Paula's Choice Resist Skin Restoring Moisturizer With SPF 50 Versus Kiehl's Super Fluid Daily UV Defense Sunscreen SPF 50+

Paula's Choice Resist Skin Restoring Moisturizer With SPF 50 Versus Kiehl's Super Fluid Daily UV Defense Sunscreen SPF 50+ Detailed comparison of Paula's Choice Resist Skin Restoring Moisturizer With SPF 50 versus Kiehl's Super Fluid Daily UV Defense Sunscreen SPF 50+. This barrier-repair moisturizer is formulated around Allantoin and Niacinamide to strengthen the skin barrier and soften the look of wrinkles. This chemical sunscreen covers most of the UV range, lighter on the deep UVA that drives aging. Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane 3% Homosalate 5% Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate 7.5% Ethylhexyl Salicylate 5% Benzophenone-3 Water Silica Glycerin Cetearyl Alcohol Dimethicone Butylene Glycol Pentylene Glycol Potassium Cetyl Phosphate Cyclopentasiloxane Pyrus Malus Fruit Extract Vp/Eicosene Copolymer Butyrospermum Parkii Butter Allantoin Niacinamide Tocopherol Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice Atractylodes Macrocephala Root Powder Avena Sativa Kernel Extract Coffea Arabica Seed Extract Portulaca Oleracea Extract Mahonia Aquifolium Root Extract Diethylhexyl Syringylidenemalonate Sarcosine Capryloyl Glycine Maltooligosyl Glucoside Cetearyl Glucoside Dimethiconol Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer Hydrogenated Starch Hydrolysate Hexylene Glycol 4-T-Butylcyclohexanol Glyceryl Stearate PEG-100 Stearate Sodium Hydroxide Xanthan Gum Disodium EDTA Phenoxyethanol Caprylyl Glycol Ethylhexylglycerin Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane 3%, Homosalate 5%, Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate 7.5%, Ethylhexyl Salicylate 5%, Benzophenone-3, Water, Silica, Glycerin, Cetearyl Alcohol, Dimethicone, Butylene Glycol, Pentylene Glycol, Potassium Cetyl Phosphate, Cyclopentasiloxane, Pyrus Malus Fruit Extract, Vp/Eicosene Copolymer, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Allantoin, Niacinamide, Tocopherol, Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Atractylodes Macrocephala Root Powder, Avena Sativa Kernel Extract, Coffea Arabica Seed Extract, Portulaca Oleracea Extract, Mahonia Aquifolium Root Extract, Diethylhexyl Syringylidenemalonate, Sarcosine, Capryloyl Glycine, Maltooligosyl Glucoside, Cetearyl Glucoside, Dimethiconol, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Hydrogenated Starch Hydrolysate, Hexylene Glycol, 4-T-Butylcyclohexanol, Glyceryl Stearate, PEG-100 Stearate, Sodium Hydroxide, Xanthan Gum, Disodium EDTA, Phenoxyethanol, Caprylyl Glycol, Ethylhexylglycerin Homosalate 15% Octocrylene 10% Alcohol Denat. Styrene/Acrylates Copolymer Butyloctyl Salicylate PEG-30 Dipolyhydroxystearate Polymethylsilsesquioxane PEG-8 Laurate Lauryl PEG/PPG-18/18 Methicone Sodium Chloride Isostearyl Alcohol Poly C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate P-Anisic Acid Pentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate Sodium Dodecylbenzenesulfonate Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane 3%, Homosalate 15%, Ethylhexyl Salicylate 5%, Octocrylene 10%, Water, Dimethicone, Alcohol Denat., Silica, Styrene/Acrylates Copolymer, Butyloctyl Salicylate, PEG-30 Dipolyhydroxystearate, Polymethylsilsesquioxane, Tocopherol, Phenoxyethanol, PEG-8 Laurate, Lauryl PEG/PPG-18/18 Methicone, Sodium Chloride, Caprylyl Glycol, Isostearyl Alcohol, Poly C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate, P-Anisic Acid, Pentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate, Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate, Sodium Dodecylbenzenesulfonate 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. Caprylyl Glycol is a humectant, skin conditioner, emollient, and preservative booster derived from either caprylic acid or synthetically created. Typical use levels vary from 0.3-1% as a preservative booster and go up to 2% to condition skin. Because it is not a free-fatty acid, this ingredient is fungal acne safe (there's nothing for Malassezia to feed on). 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 306 nm. You'll often see it paired with other UV filters to boost overall SPF because octisalate is a fairly week filter on its own. The reason you'll see it so often is because it can help solubilize and stabilize the trickier filters like oxybenzone and avobenzone. Unlike these filters, octisalate has pretty good photostability and doesn't create skin-damaging free radicals when exposed to sunlight. The fatty-alcohol part of the molecule also gives it a light, emollient feel so it doubles as a nice texture enhancer. Usage levels vary around the world: Safety-wise, this ingredient has