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Product Comparison

Here's our complete breakdown comparing the ingredients, attributes, and more of EltaMD, Inc UV Elements Broad-Spectrum SPF 44 versus Cotz Skincare Flawless Complexion SPF 50 Tinted .

Published on November 21, 2022

Overview

What they are

These products are both sunscreens. They have a total of 8 ingredients in common

Cool Features

They both contain SPF, Vitamin C and Vitamin E

Suited For

They're both likely to be good for fighting acne, anti aging, dry skin, brightening skin, dark spots and better texture

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 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 Elements Broad-Spectrum SPF 44

Starts at $33.44
Shop

Buy Flawless Complexion SPF 50 Tinted

Starts at $13.75

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
44
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

Mineral UV Filter (2)
Vitamin C
Vitamin E
Exfoliators
Hyaluronic Acid

Benefits

Hydrating
Redness Reducing
Skin Texture
Anti-Aging (2)
Dark Spots
Scar Healing (2)
Acne Fighting
Brightening (2)

Concerns

Drying
Acne Trigger
Irritating
Rosacea

Notable Ingredients

Mineral UV Filter
Vitamin C
Vitamin E

Benefits

Hydrating
Redness Reducing
Skin Texture
Anti-Aging
Dark Spots
Acne Fighting
Brightening (3)

Concerns

Drying
Acne Trigger
Rosacea
Eczema
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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 Elements Broad-Spectrum SPF 44 contains this as ingredient number 1.

Cotz Skincare Flawless Complexion SPF 50 Tinted contains this as ingredient number 1.

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 Elements Broad-Spectrum SPF 44 contains this as ingredient number 5.

Cotz Skincare Flawless Complexion SPF 50 Tinted contains this as ingredient number 29.

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

Cyclopentasiloxane is a silicone used to improve texture and trap moisture. An easier name for this is D5.

D5 is considered lightweight and volatile. Volatile means it evaporates quickly after application. Once evaporated, D5 leaves a thin barrier that helps keep skin hydrated.

D5 is an emollient. Emollients help soften the skin and prevent water loss. Silicones create a silky texture in products. D5 helps other ingredients become more spreadable.

Studies show D5 is safe to use in skincare products. We recommend speaking with a skincare professional if you have concerns.

Learn more about Cyclopentasiloxane

EltaMD, Inc UV Elements Broad-Spectrum SPF 44 contains this as ingredient number 6.

Cotz Skincare Flawless Complexion SPF 50 Tinted contains this as ingredient number 7.

4
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 Elements Broad-Spectrum SPF 44 contains this as ingredient number 7.

Cotz Skincare Flawless Complexion SPF 50 Tinted contains this as ingredient number 8.

5
What it does: Masking
Community Rating: Very Disliked

Chances are, you eat sodium chloride every day. Sodium Chloride is also known as table salt.

This ingredient has many purposes in skincare: thickener, emulsifier, and exfoliator.

You'll most likely find this ingredient in cleansers where it is used to create a gel-like texture. As an emulsifier, it also prevents ingredients from separating.

There is much debate on whether this ingredient is comedogenic. The short answer - comedogenic ratings don't tell the whole story. Learn more about comegodenic ratings here.

The concensus about this ingredient causing acne seems to be divided. Research is needed to understand if this ingredient does cause acne.

Scrubs may use salt as the primary exfoliating ingredient.

Learn more about Sodium Chloride

EltaMD, Inc UV Elements Broad-Spectrum SPF 44 contains this as ingredient number 14.

Cotz Skincare Flawless Complexion SPF 50 Tinted contains this as ingredient number 23.

6
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 Elements Broad-Spectrum SPF 44 contains this as ingredient number 15.

Cotz Skincare Flawless Complexion SPF 50 Tinted contains this as ingredient number 28.

7

Hydrogen Dimethicone is a type of silicone.

EltaMD, Inc UV Elements Broad-Spectrum SPF 44 contains this as ingredient number 17.

Cotz Skincare Flawless Complexion SPF 50 Tinted contains this as ingredient number 14.

8
What it does: Cosmetic Colorant
Community Rating: Mixed

Ci 77492 is also hydrated iron III oxide. It's sole purpose is to give a yellow hue to products.

Iron III oxides are classified as inorganic chemicals for coloring.

Synthetically created Ci 77492 is considered safer than those naturally found. This is because the synthetically created version may contain less impurities. Iron oxides are generally non-toxic and non-allergenic.

Learn more about CI 77492

EltaMD, Inc UV Elements Broad-Spectrum SPF 44 contains this as ingredient number 21.

Cotz Skincare Flawless Complexion SPF 50 Tinted contains this as ingredient number 15.

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

21% are loved or liked
11% have mixed ratings
53% are disliked or very disliked
16% have no rating yet
24% are loved or liked
3% have mixed ratings
59% are disliked or very disliked
14% 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 Elements Broad-Spectrum SPF 44 19 ingredients

2.0 /5
from 1 rating
Absorbs Well (1) Broke Me Out (1)
elltea11's avatar

elltea11

18 days ago · Dry Skin
Review

Reviewed in the United States on November 9, 2023
Initially, the texture feels too thick and the tint too dark, but it blends well and feels...

Reviewed in the United States on November 9, 2023
Initially, the texture feels too thick and the tint too dark, but it blends well and feels lighter shortly after putting it on. However, I am someone lucky enough to have only had maybe a dozen zits in my life total and this made even my dry skin break out after a few weeks of consistent use. Might be a good option if you were to alternate it with other products or if you have a deeper cleansing routine, which I don’t due to my dry skin and lack of makeup wearing.

Cotz Skincare Flawless Complexion SPF 50 Tinted 29 ingredients

Flawless Complexion SPF 50 Tinted hasn't been rated yet.
Rate it now

Alternatives

Our Dupe Finder has found 50 potential alternatives that have similar ingredients to EltaMD, Inc UV Elements Broad-Spectrum SPF 44.

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Our Dupe Finder has found 50 potential alternatives that have similar ingredients to Cotz Skincare Flawless Complexion SPF 50 Tinted.

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