Here's our complete breakdown comparing the ingredients, attributes, and more of EltaMD, Inc UV Facial Broad-Spectrum SPF 30+ versus Paula's Choice Smoothing Primer Serum SPF 30 .
Published on August 16, 2023
Overview
Cool Features
They both contain SPF
Suited For
They're both likely to be good for fighting acne
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
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.
Face Primer
A base to help makeup products last longer on the face or to help control shine.
Price
Ingredient Info
EltaMD, Inc UV Facial Broad-Spectrum SPF 30+ 22 ingredients
Paula's Choice Smoothing Primer Serum SPF 30 21 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 🎉
Not Malassezia Safe
Ingredients in this product that are not malassezia safe:
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 😥
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 🎉
Not Malassezia Safe
Ingredients in this product that are not malassezia safe:
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 😥
Cruelty Free
This product is cruelty-free 🎉
At a glance
Click on any of the items below to learn more
EltaMD, Inc UV Facial Broad-Spectrum SPF 30+ 22 ingredients
Paula's Choice Smoothing Primer Serum SPF 30 21 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:
Benefits
This product contains 1 ingredient that may have this attribute:
This product contains 1 ingredient that may have this attribute:
Concerns
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:
Notable Ingredients
This product contains 4 ingredients 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 2 ingredients that may have this attribute:
This product contains 3 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 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:
Concerns
This product contains 1 ingredient that may have this attribute:
This product contains 3 ingredients that may have this attribute:
This product contains 2 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 Facial Broad-Spectrum SPF 30+ 22 ingredients
Paula's Choice Smoothing Primer Serum SPF 30 21 ingredients
Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate • Zinc Oxide • Water • Petrolatum • Isopropyl Palmitate • Ethylhexyl Stearate • Cetearyl Glucoside • Glyceryl Stearate • Dimethicone • Peg-100 Stearate • Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer • Polyisobutene • Peg-7 Trimethylolpropane Coconut Ether • Sodium Hyaluronate • Tocopheryl Acetate • Polyether-1 • Citric Acid • Oleth-3 Phosphate • Phenoxyethanol • Butylene Glycol • Iodopropynyl Butylcarbamate • Triethoxycaprylylsilane
Isododecane • Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate 6% • Dimethicone • Butyloctyl Salicylate • Homosalate 4% • Ethylhexyl Salicylate 4% • Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane 2% • Polysilicone-11 • Bisabolol • Coffea Arabica Seed Extract • Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract • Chamomilla Recutita Flower Extract • Retinyl Palmitate • Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract • Calluna Vulgaris Flower Extract • Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract • Chlorella Vulgaris Extract • Caprylic Acid • Physalis Angulata Extract • Pyrus Malus Fruit Extract • Diethylhexyl Syringylidenemalonate
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 Facial Broad-Spectrum SPF 30+ contains this as ingredient number 1.
Paula's Choice Smoothing Primer Serum SPF 30 contains this as ingredient number 2.
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 Facial Broad-Spectrum SPF 30+ contains this as ingredient number 9.
Paula's Choice Smoothing Primer Serum SPF 30 contains this as ingredient number 3.
Here's what our community thinks of the ingredients in these two products.
EltaMD, Inc UV Facial Broad-Spectrum SPF 30+ 22 ingredients
Paula's Choice Smoothing Primer Serum SPF 30 21 ingredients
Usage
Here's some more info on how this product is used by our community.
When to use
EltaMD, Inc UV Facial Broad-Spectrum SPF 30+ 22 ingredients
Paula's Choice Smoothing Primer Serum SPF 30 21 ingredients
Alternatives
Our Dupe Finder has found 34 potential alternatives that have similar ingredients to EltaMD, Inc UV Facial Broad-Spectrum SPF 30+.
See 34 alternativesOur Dupe Finder has found 1 potential alternatives that have similar ingredients to Paula's Choice Smoothing Primer Serum SPF 30.
See 1 alternatives
