Here's our complete breakdown comparing the ingredients, attributes, and more of Dr Sam’s Flawless Daily Sunscreen SPF 50 versus EltaMD, Inc UV Clear Tinted SPF 46 .
Last updated on March 31, 2024. Published on August 12, 2022
Overview
What they are
These products are both sunscreens. They have a total of 10 ingredients in common
Cool Features
They both contain AHA, hyaluronic acid, niacinamide, SPF and Vitamin E
Suited For
They're both likely to be good for fighting acne, anti aging, brightening 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, oils, parabens or sulfates
We independently verify ingredients, and our claims are backed by peer-reviewed research. Spot a product that need an update? Let us know.
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.
Ingredient Info
Dr Sam’s Flawless Daily Sunscreen SPF 50 28 ingredients
EltaMD, Inc UV Clear Tinted SPF 46 20 ingredients
Alcohol Free
This product is free of harsh alcohols 🎉
Silicon Free
This product is free of silicons 🎉
Fragrance Free
This product is free of fragrances 🎉
Sulfate Free
This product is free of sulfates 🎉
Paraben Free
This product is free of parabens 🎉
Oil Free
This product is free of oils 🎉
Not Malassezia Safe
Ingredients in this product that are not malassezia safe:
Not Reef Safe
Ingredients in this product that are not reef safe:
EU Allergen Free
This product is free of EU allergens 🎉
Non Vegan
This product is not vegan 😥
Cruelty Free
This product is cruelty-free 🎉
Alcohol Free
This product is free of harsh alcohols 🎉
Contains Silicon
Ingredients in this product that are types of silicon:
Fragrance Free
This product is free of fragrances 🎉
Sulfate Free
This product is free of sulfates 🎉
Paraben Free
This product is free of parabens 🎉
Oil Free
This product is free of oils 🎉
Not Malassezia Safe
Ingredients in this product that are not malassezia safe:
Not Reef Safe
Ingredients in this product that are not reef safe:
EU Allergen Free
This product is free of EU allergens 🎉
Non Vegan
This product is not vegan 😥
Not Cruelty Free
This product is not cruelty-free 😥
At a glance
Click on any of the items below to learn more
Dr Sam’s Flawless Daily Sunscreen SPF 50 28 ingredients
EltaMD, Inc UV Clear Tinted SPF 46 20 ingredients
Notable Ingredients
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Benefits
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Concerns
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Notable Ingredients
This product contains 1 ingredient that may have this attribute:
This product contains 1 ingredient that may have this attribute:
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Benefits
This product contains 1 ingredient that may have this attribute:
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Concerns
This product contains 1 ingredient that may have this attribute:
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Join SkinSortIngredients Compared
Ingredients that are highlighted in purple are present in both products.
Dr Sam’s Flawless Daily Sunscreen SPF 50 28 ingredients
EltaMD, Inc UV Clear Tinted SPF 46 20 ingredients
Water • Zinc Oxide • Octyldodecyl Neopentanoate • Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride • Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate • Niacinamide • Glyceryl Stearate • Peg-100 Stearate • Cetearyl Alcohol • Butyrospermum Parkii Butter • Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer • Phenoxyethanol • Squalane • Polyhydroxystearic Acid • Sodium Hyaluronate • Sodium Stearoyl Glutamate • Tocopheryl Acetate • Lactic Acid • Carbomer • Sodium Hydroxymethylglycinate • Polysorbate 60 • 1,2-Hexanediol • Disodium EDTA • Isostearic Acid • Ethylhexylglycerin • Sorbitan Isostearate • Biosaccharide Gum-4 • Citric Acid
Zinc Oxide 9% • Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate 7.5% • Water • Cyclopentasiloxane • Niacinamide • Octyldodecyl Neopentanoate • Butylene Glycol • Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer • Polyisobutene • Peg-7 Trimethylolpropane Coconut Ether • Sodium Hyaluronate • Tocopheryl Acetate • Lactic Acid • Oleth-3 Phosphate • Phenoxyethanol • Iodopropynyl Butylcarbamate • Isopropyl Palmitate • Ethylhexyl Stearate • CI 77492 • Triethoxycaprylylsilane
Ingredients Side-by-side
Ingredients that are highlighted in purple are present in both products.
Learn more about what what Com. / Irr. ratings are
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. Talk about multi-purpose! If you see this, drink a glass of water. Stay hydrated!
Learn more about WaterDr Sam’s Flawless Daily Sunscreen SPF 50 contains this as ingredient number 1.
EltaMD, Inc UV Clear Tinted SPF 46 contains this as ingredient number 3.
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 OxideDr Sam’s Flawless Daily Sunscreen SPF 50 contains this as ingredient number 2.
EltaMD, Inc UV Clear Tinted SPF 46 contains this as ingredient number 1.
We don't have a description for Octyldodecyl Neopentanoate.
Dr Sam’s Flawless Daily Sunscreen SPF 50 contains this as ingredient number 3.
EltaMD, Inc UV Clear Tinted SPF 46 contains this as ingredient number 6.
Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate is an organic compound that provides UVB protection. It often goes by the more common name of octinoxate. It is created from methoxycinnamic acid and 2-ethylhexanol.
Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate absorbs UVB rays with wavelengths between 280-320 nm. UV absorbers protect your skin by using chemical reactions to convert UV rays into heat and energy.
UVB (290-320 nm) rays emit more energy than UVA rays. They are capable of damaging DNA, causing sunburns and are thought to be linked to skin cancer.
The state of Hawaii has banned sunscreens containing octinoxate due to its potential impact on coral reefs. More research is needed to bridge gaps in this research. The European Union allows higher levels of octinoxate in sunscreens than the US and Australia.
Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate is oil soluble. It is not stable and may lose efficacy when exposed to sunlight.
Learn more about Ethylhexyl MethoxycinnamateDr Sam’s Flawless Daily Sunscreen SPF 50 contains this as ingredient number 5.
EltaMD, Inc UV Clear Tinted SPF 46 contains this as ingredient number 2.
Niacinamide has emerged as an all-star ingredient due to its many benefits.
It is known to treat acne by reducing inflammation. It also helps fade dark-spots and strengthen the skin by promoting the growth of the ceramide barrier.
Other benefits include smoothing wrinkles and minimizing redness.
The cherry on top? Niacinamide can also help build keratin, a protein that keeps skin firm.
When incorporating niacinamide into your routine, look out for concentration amounts. Typically, 5% niacinamide provides benefits such as fading dark spots. However, if you have sensitive skin, it is better to begin with a smaller concentration.
Niacinamide can be mixed with other ingredients to boost benefits. For instance, it has shown to be effective when used with copper, folic acid, and zinc to treat acne.
Learn more about NiacinamideDr Sam’s Flawless Daily Sunscreen SPF 50 contains this as ingredient number 6.
EltaMD, Inc UV Clear Tinted SPF 46 contains this as ingredient number 5.
This is a synthetic polymer. It helps improve the texture of products by adding thickness and gel-like feel.
It is also an emulsifer, meaning it prevents ingredients such as oil and water from separating. It also helps evenly disperse other ingredients.
Dr Sam’s Flawless Daily Sunscreen SPF 50 contains this as ingredient number 11.
EltaMD, Inc UV Clear Tinted SPF 46 contains this as ingredient number 8.
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.
Dr Sam’s Flawless Daily Sunscreen SPF 50 contains this as ingredient number 12.
EltaMD, Inc UV Clear Tinted SPF 46 contains this as ingredient number 15.
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 HyaluronateDr Sam’s Flawless Daily Sunscreen SPF 50 contains this as ingredient number 15.
EltaMD, Inc UV Clear Tinted SPF 46 contains this as ingredient number 11.
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 AcetateDr Sam’s Flawless Daily Sunscreen SPF 50 contains this as ingredient number 17.
EltaMD, Inc UV Clear Tinted SPF 46 contains this as ingredient number 12.
Lactic Acid is an AHA that is derived from fermenting lactose, a carbohydrate from milk. It removes the top layer of old and dead skin cells and helps increase cell turnover.
Benefits of Lactic Acid are that it can help to reduce large pores and reduce the effects of aging. Some potential downsides are that it can be bad for dry skin, cause irritation, worsen eczema, and worsen rosacea.
Not only does it help exfoliate the skin, it helps strengthen the skin's barrier. When applied, lactic acid helps the skin create ceramides.
Lactic acid is an over-the-counter chemical exfoliant that comes from the fermentation of lactose — a carbohydrate found in milk.
Legend has it that Cleopatra used to bathe in sour milk to help reduce wrinkles.
Read more about some other popular AHA's here:
Learn more about Lactic AcidDr Sam’s Flawless Daily Sunscreen SPF 50 contains this as ingredient number 18.
EltaMD, Inc UV Clear Tinted SPF 46 contains this as ingredient number 13.
Here's what our community thinks of the ingredients in these two products.
Dr Sam’s Flawless Daily Sunscreen SPF 50 28 ingredients
EltaMD, Inc UV Clear Tinted SPF 46 20 ingredients
Usage
Here's some more info on how this product is used by our community.
When to use
Dr Sam’s Flawless Daily Sunscreen SPF 50 28 ingredients
EltaMD, Inc UV Clear Tinted SPF 46 20 ingredients
Reviews
Here's what our community thinks
Dr Sam’s Flawless Daily Sunscreen SPF 50 28 ingredients
EltaMD, Inc UV Clear Tinted SPF 46 20 ingredients
MichelleR
Forever on my Empties List
It is viral for a REASON. The application is so smooth and luxurious. It literally melts into my skin. I love that it...
Forever on my Empties List
It is viral for a REASON. The application is so smooth and luxurious. It literally melts into my skin. I love that it has Lactic Acid and Niacinamide. It is much more than a sunscreen, it is an additional step in your skincare routine. I hate spending more than $25 on a product, and only do so for masks or when I reeealllyyyy love a product. This is the ONE. I love to get it on sale, but regardless - this is permanent staple.
Beepbop3
Not sure if I love it but I dont hate it...
The product itself is not bad, it gives a very nice finish with a sheer tint that doesnt feel cakey or...
Not sure if I love it but I dont hate it...
The product itself is not bad, it gives a very nice finish with a sheer tint that doesnt feel cakey or pill on your skin. In the winter though this irritated my neck greatly, im not sure if its because of the skin already being dry from where I live but I had to stop using it because of this.
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