Paula's Choice 5% Vitamin C Sheer Moisturizer SPF 50 Versus La Roche-Posay Anthelios Ultra Light Face Sunscreen-SPF 60

Paula's Choice 5% Vitamin C Sheer Moisturizer SPF 50 Versus La Roche-Posay Anthelios Ultra Light Face Sunscreen-SPF 60 Detailed comparison of Paula's Choice 5% Vitamin C Sheer Moisturizer SPF 50 versus La Roche-Posay Anthelios Ultra Light Face Sunscreen-SPF 60. This hybrid sunscreen covers the full UV range and blocks ~98% of UVB at SPF 50. This chemical sunscreen covers most of the UV range, lighter on the deep UVA that drives aging. Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate Ethylhexyl Salicylate Octocrylene Water Glycerin Silica 3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid Ascorbyl Glucoside Dimethicone Propanediol Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate Acetyl Zingerone Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer Diethylhexyl Syringylidenemalonate Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer Porphyra Umbilicalis Extract Hydrogenated Lecithin Ricinus Communis Seed Oil Sodium Hydroxide Tocopherol Xanthan Gum Ethylhexylglycerin Laureth-4 Phenoxyethanol Potassium Sorbate Sodium Benzoate Titanium Dioxide Iron Oxides Entada Phaseoloides Bark/Seed Extract Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane, Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate, Ethylhexyl Salicylate, Octocrylene, Water, Glycerin, Silica, 3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid, Ascorbyl Glucoside, Dimethicone, Propanediol, Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate, Acetyl Zingerone, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Diethylhexyl Syringylidenemalonate, Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Porphyra Umbilicalis Extract, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Ricinus Communis Seed Oil, Sodium Hydroxide, Tocopherol, Xanthan Gum, Ethylhexylglycerin, Laureth-4, Phenoxyethanol, Potassium Sorbate, Sodium Benzoate, Titanium Dioxide, Iron Oxides, Entada Phaseoloides Bark/Seed Extract Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane 3% Homosalate 10% Ethylhexyl Salicylate 5% Octocrylene 7% Cyclopentasiloxane Alcohol Denat. Dicaprylyl Ether Styrene/Acrylates Copolymer PEG-30 Dipolyhydroxystearate Cyclohexasiloxane Polymethylsilsesquioxane Nylon-12 Dicaprylyl Carbonate Lauryl PEG/PPG-18/18 Methicone Sodium Chloride Caprylyl Glycol PEG-8 Laurate Isostearyl Alcohol Poly C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Disteardimonium Hectorite P-Anisic Acid Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride Disodium EDTA Cassia Alata Leaf Extract Propylene Carbonate Sodium Dodecylbenzenesulfonate Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane 3%, Homosalate 10%, Ethylhexyl Salicylate 5%, Octocrylene 7%, Water, Cyclopentasiloxane, Alcohol Denat., Silica, Dicaprylyl Ether, Styrene/Acrylates Copolymer, PEG-30 Dipolyhydroxystearate, Dimethicone, Cyclohexasiloxane, Polymethylsilsesquioxane, Nylon-12, Dicaprylyl Carbonate, Diethylhexyl Syringylidenemalonate, Phenoxyethanol, Lauryl PEG/PPG-18/18 Methicone, Sodium Chloride, Caprylyl Glycol, PEG-8 Laurate, Isostearyl Alcohol, Poly C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate, Disteardimonium Hectorite, P-Anisic Acid, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Disodium EDTA, Cassia Alata Leaf Extract, Propylene Carbonate, Sodium Dodecylbenzenesulfonate, Tocopherol 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