EltaMD, Inc UV Clear Broad-Spectrum SPF 46 Versus La Roche-Posay Anthelios Tinted Mineral Light Fluid Sunscreen SPF 50
This hybrid sunscreen covers the full UV range and blocks ~98% of UVB at SPF 46.
This hybrid sunscreen covers the full UV range and blocks ~98% of UVB at SPF 50.
What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Zinc Oxide 9%
Cosmetic Colorant
Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate 7.5%
UV Absorber
Water
Skin ConditioningCyclopentasiloxane
Emollient
Niacinamide
Smoothing
Octyldodecyl Neopentanoate
EmollientHydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingButylene Glycol
Humectant
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Polyisobutene
Triethoxycaprylylsilane
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
PEG-7 Trimethylolpropane Coconut Ether
Emulsifying
Oleth-3 Phosphate
SurfactantIodopropynyl Butylcarbamate
Preservative
Lactic Acid
Buffering
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Phosphoric Acid
BufferingZinc Oxide 9%, Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate 7.5%, Water, Cyclopentasiloxane, Niacinamide, Octyldodecyl Neopentanoate, Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Butylene Glycol, Phenoxyethanol, Polyisobutene, Triethoxycaprylylsilane, Tocopheryl Acetate, PEG-7 Trimethylolpropane Coconut Ether, Oleth-3 Phosphate, Iodopropynyl Butylcarbamate, Lactic Acid, Sodium Hyaluronate, Phosphoric Acid
Titanium Dioxide 11%
Cosmetic Colorant
Water
Skin ConditioningIsododecane
EmollientC12-15 Alkyl Benzoate
AntimicrobialDimethicone
Emollient
Undecane
EmollientTriethylhexanoin
MaskingIsohexadecane
EmollientStyrene/Acrylates Copolymer
Nylon-12
Caprylyl Methicone
Skin Conditioning
Butyloctyl Salicylate
Skin Conditioning
Phenethyl Benzoate
Emollient
Silica
Abrasive
Tridecane
Perfuming
Dicaprylyl Carbonate
EmollientDicaprylyl Ether
Emollient
Talc
Abrasive
Dimethicone/PEG-10/15 Crosspolymer
Aluminum Stearate
Cosmetic ColorantPentylene Glycol
Skin Conditioning
PEG-9 Polydimethylsiloxyethyl Dimethicone
Emulsifying
Iron Oxides
Alumina
Abrasive
Polyhydroxystearic Acid
Emulsifying
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Magnesium Sulfate
Propylene Glycol
Humectant
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Aluminum Hydroxide
EmollientPEG-8 Laurate
Emulsifying
Stearic Acid
Cleansing
Disteardimonium Hectorite
StabilisingDiethylhexyl Syringylidenemalonate
Skin Protecting
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Propylene Carbonate
SolventCassia Alata Leaf Extract
AstringentMaltodextrin
Absorbent
Benzoic Acid
Masking
Disodium Stearoyl Glutamate
CleansingTitanium Dioxide 11%, Water, Isododecane, C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate, Dimethicone, Undecane, Triethylhexanoin, Isohexadecane, Styrene/Acrylates Copolymer, Nylon-12, Caprylyl Methicone, Butyloctyl Salicylate, Phenethyl Benzoate, Silica, Tridecane, Dicaprylyl Carbonate, Dicaprylyl Ether, Talc, Dimethicone/PEG-10/15 Crosspolymer, Aluminum Stearate, Pentylene Glycol, PEG-9 Polydimethylsiloxyethyl Dimethicone, Iron Oxides, Alumina, Polyhydroxystearic Acid, Phenoxyethanol, Magnesium Sulfate, Propylene Glycol, Caprylyl Glycol, Aluminum Hydroxide, PEG-8 Laurate, Stearic Acid, Disteardimonium Hectorite, Diethylhexyl Syringylidenemalonate, Tocopherol, Propylene Carbonate, Cassia Alata Leaf Extract, Maltodextrin, Benzoic Acid, Disodium Stearoyl Glutamate
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Phenoxyethanol is one of the most widely used preservatives in skincare (and for good reason!).
It has a large spectrum of antimicrobial activity and especially effective bacteria, yeast, and mold while only having a weak effect on your skin's natural microbiome.
On a cellular level, it disrupts the cell membranes of microbes by poking holes that make the cell leak. This shuts down the chemical reactions the microbe needs to make energy so it can no longer survive.
Another perk of this ingredient is that it stays functional across a wide pH range (3-10).
You'll often see it paired with boosters like Ethylhexylglycerin; one study showed that a 1:9 ratio of Ethylhexylglycerin to Phenoxyethanol damages bacterial membranes as effectively as doubling the Phenoxyethanol concentration on its own.
Typical use concentrations range from 0.3-1% depending on the formula, and this ingredient is capped at 1% int the EU.
Safety-wise, the fear mongering does not hold up to the evidence. The EU's Scientific Committee on Consumer Safety and FDA consider it safe as a preservative at up to 1%, including for children of all ages.
Adverse systemic effects only showed up in animal studies at exposures roughly 200x higher than what people get from cosmetics. And despite its very widespread use, this ingredient is a rare sensitizer and allergic reactions are uncommon.
Learn more about PhenoxyethanolWater. 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
