Elixir Cosmeceuticals Nova Drops Sunscreen Booster SPF 50+ Versus Paula's Choice Advanced Sun Protection Daily Moisturiser SPF 50 PA++++
What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningDecyl Oleate
Emollient
Octocrylene
UV Absorber
Ethylhexyl Salicylate
UV Absorber
Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane
UV Absorber
Phenylbenzimidazole Sulfonic Acid
UV Absorber
Glycerin
Humectant
Vp/Eicosene Copolymer
Homosalate
Skin Conditioning
Ceteth-2
EmulsifyingCeteareth-25
CleansingHydrolyzed Grape Skin
Antioxidant
Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice Powder
Skin Conditioning
Saccharomyces/Xylinum/Black Tea Ferment
Skin Conditioning
Acetyl Hexapeptide-51 Amide
Skin Conditioning
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Glyceryl Stearate
Emollient
Glyceryl Caprylate
EmollientMyristyl Alcohol
Emollient
Lauryl Alcohol
Emollient
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningPhenoxyethanol
Preservative
Disodium EDTA
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingCitric Acid
Buffering
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
Potassium Sorbate
Preservative
Water, Decyl Oleate, Octocrylene, Ethylhexyl Salicylate, Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane, Phenylbenzimidazole Sulfonic Acid, Glycerin, Vp/Eicosene Copolymer, Homosalate, Ceteth-2, Ceteareth-25, Hydrolyzed Grape Skin, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice Powder, Saccharomyces/Xylinum/Black Tea Ferment, Acetyl Hexapeptide-51 Amide, Tocopheryl Acetate, Glyceryl Stearate, Glyceryl Caprylate, Myristyl Alcohol, Lauryl Alcohol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Phenoxyethanol, Disodium EDTA, Butylene Glycol, Sodium Hydroxide, Citric Acid, Sodium Benzoate, Potassium Sorbate
Water
Skin ConditioningDibutyl Adipate
EmollientDiethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl Benzoate
UV Filter
Propylheptyl Caprylate
EmollientDicaprylyl Carbonate
EmollientEthylhexyl Salicylate
UV Absorber
Ethylhexyl Triazone
UV Absorber
Methylene Bis-Benzotriazolyl Tetramethylbutylphenol
UV Filter
Undecane
EmollientBis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine
Skin Conditioning
Glycerin
Humectant
Isononyl Isononanoate
EmollientPropanediol
Solvent
Tridecane
Perfuming
Potassium Cetyl Phosphate
EmulsifyingSaccharomyces Ferment
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Polyacrylate
Absorbent
Decyl Glucoside
Cleansing
Caprylyl Glyceryl Ether
CleansingSodium Phytate
Caprylhydroxamic Acid
Lauroyl Lysine
Skin Conditioning
Propylene Glycol
Humectant
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingTocopherol
Antioxidant
Naringenin
Skin ConditioningHelianthus Annuus Seed Oil
Emollient
Water, Dibutyl Adipate, Diethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl Benzoate, Propylheptyl Caprylate, Dicaprylyl Carbonate, Ethylhexyl Salicylate, Ethylhexyl Triazone, Methylene Bis-Benzotriazolyl Tetramethylbutylphenol, Undecane, Bis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine, Glycerin, Isononyl Isononanoate, Propanediol, Tridecane, Potassium Cetyl Phosphate, Saccharomyces Ferment, Sodium Polyacrylate, Decyl Glucoside, Caprylyl Glyceryl Ether, Sodium Phytate, Caprylhydroxamic Acid, Lauroyl Lysine, Propylene Glycol, Xanthan Gum, Tocopherol, Naringenin, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Ethylhexyl 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 SalicylateGlycerin (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 GlycerinWater. 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
