Versus

EltaMD, Inc UV Sheer Broad-Spectrum SPF50+ Serum Versus Dr. Dennis Gross Skincare Dark Spot Sun Defense Broad Spectrum SPF 50

Sunscreen
Sunscreen
American Brand United States
American Brand United States

Overview

What they are

These products are both sunscreens. They have a total of 13 ingredients in common

Cool Features

They both contain hyaluronic acid, SPF and Vitamin C

Suited For

They're both likely to be good for fighting acne, dry skin, brightening skin, reducing pores and better texture

Free From

They both do not contain any parabens or sulfates

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

Click any item below to learn more and see relevant ingredients

About this product

About this product

At a glance

Click on any of the items below to learn more

Key Ingredients

Benefits

Concerns

Key Ingredients

Benefits

Concerns

Ingredients Side-by-side

found in both products
Dark Spot Sun Defense Broad Spectrum SPF 50

Titanium Dioxide

Cosmetic Colorant
0 / 0 Mineral UV Filter IconNon-Reef-Safe Icon

Zinc Oxide

Cosmetic Colorant
1 / 0 Mineral UV Filter IconHelps fight Acne IconNon-Reef-Safe Icon

Acrylates/Carbamate Copolymer

Skin Conditioning

Aluminum Hydroxide

Emollient

Ascorbyl Glucoside

Antioxidant
Vitamin C IconAntioxidant IconHelps reduce Skin Redness IconGood for Skin Texture IconGood for Minimizing Pores IconHelps brighten skin Icon

Benzyl Alcohol

Perfuming
Alcohol IconFragrance IconPreservative IconCan worsen Dry Skin IconMay worsen Oily Skin IconMay cause irritation IconEU Allergen IconMay worsen Eczema IconMay worsen Rosacea Icon

BHT

Antioxidant
Antioxidant Icon

Bis-Ethylhexyl Hydroxydimethoxy Benzylmalonate

Antioxidant
Antioxidant Icon

Boerhavia Diffusa Root Extract

Skin Protecting
Helps reduce irritation Icon

Butylene Glycol

Humectant
1 / 0 Helps hydrate Dry Skin Icon

C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate

Antimicrobial

Caprylyl Glycol

Emollient

Carbomer

Emulsion Stabilising
1 / 0

Carthamus Tinctorius Seed Oil

Masking
0-2 / 0 Oil IconNot safe for Fungal Acne Icon

Citric Acid

Buffering
AHA IconGood for Oily Skin IconGood for Skin Texture IconGood for Minimizing Pores IconGood for Scar Healing IconHelps brighten skin IconMay worsen Rosacea Icon

Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Oil

Masking
Oil Icon

Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Peel Extract

Emulsion Stabilising
Fragrance Icon

Coco-Caprylate/Caprate

Emollient
Not safe for Fungal Acne Icon

Coconut Alkanes

Emollient
Not safe for Fungal Acne Icon

Disodium EDTA

Echium Plantagineum Seed Oil

Skin Conditioning
Oil IconNot safe for Fungal Acne Icon

Glycerin

Humectant
0 / 0 Helps hydrate Dry Skin IconHelps brighten skin Icon

Glycolic Acid

Buffering
AHA IconGood for Oily Skin IconGood for Skin Texture IconGood for Minimizing Pores IconHelps with Anti-Aging IconGood for Dark Spots IconGood for Scar Healing IconHelps brighten skin IconMay worsen Rosacea Icon

Hydrogenated Lecithin

Emulsifying

Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer

Emulsion Stabilising

Hydroxypropyl Cyclodextrin

Masking

Isohexadecane

Emollient

Isononyl Isononanoate

Emollient

Isopropyl Titanium Triisostearate

Emollient
Not safe for Fungal Acne Icon

Magnesium Ascorbyl Phosphate

Antioxidant
Vitamin C IconAntioxidant IconHelps reduce Skin Redness IconGood for Skin Texture IconGood for Minimizing Pores IconHelps brighten skin Icon

Melatonin

Antioxidant
Antioxidant Icon

Nordihydroguaiaretic Acid

Antioxidant
Antioxidant Icon

Oenothera Biennis Oil

Emollient
3 / 2 Oil IconHelps reduce irritation IconBad for Acne Prone Skin IconNot safe for Fungal Acne Icon

Olea Europaea Fruit Oil

Masking
0-2 / 0 Fragrance IconOil IconNot safe for Fungal Acne Icon

Oleanolic Acid

Skin Conditioning

Oryza Sativa Extract

Absorbent
Helps with Anti-Aging IconGood for Dark Spots IconGood for Scar Healing Icon

Palmitoyl Tripeptide-38

Skin Conditioning
Peptide IconHelps with Anti-Aging IconNot safe for Fungal Acne Icon

PEG-60 Almond Glycerides

Emulsifying
Not safe for Fungal Acne Icon

Pentylene Glycol

Skin Conditioning

Phenoxyethanol

Preservative
Preservative Icon

Phospholipids

Skin Conditioning

Polyhydroxystearic Acid

Emulsifying
Not safe for Fungal Acne Icon

Polysorbate 60

Emulsifying
Not safe for Fungal Acne Icon

Potassium Sorbate

Preservative
Preservative Icon

Propanediol

Solvent

Saccharide Isomerate

Humectant

Sodium Benzoate

Masking
Preservative Icon

Sodium Citrate

Buffering

Sodium Hyaluronate

Humectant
0 / 0 Hyaluronic Acid Icon

Sodium PCA

Humectant
0 / 0

Sphingolipids

Emollient

Stearic Acid

Cleansing
2-3 / 0 May worsen Oily Skin IconNot safe for Fungal Acne Icon

Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate

Antioxidant
Vitamin C IconAntioxidant IconHelps reduce Skin Redness IconGood for Skin Texture IconGood for Minimizing Pores IconHelps brighten skin Icon

Tocopherol

Antioxidant
0-3 / 0-3 Vitamin E IconAntioxidant IconHelps hydrate Dry Skin IconHelps with Anti-Aging IconGood for Scar Healing Icon

Water

Skin Conditioning

Xanthan Gum

Emulsifying

Zinc PCA

Humectant
Good for Scar Healing IconHelps fight Acne Icon

Ingredients Explained

These ingredients are found in both products.

Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.

Cosmetic Colorant, Skin Protecting, UV Absorber

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 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 Oxide
Skin Conditioning, Solvent

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. If you see this, drink a glass of water. Stay hydrated!

Learn more about Water
Emollient, Skin Conditioning

Coco-Caprylate/Caprate is created from fatty coconut alcohol, caprylic acid, and capric acid.

It is a lightweight emollient. Emollients create a thin barrier on the skin to trap moisture in. This helps keep your skin hydrated and soft.

Once applied, Coco-Caprylate/Caprate is absorbed quickly and leaves a silky feel.

Coco-Caprylate/Caprate may not be fungal acne safe.

Learn more about Coco-Caprylate/Caprate
Emollient, Skin Conditioning, Solvent

Isohexadecane is added to enhance texture, emulsify, and to help cleanse. It is an isoparrafin. It is a component of petrolatum.

Due to its large size, Isohexadecane is not absorbed by the skin. Instead, it sits on top and acts as an emollient. Emollients help keep your skin soft and smooth by trapping moisture within.

Isohexadecane is often used in products designed to help oily skin. It is lightweight and non-greasy while helping to moisturize. When mixed with silicones, it gives a product a silky feel.

Learn more about Isohexadecane
Humectant, Masking, Skin Conditioning

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.
  • It has mild preservative properties.

Overall, Butylene Glycol is a safe and well-rounded ingredient that works well with other ingredients.

Preservative

Phenoxyethanol is a preservative that has germicide, antimicrobial, and aromatic properties. Studies show that phenoxyethanol can prevent 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.

Polyhydroxystearic 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 Acid
Emulsifying, Emulsion Stabilising, Gel Forming

Xanthan 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 Gum
Antioxidant, Skin Conditioning

Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate (THD) is a stable and oil-soluble form of Vitamin C.

THD is special in that it has the ability to travel deeper into skin than traditional ascorbic acid while maintaining the same skin benefits (double win!).

Because it’s oil-soluble, THD dives deep into your skin’s fatty layers (think ceramides and cholesterol) to fight off the kind of free radicals that mess with your skin barrier. This makes it a great pair with water-based vitamin C (ascorbic acid) that mainly works on the surface.

Even at just 0.1%, THD is already showing great antioxidant activity. When used up to 2%, it helps keep your skin happy and calm, especially when it’s stressed from pollution or sun.

Want to fade dark spots or tackle hyperpigmentation? You’ll want 5% or more. Pairing it with brightening buddies like niacinamide or licorice root gives even better results. One study even used 30% THD with other brighteners and saw real results on stubborn discoloration, even in melasma-prone skin.

A note on THD: It’s has a slightly silky, oily texture and usually shows up colorless or pale yellow (though the exact shade can vary by supplier).

While you can sneak it into water-based formulas, it really shines when paired with silicones or oils, which help your skin soak it up better.

THD is pretty stable, but it’s still vulnerable to degradation like ascorbic acid. Too much light or heat (above 113°F / 45°C) can break it down over time. Go for dark and opaque packaging that keeps it safe and shady!

Read more about other types of Vitamin C:

Learn more about Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate

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.

Disodium EDTA plays a role in making products more stable by aiding other preservatives.

It is a chelating agent, meaning it neutralizes metal ions that may be found in a product.

Disodium EDTA is a salt of edetic acid and is found to be safe in cosmetic ingredients.

Learn more about Disodium EDTA
Emulsifying

Polysorbate 60 is used to help stabilize products. It is a surfactant and emulsifier. These properties help keep ingredients together in a product. Surfactants help reduce surface tension between ingredients with different states, such as liquids and solids. Emulsifiers help prevent oils and waters from separating.

Polysorbate 60 is sorbitol-based and created from the ethoxylation of sorbitan. Ethoxylation is a chemical reaction used to add ethylene oxide. Sorbitan is a the dehydrated version of sorbitol, a sugar found in fruits.

In this case, the 60 comes from reacting 60 units of ethylene oxide with sorbitan.

Polysorbates are commonly used in medicine and foods.

Learn more about Polysorbate 60
Humectant, Skin Conditioning

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

When to use

22 Routines
100% use in am
0% use in pm
91% use every day
3 Routines
100% use in am
0% use in pm
100% use every day

Reviews

Here's what our community thinks

EltaMD, Inc UV Sheer Broad-Spectrum SPF50+ Serum 23 ingredients

5.0 /5
from 1 rating
Absorbs Well (1) Expensive (1) Hydrating (1)
Brody9304's avatar

Brody9304

1 year ago
Review

I quite like this sunscreen by EltaMD. One of my favorite talking points about this sunscreen is the vitamin C derivative it contains, tetrahexyldecyl ascorbate (THD), which is oil-soluble. THD is able to much more readily penetrate the compacted hydrophobic (water repellent) lipid matrix of the stratum corneum versus other vitamin C derivatives used in skincare. This product also contains Show more

#expensive
#hydrating
#light
#absorbs well

Dr. Dennis Gross Skincare Dark Spot Sun Defense Broad Spectrum SPF 50 57 ingredients

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