EltaMD, Inc UV Elements Broad-Spectrum SPF 44

Versus

EltaMD, Inc UV Elements Broad-Spectrum SPF 44 Versus Merit Beauty Day Glow Dewy Highlighting Balm - Citrine

Updated on October 16, 2023

Overview

Cool Features

They both contain exfoliants and Vitamin E

Suited For

They're both likely to be good for anti aging, dry skin, brightening skin and scar healing

Free From

They both do not contain any harsh alcohols, common allergens, parabens or sulfates

We independently verify ingredients, and our claims are backed by peer-reviewed research. Spot a product that needs an update? Let us know.

New Comparison

EltaMD, Inc UV Elements Broad-Spectrum SPF 44

Sunscreen

American Brand United States

Merit Beauty Day Glow Dewy Highlighting Balm

Highlighter

American Brand United States

Ingredient Info

Click any item below to learn more and see relevant ingredients

EltaMD, Inc UV Elements Broad-Spectrum SPF 44 19 ingredients

Merit Beauty Day Glow Dewy Highlighting Balm 17 ingredients

spf rating

At a glance

Click on any of the items below to learn more

EltaMD, Inc UV Elements Broad-Spectrum SPF 44 19 ingredients

Merit Beauty Day Glow Dewy Highlighting Balm 17 ingredients

Notable Ingredients

Benefits

Concerns

Notable Ingredients

Benefits

Concerns

Ingredients Side-by-side

found in both products

UV Elements Broad-Spectrum SPF 44

Zinc Oxide Cosmetic Colorant, Skin Protecting, UV Absorber

1 / 0

Mineral UV Filter • Helps fight Acne • Non-Reef-Safe

Zinc Oxide is a mineral broad-spectrum UV filter; it is the broadest UVA and UVB reflector approved by the FDA. While it is most commonly man-made for cosmetics, it can naturally occur in zincite, a rare mineral.

1 Com. / 0 Irr.

Liked Full details ->

Titanium Dioxide Cosmetic Colorant, UV Absorber, UV Filter

0 / 0

Mineral UV Filter • Non-Reef-Safe

Titanium dioxide is known for its UVA and UVB protection properties. It is non-comedogenic and non-irritating. Titanium Dioxide is a physical sunscreen. Physical sunscreens reflect light and prevent it from reaching your skin.

0 Com. / 0 Irr.

Mixed Full details ->

Ascorbyl Palmitate Antioxidant, Masking

2 / 0

Vitamin C • Antioxidant • 6 Benefits • Not safe for Fungal Acne

Ascorbyl Palmitate is created by combining pure Vitamin C and palmitic acid. It is an antioxidant and helps reduce hyperpigmentation.

2 Com. / 0 Irr.

Disliked Full details ->

Sodium Hyaluronate Humectant, Skin Conditioning

0 / 0

Hyaluronic Acid

Sodium Hyaluronate is hyaluronic acid's salt form. It is commonly derived from the sodium salt of hyaluronic acid.

0 Com. / 0 Irr.

Loved Full details ->

Water Skin Conditioning, Solvent

Water. It's the most common cosmetic ingredient of all. You'll usually see it at the top of ingredient lists, meaning that it makes up the largest part of the product.

Loved Full details ->

Cyclopentasiloxane Emollient, Skin Conditioning, Solvent

Silicon

Cyclopentasiloxane is a silicone used to improve texture and trap moisture. An easier name for this is D5.

Disliked Full details ->

Dimethicone Emollient, Skin Conditioning, Skin Protecting

1 / 0

Silicon

Dimethicone is a silicone used for making products smooth and silky. It also has the added benefit of sealing in hydration. The amount of dimethicone found in beauty products is considered safe and non-comedogenic, meaning it won't clog pores.

1 Com. / 0 Irr.

Very Disliked Full details ->

Octyldodecyl Neopentanoate Emollient

We don't have a description for Octyldodecyl Neopentanoate.

Unknown Full details ->

Lauryl Peg-9 Polydimethylsiloxyethyl Dimethicone Skin Conditioning

Silicon

Lauryl Peg-9 Polydimethylsiloxyethyl Dimethicone is a type of silicone.

Very Disliked Full details ->

Dimethicone/Peg-10/15 Crosspolymer

We don't have a description for Dimethicone/Peg-10/15 Crosspolymer.

Very Disliked Full details ->

Tocopherol Antioxidant, Masking, Skin Conditioning

0-3 / 0-3

Vitamin E • Antioxidant • 4 Benefits • May cause irritation

Tocopherol (also known as Vitamin E) is a common antioxidant used to help protect the skin from free-radicals and strengthen the skin barrier. It's also fat soluble - this means our skin is great at absorbing it.

0-3 Com. / 0-3 Irr.

Liked Full details ->

Sodium Chloride Masking

3 Concerns

Chances are, you eat sodium chloride every day. Sodium Chloride is also known as table salt.

Very Disliked Full details ->

Triethoxycaprylylsilane

Triethoxycaprylylsilane is a silicone used to bind and stabilize ingredients.

Disliked Full details ->

Alumina Abrasive, Absorbent

Exfoliant

Alumina is another name for the compound aluminum oxide. It is used as a thickener, absorbent, and abrasive.

Very Disliked Full details ->

Hydrogen Dimethicone

Silicon

Hydrogen Dimethicone is a type of silicone.

Very Disliked Full details ->

Potassium Sorbate Preservative

Preservative

Potassium Sorbate is a preservative used to prevent yeast and mold in products. It is commonly found in both cosmetic and food products.

Disliked Full details ->

Phenoxyethanol Preservative

Preservative

Phenoxyethanol is a preservative that has germicide, antimicrobial, and aromatic properties. Studies show that phenoxyethanol can prevent germ and microbial growth. By itself, it has a scent that is similar to that of a rose.

Very Disliked Full details ->

Citric Acid Buffering, Masking

AHA • 4 Benefits • 2 Concerns

Citric Acid is an AHA derived from citrus fruits (think oranges, lemons, and limes!).

Disliked Full details ->

CI 77492 Cosmetic Colorant

Ci 77492 is also hydrated iron III oxide. It's sole purpose is to give a yellow hue to products.

Mixed Full details ->

Zinc Oxide, Titanium Dioxide, Ascorbyl Palmitate, Sodium Hyaluronate, Water, Cyclopentasiloxane, Dimethicone, Octyldodecyl Neopentanoate, Lauryl Peg-9 Polydimethylsiloxyethyl Dimethicone, Dimethicone/Peg-10/15 Crosspolymer, Tocopherol, Sodium Chloride, Triethoxycaprylylsilane, Alumina, Hydrogen Dimethicone, Potassium Sorbate, Phenoxyethanol, Citric Acid, CI 77492

Day Glow Dewy Highlighting Balm

Squalane Emollient, Skin Conditioning

1 / 0

Helps hydrate Dry Skin

Squalane is an emollient that helps the skin hold onto moisture. It's an oily liquid that occurs naturally in certain types of fish and plant oils.

1 Com. / 0 Irr.

Loved Full details ->

Olea Europaea Fruit Oil Masking, Perfuming, Skin Conditioning

0-2 / 0

Fragrance • Oil • Not safe for Fungal Acne

Olea Europaea Fruit Oil is the fixed oil obtained from the ripe fruit of the Olive. In other words - olive oil.

0-2 Com. / 0 Irr.

Very Disliked Full details ->

Octyldodecanol Emollient, Masking

Octyldodecanol is a fatty alcohol. It is primarily used to enhance the texture of products.

Disliked Full details ->

Mica Cosmetic Colorant

May worsen Eczema

Mica refers to a group of silicate minerals. Mica crystals are easily split to give products a shimmer. These crystals are able to reflect light to temporarily give your skin a glowy look.

Very Disliked Full details ->

Polyglyceryl-10 Pentaisostearate Emollient, Emulsifying

Not safe for Fungal Acne

Polyglyceryl-10 Pentaisostearate isn't fungal acne safe.

Unknown Full details ->

Hydrogenated Polyisobutene Emollient, Skin Conditioning

1 / 2

Hydrogenated Polyisobutene is a synthetic polymer. Polymers are compounds with high molecular weight. Hydrogenated Polyisobutene is an emollient and texture enhancer.

1 Com. / 2 Irr.

Liked Full details ->

Phytosteryl/Octyldodecyl Lauroyl Glutamate Skin Conditioning

We don't have a description for Phytosteryl/Octyldodecyl Lauroyl Glutamate.

Unknown Full details ->

Dibutyl Lauroyl Glutamide Skin Conditioning

We don't have a description for Dibutyl Lauroyl Glutamide.

Unknown Full details ->

Dibutyl Ethylhexanoyl Glutamide Skin Conditioning

We don't have a description for Dibutyl Ethylhexanoyl Glutamide.

Unknown Full details ->

Tocopherol Antioxidant, Masking, Skin Conditioning

0-3 / 0-3

Vitamin E • Antioxidant • 4 Benefits • May cause irritation

0-3 Com. / 0-3 Irr.

Liked Full details ->

Glyceryl Dibehenate Emollient

Not safe for Fungal Acne

Glyceryl Dibehenate isn't fungal acne safe.

Unknown Full details ->

Tribehenin Emollient, Skin Conditioning

0 / 0

Not safe for Fungal Acne

Tribehenin comes from glycerin and behenic acid.

0 Com. / 0 Irr.

Very Disliked Full details ->

Glyceryl Behenate Emollient, Emulsifying

Not safe for Fungal Acne

Glyceryl Behenate is a fatty acid created from glycerin and behenic acid. It is an emollient and emulsifier.

Disliked Full details ->

Silica Abrasive, Absorbent

Exfoliant • 2 Concerns

Silica is a mineral naturally found in our skin. It helps to thicken and smooth the texture of a product. It also acts as an agent for other ingredients by increasing the absorption of other ingredients into the skin.

Disliked Full details ->

Tin Oxide Abrasive

Exfoliant

Tin Oxide is an inorganic oxide used to add opacity and volume to a product. In nature, it is already found in mineral form. The main ore of tin is an opaque and shiny mineral called casseterite.

Disliked Full details ->

CI 77891 Cosmetic Colorant

Ci 77891 is a white pigment from Titanium dioxide. It is naturally found in minerals such as rutile and ilmenite.

Disliked Full details ->

CI 77491 Cosmetic Colorant

Ci 77491 is also hydrated iron III oxide. It's sole purpose is to give a red/pink hue to products.

Mixed Full details ->

Squalane, Olea Europaea Fruit Oil, Octyldodecanol, Mica, Polyglyceryl-10 Pentaisostearate, Hydrogenated Polyisobutene, Phytosteryl/Octyldodecyl Lauroyl Glutamate, Dibutyl Lauroyl Glutamide, Dibutyl Ethylhexanoyl Glutamide, Tocopherol, Glyceryl Dibehenate, Tribehenin, Glyceryl Behenate, Silica, Tin Oxide, CI 77891, CI 77491

Ingredients Explained

These ingredients are found in both products.

Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.

Tocopherol

Antioxidant, Masking, Skin Conditioning

Liked

Vitamin E also helps keep your natural skin lipids healthy. Your lipid skin barrier naturally consists of lipids, ceramides, and fatty acids. Vitamin E offers extra protection for your skin’s lipid barrier, keeping your skin healthy and nourished.

Another benefit is a bit of UV protection. Vitamin E helps reduce the damage caused by UVB rays. (It should not replace your sunscreen). Combining it with Vitamin C can decrease sunburned cells and hyperpigmentation after UV exposure.

You might have noticed Vitamin E + C often paired together. This is because it is great at stabilizing Vitamin C. Using the two together helps increase the effectiveness of both ingredients.

There are often claims that Vitamin E can reduce/prevent scarring, but these claims haven't been confirmed by scientific research.

Learn more about Tocopherol

Ingredient Ratings

Here's what our community thinks of the ingredients in these two products.

UV Elements Broad-Spectrum SPF 44

liked

mixed

disliked

not rated

Day Glow Dewy Highlighting Balm

liked

mixed

disliked

not rated

When to use

EltaMD, Inc UV Elements Broad-Spectrum SPF 44 19 ingredients

Merit Beauty Day Glow Dewy Highlighting Balm 17 ingredients

41 Routines

100% use in am

0% use in pm

98% use every day

When to use See routines that use it ->

5 Routines

100% use in am

0% use in pm

80% use every day

Reviews

Here's what our community thinks

EltaMD, Inc UV Elements Broad-Spectrum SPF 44 19 ingredients

2.0 /5

from 1 rating

Absorbs Well (1) Broke Me Out (1)

elltea11

1 month ago · Dry Skin

Review

Reviewed in the United States on November 9, 2023
Initially, the texture feels too thick and the tint too dark, but it blends well and feels...

Reviewed in the United States on November 9, 2023
Initially, the texture feels too thick and the tint too dark, but it blends well and feels lighter shortly after putting it on. However, I am someone lucky enough to have only had maybe a dozen zits in my life total and this made even my dry skin break out after a few weeks of consistent use. Might be a good option if you were to alternate it with other products or if you have a deeper cleansing routine, which I don’t due to my dry skin and lack of makeup wearing.