Dr. Denese SkinScience Advanced SPF 30 Defense Day Cream Versus Paula's Choice Defense Essential Glow Moisturizer SPF 30
Updated on December 05, 2023
Overview
What they are
These products are both cruelty-free . They have a total of 10 ingredients in common
Cool Features
They both contain exfoliants, Vitamin C 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, dark spots and better texture
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.
Ingredient Info
Dr. Denese SkinScience Advanced SPF 30 Defense Day Cream 54 ingredients
Paula's Choice Defense Essential Glow Moisturizer SPF 30 45 ingredients
About this product
About this product
At a glance
Click on any of the items below to learn more
Dr. Denese SkinScience Advanced SPF 30 Defense Day Cream 54 ingredients
Paula's Choice Defense Essential Glow Moisturizer SPF 30 45 ingredients
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningDimethicone
Emollient
Octyldodecyl Neopentanoate
EmollientCyclopentasiloxane
Emollient
Coconut Alkanes
Emollient
PEG-10 Dimethicone
Skin Conditioning
Montmorillonite
AbsorbentButylene Glycol
Humectant
Polymethylsilsesquioxane
Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer
Skin ConditioningDimethicone Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingBis-Diglyceryl Polyacyladipate-2
Emollient
Sodium PCA
HumectantSodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid
Humectant
Sodium Lactate
BufferingArginine
Masking
Aspartic Acid
MaskingPCA
HumectantPhospholipids
Skin ConditioningMelanin
Skin ProtectingTriethoxycaprylylsilane
Glycine
Buffering
Alanine
MaskingSerine
MaskingPentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningValine
MaskingProline
Skin ConditioningThreonine
Isoleucine
Skin ConditioningLeuconostoc/Radish Root Ferment Filtrate
Antimicrobial
Retinyl Palmitate
Skin Conditioning
Ascorbyl Palmitate
Antioxidant
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Pantothenic Acid
Skin ConditioningHistidine
HumectantPhenylalanine
MaskingPolysilicone-11
Sodium Chloride
Masking
Coco-Caprylate/Caprate
Emollient
Disteardimonium Hectorite
StabilisingGlyceryl Laurate
Emollient
PEG/PPG-18/18 Dimethicone
Emulsifying
Polyhydroxystearic Acid
Emulsifying
Cetyl PEG/PPG-10/1 Dimethicone
Emulsifying
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingDipotassium Glycyrrhizate
Humectant
Silica
Abrasive
Disodium EDTA
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningCI 77492
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77491
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77499
Cosmetic ColorantWater, Dimethicone, Octyldodecyl Neopentanoate, Cyclopentasiloxane, Coconut Alkanes, PEG-10 Dimethicone, Montmorillonite, Butylene Glycol, Polymethylsilsesquioxane, Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Bis-Diglyceryl Polyacyladipate-2, Sodium PCA, Sodium Hyaluronate, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, Sodium Lactate, Arginine, Aspartic Acid, PCA, Phospholipids, Melanin, Triethoxycaprylylsilane, Glycine, Alanine, Serine, Pentylene Glycol, Valine, Proline, Threonine, Isoleucine, Leuconostoc/Radish Root Ferment Filtrate, Retinyl Palmitate, Ascorbyl Palmitate, Tocopheryl Acetate, Pantothenic Acid, Histidine, Phenylalanine, Polysilicone-11, Sodium Chloride, Coco-Caprylate/Caprate, Disteardimonium Hectorite, Glyceryl Laurate, PEG/PPG-18/18 Dimethicone, Polyhydroxystearic Acid, Cetyl PEG/PPG-10/1 Dimethicone, Xanthan Gum, Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate, Silica, Disodium EDTA, Phenoxyethanol, Ethylhexylglycerin, CI 77492, CI 77491, CI 77499
Water
Skin ConditioningC12-15 Alkyl Benzoate
AntimicrobialZinc Oxide
Cosmetic Colorant
Titanium Dioxide
Cosmetic Colorant
Glycerin
Humectant
Isononyl Isononanoate
EmollientButylene Glycol
Humectant
Cetearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Potassium Cetyl Phosphate
EmulsifyingDimethicone
Emollient
Glyceryl Stearate
Emollient
Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract
Bleaching
Actinidia Chinensis Fruit Extract
EmollientArgania Spinosa Kernel Oil
Emollient
Tetrapeptide-30
Skin Conditioning
Linoleic Acid
Cleansing
Resveratrol
Antioxidant
Ascorbyl Glucoside
Antioxidant
Niacinamide
Smoothing
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Magnesium Ascorbyl Phosphate
Antioxidant
Bisabolol
Masking
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Phospholipids
Skin ConditioningLecithin
EmollientGlycine Soja Sterols
Emollient
Xanthophylls
Skin ConditioningPullulan
Sodium Gluconate
Skin ConditioningXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingSclerotium Gum
Emulsion StabilisingAlumina
Abrasive
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingCitric Acid
Buffering
Triethoxycaprylylsilane
C13-14 Isoparaffin
Emollient
Acrylates Copolymer
Polyhydroxystearic Acid
Emulsifying
Caprylyl Glycol
EmollientPolyacrylamide
Ceteareth-20
Cleansing
Aluminum Stearate
Cosmetic ColorantLaureth-7
EmulsifyingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningPhenoxyethanol
Preservative
Water, C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate, Zinc Oxide, Titanium Dioxide, Glycerin, Isononyl Isononanoate, Butylene Glycol, Cetearyl Alcohol, Potassium Cetyl Phosphate, Dimethicone, Glyceryl Stearate, Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract, Actinidia Chinensis Fruit Extract, Argania Spinosa Kernel Oil, Tetrapeptide-30, Linoleic Acid, Resveratrol, Ascorbyl Glucoside, Niacinamide, Tocopheryl Acetate, Magnesium Ascorbyl Phosphate, Bisabolol, Tocopherol, Phospholipids, Lecithin, Glycine Soja Sterols, Xanthophylls, Pullulan, Sodium Gluconate, Xanthan Gum, Sclerotium Gum, Alumina, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Citric Acid, Triethoxycaprylylsilane, C13-14 Isoparaffin, Acrylates Copolymer, Polyhydroxystearic Acid, Caprylyl Glycol, Polyacrylamide, Ceteareth-20, Aluminum Stearate, Laureth-7, Ethylhexylglycerin, Phenoxyethanol
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
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 WaterDimethicone 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 DimethiconeButylene Glycol (or BG) is used within cosmetic products for a few different reasons:
- It is a solvent, meaning that it helps to dissolve other ingredients. This also enhances the absorption of the product into one's skin.
- It is a humectant, which means that it helps attract moisture into the skin.
- It helps improve product application.
- It has mild preservative properties.
Overall, Butylene Glycol is a safe and well-rounded ingredient that works well with other ingredients.
Phospholipids are naturally found in our skin as they are the main component of cell membranes. Phospholipids have humectant, emollient, antioxidant properties.
Phospholipids are complex lipids that contain glycerin, two fatty acids, and a phosphate group. Some foods that contain phospholipids include soybeans and milk. The phospholipids found in soy come from Lecithin. This ingredient can also be synthetically created.
Due to their hygroscopic nature, they act as both humectants and emollients. Humectants draw moisture from the air to your skin, while emollients help trap moisture in.
The phospholipids in our skin can be naturally depleted. Replenishing the phospholipids in our skin can help hydrate your skin.
Studies show phospholipids display antioxidant activity and may help with reducing the signs of aging.
This ingredient is non-occlusive.
Some types of phospholipids:
Learn more about PhospholipidsTriethoxycaprylylsilane is a silicone used to bind and stabilize ingredients.
As an emulsifier, it helps prevent ingredients from separating. This can help elongate the shelf life of products.
Triethoxycaprylylsilane is often used to coat mineral sunscreens ingredients to help give a better feel. It also helps reduce oxidative stress in sunscreens.
Learn more about TriethoxycaprylylsilaneTocopheryl 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 AcetatePolyhydroxystearic Acid is a soft wax made from castor oil.
It is is a texture thickener, emulsifier, and film-former. Emulsifiers prevent ingredients from separating, such as oils and waters.
Polyhydroxystearic Acid may not be fungal acne safe.
Learn more about Polyhydroxystearic AcidXanthan gum is used as a stabilizer and thickener within cosmetic products. It helps give products a sticky, thick feeling - preventing them from being too runny.
On the technical side of things, xanthan gum is a polysaccharide - a combination consisting of multiple sugar molecules bonded together.
Xanthan gum is a pretty common and great ingredient. It is a natural, non-toxic, non-irritating ingredient that is also commonly used in food products.
Learn more about Xanthan GumPhenoxyethanol 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.
Ethylhexylglycerin (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.
Ingredient Ratings
Here's what our community thinks of the ingredients in these products.
When to use
Dr. Denese SkinScience Advanced SPF 30 Defense Day Cream 54 ingredients
Paula's Choice Defense Essential Glow Moisturizer SPF 30 45 ingredients
Reviews
Here's what our community thinks
Dr. Denese SkinScience Advanced SPF 30 Defense Day Cream 54 ingredients
Paula's Choice Defense Essential Glow Moisturizer SPF 30 45 ingredients
It's hard to rate a product that gave you an allergic/irritant reaction. That's the case with this one for me.
So first, the positives. If your skin doesn't react badly to this, it could be great for you. It's a mineral sunscreen with minimal white cast. It's only barely visible on my fair/light skin tone. The finish is moderately glowy, not greasy or over the top. It looks nice. The texture is Show more
