Comparison between EltaMD Tinted UV Clear SPF 46 Facial Sunscreen vs. EltaMD UV Sheer Broad-Spectrum SPF 50

Find out which product is better for your skin.

20 Ingredients 23

1
Zinc Oxide
1
Octocrylene
2
Octinoxate
2
Zinc Oxide
3
Water
3
Water
4
Cyclopentasiloxane
4
Butyloctyl Salicylate
5
Niacinamide
5
Coco-Caprylate/Caprate
6
Octyldodecyl Neopentanoate
6
Isohexadecane
7
Butylene Glycol
7
Butylene Glycol
8
Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer
8
Isododecane
-- Show others --
Uniqueness13 out of 20
65.0%
Uniqueness16 out of 23
69.6%

Positive Effects

Find out what good effects the product has

ECO Metrics

Find out how eco-friendly the components are
Vegan
No
No
Cruelty free
No
No
Reef friendly
Yes
Yes
Ozone layer safe
Yes
Yes
Organic score
natural
3 out of 20
15%
chemical
15 out of 20
75%
natural
6 out of 23
26%
chemical
16 out of 23
70%

Concerns

Pay attention to these components
-- Extra information --

Components by Skin Type

Find out what components are good or bad for your skin type
Dry skin
Positive: 2Negative: 0
Butylene Glycol#7Sodium Hyaluronate#11
Oily skin
Positive: 1Negative: 1
Zinc Oxide#1Isopropyl Palmitate#17
Sensitive skin
Positive: 1Negative: 2
Zinc Oxide#1Octinoxate#2Lactic Acid#13
Dry skin
Positive: 2Negative: 0
Butylene Glycol#7Sodium Hyaluronate#22
Oily skin
Positive: 1Negative: 0
Zinc Oxide#2
Sensitive skin
Positive: 1Negative: 0
Zinc Oxide#2

Detailed view

EltaMD Tinted UV Clear SPF 46 Facial Sunscreen vs. EltaMD UV Sheer Broad-Spectrum SPF 50
Position 1

#1Zinc Oxide

Origin: natural
Role: Bulking agent, Colorant
UV Protection
Antiseptic
Comedogenic rating [ 1 ]
EWG Rating [ 1 ]
Good for oily skin
Good for oily skin

Zinc Oxide is a great physical sunscreen, meaning it deflects the UV rays. It’s the only natural mineral sun protector recommended by the FDA for babies. It’s good for sensitive skin because it’s less irritating than chemical sunscreens.

It has very nice spectrum protection. It helps to protect from UVA I, UVA II, and UVB and nowadays it’s the broadest range of sunscreen used in cosmetics. In other words, it’s brilliant in its league.

The negative side is that it can feel heavy on the skin. It can leave a slight whitish tint on the surface of the skin and some people may not like this. Keep in mind that it’s relatively easy to wash off, so it’s better to use water-resistant sunscreens if you are swimming.

-- versus --

#1Octocrylene

Origin: chemical
Role: No information
UV Protection
EWG Rating [ 2 ]

Octocrylene is an organic chemical sunscreen. It protects against UVA and UVB rays that can damage your skin or even lead to melanoma. It also stabilizes other sunscreen ingredients in a formulation and increases the water resistance of a product. It is approved by the FDA in concentrations of up to 10%. It’s not a very effective component on its own, that’s why manufacturers combine it with other chemical sunscreens.

Despite its effectiveness, there are some “cons” against the component. As with any other chemical sunscreen, it is absorbed and can be detected in blood. This doesn’t mean the component is harmful, but still… Octocrylene should also be used carefully by anyone who is breastfeeding because it can be found in breast milk.

Anyway, the component isn’t researched quite well despite its popularity. More studies are required to determine how safe the component is.

Despite its effectiveness, there are some “cons” against the component. As with any other chemical sunscreen, it is absorbed and can be detected in blood. This doesn’t mean the component is harmful, but still… Octocrylene should also be used carefully by anyone who is breastfeeding because it can be found in breast milk.

Anyway, the component isn’t researched quite well despite its popularity. More studies are required to determine how safe the component is.

Position 2

#2Octinoxate

Origin: chemical
Role: No information
UV Protection
EWG Rating [ 5 ]
Octinoxate is an effective sun protector that absorbs UV-B rays mostly. That means it can help to protect the skin from burns and from cancer. It’s also a solvent for other sunscreen components. This helps manufacturers to make products less oily.
-- versus --

#2Zinc Oxide

Origin: natural
Role: Bulking agent, Colorant
UV Protection
Antiseptic
Comedogenic rating [ 1 ]
EWG Rating [ 1 ]
Good for oily skin
Good for oily skin

Zinc Oxide is a great physical sunscreen, meaning it deflects the UV rays. It’s the only natural mineral sun protector recommended by the FDA for babies. It’s good for sensitive skin because it’s less irritating than chemical sunscreens.

It has very nice spectrum protection. It helps to protect from UVA I, UVA II, and UVB and nowadays it’s the broadest range of sunscreen used in cosmetics. In other words, it’s brilliant in its league.

The negative side is that it can feel heavy on the skin. It can leave a slight whitish tint on the surface of the skin and some people may not like this. Keep in mind that it’s relatively easy to wash off, so it’s better to use water-resistant sunscreens if you are swimming.

Position 3
Both products have the same component on this position.

#3Water

Origin: natural
Role: Solvent
EWG Rating [ 1 ]

Water is a great solvent. It’s neutral and doesn’t provide any strong positive or negative effects. It just helps components to mix better and to transport active components.

Position 4

#4Cyclopentasiloxane

Origin: chemical
Role: Skin conditioning agent, Emollient, Hair conditioning, Solvent
Protection
Silicones
EWG Rating [ 3 ]
CIR Rating [ A ]

Cyclopentasiloxane is a fluid silicone. It’s non-greasy and doesn’t have any scent or color. It evaporates pretty fast which makes this ingredient essential when it comes to making products that have to dry quickly. It also gives a nice silky feeling when you apply the product to the skin and hair. It leaves a thin film that protects the skin after evaporation.

Cyclopentasiloxane is chemically neutral, meaning it doesn’t react with other components.

-- versus --

#4Butyloctyl Salicylate

Origin: chemical
Role: Skin conditioning agent, Hair conditioning, Solvent
EWG Rating [ 1 ]
CIR Rating [ B ]
Position 5

#5Niacinamide

Origin: chemical
Role: Skin conditioning agent, Hair conditioning, Smoothing
Antioxidants
Acne fighting
Pore Shrinking
Soothing
Anti-aging
Lightening
Elasticity improvement
EWG Rating [ 1 ]

Niacinamide is a form of Vitamin B3 and it’s a superman in cosmetics. This ingredient is researched very well. It has a lot of positive reviews from scientists and experts. It's very important for healthy skin. The lack of this vitamin can cause dryness, itching, and sun sensitivity. The component removes small wrinkles and fine lines, heals wounds, and prevents the forming of cancer cells. It also makes the skin tone even by removing dark spots. It increases ceramide synthesis which increases the overall health of your skin. It fights acne and lowers pores.

Researches say that 4-5% of Niacinamide is the most effective concentration for skincare use.

-- versus --

#5Coco-Caprylate/Caprate

Origin: natural
Role: Skin conditioning agent, Emollient
EWG Rating [ 1 ]
CIR Rating [ B ]
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