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Updated on October 13, 2023

Overview

What they are

These products are both cruelty-free . They have a total of 2 ingredients in common

Cool Features

They both contain Vitamin E

Suited For

They're both likely to be good for brightening skin

Free From

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

What's Inside

They both contain silicones

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

Trader Joe's Daily Facial Sunscreen SPF 40
e.l.f. cosmetics Hydrating Face Primer
e.l.f. cosmetics Hydrating Face Primer
Face Primer
American Brand United States

Ingredient Info

Click any item below to learn more and see relevant ingredients
spf rating
40

At a glance

Click on any of the items below to learn more

Notable Ingredients

Benefits

Concerns

Notable Ingredients

Benefits

Concerns

Ingredients Side-by-side

found in both products
Daily Facial Sunscreen SPF 40
Homosalate Skin Conditioning, UV Absorber, UV Filter
Chemical UV Filter  •  Non-Reef-Safe

Homosalate is a chemical sunscreen filter that provides protection in the UV-B range (280nm - 320 nm), with a peak protection at 306 nm. It is internationally approved for use in sunscreens.

Very Disliked Full details ->
Ethylhexyl Salicylate UV Absorber, UV Filter
0 / 0
Chemical UV Filter  •  2 Concerns

Ethylhexyl Salicylate is an organic compound used to block UV rays. It primarily absorbs UVB rays but offers a small amount of UVA protection as well.

0 Com. / 0 Irr.
Disliked Full details ->
Dimethicone Crosspolymer Emulsion Stabilising

Dimethicone Crosspolymer is a silicone created by modifying dimethicone with hydrocarbon side chains. Due to its large size, it does not penetrate skin. It is considered non-occlusive.

Very Disliked Full details ->
Polymethylsilsesquioxane
Silicon

Polymethylsilsesquioxane is a silicone used as a film forming agent.

Disliked Full details ->
Dimethicone/Bis-Isobutyl Ppg-20 Crosspolymer Emollient

We don't have a description for Dimethicone/Bis-Isobutyl Ppg-20 Crosspolymer.

Unknown Full details ->
Neopentyl Glycol Diheptanoate Emollient, Skin Conditioning

We don't have a description for Neopentyl Glycol Diheptanoate.

Polyester-7 Skin Conditioning

We don't have a description for Polyester-7.

Unknown Full details ->
Isohexadecane Emollient, Skin Conditioning, Solvent

Isohexadecane is added to enhance texture, emulsify, and to help cleanse. It is an isoparrafin. It is a component of petrolatum.

Jojoba Esters Emollient, Moisturising, Skin Conditioning
Not safe for Fungal Acne

Jojoba Esters is a wax created from Jojoba oil. It is an emollient and film-forming ingredient. In bead form, it is an exfoliator.

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 ->
Butyrospermum Parkii Butter Skin Conditioning
Helps hydrate Dry Skin  •  2 Concerns

Butyrospermum Parkii Butter is a plant lipid from the fruit of the Shea Tree. It is an effective skin hydrator and emollient.

Very Disliked Full details ->
Dicaprylyl Carbonate Emollient, Skin Conditioning

Dicaprylyl Carbonate comes from carbonic acid and caprylyl alcohol, a fatty alcohol. It is an emollient and gives skin a velvet feel. The sources of Dicaprylyl Carbonate may be synthetic or from animals.

Tocopheryl Acetate Antioxidant, Skin Conditioning
0 / 0
Vitamin E  •  Antioxidant  •  Helps brighten skin

Tocopheryl Acetate is AKA Vitamin E. It is an antioxidant and protects your skin from free radicals. Free radicals damage the skin by breaking down collagen.

0 Com. / 0 Irr.
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride Masking, Skin Conditioning

Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride is an emollient, solvent, and texture enhancer. It is considered a skin-softener by helping the skin prevent moisture loss.

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.
Hydrating Face Primer
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 ->
Tridecyl Trimellitate Emollient, Skin Conditioning

We don't have a description for Tridecyl Trimellitate.

Unknown Full details ->
Dimethicone Crosspolymer Emulsion Stabilising

Dimethicone Crosspolymer is a silicone created by modifying dimethicone with hydrocarbon side chains. Due to its large size, it does not penetrate skin. It is considered non-occlusive.

Very Disliked Full details ->
Vitis Vinifera Seed Oil Emollient, Skin Conditioning
2-3 / 0
Oil  •  Not safe for Fungal Acne

Vitis Vinifera Seed Oil comes from the grape vine. Grape seeds are a byproduct of creating grape juice or wine.

2-3 Com. / 0 Irr.
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 ->
Caprylyl Glycol Emollient, Humectant, Skin Conditioning

Caprylyl Glycol is a humectant and emollient, meaning it attracts and preserves moisture.

Retinyl Palmitate Skin Conditioning
1-3 / 1-3
Retinoid  •  7 Benefits  •  3 Concerns

Retinyl palmitate is a form of retinoid. Retinoids are the superstar class of anti-aging ingredients that include tretinoin and retinol.

1-3 Com. / 1-3 Irr.
Tocopheryl Acetate Antioxidant, Skin Conditioning
0 / 0
Vitamin E  •  Antioxidant  •  Helps brighten skin

Tocopheryl Acetate is AKA Vitamin E. It is an antioxidant and protects your skin from free radicals. Free radicals damage the skin by breaking down collagen.

0 Com. / 0 Irr.
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 ->
Silica Dimethyl Silylate Emollient, Emulsion Stabilising

This silica is mainly used to thicken oils and suspend particles in oils. It is not water soluble.

Very Disliked Full details ->

Ingredients Explained

These ingredients are found in both products.

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

Emulsion Stabilising
Very Disliked

Dimethicone Crosspolymer is a silicone created by modifying dimethicone with hydrocarbon side chains. Due to its large size, it does not penetrate skin. It is considered non-occlusive.

Dimethicone Crosspolymer is used to stabilize and thicken products. It also helps give products a silky feel.

Antioxidant, Skin Conditioning
Liked

Tocopheryl Acetate is AKA Vitamin E. It is an antioxidant and protects your skin from free radicals. Free radicals damage the skin by breaking down collagen.

One study found using Tocopheryl Acetate with Vitamin C decreased the number of sunburned cells.

Tocopheryl Acetate is commonly found in both skincare and dietary supplements.

Learn more about Tocopheryl Acetate

Ingredient Ratings

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

Daily Facial Sunscreen SPF 40
4
2
7
2
liked
mixed
disliked
not rated
Hydrating Face Primer
2
2
5
1
liked
mixed
disliked
not rated

When to use

162 Routines
98% use in am
2% use in pm
96% use every day
When to use See routines that use it ->
5 Routines
80% use in am
20% use in pm
80% use every day

Reviews

Here's what our community thinks

Trader Joe's Daily Facial Sunscreen SPF 40 15 ingredients

3.7 /5
from 6 ratings
Great Value (1) Irritating (1)
DamDamfino's avatar

DamDamfino

2 months ago · Combination Skin
Review

Woooooow - is this even a sunscreen??

I picked this up thinking it was the old TJ sunscreen people liked, not knowing it was this new texture...

Woooooow - is this even a sunscreen??

I picked this up thinking it was the old TJ sunscreen people liked, not knowing it was this new texture and formula.
I'm poor so I haven't tried the higher end sunscreens like SuperGoop, so this is the first sunscreen I've ever used like this!

If you've ever used the Monistat Anti-Chafing Gel as a makeup primer hack (it's basically just a clear silicone gel, cheaper than buying actual silicone primers) - this feels EXACTLY like that! Which I like! Because that means this sunscreen feels and works just like my favorite pore-filling makeup primer.

It goes on completely clear, doesn't make your face oily or shiny like other clear chemical sunscreens. Minimal to no smell. No alcohol burn. The only downside I could see is not being able to visually see where you've applied it, but the slippy texture should tell you if you've applied it there or not.

Since it feels just like a silicone primer, it slips around like a silicone primer too. I could see this being very easily wiped off throughout the day. It does leave a layer you can feel on the skin, but to me it just felt like your usual makeup layer does.

I used my espoir Be Velvet cushion compact over it, and it did look a *little* cakey and dry. (Be Velvet is a matte formula, I didn't use moisturizer before sunscreen, and it's winter so YMMV!)

After using this regularly during the summer I'll come back to decide if it's acne safe for me or not and adjust my rating.

Edit: Wore a nickle sized amount (directions call for dime size) on a clean and moisturized face with nothing applied over it for a 30 minute walk with my dog, and I got a little sunburned. Disappointing. It was a 75F degree day, UV Index of 7, around 1pm and I wore a hoodie over my neck and sunglasses, and my cheeks and nose are burned. I don't use AHA, retinols, or niacinamide currently - I'm just very pale and very sensitive to UV (Fitz I) that I burn within 30 minutes.

So, first wear out in early spring and it's looking like it doesn't even work as SPF. Booooo.

PallasCat_310's avatar

PallasCat_310

9 months ago · Oily Skin
Review

Could not get over the sensation
I have mixed feeling about this one but ultimately it's a no go. I liked it applies matte and does not make my...

Could not get over the sensation
I have mixed feeling about this one but ultimately it's a no go. I liked it applies matte and does not make my already oily skin look shiny. However when applying the correct amount for SPF coverage it's very slippery and does not absorb. I can feel it on my skin all day, just a film of sunscreen, which is technically what it's supposed to do but the sensation was too heavy. I have the same problem with Supergoop Unseen sunscreen which this one is supposed to be a dupe of.

e.l.f. cosmetics Hydrating Face Primer 10 ingredients

3.0 /5
from 1 rating