasing the wavelength of the formula. Besides enhancing UVA protection, DESM can boost the SPF of high-SPF formulations by up to 5 units. DESM also preserves the color integrity of cosmetic products and helps reduce the chance of yellowing of fading due to light exposure. This ingredient is typically found in concentrations between 0.3% - 0.5%. There are currently no maximum usage limits by regulatory bodies. Though this ingredient is a chemical UV filter, it can often be found in "100% mineral" sunscreens. This is due to regulatory loopholes. 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. Ethylhexyl Salicylate (also called Octisalate or Octyl Salicylate) is an oil-soluble organic UV filter that's been used in sunscreen since the 1950's. It absorbs UVB light in the 280-320 nm range with a peak absorbance around