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Product Comparison

Here's our complete breakdown comparing the ingredients, attributes, and more of ClarityRx Physical Skin Defense Mineral SPF 50 with Antioxidants versus EltaMD, Inc UV Elements Broad-Spectrum SPF 44 .

Published on July 24, 2023

Overview

What they are

These products are both sunscreens. They have a total of 10 ingredients in common

Cool Features

They both contain exfoliants, hyaluronic acid, SPF and Vitamin E

Suited For

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

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 need an update? Let us know.

Sunscreen American Brand United States
Sunscreen American Brand United States

Sunscreen

Sunscreens help absorb or reflect UV radiation and protect skin against skin damage. Sunscreens may come in the form of lotion, gel, foam, spray, or solid-stick.

Sunscreen

Sunscreens help absorb or reflect UV radiation and protect skin against skin damage. Sunscreens may come in the form of lotion, gel, foam, spray, or solid-stick.

Price

Shop

Buy Physical Skin Defense Mineral SPF 50 with Antioxidants

Starts at $52.00
Shop

Buy UV Elements Broad-Spectrum SPF 44

Starts at $33.44

Ingredient Info

Click any item below to learn more and view relevant ingredients.
alcohol-free
silicon-free
fragrance-free
sulfate-free
paraben-free
oil-free
fungal-acne safe
reef-safe
eu-allergen-free
vegan
cruelty-free
spf rating
50
alcohol-free
silicon-free
fragrance-free
sulfate-free
paraben-free
oil-free
fungal-acne safe
reef-safe
eu-allergen-free
vegan
cruelty-free
spf rating
44

At a glance

Click on any of the items below to learn more

Notable Ingredients

Mineral UV Filter (2)
Vitamin E
Exfoliators
Hyaluronic Acid

Benefits

Hydrating
Reduces Irritation
Acne Fighting
Brightening (2)

Concerns

May Worsen Oily Skin
Acne Trigger (2)

Notable Ingredients

Mineral UV Filter (2)
Vitamin C
Vitamin E
Exfoliators
Hyaluronic Acid

Benefits

Hydrating
Redness Reducing
Skin Texture
Anti-Aging (2)
Dark Spots
Scar Healing (2)
Acne Fighting
Brightening (2)

Concerns

Drying
Acne Trigger
Irritating
Rosacea
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Ingredients Side-by-side

Ingredients that are highlighted in purple are present in both products.

Learn more about what what Com. / Irr. ratings are

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Ingredients Explained

These ingredients are found in both products.

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

1
What it does: Cosmetic Colorant, Skin Protecting, UV Absorber, UV Filter
Community Rating: Liked

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 can be harmful to coral reefs.

More about harmful reef ingredients here.

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

ClarityRx Physical Skin Defense Mineral SPF 50 with Antioxidants contains this as ingredient number 1.

EltaMD, Inc UV Elements Broad-Spectrum SPF 44 contains this as ingredient number 1.

2
What it does: Cosmetic Colorant, UV Absorber, UV Filter
Community Rating: Mixed

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.

Protecting your skin against UV radiation can prevent the signs of aging. Sun damage is associated with fine-lines, wrinkles, loss of firmness, and hyperpigmentation. Titanium dioxide can help prevent premature aging.

With modern production, nano-scale or fine-grade titanium dioxide can be easily produced for cosmetics. In sunscreen, titanium dioxide absorbs UV light. Our skin is not able to absorb Titanium dioxide, even nanoparticles.

Titanium itself is the 9th most common element in the Earth's crust. Titanium dioxide is formed when oxygen is introduced and can be found in ores, dust, sand, and soil.

Pure titanium dioxide is a white powder that is used in many products to add or change color.

Learn more about Titanium Dioxide

ClarityRx Physical Skin Defense Mineral SPF 50 with Antioxidants contains this as ingredient number 2.

EltaMD, Inc UV Elements Broad-Spectrum SPF 44 contains this as ingredient number 2.

3
What it does: Skin Conditioning, Solvent
Community Rating: Loved

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. Talk about multi-purpose! If you see this, drink a glass of water. Stay hydrated!

Learn more about Water

ClarityRx Physical Skin Defense Mineral SPF 50 with Antioxidants contains this as ingredient number 3.

EltaMD, Inc UV Elements Broad-Spectrum SPF 44 contains this as ingredient number 5.

4
What it does: Emollient, Skin Conditioning, Skin Protecting
Community Rating: Very Disliked

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.

Dimethicone has been found increase absorption in skin, boosting the benefits of other ingredients. While there is concern for the safety of dimethicone, the levels used in skincare are safe for use.

ClarityRx Physical Skin Defense Mineral SPF 50 with Antioxidants contains this as ingredient number 4.

EltaMD, Inc UV Elements Broad-Spectrum SPF 44 contains this as ingredient number 7.

5
What it does: Emollient

We don't have a description for Octyldodecyl Neopentanoate.

ClarityRx Physical Skin Defense Mineral SPF 50 with Antioxidants contains this as ingredient number 10.

EltaMD, Inc UV Elements Broad-Spectrum SPF 44 contains this as ingredient number 8.

6
What it does: Abrasive, Absorbent
Community Rating: Very Disliked

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

As an absorbent, alumina can give a mattifying effect. It is used in mineral sunscreens to help coat nano-sized filters, such as titanium dioxide. By increasing the size of the UV filters, these ingredients stay on the skin for a longer time. By coating small sized ingredients, alumina helps thicken a product.

Alumina may be used as an abrasive, or exfoliant.

Alumina is naturally occurring in the mineral corundum. Certain varieties of corundum create rubies and sapphires. Corundum is also the crystalline form of alumina.

Learn more about Alumina

ClarityRx Physical Skin Defense Mineral SPF 50 with Antioxidants contains this as ingredient number 12.

EltaMD, Inc UV Elements Broad-Spectrum SPF 44 contains this as ingredient number 16.

7

Hydrogen Dimethicone is a type of silicone.

ClarityRx Physical Skin Defense Mineral SPF 50 with Antioxidants contains this as ingredient number 14.

EltaMD, Inc UV Elements Broad-Spectrum SPF 44 contains this as ingredient number 17.

8
What it does: Cosmetic Colorant
Community Rating: Mixed

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

Iron III oxides are classified as inorganic chemicals for coloring.

Synthetically created Ci 77492 is considered safer than those naturally found. This is because the synthetically created version may contain less impurities. Iron oxides are generally non-toxic and non-allergenic.

Learn more about CI 77492

ClarityRx Physical Skin Defense Mineral SPF 50 with Antioxidants contains this as ingredient number 18.

EltaMD, Inc UV Elements Broad-Spectrum SPF 44 contains this as ingredient number 21.

9
What it does: Humectant, Skin Conditioning
Community Rating: Loved

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

Like hyaluronic acid, it is great at holding water and acts as a humectant. This makes it a great skin hydrating ingredient.

Sodium Hyaluronate is naturally occurring in our bodies and is mostly found in eye fluid and joints.

These are some other common types of Hyaluronic Acid:

Learn more about Sodium Hyaluronate

ClarityRx Physical Skin Defense Mineral SPF 50 with Antioxidants contains this as ingredient number 21.

EltaMD, Inc UV Elements Broad-Spectrum SPF 44 contains this as ingredient number 4.

10
What it does: Preservative
Community Rating: Very Disliked

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.

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

ClarityRx Physical Skin Defense Mineral SPF 50 with Antioxidants contains this as ingredient number 33.

EltaMD, Inc UV Elements Broad-Spectrum SPF 44 contains this as ingredient number 19.

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

24% are loved or liked
15% have mixed ratings
32% are disliked or very disliked
29% have no rating yet
21% are loved or liked
11% have mixed ratings
53% are disliked or very disliked
16% have no rating yet

Usage

Here's some more info on how this product is used by our community.

When to use

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Reviews

Here's what our community thinks

ClarityRx Physical Skin Defense Mineral SPF 50 with Antioxidants 34 ingredients

Physical Skin Defense Mineral SPF 50 with Antioxidants hasn't been rated yet.
Rate it now

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

2.0 /5
from 1 rating
Absorbs Well (1) Broke Me Out (1)
elltea11's avatar

elltea11

15 days 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.

Alternatives

Our Dupe Finder has found 50 potential alternatives that have similar ingredients to ClarityRx Physical Skin Defense Mineral SPF 50 with Antioxidants.

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Our Dupe Finder has found 50 potential alternatives that have similar ingredients to EltaMD, Inc UV Elements Broad-Spectrum SPF 44.

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