Peptide Skincare & BeautySkin science and ingredient guides

Ingredient or product comparison

Paula's Choice Extra Care Non-Greasy Sunscreen SPF 50 Versus Skin Aqua Tone Up UV Essence SPF 50+

Paula's Choice Extra Care Non-Greasy Sunscreen SPF 50 Versus Skin Aqua Tone Up UV Essence SPF 50+ Detailed comparison of Paula's Choice Extra Care Non-Greasy Sunscreen SPF 50 versus Skin Aqua Tone Up UV Essence SPF 50+ Lavender. This hybrid sunscreen covers th

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Paula's Choice Extra Care Non-Greasy Sunscreen SPF 50 Versus Skin Aqua Tone Up UV Essence SPF 50+ Detailed comparison of Paula's Choice Extra Care Non-Greasy Sunscreen SPF 50 versus Skin Aqua Tone Up UV Essence SPF 50+ Lavender. This hybrid sunscreen covers the full UV range and blocks ~98% of UVB at SPF 50. 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 Alcohol Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate Diphenylsiloxy Phenyl Trimethicone Diethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl Benzoate Sodium Hyaluronate Oenothera Biennis Flower Extract Hydrolyzed Prunus Domestica Barm Extract Bis-PEG-18 Methyl Ether Dimethyl Silane Methyl Methacrylate Crosspolymer Bis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine Acrylates Copolymer Polysorbate 60 Triethanolamine Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer PEG-12 Dimethicone Polystyrene Polyvinyl Alcohol Xanthan Gum Alumina BHT Polyglyceryl-2 Triisostearate Synthetic Fluorphlogopite Tin Oxide CI 73360 CI 42090 Parfum Water, Alcohol, Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate, Butylene Glycol, Diphenylsiloxy Phenyl Trimethicone, Diethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl Benzoate, Titanium Dioxide, Sodium Hyaluronate, Sodium Ascorbyl Phosphate, Oenothera Biennis Flower Extract, Hydrolyzed Prunus Domestica, Barm Extract, Bis-PEG-18 Methyl Ether Dimethyl Silane, Methyl Methacrylate Crosspolymer, Bis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine, Acrylates Copolymer, Polysorbate 60, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Triethanolamine, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer, Silica, PEG-12 Dimethicone, Polystyrene, Polyvinyl Alcohol, Disodium EDTA, Xanthan Gum, Alumina, BHT, Polyglyceryl-2 Triisostearate, Synthetic Fluorphlogopite, Tin Oxide, CI 73360, CI 42090, Parfum 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. Butylene Glycol (or BG) is used within cosmetic products for a few different reasons: Overall, Butylene Glycol is a safe and well-rounded ingredient that works well with other ingredients. Though this ingredient works well with most skin types, some people with sensitive skin may experience a reaction such as allergic rashes, closed comedones, or itchiness. Disodium EDTA is a chelating agent. It grabs onto and deactivates metal ions that sneak into your products from water, packaging, or air. This ingredient mainly works behind the scenes and helps with: On top of that, this ingredient can counteract the effects of hard water by binding to the minerals in it. One thing worth knowing is that Disodium EDTA has been shown to be a mild penetration enhancer. It can help other ingredients absorb into skin more effectively which can be a double-edged sword (great for actives, but can also make the active too strong if you have sensitive skin). Clinical patch testing showed no significant skin irritation at typical use concentrations and minimal dermal absorption. You'll most likely see this ingredient near the end of an ingredient list. It's typically found in concentrations less than 1%. Silica, also known as silicon dioxide, is a naturally occurring mineral. It is used as a fine, spherical, and porous powder in cosmetics. Though it has exfoliant properties, the function of silica varies depending on the product. The unique structure of silica enhances the spreadability and adds smoothness, making it a great texture enhancer. It is also used as an active carrier, emulsifier, and mattifier due to its ability to absorb excess oil. In some products, tiny microneedles called spicules are made from silica or hydrolyzed sponge. When you rub them in, they lightly polish away dead skin layers and enhance the penetration of active ingredients. Sodium Ascorbyl Phosphate (SAP) is a water-soluble form of Vitamin C. It is the salt of ascorbic acid. This ingredient is commonly used in skincare because it's more formulation-stable while still offering the same benefits as pure ascorbic acid. Ascorbic acid is notorious for breaking down when exposed to sunlight and oxygen whereas SAP has been shown to be more stable. Studies show SAP has anti-acne and antioxidant benefi