Here's our complete breakdown comparing the ingredients, attributes, and more of EltaMD, Inc UV Clear Broad-Spectrum SPF 46 versus Paula's Choice Ultra-Light Daily Hydrating Fluid SPF 30+ .
Last updated on November 08, 2023. Published on April 26, 2021
Overview
What they are
These products are both fungal acne (malassezia) safe sunscreens. They have a total of 4 ingredients in common
Cool Features
They both contain SPF and Vitamin E
Suited For
They're both likely to be good for fighting acne, anti aging, brightening skin, reducing pores and scar healing
Free From
They both do not contain any 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
Paula's Choice Ultra-Light Daily Hydrating Fluid SPF 30+ 29 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 😥
Contains Alcohol
Ingredients in this product that are types of alcohol:
Contains Silicon
Ingredients in this product that are types of silicon:
Contains Fragrance
Ingredients in this product that are forms of fragrance:
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:
Contains EU Allergens
Ingredients in this product that are EU allergens:
Non Vegan
This product is not vegan 😥
Cruelty Free
This product is 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
Paula's Choice Ultra-Light Daily Hydrating Fluid SPF 30+ 29 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:
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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 4 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 2 ingredients that may have this attribute:
Benefits
This product contains 2 ingredients that may have this attribute:
This product contains 2 ingredients 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 1 ingredient that may have this attribute:
This product contains 2 ingredients 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 4 ingredients that may have this attribute:
This product contains 4 ingredients that may have this attribute:
This product contains 3 ingredients that may have this attribute:
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Join SkinSortIngredients Compared
Ingredients that are highlighted in purple are present in both products.
EltaMD, Inc UV Clear Broad-Spectrum SPF 46 17 ingredients
Paula's Choice Ultra-Light Daily Hydrating Fluid SPF 30+ 29 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
Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane 2% • Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate 7.5% • Ethylhexyl Salicylate 5% • Octocrylene 2% • Water • Glycerin • Silica • Dimethicone • Benzyl Alcohol • Tocopherol • Chamomilla Recutita Flower Extract • Vitis Vinifera Seed Extract • Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract • Camellia Oleifera Leaf Extract • Peucedanum Graveolens Extract • Sambucus Nigra Fruit Extract • Avena Sativa Bran Extract • Punica Granatum Extract • Lycium Barbarum Fruit Extract • Hydrogenated Lecithin • Titanium Dioxide • Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer • Diethylhexyl Syringylidenemalonate • Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer • Xanthan Gum • Sodium Carbomer • Sodium Benzoate • Potassium Sorbate • Phenoxyethanol
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.
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 MethoxycinnamateEltaMD, Inc UV Clear Broad-Spectrum SPF 46 contains this as ingredient number 2.
Paula's Choice Ultra-Light Daily Hydrating Fluid SPF 30+ contains this as ingredient number 2.
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 WaterEltaMD, Inc UV Clear Broad-Spectrum SPF 46 contains this as ingredient number 3.
Paula's Choice Ultra-Light Daily Hydrating Fluid SPF 30+ contains this as ingredient number 5.
This is a synthetic polymer. It helps improve the texture of products by adding thickness and gel-like feel.
It is also an emulsifer, meaning it prevents ingredients such as oil and water from separating. It also helps evenly disperse other ingredients.
EltaMD, Inc UV Clear Broad-Spectrum SPF 46 contains this as ingredient number 7.
Paula's Choice Ultra-Light Daily Hydrating Fluid SPF 30+ contains this as ingredient number 24.
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.
Paula's Choice Ultra-Light Daily Hydrating Fluid SPF 30+ contains this as ingredient number 30.
Here's what our community thinks of the ingredients in these two products.
EltaMD, Inc UV Clear Broad-Spectrum SPF 46 17 ingredients
Paula's Choice Ultra-Light Daily Hydrating Fluid SPF 30+ 29 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
Paula's Choice Ultra-Light Daily Hydrating Fluid SPF 30+ 29 ingredients
Reviews
Here's what our community thinks
EltaMD, Inc UV Clear Broad-Spectrum SPF 46 17 ingredients
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...
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 :/
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...
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.
Feels very nice on bare skin but could not find a moisturizer it would work well over. Every product I tried it with caused it to pill up. It also took forever to dry down and is pretty expensive. Wouldn’t buy again.
Feels very nice on bare skin but could not find a moisturizer it would work well over. Every product I tried it with caused it to pill up. It also took forever to dry down and is pretty expensive. Wouldn’t buy again.
Paula's Choice Ultra-Light Daily Hydrating Fluid SPF 30+ 29 ingredients
Alternatives
Our Dupe Finder has found 19 potential alternatives that have similar ingredients to EltaMD, Inc UV Clear Broad-Spectrum SPF 46.
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