e.l.f. cosmetics Suntouchable! Whoa Glow SPF 30 Versus Tula Skincare Protect + Glow Daily Sunscreen Gel Broad Spectrum SPF 30
What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane 3%
UV Absorber
Homosalate 9%
Skin Conditioning
Ethylhexyl Salicylate 5%
UV Absorber
Octocrylene 7%
UV Absorber
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
Humectant
Polyglyceryl-3 Distearate
Emulsifying
CI 77163
Cosmetic Colorant
Niacinamide
Smoothing
Aluminum Starch Octenylsuccinate
Absorbent
Trehalose
Humectant
Silica
Abrasive
Panthenol
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Squalane
Emollient
Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice
Skin Conditioning
Glyceryl Stearate Citrate
Emollient
Cetearyl Olivate
Sorbitan Olivate
Emulsifying
Stearyl Caprylate
EmollientStearic Acid
Cleansing
Palmitic Acid
Emollient
Dimethicone
Emollient
Cetearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Stearyl Heptanoate
Emollient
Polyacrylate-13
Polyisobutene
Polysorbate 20
Emulsifying
Ethylhexyl Hydroxystearate
Emollient
Sorbitan Isostearate
Emulsifying
Triethoxycaprylylsilane
Acrylates/Polytrimethylsiloxymethacrylate Copolymer
Skin ConditioningCaprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningPotassium Sorbate
Preservative
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Disodium EDTA
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
Citric Acid
Buffering
Iron Oxides
Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane 3%, Homosalate 9%, Ethylhexyl Salicylate 5%, Octocrylene 7%, Water, Glycerin, Polyglyceryl-3 Distearate, CI 77163, Niacinamide, Aluminum Starch Octenylsuccinate, Trehalose, Silica, Panthenol, Sodium Hyaluronate, Squalane, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Glyceryl Stearate Citrate, Cetearyl Olivate, Sorbitan Olivate, Stearyl Caprylate, Stearic Acid, Palmitic Acid, Dimethicone, Cetearyl Alcohol, Stearyl Heptanoate, Polyacrylate-13, Polyisobutene, Polysorbate 20, Ethylhexyl Hydroxystearate, Sorbitan Isostearate, Triethoxycaprylylsilane, Acrylates/Polytrimethylsiloxymethacrylate Copolymer, Caprylyl Glycol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Potassium Sorbate, Phenoxyethanol, Disodium EDTA, Sodium Benzoate, Citric Acid, Iron Oxides
Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane
UV Absorber
Homosalate
Skin Conditioning
Ethylhexyl Salicylate
UV Absorber
Water
Skin ConditioningButyloctyl Salicylate
Skin Conditioning
Pentylene Glycol
Skin Conditioning
Lactococcus Ferment Lysate
Skin Conditioning
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Silica
Abrasive
Ectoin
Skin Conditioning
Glycerin
Humectant
Arginine
Masking
Hydroxyectoin
Buffering
Ananas Sativus Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningCarica Papaya Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningLactic Acid
Buffering
Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
Antimicrobial
Hedychium Coronarium Root Extract
MaskingTriethyl Citrate
Masking
Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Peel Extract
Emulsion Stabilising
Citrus Limon Peel Extract
EmollientPyrus Communis Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningPyrus Malus Fruit Extract
Skin Conditioning
Rubus Idaeus Fruit Extract
AstringentVanilla Planifolia Fruit Extract
Skin Conditioning
Pimpinella Anisum Fruit Extract
MaskingMica
Cosmetic ColorantTocopherol
Antioxidant
Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer
Synthetic Fluorphlogopite
Hydrolyzed Wheat Protein/Pvp Crosspolymer
Carbomer
Emulsion StabilisingDibutyl Lauroyl Glutamide
Skin ConditioningDibutyl Ethylhexanoyl Glutamide
Skin ConditioningPropanediol
Solvent
Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate
Sodium Chloride
MaskingSodium Benzoate
Masking
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningTin Oxide
Abrasive
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane, Homosalate, Ethylhexyl Salicylate, Water, Butyloctyl Salicylate, Pentylene Glycol, Lactococcus Ferment Lysate, 1,2-Hexanediol, Silica, Ectoin, Glycerin, Arginine, Hydroxyectoin, Ananas Sativus Fruit Extract, Carica Papaya Fruit Extract, Lactic Acid, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Hedychium Coronarium Root Extract, Triethyl Citrate, Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Peel Extract, Citrus Limon Peel Extract, Pyrus Communis Fruit Extract, Pyrus Malus Fruit Extract, Rubus Idaeus Fruit Extract, Vanilla Planifolia Fruit Extract, Pimpinella Anisum Fruit Extract, Mica, Tocopherol, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer, Synthetic Fluorphlogopite, Hydrolyzed Wheat Protein/Pvp Crosspolymer, Carbomer, Dibutyl Lauroyl Glutamide, Dibutyl Ethylhexanoyl Glutamide, Propanediol, Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate, Sodium Chloride, Sodium Benzoate, Ethylhexylglycerin, Tin Oxide, Phenoxyethanol
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Also known as Avobenzone, this ingredient is a chemical sunscreen filter that provides protection in the UV-A range.
Avobenzone is globally approved and is the most commonly used UV-A filter in the world.
Studies have found that avobenzone becomes ineffective when exposed to UV light (it is not photostable; meaning that it breaks down in sunlight). Because of this, formulations that include avobenzone will usually contain stabilizers such as octocrylene.
However, some modern formulations (looking at you, EU!) are able to stabilize avobenzone by coating the molecules.
Avobenzone does not protect against the UV-B range, so it's important to check that the sunscreen you're using contains other UV filters that do!
The highest concentration of avobenzone permitted is 3% in the US, and 5% in the EU.
Learn more about Butyl MethoxydibenzoylmethaneEthylhexyl Salicylate is an organic compound used to block UV rays. It primarily absorbs UVB rays but offers a small amount of UVA protection as well.
Commonly found in sunscreens, Ethylhexyl Salicylate is created from salicylic acid and 2-ethylhexanol. You might know salicylic acid as the effective acne fighter ingredient and BHA.
The ethylhexanol in this ingredient is a fatty alcohol and helps hydrate your skin, similar to oils. It is an emollient, which means it traps moisture into the skin.
According to manufacturers, Ethylhexyl Salicylate absorbs UV wavelength of 295-315 nm, with a peak absorption at 307-310 nm. UVA rays are linked to long term skin damage, such as hyperpigmentation. UVB rays emit more energy and are capable of damaging our DNA. UVB rays cause sunburn.
Learn more about Ethylhexyl SalicylateEthylhexylglycerin is created from glycerin. It is a multitasker ingredient that:
The CIR Expert Panel found minimal skin absorption or sensitization of any kind in a safety assessment. Though this ingredient is considered well-tolerated, a small number of cases of allergic dermatitis have been published since 2002. Just be sure to patch test if you are unsure.
Industry-reported use ranges from 8% in rinse-off products and 2% in leave-on formulations.
Learn more about EthylhexylglycerinGlycerin (or glycerol) is a compound naturally found in your skin. It's a powerhouse humectant that pulls water into the stratum corneum.
Topically, glycerin does several things at once:
Your skin makes glycerin on its own (mostly from sebaceous oil breakdown) and shuttles it to your outermost layer of skin, or your epidermis, via aquaporin-3.
Aquaporin-3 is a transporter that is essential for normal skin hydration, elasticity, and repair. Interestingly, mice lacking in AQP3 have dry and less elastic skin that can be fully corrected with glycerin.
This ingredient is non-irritating, plays well with almost every ingredient, and works across all skin types. Typical use is anywhere between 3-10% but can go up to 79% in some leave-on products.
Just know very high concentrations (>40%) can feel tacky in low humidity.
Glycerin is the name for this ingredient in American English. British English uses Glycerol/Glycerine.
Learn more about GlycerinHomosalate is a chemical sunscreen filter that provides protection in the UV-B range (280nm - 320 nm), with a peak protection at 306 nm. It is internationally approved for use in sunscreens.
Homosalate is not photo-stable, meaning it's strength as a UV filter degrades over time with exposure to the sun. Because of this, it's often used in combination with other chemical sunscreen filters as avobenzone (which protects from the UV-A range). Homosalate also helps act as a solvent for harder-to-dissolve UV filters.
(Part of the reason that sunscreens need to be frequently re-applied is due to the photo instability of many chemical sunscreen filters)
Currently, homosalate is approved in concentrations up to 10% in the EU and 15% in the US. The FDA is currently doing further research on the effects of homosalate, and it is possible that these approved concentrations will change in the future.
Learn more about HomosalatePhenoxyethanol 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.
Silica, also known as silicon dioxide, is a naturally occurring mineral. It is used as a fine, spherical, and porous powder in cosmetics.
Though it has exfoliant properties, the function of silica varies depending on the product.
The unique structure of silica enhances the spreadability and adds smoothness, making it a great texture enhancer.
It is also used as an active carrier, emulsifier, and mattifier due to its ability to absorb excess oil.
In some products, tiny microneedles called spicules are made from silica or hydrolyzed sponge. When you rub them in, they lightly polish away dead skin layers and enhance the penetration of active ingredients.
Learn more about SilicaSodium Benzoate is a preservative. It's used in both cosmetic and food products to inhibit the growth of mold and bacteria. It is typically produced synthetically.
Both the US FDA and EU Health Committee have approved the use of sodium benzoate. In the US, levels of 0.1% (of the total product) are allowed.
Sodium benzoate works as a preservative by inhibiting the growth of bacteria inside of cells. It prevents the cell from fermenting a type of sugar using an enzyme called phosphofructokinase.
It is the salt of benzoic acid. Foods containing sodium benzoate include soda, salad dressings, condiments, fruit juices, wines, and snack foods.
Studies for using ascorbic acid and sodium benzoate in cosmetics are lacking, especially in skincare routines with multiple steps.
We always recommend speaking with a professional, such as a dermatologist, if you have any concerns.
Learn more about Sodium BenzoateWater. 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. Remember to stay hydrated!
Learn more about Water
