EltaMD, Inc UV Restore Broad Spectrum SPF 40 Sunscreen Versus Fré Skincare Protect Me 50 SPF 50
Updated on June 19, 2025
Overview
What they are
These products are both vegan sunscreens. They have a total of 8 ingredients in common
Cool Features
They both contain SPF and Vitamin E
Suited For
They're both likely to be good for fighting acne, dry skin, brightening skin, sensitive skin and scar healing
Free From
They both do not contain any harsh alcohols, 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 needs an update? Let us know.
Ingredient Info
EltaMD, Inc UV Restore Broad Spectrum SPF 40 Sunscreen 30 ingredients
Fré Skincare Protect Me 50 SPF 50 30 ingredients
What's inside (and what isn't)
What's inside (and what isn't)
At a glance
Click on any of the items below to learn more
EltaMD, Inc UV Restore Broad Spectrum SPF 40 Sunscreen 30 ingredients
Fré Skincare Protect Me 50 SPF 50 30 ingredients
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Zinc Oxide 15%
Cosmetic Colorant
Coco-Caprylate/Caprate
Emollient
Butyloctyl Salicylate
Skin Conditioning
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Octyldodecyl Neopentanoate
EmollientMethyl Glucose Sesquistearate
Emollient
Silica
Abrasive
Glyceryl Stearate
Emollient
PEG-100 Stearate
PEG-20 Methyl Glucose Sesquistearate
Emulsifying
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Triethoxycaprylylsilane
Polyhydroxystearic Acid
Emulsifying
Glycerin
Humectant
Glyceryl Behenate
Emollient
Saccharide Isomerate
Humectant
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingZingiber Officinale Root Extract
Masking
Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingSqualane
Emollient
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningTetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate
Antioxidant
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Sclerotium Gum
Emulsion StabilisingLecithin
Emollient
Pullulan
Dimethicone
Emollient
Mica
Cosmetic Colorant
Polysorbate 60
Emulsifying
Ethylene/Methacrylate Copolymer
Zinc Oxide 15%, Coco-Caprylate/Caprate, Butyloctyl Salicylate, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Octyldodecyl Neopentanoate, Methyl Glucose Sesquistearate, Silica, Glyceryl Stearate, PEG-100 Stearate, PEG-20 Methyl Glucose Sesquistearate, Phenoxyethanol, Triethoxycaprylylsilane, Polyhydroxystearic Acid, Glycerin, Glyceryl Behenate, Saccharide Isomerate, Xanthan Gum, Zingiber Officinale Root Extract, Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Squalane, Ethylhexylglycerin, Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate, Tocopheryl Acetate, Sclerotium Gum, Lecithin, Pullulan, Dimethicone, Mica, Polysorbate 60, Ethylene/Methacrylate Copolymer
Zinc Oxide
Cosmetic Colorant
Water
Skin ConditioningCoco-Caprylate
Emollient
Glyceryl Oleate Citrate
Emulsifying
Stearyl/Octyldodecyl Citrate Crosspolymer
HumectantTocopherol
Antioxidant
Argania Spinosa Kernel Oil
Emollient
Polyhydroxystearic Acid
Emulsifying
Panthenol
Skin Conditioning
Triethoxycaprylylsilane
Lauryl Glucoside
CleansingPolyglyceryl-6 Laurate
Emulsifying
Propanediol
Solvent
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingMyristyl Glucoside
CleansingCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Isomalt
HumectantGlycerin
Humectant
Caprylyl Glycol
EmollientLauroyl Lysine
Skin ConditioningSodium Phytate
Argania Spinosa Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningCaprylhydroxamic Acid
Citrus Aurantium Bergamia Fruit Oil
Masking
Cymbopogon Flexuosus Oil
Masking
Lavandula Angustifolia Oil
Masking
Carnosine
Skin Conditioning
Argania Spinosa Callus Culture Extract
Skin ConditioningLecithin
Emollient
Zinc Oxide, Water, Coco-Caprylate, Glyceryl Oleate Citrate, Stearyl/Octyldodecyl Citrate Crosspolymer, Tocopherol, Argania Spinosa Kernel Oil, Polyhydroxystearic Acid, Panthenol, Triethoxycaprylylsilane, Lauryl Glucoside, Polyglyceryl-6 Laurate, Propanediol, Xanthan Gum, Myristyl Glucoside, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Isomalt, Glycerin, Caprylyl Glycol, Lauroyl Lysine, Sodium Phytate, Argania Spinosa Leaf Extract, Ethylhexylglycerin, Caprylhydroxamic Acid, Citrus Aurantium Bergamia Fruit Oil, Cymbopogon Flexuosus Oil, Lavandula Angustifolia Oil, Carnosine, Argania Spinosa Callus Culture Extract, Lecithin
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
This ingredient is an emollient, solvent, and texture enhancer. It is considered a skin-softener by helping the skin prevent moisture loss.
It helps thicken a product's formula and makes it easier to spread by dissolving clumping compounds.
Caprylic Triglyceride is made by combining glycerin with coconut oil, forming a clear liquid.
While there is an assumption Caprylic Triglyceride can clog pores due to it being derived from coconut oil, there is no research supporting this.
Learn more about Caprylic/Capric TriglycerideEthylhexylglycerin (we can't pronounce this either) is commonly used as a preservative and skin softener. It is derived from glyceryl.
You might see Ethylhexylglycerin often paired with other preservatives such as phenoxyethanol. Ethylhexylglycerin has been found to increase the effectiveness of these other preservatives.
Glycerin is already naturally found in your skin. It helps moisturize and protect your skin.
A study from 2016 found glycerin to be more effective as a humectant than AHAs and hyaluronic acid.
As a humectant, it helps the skin stay hydrated by pulling moisture to your skin. The low molecular weight of glycerin allows it to pull moisture into the deeper layers of your skin.
Hydrated skin improves your skin barrier; Your skin barrier helps protect against irritants and bacteria.
Glycerin has also been found to have antimicrobial and antiviral properties. Due to these properties, glycerin is often used in wound and burn treatments.
In cosmetics, glycerin is usually derived from plants such as soybean or palm. However, it can also be sourced from animals, such as tallow or animal fat.
This ingredient is organic, colorless, odorless, and non-toxic.
Glycerin is the name for this ingredient in American English. British English uses Glycerol/Glycerine.
Learn more about GlycerinLecithin is a term for a group of substances found in the cell membranes of plants, animals, and humans. They are made up of mixture of phospholipids.
This ingredient has emollient and emulsifying properties.
As an emollient, lecithen helps soften the skin and creates a barrier to keep moisture in.
As an emulsifier, it also helps prevent water and oil ingredients from separating. Lecithin can also help ingredients be better absorbed by the skin.
This is because the phospholipids in lecithin produce liposomes. Liposomes help other ingredients get through the skin barrier.
Depending on the source of this ingredient, lecithin may not be fungal acne safe. This is because some sources of lecithin come from soybean oil, which may feed the malassezia yeast that feeds fungal acne.
We recommend reaching out to the brand you are purchasing from to inquire about the source of their lecithin.
Learn more about LecithinPolyhydroxystearic Acid is a soft wax made from castor oil.
It is is a texture thickener, emulsifier, and film-former. Emulsifiers prevent ingredients from separating, such as oils and waters.
Polyhydroxystearic Acid may not be fungal acne safe.
Learn more about Polyhydroxystearic AcidTriethoxycaprylylsilane 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 TriethoxycaprylylsilaneXanthan gum is used as a stabilizer and thickener within cosmetic products. It helps give products a sticky, thick feeling - preventing them from being too runny.
On the technical side of things, xanthan gum is a polysaccharide - a combination consisting of multiple sugar molecules bonded together.
Xanthan gum is a pretty common and great ingredient. It is a natural, non-toxic, non-irritating ingredient that is also commonly used in food products.
Learn more about Xanthan GumZinc 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 may be harmful to coral reefs - though the verdict is not entirely out on this one.
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 OxideIngredient Ratings
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When to use
EltaMD, Inc UV Restore Broad Spectrum SPF 40 Sunscreen 30 ingredients
Fré Skincare Protect Me 50 SPF 50 30 ingredients
