SkinMedica Essential Defense Mineral Shield SPF 35 Versus Paula's Choice Extra Care Non-Greasy Sunscreen SPF 50

SkinMedica Essential Defense Mineral Shield SPF 35 Versus Paula's Choice Extra Care Non-Greasy Sunscreen SPF 50 Detailed comparison of SkinMedica Essential Defense Mineral Shield SPF 35 versus Paula's Choice Extra Care Non-Greasy Sunscreen SPF 50. This mineral sunscreen covers the full UV range and blocks ~97% of UVB at SPF 35. This hybrid sunscreen covers the full UV range and blocks ~98% of UVB at SPF 50. Titanium Dioxide 5% Zinc Oxide 6% Water Cyclopentasiloxane Dimethicone Polyglyceryl-3 Polydimethylsiloxyethyl Dimethicone Butylene Glycol Aluminum Hydroxide Dimethicone/PEG-10/15 Crosspolymer PEG-9 Polydimethylsiloxyethyl Dimethicone Sodium Chloride Caffeine Camellia Oleifera Leaf Extract Sodium Citrate Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer Triethoxysilylethyl Polydimethylsiloxyethyl Hexyl Dimethicone Stearic Acid Ethylhexylglycerin Phenoxyethanol Titanium Dioxide 5%, Zinc Oxide 6%, Water, Cyclopentasiloxane, Dimethicone, Polyglyceryl-3 Polydimethylsiloxyethyl Dimethicone, Butylene Glycol, Aluminum Hydroxide, Dimethicone/PEG-10/15 Crosspolymer, PEG-9 Polydimethylsiloxyethyl Dimethicone, Sodium Chloride, Caffeine, Camellia Oleifera Leaf Extract, Sodium Citrate, Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Triethoxysilylethyl Polydimethylsiloxyethyl Hexyl Dimethicone, Stearic Acid, Ethylhexylglycerin, Phenoxyethanol Homosalate 10% Benzophenone-3 6% Ethylhexyl Salicylate 5% Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane 3% Octocrylene 2% PEG-8 Polyethylene Silica 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 Disodium EDTA Sodium Hydroxide 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 These ingredients are found in both products. Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount. 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. 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. Ethylhexylglycerin is created from glycerin. It is a multitasker ingredient that: The CIR Expert Panel found minimal skin absorption or sensitization of any kind in a safety assessment. Though this ingredient is considered well-tolerated, a small number of cases of allergic dermatitis have been published since 2002. Just be sure to patch test if you are unsure. Industry-reported use ranges from 8% in rinse-off products and 2% in leave-on formulations. Phenoxyethanol is one of the most widely used preservatives in skincare (and for good reason!). It has a large spectrum of antimicrobial activity and especially effective bacteria, yeast, and mold while only having a weak effect on your skin's natural microbiome. On a cellular level, it disrupts the cell membranes of microbes by poking holes that make the cell leak. This shuts down the chemical reactions the microbe needs to make energy so it can no longer survive. Another perk of this ingredient is that it stays functional across a wide pH range (3-10). You'll often see it paired with boosters like Ethylhexylglycerin; one study showed that a 1:9 ratio of Ethylhexylglycerin to Phenoxyethanol damages bacterial membranes as effectively as doubling the Phenoxyethanol concentration on its own. Typical use concentrations range from 0.3-1% depending on the formula, and this ingredient is capped at 1% int the EU. Safety-wise, the fear mongering does not hold up to the evidence. The EU's Scientific Committee on Consumer Safety and FDA consider it safe as a preservative at up to 1%, including for children of all ages. Adverse systemic effects only showed up in animal studies at exposures roughly 200x higher than what people get from cosmetics. And