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Product Comparison

Here's our complete breakdown comparing the ingredients, attributes, and more of EltaMD, Inc UV Daily Facial Sunscreen Broad-Spectrum SPF 40 versus SkinCeuticals Ultra Facial UV Defense Sunscreen SPF50 .

Published on February 14, 2022

Overview

What they are

These products are both sunscreens. They have a total of 5 ingredients in common

Cool Features

They both contain SPF and Vitamin E

Suited For

They're both likely to be good for brightening skin

Free From

They both do not contain any 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 American Brand United States

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 Daily Facial Sunscreen Broad-Spectrum SPF 40

Shop

Buy Ultra Facial UV Defense Sunscreen SPF50

Starts at $42.00

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
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
50

At a glance

Click on any of the items below to learn more

Notable Ingredients

Chemical UV Filter
Mineral UV Filter
Vitamin E
Hyaluronic Acid

Benefits

Acne Fighting
Brightening

Concerns

May Worsen Oily Skin (2)
Acne Trigger
Irritating

Notable Ingredients

Chemical UV Filter (5)
Mineral UV Filter
Vitamin E

Benefits

Hydrating (2)
Anti-Aging
Scar Healing
Brightening (2)

Concerns

Drying
May Worsen Oily Skin (3)
Irritating (3)
Rosacea
Eczema (2)
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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: 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 Daily Facial Sunscreen Broad-Spectrum SPF 40 contains this as ingredient number 2.

SkinCeuticals Ultra Facial UV Defense Sunscreen SPF50 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 Daily Facial Sunscreen Broad-Spectrum SPF 40 contains this as ingredient number 3.

SkinCeuticals Ultra Facial UV Defense Sunscreen SPF50 contains this as ingredient number 1.

3
What it does: Emollient, Skin Conditioning, Skin Protecting
Community Rating: Very Disliked

Dimethicone is a silicone used for making products smooth and silky. It also has the added benefit of sealing in hydration. The amount of dimethicone found in beauty products is considered safe and non-comedogenic, meaning it won't clog pores.

Dimethicone has been found increase absorption in skin, boosting the benefits of other ingredients. While there is concern for the safety of dimethicone, the levels used in skincare are safe for use.

EltaMD, Inc UV Daily Facial Sunscreen Broad-Spectrum SPF 40 contains this as ingredient number 7.

SkinCeuticals Ultra Facial UV Defense Sunscreen SPF50 contains this as ingredient number 6.

4
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 Daily Facial Sunscreen Broad-Spectrum SPF 40 contains this as ingredient number 16.

SkinCeuticals Ultra Facial UV Defense Sunscreen SPF50 contains this as ingredient number 19.

5
What it does: Humectant, Masking, Skin Conditioning, Solvent
Community Rating: Mixed

Butylene Glycol (or BG) is used within cosmetic products for a few different reasons:

  • It is a solvent, meaning that it helps to dissolve other ingredients. This also enhances the absorption of the product into one's skin.
  • It is a humectant, which means that it helps attract moisture into the skin.
  • It helps improve product application.

Overall, Butylene Glycol is a safe and well-rounded ingredient. It is unlikely to irritate skin, and works well with pretty much all other ingredients.

EltaMD, Inc UV Daily Facial Sunscreen Broad-Spectrum SPF 40 contains this as ingredient number 17.

SkinCeuticals Ultra Facial UV Defense Sunscreen SPF50 contains this as ingredient number 28.

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

21% are loved or liked
5% have mixed ratings
58% are disliked or very disliked
16% have no rating yet
26% are loved or liked
13% have mixed ratings
48% are disliked or very disliked
13% 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 Daily Facial Sunscreen Broad-Spectrum SPF 40 19 ingredients

UV Daily Facial Sunscreen Broad-Spectrum SPF 40 hasn't been rated yet.
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SkinCeuticals Ultra Facial UV Defense Sunscreen SPF50 31 ingredients

1.0 /5
from 1 rating
Expensive (1) Pilling (1)
nasaye's avatar

nasaye

3 months ago · Dry Skin
Review

I got this product free as part of a brand offer and I'm glad. The SPF doesn't work well with other products like moisturiser or make up. You can...

I got this product free as part of a brand offer and I'm glad. The SPF doesn't work well with other products like moisturiser or make up. You can get much better SPF for a fraction of the price.

Alternatives

Our Dupe Finder has found 34 potential alternatives that have similar ingredients to EltaMD, Inc UV Daily Facial Sunscreen Broad-Spectrum SPF 40.

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Our Dupe Finder has found 50 potential alternatives that have similar ingredients to SkinCeuticals Ultra Facial UV Defense Sunscreen SPF50.

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