Versus

Australian Gold Botanical SPF 50 Tinted Face - Rich to Deep Versus Colorescience Sunforgettable Total Protection Face Shield Flex SPF 50

Sunscreen
Sunscreen
American Brand United States
American Brand United States

Updated on January 01, 2025

Overview

What they are

These products are both cruelty-free sunscreens. They have a total of 6 ingredients in common

Cool Features

They both contain exfoliants and SPF

Suited For

They're both likely to be good for fighting acne, dry skin, brightening skin, sensitive skin and scar healing

Free From

They both do not contain any harsh alcohols, common allergens, oils, 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.

Ingredient Info

Click any item below to learn more and see relevant ingredients

What's inside (and what isn't)

What's inside (and what isn't)

At a glance

Click on any of the items below to learn more

Key Ingredients

Benefits

Concerns

Key Ingredients

Benefits

Concerns

Ingredients Side-by-side

found in both products
Sunforgettable Total Protection Face Shield Flex SPF 50

Ingredients Explained

These ingredients are found in both products.

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

Cosmetic Colorant, Skin Protecting, UV Absorber

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.

Today, traditional and nano-sized zinc oxide can be found in beauty products. Nano-sized zinc oxide can enhance a product's UV protection. While it is not believed to have a negative effect on skin, nano-zinc oxide may be harmful to coral reefs - though the verdict is not entirely out on this one.

Zinc Oxide also has antibacterial and calming properties. It is not water soluble.

Zinc has been used throughout history as an ingredient in paint and medicine. An Indian text from 500BC is believed to list zinc oxide as a salve for open wound. The Ancient Greek physician Dioscorides has also mentioned the use of zinc as an ointment in 1AD.

Learn more about Zinc Oxide
Emollient, Humectant, Skin Conditioning

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

It is a common ingredient in many products, especially those designed to hydrate skin. The primary benefits are retaining moisture, skin softening, and promoting a healthy skin barrier.

Though Caprylyl Glycol is an alcohol derived from fatty acids, it is not the kind that can dry out skin.

This ingredient is also used as a preservative to extend the life of products. It has slight antimicrobial properties.

Learn more about Caprylyl Glycol

This ingredient is a combination of red, black, and yellow iron oxide pigments. This combination of colors is usually found in foundation, because it results in a "skin" color.

Preservative

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

It's often used in formulations along with Caprylyl Glycol to preserve the shelf life of products.

Abrasive, Absorbent

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.

Silica is often used for absorption and can help reduce shine when products are applied. Silica occurs in naturally in materials like clay and sandstone, and it can also be produced synthetically.

Silica is present naturally within the skin during collagen production and when reducing inflammation.

Learn more about Silica
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.

So why is it so popular? Water most often acts as a solvent - this means that it helps dissolve other ingredients into the formulation.

You'll also recognize water as that liquid we all need to stay alive. If you see this, drink a glass of water. Stay hydrated!

Learn more about Water

When to use

75 Routines
100% use in am
0% use in pm
93% use every day
When to use See routines that use it ->
202 Routines
99% use in am
1% use in pm
91% use every day
When to use See routines that use it ->

Reviews

Here's what our community thinks

Australian Gold Botanical SPF 50 Tinted Face 27 ingredients

2.7 /5
from 7 ratings
Drying (2) Heavy (2) Expensive (1)
Lakooo's avatar

Lakooo

2 years ago
Review

Good choice of colors, but dried out my skin
First, the good: Unlike brands that offer only one "universal" tint that isn't actually a universal match, there a three shades, so you can get a good colour match for your skin. Also, it has a genuinely matte finish and won't make you look like a glazed donut all day.

Now, the bad: The cost of that matte finish is that it's drying, and it made my Show more

MichelleR's avatar

MichelleR

1 year ago
Review

For $13, it has its uses...
It has its pros and cons. Its thick and the matte finish can sometimes appear chalky. It layers well under powder foundation. For $13, I think it's worth it for particular scenarios.
(1) I use it on a weekend after slugging all day and I fiinnnallyy decide to go outside.
(2) I wear it under my makeup when I am working from home and need to get on zoom calls. I don't Show more

Colorescience Sunforgettable Total Protection Face Shield Flex SPF 50 47 ingredients

3.1 /5
from 12 ratings
Expensive (8) Works Well (3) Broke Me Out (3)
samg2's avatar

Sam G

5 months ago
Review

I really wanted to like this. I think that for someone that isn’t acne prone. It aould be fine but doesn’t have a ton of coverage and left me with a slightly orangey tone. I liked that it was slightly dewy though but didn’t leave me super oily. But unfortunately made me break out in little white heads all over. I’m not sure if I’m just reactive to Nia or what ingredient would have but Nia has Show more

#expensive
#broke me out
#irritating
AllTuckeredOut's avatar

AllTuckeredOut

2 years ago
Review

Great option for fair skin
I am very pale, but the Fair colour works well for my complexion, doesn't look orange. I used this, in combination to the Original formula, to even out my skin tone and as a concealer. It is a bit shiny initially, but does settle into a natural finish.