Explore Routine Login

Product Comparison

Here's our complete breakdown comparing the ingredients, attributes, and more of EltaMD, Inc UV Aero Broad-Spectrum SPF 45 versus DR's Secret Sunscreen 5 SPF25 .

Published on June 27, 2022

Overview

What they are

These products are both sunscreens. They have a total of 4 ingredients in common

Cool Features

They both contain SPF

Free From

They both do not contain any harsh alcohols, common allergens or parabens

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 Singaporean Brand Singapore

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 UV Aero Broad-Spectrum SPF 45

Starts at $32.96
Shop

Buy Sunscreen 5 SPF25

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
45
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
25

At a glance

Click on any of the items below to learn more

Notable Ingredients

Chemical UV Filter
Mineral UV Filter
Vitamin E

Benefits

Acne Fighting
Brightening

Concerns

May Worsen Oily Skin (2)
Acne Trigger (3)
Irritating

Notable Ingredients

Chemical UV Filter (2)
Mineral UV Filter

Concerns

Irritating
Rosacea
Join our community

Build your routine, track which ingredients work for you, and much more with your free account.

Join SkinSort

Ingredients Side-by-side

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

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

Loading ingredients...

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: UV Absorber, UV Filter
Community Rating: Very Disliked

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 Methoxycinnamate

EltaMD, Inc UV Aero Broad-Spectrum SPF 45 contains this as ingredient number 2.

DR's Secret Sunscreen 5 SPF25 contains this as ingredient number 2.

2
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

EltaMD, Inc UV Aero Broad-Spectrum SPF 45 contains this as ingredient number 3.

DR's Secret Sunscreen 5 SPF25 contains this as ingredient number 1.

3
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.

EltaMD, Inc UV Aero Broad-Spectrum SPF 45 contains this as ingredient number 9.

DR's Secret Sunscreen 5 SPF25 contains this as ingredient number 17.

4
What it does:
Community Rating: Disliked

Triethoxycaprylylsilane 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 Triethoxycaprylylsilane

EltaMD, Inc UV Aero Broad-Spectrum SPF 45 contains this as ingredient number 19.

DR's Secret Sunscreen 5 SPF25 contains this as ingredient number 13.

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

16% are loved or liked
5% have mixed ratings
63% are disliked or very disliked
16% have no rating yet
17% are loved or liked
11% have mixed ratings
67% are disliked or very disliked
6% have no rating yet

Usage

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

When to use

Loading routine usage...
Loading routine usage...

Reviews

Here's what our community thinks

EltaMD, Inc UV Aero Broad-Spectrum SPF 45 19 ingredients

UV Aero Broad-Spectrum SPF 45 hasn't been rated yet.
Rate it now

DR's Secret Sunscreen 5 SPF25 18 ingredients

5.0 /5
from 2 ratings
PrincezzJulie_797's avatar

PrincezzJulie_797

1 year ago · Skin
Review

It gives instant hydration to my skin during the day when reapply it.

PrincezzJulie's avatar

PrincezzJulie

1 year ago · Combination Skin
Review

SOS Sunscreen
I love this sunscreen, it hydrates my skin during the day when reapply.

Alternatives

Our Dupe Finder has found 17 potential alternatives that have similar ingredients to EltaMD, Inc UV Aero Broad-Spectrum SPF 45.

See 17 alternatives

Our Dupe Finder has found 43 potential alternatives that have similar ingredients to DR's Secret Sunscreen 5 SPF25.

See 43 alternatives
Loading similar comparisons...