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Product Comparison

Here's our complete breakdown comparing the ingredients, attributes, and more of EltaMD, Inc UV Clear Tinted SPF 46 versus CeraVe Hydrating Sunscreen with SPF 30 Sheer Tint .

Last updated on March 31, 2024. Published on January 12, 2022

Overview

What they are

These products are both sunscreens. They have a total of 7 ingredients in common

Cool Features

They both contain hyaluronic acid, niacinamide and SPF

Suited For

They're both likely to be good for fighting acne, anti aging, brightening skin, oily skin, reducing pores 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 American Brand United States
Sunscreen Canadian Brand Canada

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 Clear Tinted SPF 46

Shop

Buy Hydrating Sunscreen with SPF 30 Sheer Tint

Starts at $11.98

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
46
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
30

At a glance

Click on any of the items below to learn more

Notable Ingredients

Chemical UV Filter
Mineral UV Filter
AHA
Vitamin E
Niacinamide
Hyaluronic Acid

Benefits

Good For Oily Skin
Redness Reducing
Skin Texture
Reduces Large Pores (2)
Anti-Aging
Dark Spots (2)
Scar Healing
Acne Fighting (2)
Brightening (3)

Concerns

May Worsen Oily Skin
Acne Trigger (2)
Irritating (2)
Rosacea
Eczema

Notable Ingredients

Mineral UV Filter (2)
Niacinamide
Ceramides (3)
Hyaluronic Acid

Benefits

Hydrating (5)
Good For Oily Skin
Redness Reducing (5)
Reduces Irritation (4)
Reduces Large Pores
Anti-Aging (3)
Dark Spots
Acne Fighting (2)
Brightening (2)

Concerns

May Worsen Oily Skin (4)
Acne Trigger (2)
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Ingredients Compared

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

Ingredients Side-by-side

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

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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: Cosmetic Colorant, Skin Protecting, UV Absorber, UV Filter
Community Rating: Liked

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 Oxide

EltaMD, Inc UV Clear Tinted SPF 46 contains this as ingredient number 1.

CeraVe Hydrating Sunscreen with SPF 30 Sheer Tint 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 Clear Tinted SPF 46 contains this as ingredient number 3.

CeraVe Hydrating Sunscreen with SPF 30 Sheer Tint contains this as ingredient number 3.

3
What it does: Smoothing
Community Rating: Loved

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 Niacinamide

EltaMD, Inc UV Clear Tinted SPF 46 contains this as ingredient number 5.

CeraVe Hydrating Sunscreen with SPF 30 Sheer Tint contains this as ingredient number 15.

4
What it does: Emulsion Stabilising
Community Rating: Disliked

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 Tinted SPF 46 contains this as ingredient number 8.

CeraVe Hydrating Sunscreen with SPF 30 Sheer Tint contains this as ingredient number 36.

5
What it does: Humectant, Skin Conditioning
Community Rating: Loved

Sodium Hyaluronate is hyaluronic acid's salt form. It is commonly derived from the sodium salt of hyaluronic acid.

Like hyaluronic acid, it is great at holding water and acts as a humectant. This makes it a great skin hydrating ingredient.

Sodium Hyaluronate is naturally occurring in our bodies and is mostly found in eye fluid and joints.

These are some other common types of Hyaluronic Acid:

Learn more about Sodium Hyaluronate

EltaMD, Inc UV Clear Tinted SPF 46 contains this as ingredient number 11.

CeraVe Hydrating Sunscreen with SPF 30 Sheer Tint contains this as ingredient number 30.

6
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 Clear Tinted SPF 46 contains this as ingredient number 15.

CeraVe Hydrating Sunscreen with SPF 30 Sheer Tint contains this as ingredient number 34.

7
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 Clear Tinted SPF 46 contains this as ingredient number 20.

CeraVe Hydrating Sunscreen with SPF 30 Sheer Tint contains this as ingredient number 24.

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

30% are loved or liked
10% have mixed ratings
45% are disliked or very disliked
15% have no rating yet
32% are loved or liked
7% have mixed ratings
55% are disliked or very disliked
7% have no rating yet

Usage

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

When to use

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Reviews

Here's what our community thinks

EltaMD, Inc UV Clear Tinted SPF 46 20 ingredients

4.7 /5
from 3 ratings
MichelleR's avatar

MichelleR

6 months ago · Dry Skin
Review

Forever on my Empties List
It is viral for a REASON. The application is so smooth and luxurious. It literally melts into my skin. I love that it...

Forever on my Empties List
It is viral for a REASON. The application is so smooth and luxurious. It literally melts into my skin. I love that it has Lactic Acid and Niacinamide. It is much more than a sunscreen, it is an additional step in your skincare routine. I hate spending more than $25 on a product, and only do so for masks or when I reeealllyyyy love a product. This is the ONE. I love to get it on sale, but regardless - this is permanent staple.

Beepbop3's avatar

Beepbop3

2 months ago · Combination Skin
Review

Not sure if I love it but I dont hate it...
The product itself is not bad, it gives a very nice finish with a sheer tint that doesnt feel cakey or...

Not sure if I love it but I dont hate it...
The product itself is not bad, it gives a very nice finish with a sheer tint that doesnt feel cakey or pill on your skin. In the winter though this irritated my neck greatly, im not sure if its because of the skin already being dry from where I live but I had to stop using it because of this.

CeraVe Hydrating Sunscreen with SPF 30 Sheer Tint 44 ingredients

Hydrating Sunscreen with SPF 30 Sheer Tint hasn't been rated yet.
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