EltaMD, Inc UV Skin Recovery Red Color Correcting Face Sunscreen SPF 50 Versus EltaMD, Inc UV AOX Elements Broad-Spectrum SPF 50
Updated on March 05, 2025
Overview
What they are
These products are both sunscreens. They have a total of 10 ingredients in common
Cool Features
They both contain SPF and Vitamin E
Suited For
They're both likely to be good for fighting acne, anti aging, dry skin, brightening skin, sensitive skin, reducing pores, scar healing and better texture
Free From
They both do not contain any harsh alcohols, common allergens or parabens
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 Skin Recovery Red Color Correcting Face Sunscreen SPF 50 42 ingredients
EltaMD, Inc UV AOX Elements Broad-Spectrum SPF 50 27 ingredients
About this product
About this product
At a glance
Click on any of the items below to learn more
EltaMD, Inc UV Skin Recovery Red Color Correcting Face Sunscreen SPF 50 42 ingredients
EltaMD, Inc UV AOX Elements Broad-Spectrum SPF 50 27 ingredients
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Zinc Oxide 12.9%
Cosmetic Colorant
Water
Skin ConditioningDimethicone
Emollient
Butyloctyl Salicylate
Skin Conditioning
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingEthylhexyl Methoxycrylene
Skin ConditioningOctyldodecyl Neopentanoate
EmollientTaurine
BufferingHydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingButylene Glycol
Humectant
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Cetearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Arginine
Masking
Triethoxycaprylylsilane
Oleth-3 Phosphate
Oleth-20
CleansingCoco-Glucoside
CleansingPolyisobutene
Polyhydroxystearic Acid
Emulsifying
PEG-7 Trimethylolpropane Coconut Ether
EmulsifyingSalicyloyl Phytosphingosine
Skin ConditioningTocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Glycerin
Humectant
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningPongamia Pinnata Seed Extract
Skin ConditioningGlycine
Buffering
Lactic Acid
Buffering
Polyglyceryl-10 Stearate
Skin Conditioning
Centella Asiatica Leaf Extract
Skin Conditioning
Triethyl Citrate
Masking
Polyglyceryl-6 Behenate
Emulsion Stabilising
Behenic Acid
Cleansing
Ceramide NP
Skin Conditioning
Cholesterol
Emollient
Glyceryl Stearate
Emollient
Ceramide Ns
Skin Conditioning
Ceramide EOP
Skin Conditioning
Ceramide AP
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Cetearyl Sulfate
Cleansing
CI 19140
Cosmetic ColorantCI 42090
Cosmetic ColorantZinc Oxide 12.9%, Water, Dimethicone, Butyloctyl Salicylate, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Ethylhexyl Methoxycrylene, Octyldodecyl Neopentanoate, Taurine, Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Butylene Glycol, Phenoxyethanol, Cetearyl Alcohol, Arginine, Triethoxycaprylylsilane, Oleth-3 Phosphate, Oleth-20, Coco-Glucoside, Polyisobutene, Polyhydroxystearic Acid, PEG-7 Trimethylolpropane Coconut Ether, Salicyloyl Phytosphingosine, Tocopheryl Acetate, Glycerin, Tocopherol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Pongamia Pinnata Seed Extract, Glycine, Lactic Acid, Polyglyceryl-10 Stearate, Centella Asiatica Leaf Extract, Triethyl Citrate, Polyglyceryl-6 Behenate, Behenic Acid, Ceramide NP, Cholesterol, Glyceryl Stearate, Ceramide Ns, Ceramide EOP, Ceramide AP, Sodium Cetearyl Sulfate, CI 19140, CI 42090
Zinc Oxide
Cosmetic Colorant
Titanium Dioxide
Cosmetic Colorant
Water
Skin ConditioningDimethicone
Emollient
Butyloctyl Salicylate
Skin Conditioning
Octyldodecyl Neopentanoate
EmollientLauryl PEG-9 Polydimethylsiloxyethyl Dimethicone
Skin Conditioning
Cetyl Dimethicone
Emollient
Dimethicone/PEG-10/15 Crosspolymer
Polyhydroxystearic Acid
Emulsifying
Alumina
Abrasive
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Iron Oxides
Triethoxycaprylylsilane
Sodium Chloride
Masking
Hydrogen Dimethicone
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Potassium Sorbate
Preservative
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Bisabolol
Masking
Carnosine
Skin ConditioningDipropylene Glycol
MaskingAscorbyl Palmitate
Antioxidant
Sodium Citrate
BufferingCanola Oil
Emollient
Zingiber Officinale Root Extract
MaskingZinc Oxide, Titanium Dioxide, Water, Dimethicone, Butyloctyl Salicylate, Octyldodecyl Neopentanoate, Lauryl PEG-9 Polydimethylsiloxyethyl Dimethicone, Cetyl Dimethicone, Dimethicone/PEG-10/15 Crosspolymer, Polyhydroxystearic Acid, Alumina, Phenoxyethanol, Iron Oxides, Triethoxycaprylylsilane, Sodium Chloride, Hydrogen Dimethicone, Sodium Hyaluronate, Potassium Sorbate, Tocopheryl Acetate, Tocopherol, Bisabolol, Carnosine, Dipropylene Glycol, Ascorbyl Palmitate, Sodium Citrate, Canola Oil, Zingiber Officinale Root Extract
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
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 OxideWater. 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 WaterDimethicone is a type of synthetic silicone created from natural materials such as quartz.
What it does:
Dimethicone comes in different viscosities:
Depending on the viscosity, dimethicone has different properties.
Ingredients lists don't always show which type is used, so we recommend reaching out to the brand if you have questions about the viscosity.
This ingredient is unlikely to cause irritation because it does not get absorbed into skin. However, people with silicone allergies should be careful about using this ingredient.
Note: Dimethicone may contribute to pilling. This is because it is not oil or water soluble, so pilling may occur when layered with products. When mixed with heavy oils in a formula, the outcome is also quite greasy.
Learn more about DimethiconeButyloctyl Salicylate is similar to octisalate. It a photostabilizer, SPF booster, emollient and solvent. Its main purpose is to evenly spread out ingredients.
This ingredient is a common sunscreen ingredient carrier and photostabilizer. According to a manufacturer, it is suitable for carrying micro Titanium Dioxide, Zinc Oxide, and pigments.
Photostabilizers help stabilize UV-filters and prevents them from degrading quickly.
Due to regulation loopholes, this ingredient is not required to be labeled as an active chemical filter like other UV ingredients. This is why you'll likely find this ingredient in mineral sunscreens from the US.
According to EU regulation, this ingredient can cause harmful effects to aquatic life.
Learn more about Butyloctyl SalicylateWe don't have a description for Octyldodecyl Neopentanoate yet.
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.
Triethoxycaprylylsilane 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 TriethoxycaprylylsilanePolyhydroxystearic 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 AcidTocopheryl Acetate is AKA Vitamin E. It is an antioxidant and protects your skin from free radicals. Free radicals damage the skin by breaking down collagen.
One study found using Tocopheryl Acetate with Vitamin C decreased the number of sunburned cells.
Tocopheryl Acetate is commonly found in both skincare and dietary supplements.
Learn more about Tocopheryl AcetateTocopherol (also known as Vitamin E) is a common antioxidant used to help protect the skin from free-radicals and strengthen the skin barrier. It's also fat soluble - this means our skin is great at absorbing it.
Vitamin E also helps keep your natural skin lipids healthy. Your lipid skin barrier naturally consists of lipids, ceramides, and fatty acids. Vitamin E offers extra protection for your skin’s lipid barrier, keeping your skin healthy and nourished.
Another benefit is a bit of UV protection. Vitamin E helps reduce the damage caused by UVB rays. (It should not replace your sunscreen). Combining it with Vitamin C can decrease sunburned cells and hyperpigmentation after UV exposure.
You might have noticed Vitamin E + C often paired together. This is because it is great at stabilizing Vitamin C. Using the two together helps increase the effectiveness of both ingredients.
There are often claims that Vitamin E can reduce/prevent scarring, but these claims haven't been confirmed by scientific research.
Learn more about TocopherolIngredient Ratings
Here's what our community thinks of the ingredients in these products.
When to use
EltaMD, Inc UV Skin Recovery Red Color Correcting Face Sunscreen SPF 50 42 ingredients
EltaMD, Inc UV AOX Elements Broad-Spectrum SPF 50 27 ingredients
Reviews
Here's what our community thinks
EltaMD, Inc UV Skin Recovery Red Color Correcting Face Sunscreen SPF 50 42 ingredients
Pros: good texture, mild scent, blends in to skin without discoloration.
Cons: well. Something in it made my skin react very poorly and caused a chemical burn like reaction and inflammation.
EltaMD, Inc UV AOX Elements Broad-Spectrum SPF 50 27 ingredients
Dermatologist recommended this. I tried it the next day and it broke my skin out. The consistency and tinting worked well.
Onto the next!
