Paula's Choice Extra Care Non-Greasy Sunscreen SPF 50 Versus Paula's Choice Skin Balancing Ultra-Sheer Daily Defense Broad Spectrum SPF 30

Paula's Choice Extra Care Non-Greasy Sunscreen SPF 50 Versus Paula's Choice Skin Balancing Ultra-Sheer Daily Defense Broad Spectrum SPF 30 Detailed comparison of Paula's Choice Extra Care Non-Greasy Sunscreen SPF 50 versus Paula's Choice Skin Balancing Ultra-Sheer Daily Defense Broad Spectrum SPF 30. This hybrid sunscreen covers the full UV range and blocks ~98% of UVB at SPF 50. This oil-control day moisturizer is formulated around Aluminum Starch Octenylsuccinate and Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract to balance excess oil and soften the look of wrinkles. 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 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 Homosalate Benzophenone-3 Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane Octocrylene Aluminum Starch Octenylsuccinate Cetyl Dimethicone Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice Powder Ascorbyl Palmitate Phospholipids Superoxide Dismutase Adenosine Bisabolol Boerhavia Diffusa Root Extract Avena Sativa Kernel Extract Panthenol Ginkgo Biloba Leaf Extract Salix Alba Bark Extract Steareth-21 Steareth-2 Polysorbate 20 Sorbic Acid Water, Homosalate, Butylene Glycol, Benzophenone-3, Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane, Silica, Octocrylene, Aluminum Starch Octenylsuccinate, Cetyl Dimethicone, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice Powder, Ascorbyl Palmitate, Phospholipids, Superoxide Dismutase, Adenosine, Tocopherol, Bisabolol, Boerhavia Diffusa Root Extract, Avena Sativa Kernel Extract, Panthenol, Ginkgo Biloba Leaf Extract, Salix Alba Bark Extract, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Titanium Dioxide, Sodium Hydroxide, Steareth-21, Steareth-2, Polysorbate 20, Disodium EDTA, Phenoxyethanol, Sorbic Acid 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. Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer is a synthetic polymer. It is used to thicken, emulsify, and improve the texture of products. As an emulsifier, it helps stabilize oil-in-water emulsions to give products an elegant feel when applied. It can also form a thin protective film on skin. One study found that a formula using this polymer helped slow down how quickly other ingredients (like DEET) were absorbed through skin. A 2024 study of over 1,300 patients confirmed that sensitization to this ingredient is rare. It is also non-mutagenic and has a clean track record. This ingredient is also known as oxybenzone, and is one of the older organic UV filters. Its main job is sitting in the oil phase and soaking up UV photons (primarily UVB with some short-wave UVA II range). At low levels, oxybenzone also pulls double duty as a formula stabilizer that protects fragrance and colorants from fading in the light. On concentrations: So why did the EU cut back on how much you can use? It comes down to absorption. Oxybenzone passes through skin more easily than other filters. When the FDA tested sunscreens, every filter showed up in people's blood above the level where the agency wants extra safety testing done. But Oxybenzone showed up at by far the highest levels of the bunch. To be clear, the FDA's point was that we need more research and not that the ingredient is dangerous. They also said to keep using sunscreen. That high absorption, plus some animal studies pointing to effects on reproduction, is why EU regulators labeled Benzophenone-3 a hormone disruptor in 2025. An official classification is expected to follow in 2026. It's also the most common photoallergen among sunscreen filters so it's a more frequent cause of contact/photoallergic dermatitis than most alternatives. Places like Hawaii and Palau have also banned it over coral-reef concerns. 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. Butylene Glycol (or BG) is used within cosmetic products for a few different reasons: Overall