CeraVe Hydrating Mineral Sunscreen SPF 50 Face Lotion Versus Paula's Choice Extra Care Non-Greasy Sunscreen SPF 50
Updated on February 03, 2025
Overview
What they are
These products are both sunscreens. They have a total of 7 ingredients in common
Cool Features
They both contain SPF and Vitamin E
Suited For
They're both likely to be good for fighting acne, anti aging, dry skin, brightening skin, sensitive skin, oily skin, reducing pores, scar healing and dark spots
Free From
They both do not contain any harsh alcohols, common allergens, fragrances, 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
CeraVe Hydrating Mineral Sunscreen SPF 50 Face Lotion 46 ingredients
Paula's Choice Extra Care Non-Greasy Sunscreen SPF 50 28 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
CeraVe Hydrating Mineral Sunscreen SPF 50 Face Lotion 46 ingredients
Paula's Choice Extra Care Non-Greasy Sunscreen SPF 50 28 ingredients
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Titanium Dioxide 9%
Cosmetic Colorant
Zinc Oxide 7%
Cosmetic Colorant
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
Humectant
C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate
AntimicrobialDimethicone
Emollient
Isododecane
EmollientStyrene/Acrylates Copolymer
Glyceryl Stearate
Emollient
Butyloctyl Salicylate
Skin Conditioning
Dicaprylyl Carbonate
EmollientPropanediol
Solvent
Stearic Acid
Cleansing
Aluminum Hydroxide
EmollientPEG-100 Stearate
Sorbitan Stearate
Emulsifying
Niacinamide
Smoothing
PEG-8 Laurate
Emulsifying
Ceramide NP
Skin Conditioning
Ceramide AP
Skin Conditioning
Ceramide EOP
Skin Conditioning
Sorbitan Isostearate
Emulsifying
Carbomer
Emulsion StabilisingCetearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Ceteareth-20
Cleansing
Triethoxycaprylylsilane
Dimethiconol
Emollient
Sodium Citrate
BufferingSodium Lauroyl Lactylate
EmulsifyingSodium Dodecylbenzenesulfonate
CleansingMyristic Acid
Cleansing
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Cholesterol
Emollient
Palmitic Acid
Emollient
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Chlorphenesin
Antimicrobial
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientCitric Acid
Buffering
Panthenol
Skin Conditioning
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingPhytosphingosine
Skin Conditioning
Polyhydroxystearic Acid
Emulsifying
Polysorbate 60
Emulsifying
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningTitanium Dioxide 9%, Zinc Oxide 7%, Water, Glycerin, C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate, Dimethicone, Isododecane, Styrene/Acrylates Copolymer, Glyceryl Stearate, Butyloctyl Salicylate, Dicaprylyl Carbonate, Propanediol, Stearic Acid, Aluminum Hydroxide, PEG-100 Stearate, Sorbitan Stearate, Niacinamide, PEG-8 Laurate, Ceramide NP, Ceramide AP, Ceramide EOP, Sorbitan Isostearate, Carbomer, Cetearyl Alcohol, Ceteareth-20, Triethoxycaprylylsilane, Dimethiconol, Sodium Citrate, Sodium Lauroyl Lactylate, Sodium Dodecylbenzenesulfonate, Myristic Acid, Sodium Hyaluronate, Cholesterol, Palmitic Acid, Phenoxyethanol, Chlorphenesin, Tocopherol, Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Caprylyl Glycol, Citric Acid, Panthenol, Xanthan Gum, Phytosphingosine, Polyhydroxystearic Acid, Polysorbate 60, Ethylhexylglycerin
Homosalate 10%
Skin Conditioning
Benzophenone-3 6%
UV Absorber
Ethylhexyl Salicylate 5%
UV Absorber
Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane 3%
UV Absorber
Octocrylene 2%
UV Absorber
Water
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
Humectant
PEG-8
HumectantPolyethylene
Abrasive
Silica
Abrasive
Dimethicone
Emollient
Picrasma Excelsa Wood Extract
AstringentSodium Ascorbyl Phosphate
Antioxidant
Retinyl Palmitate
Skin Conditioning
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Titanium Dioxide
Cosmetic Colorant
Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice
Skin Conditioning
Bentonite
Absorbent
Methyl Glucose Sesquistearate
Emollient
Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingSodium Polyacrylate
Absorbent
Kaolin
Abrasive
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningDisodium EDTA
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingPhenoxyethanol
Preservative
Chlorphenesin
Antimicrobial
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
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Chlorphenesin is a synthetic preservative. It helps protect a product against bacteria in order to extend shelf life. In most cases, Chlorphenesin is paired with other preservatives such as phenoxyethanol and caprylyl glycol.
Chlorphenesin is a biocide. This means it is able to help fight the microorganisms on our skin. It is also able to fight odor-releasing bacteria.
Chlorphenesin is soluble in both water and glycerin.
Studies show Chlorphenesin is easily absorbed by our skin. You should speak with a skincare professional if you have concerns about using Chlorphenesin.
Learn more about ChlorphenesinDimethicone is a type of synthetic silicone created from natural materials such as quartz.
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.
Learn more about DimethiconeEthylhexylglycerin (we can't pronounce this either) is commonly used as a preservative and skin softener. It is derived from glyceryl.
You might see Ethylhexylglycerin often paired with other preservatives such as phenoxyethanol. Ethylhexylglycerin has been found to increase the effectiveness of these other preservatives.
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.
Titanium Dioxide is a mineral (or physical) sunscreen ingredient that provides broad-spectrum protection by blocking both UV-A and UV-B rays.
It sits on the skin’s surface and primarily reflects and scatters UV light and also absorbs some of it.
This makes the line between “mineral” and “chemical” sunscreens a bit blurry, but in skincare labeling, Titanium Dioxide and Zinc Oxide are the two ingredients officially classified as mineral filters.
Because it’s non-irritating, Titanium Dioxide is often recommended for sensitive or acne-prone skin.
Thanks to modern production methods, nano-scale or fine-grade Titanium Dioxide is now widely used in cosmetics to reduce white cast and improve texture.
Despite its small particle size, studies show that Titanium Dioxide, even in nanoparticle form, is not absorbed into the skin.
Learn more about Titanium DioxideTocopherol (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.
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 TocopherolWater. 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 WaterIngredient Ratings
Here's what our community thinks of the ingredients in these products.
When to use
CeraVe Hydrating Mineral Sunscreen SPF 50 Face Lotion 46 ingredients
Paula's Choice Extra Care Non-Greasy Sunscreen SPF 50 28 ingredients
Reviews
Here's what our community thinks
