Here's our complete breakdown comparing the ingredients, attributes, and more of EltaMD, Inc UV Clear Broad-Spectrum SPF 46 versus Colorescience Sunforgettable Total Protection Face Shield Flex SPF 50 .
Last updated on December 18, 2023. Published on February 10, 2022
Overview
What they are
These products are both fungal acne (malassezia) safe sunscreens. They have a total of 3 ingredients in common
Cool Features
They both contain niacinamide and SPF
Suited For
They're both likely to be good for fighting acne, brightening skin, oily skin, reducing pores, scar healing and dark spots
Free From
They both do not contain any harsh alcohols, common allergens, fragrances, oils, 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 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.
Price
Ingredient Info
EltaMD, Inc UV Clear Broad-Spectrum SPF 46 17 ingredients
Colorescience Sunforgettable Total Protection Face Shield Flex SPF 50 46 ingredients
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 🎉
Malassezia Safe
This product is free of malassezia feeding ingredients 🎉
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 😥
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 🎉
Malassezia Safe
This product is free of malassezia feeding ingredients 🎉
Not Reef Safe
Ingredients in this product that are not reef safe:
EU Allergen Free
This product is free of EU allergens 🎉
Vegan
This product is vegan 🎉
Not Cruelty Free
This product is not cruelty-free 😥
At a glance
Click on any of the items below to learn more
EltaMD, Inc UV Clear Broad-Spectrum SPF 46 17 ingredients
Colorescience Sunforgettable Total Protection Face Shield Flex SPF 50 46 ingredients
Notable Ingredients
This product contains 1 ingredient that may have this attribute:
This product contains 1 ingredient that may have this attribute:
This product contains 1 ingredient that may have this attribute:
This product contains 1 ingredient that may have this attribute:
This product contains 1 ingredient that may have this attribute:
This product contains 1 ingredient that may have this attribute:
Benefits
This product contains 1 ingredient that may have this attribute:
This product contains 1 ingredient that may have this attribute:
This product contains 1 ingredient that may have this attribute:
This product contains 2 ingredients that may have this attribute:
This product contains 1 ingredient that may have this attribute:
This product contains 2 ingredients that may have this attribute:
This product contains 1 ingredient that may have this attribute:
This product contains 2 ingredients that may have this attribute:
This product contains 3 ingredients that may have this attribute:
Concerns
This product contains 2 ingredients that may have this attribute:
This product contains 1 ingredient that may have this attribute:
This product contains 1 ingredient that may have this attribute:
Notable Ingredients
This product contains 1 ingredient that may have this attribute:
This product contains 2 ingredients that may have this attribute:
This product contains 1 ingredient that may have this attribute:
Benefits
This product contains 1 ingredient that may have this attribute:
This product contains 2 ingredients that may have this attribute:
This product contains 1 ingredient that may have this attribute:
This product contains 1 ingredient that may have this attribute:
This product contains 1 ingredient that may have this attribute:
This product contains 2 ingredients that may have this attribute:
This product contains 1 ingredient that may have this attribute:
Concerns
This product contains 1 ingredient that may have this attribute:
This product contains 1 ingredient that may have this attribute:
This product contains 2 ingredients that may have this attribute:
This product contains 3 ingredients that may have this attribute:
Build your routine, track which ingredients work for you, and much more with your free account.
Join SkinSortIngredients Compared
Ingredients that are highlighted in purple are present in both products.
EltaMD, Inc UV Clear Broad-Spectrum SPF 46 17 ingredients
Colorescience Sunforgettable Total Protection Face Shield Flex SPF 50 46 ingredients
Zinc Oxide 9% • Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate 7.5% • Water • Cyclomethicone • Niacinamide • Octyldodecyl Neopentanoate • Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer • Polyisobutene • Peg-7 Trimethylolpropane Coconut Ether • Sodium Hyaluronate • Tocopheryl Acetate • Lactic Acid • Oleth-3 Phosphate • Phenoxyethanol • Butylene Glycol • Iodopropynyl Butylcarbamate • Triethoxycaprylylsilane
Zinc Oxide 12% • C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate • Butyloctyl Salicylate • Lauryl Peg-8 Dimethicone • Isododecane • Propanediol • Caprylyl Methicone • Dimethicone • Niacinamide • Tridecyl Salicylate • Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer • Trilaureth-4 Phosphate • Dimethiconol • Lauryl Peg-10 Tris(Trimethylsiloxy)Silylethyl Dimethicone • Mica • Polyester-1 • Maltodextrin • Sodium Chloride • Bisabolol • Disodium Lauriminodipropionate Tocopheryl Phosphates • Ethylhexylglycerin • Tremella Fuciformis Sporocarp Extract • Allantoin • Silica Dimethyl Silylate • Caprylyl Glycol • Isoceteth-10 • Zein • Hexylene Glycol • Dimethylmethoxy Chromanol • Synthetic Fluorphlogopite • Zea Mays Starch • Silica • Caesalpinia Spinosa Fruit Pod Extract • Hydrogenated Lecithin • Tetrasodium Glutamate Diacetate • Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride • Helianthus Annuus Sprout Extract • Phenoxyethanol • Sodium Benzoate • Benzoic Acid • Dehydroacetic Acid • Sodium Hydroxide • Sodium Myristoyl Glutamate • Aluminum Hydroxide • CI 77891 • CI 77492
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.
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 OxideEltaMD, Inc UV Clear Broad-Spectrum SPF 46 contains this as ingredient number 1.
Colorescience Sunforgettable Total Protection Face Shield Flex SPF 50 contains this as ingredient number 1.
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 NiacinamideEltaMD, Inc UV Clear Broad-Spectrum SPF 46 contains this as ingredient number 5.
Colorescience Sunforgettable Total Protection Face Shield Flex SPF 50 contains this as ingredient number 9.
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 Clear Broad-Spectrum SPF 46 contains this as ingredient number 14.
Colorescience Sunforgettable Total Protection Face Shield Flex SPF 50 contains this as ingredient number 38.
Here's what our community thinks of the ingredients in these two products.
EltaMD, Inc UV Clear Broad-Spectrum SPF 46 17 ingredients
Colorescience Sunforgettable Total Protection Face Shield Flex SPF 50 46 ingredients
Usage
Here's some more info on how this product is used by our community.
When to use
EltaMD, Inc UV Clear Broad-Spectrum SPF 46 17 ingredients
Colorescience Sunforgettable Total Protection Face Shield Flex SPF 50 46 ingredients
Reviews
Here's what our community thinks
EltaMD, Inc UV Clear Broad-Spectrum SPF 46 17 ingredients
nja
Feels SO comfortable on the skin, I want to keep using it. I also love that it's FA safe. But it pills after I blend out concealer with a sponge...
Feels SO comfortable on the skin, I want to keep using it. I also love that it's FA safe. But it pills after I blend out concealer with a sponge and I wonder how much of it is still on my face after that. It's supposed to be good for sensitive skin and while it's actually calming for my skin overall after I put it on, it also irritates the skin around my eyes - at the end of the day, there's always tiny little red bumps and I need to apply either LRP Cicaplast or Uriage Bariederm-Cica on that area before bed so that they go away by the next morning. I'm tired of doing this every day. I'm changing it to Bea Skincare sunscreen as soon as possible (had my eye on it for some time because the INCI seems so clean) and giving this to my less sensitive boyfriend.
EDIT: tried Bea sunscreen and didn't work out :/
febbynm
No for me.
I actually really enjoy the consistency. It glides really nicely but oh my lord this thing PILLS like no other. It doesn’t matter if I...
No for me.
I actually really enjoy the consistency. It glides really nicely but oh my lord this thing PILLS like no other. It doesn’t matter if I rub, gently pat it in, or wait however amount of time after my moisturizer; it will pill making it especially impossible to wear under makeup.
Colorescience Sunforgettable Total Protection Face Shield Flex SPF 50 46 ingredients
AllTukeredOut
Great option for fair skin
I am very pale, but the Fair colour works well for my complexion, doesn't look orange. I used this, in combination to...
Great option for fair skin
I am very pale, but the Fair colour works well for my complexion, doesn't look orange. I used this, in combination to the Original formula, to even out my skin tone and as a concealer. It is a bit shiny initially, but does settle into a natural finish.
Alternatives
Our Dupe Finder has found 18 potential alternatives that have similar ingredients to EltaMD, Inc UV Clear Broad-Spectrum SPF 46.
See 18 alternativesOur Dupe Finder has found 21 potential alternatives that have similar ingredients to Colorescience Sunforgettable Total Protection Face Shield Flex SPF 50.
See 21 alternatives