EltaMD, Inc UV Shield Broad-Spectrum SPF 45 Versus La Mer The Broad Spectrum SPF 50 UV Protecting Fluid
Updated on June 29, 2024
Overview
What they are
These products are both sunscreens. They have a total of 4 ingredients in common
Suited For
They're both likely to be good for fighting acne and dry skin
Free From
They both do not contain any harsh alcohols, 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
EltaMD, Inc UV Shield Broad-Spectrum SPF 45 19 ingredients
La Mer The Broad Spectrum SPF 50 UV Protecting Fluid 56 ingredients
About this product
About this product
At a glance
Click on any of the items below to learn more
EltaMD, Inc UV Shield Broad-Spectrum SPF 45 19 ingredients
La Mer The Broad Spectrum SPF 50 UV Protecting Fluid 56 ingredients
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Zinc Oxide 9%
Cosmetic Colorant
Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate 7.5%
UV Absorber
Water
Skin ConditioningIsopropyl Palmitate
Emollient
Ethylhexyl Stearate
Emollient
Cetearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Polysorbate 60
Emulsifying
Oleth-3 Phosphate
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Cetearyl Glucoside
EmulsifyingHydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingPolyisobutene
Polyether-1
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
PEG-7 Trimethylolpropane Coconut Ether
EmulsifyingTocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Citric Acid
Buffering
Iodopropynyl Butylcarbamate
Preservative
Triethoxycaprylylsilane
Zinc Oxide 9%, Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate 7.5%, Water, Isopropyl Palmitate, Ethylhexyl Stearate, Cetearyl Alcohol, Polysorbate 60, Oleth-3 Phosphate, Phenoxyethanol, Cetearyl Glucoside, Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Polyisobutene, Polyether-1, Butylene Glycol, PEG-7 Trimethylolpropane Coconut Ether, Tocopheryl Acetate, Citric Acid, Iodopropynyl Butylcarbamate, Triethoxycaprylylsilane
Water
Skin ConditioningButyloctyl Salicylate
Skin Conditioning
Methyl Trimethicone
Skin Conditioning
Neopentyl Glycol Diheptanoate
EmollientAleurites Moluccanus Seed Oil
Skin Conditioning
Lauryl PEG-9 Polydimethylsiloxyethyl Dimethicone
Skin Conditioning
PEG-100 Stearate
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Glyceryl Stearate
Emollient
Dipentaerythrityl Tri-Polyhydroxystearate
Emollient
Potassium Cetyl Phosphate
EmulsifyingAlgae Extract
Emollient
Sesamum Indicum Seed Oil
Emollient
Medicago Sativa Seed Powder
Skin ConditioningHelianthus Annuus Seedcake
Abrasive
Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis Seed Meal
Abrasive
Eucalyptus Globulus Leaf Oil
Perfuming
Sodium Gluconate
Skin ConditioningCopper Gluconate
Skin ConditioningCalcium Gluconate
HumectantMagnesium Gluconate
Skin ConditioningZinc Gluconate
Skin Conditioning
Tocopheryl Succinate
Antioxidant
Niacin
Smoothing
Sesamum Indicum Seed Powder
Skin ConditioningLaminaria Ochroleuca Extract
Skin Conditioning
Malachite
Skin ConditioningCaffeine
Skin ConditioningSorbitol
Humectant
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Cetyl Alcohol
Emollient
Stearic Acid
Cleansing
Vp/Eicosene Copolymer
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningSaccharide Isomerate
HumectantCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientAmmonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer
Dehydroxanthan Gum
Emulsion StabilisingSodium Dehydroacetate
Preservative
Citric Acid
Buffering
Tourmaline
Styrene/Acrylates Copolymer
Silica
Abrasive
PEG-8 Laurate
Emulsifying
Parfum
Masking
Disodium EDTA
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Limonene
Perfuming
Geraniol
Perfuming
Hydroxycitronellal
Perfuming
Linalool
Perfuming
Citronellol
Perfuming
Mica
Cosmetic Colorant
CI 61570
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantWater, Butyloctyl Salicylate, Methyl Trimethicone, Neopentyl Glycol Diheptanoate, Aleurites Moluccanus Seed Oil, Lauryl PEG-9 Polydimethylsiloxyethyl Dimethicone, PEG-100 Stearate, Butylene Glycol, Glyceryl Stearate, Dipentaerythrityl Tri-Polyhydroxystearate, Potassium Cetyl Phosphate, Algae Extract, Sesamum Indicum Seed Oil, Medicago Sativa Seed Powder, Helianthus Annuus Seedcake, Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis Seed Meal, Eucalyptus Globulus Leaf Oil, Sodium Gluconate, Copper Gluconate, Calcium Gluconate, Magnesium Gluconate, Zinc Gluconate, Tocopheryl Succinate, Niacin, Sesamum Indicum Seed Powder, Laminaria Ochroleuca Extract, Malachite, Caffeine, Sorbitol, Sodium Hyaluronate, Cetyl Alcohol, Stearic Acid, Vp/Eicosene Copolymer, Ethylhexylglycerin, Saccharide Isomerate, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Caprylyl Glycol, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer, Dehydroxanthan Gum, Sodium Dehydroacetate, Citric Acid, Tourmaline, Styrene/Acrylates Copolymer, Silica, PEG-8 Laurate, Parfum, Disodium EDTA, Phenoxyethanol, Limonene, Geraniol, Hydroxycitronellal, Linalool, Citronellol, Mica, CI 61570, CI 77891
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
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 WaterPhenoxyethanol 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.
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.
Citric Acid is an AHA derived from citrus fruits (think oranges, lemons, and limes!).
As an AHA, Citric Acid removes the top layer of skin cells from the newer layer of skin underneath. This helps skin to remove dark spots and even out skin tone.
If you spot Citric Acid near the end of an ingredient list, it's likely there as a pH adjuster rather than an active ingredient.
Read more about some other popular AHA's here:
Learn more about Citric AcidIngredient Ratings
Here's what our community thinks of the ingredients in these products.
When to use
EltaMD, Inc UV Shield Broad-Spectrum SPF 45 19 ingredients
La Mer The Broad Spectrum SPF 50 UV Protecting Fluid 56 ingredients
Reviews
Here's what our community thinks
EltaMD, Inc UV Shield Broad-Spectrum SPF 45 19 ingredients
Lesvds me glowing and hydrated
I use this every morning and it blends in perfectly with no White cast at the end and leaves my skin feeling soft, hydrated, dewy, and glowy!
This was the first product by EltaMD I ever used, and overall my experience was good through three months of use. This SPF in particular is a dual chemical/physical filter using 9% zinc oxide and 7.5% octinoxate. Sometimes in particular with chemical UV filters irritation is an important consideration, and I bring this up because while researching this product I did find a small amount of study Show more
