Versus

EltaMD, Inc UV Shield Broad-Spectrum SPF 45 Versus Paula's Choice Resist Youth-Extending Daily Hydrating Fluid SPF 50

Sunscreen
Sunscreen
American Brand United States
American Brand United States

Updated on April 17, 2025

Overview

What they are

These products are both sunscreens. They have a total of 4 ingredients in common

Cool Features

They both contain SPF and Vitamin E

Suited For

They're both likely to be good for dry skin

Free From

They both do not contain any 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 needs an update? Let us know.

Ingredient Info

Click any item below to learn more and see relevant 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

Key Ingredients

Benefits

Concerns

Key Ingredients

Benefits

Concerns

Ingredients Side-by-side

found in both products
Resist Youth-Extending Daily Hydrating Fluid SPF 50

Ingredients Explained

These ingredients are found in both products.

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

UV Absorber, UV Filter

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 Methoxycinnamate
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
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.

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.

When to use

83 Routines
99% use in am
1% use in pm
98% use every day
When to use See routines that use it ->
452 Routines
98% use in am
2% use in pm
97% use every day
When to use See routines that use it ->

Reviews

Here's what our community thinks

EltaMD, Inc UV Shield Broad-Spectrum SPF 45 19 ingredients

4.5 /5
from 2 ratings
Absorbs Well (1) Broke Me Out (1) Expensive (1)
a.b.c.d.e's avatar

a.b.c.d.e

2 years ago
Review

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!

Brody9304's avatar

Brody9304

1 year ago
Review

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

#expensive
#hydrating
#broke me out
#absorbs well

Paula's Choice Resist Youth-Extending Daily Hydrating Fluid SPF 50 29 ingredients

3.7 /5
from 11 ratings
Absorbs Well (8) Works Well (5) Light (4)
dianasergeyeva_621's avatar

dianasergeyeva_621

9 months ago
Review

Gave me CC. Idk why app its not showing but it contains more that 8 ingredients with oil. The application was nice, I really enjoued it until i strated noticing closed comedones all over my face.

#broke me out
#light