Farmacy Green Defense Daily Mineral Sunscreen SPF 30 Versus EltaMD, Inc UV Sheer Broad-Spectrum SPF50+ Serum
Overview
What they are
These products are both sunscreens. They have a total of 5 ingredients in common
Cool Features
They both contain SPF
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 common allergens, oils, 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
Farmacy Green Defense Daily Mineral Sunscreen SPF 30 39 ingredients
EltaMD, Inc UV Sheer Broad-Spectrum SPF50+ Serum 23 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
Farmacy Green Defense Daily Mineral Sunscreen SPF 30 39 ingredients
EltaMD, Inc UV Sheer Broad-Spectrum SPF50+ Serum 23 ingredients
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Zinc Oxide 18.23%
Cosmetic Colorant
Water
Skin ConditioningCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
C13-15 Alkane
SolventPentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningC15-19 Alkane
SolventPropanediol
Solvent
Moringa Oleifera Leaf Water
Skin ConditioningBis-Diglyceryl Polyacyladipate-2
Emollient
Gluconolactone
Skin Conditioning
Moringa Oleifera Seed Extract
Skin Conditioning
Polyacrylate Crosspolymer-6
Emulsion StabilisingPhysalis Alkekengi Calyx Extract
Skin ConditioningCetearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Beta-Carotene
Skin ConditioningInositol
Humectant
Sodium Dilauramidoglutamide Lysine
HumectantIsostearic Acid
Cleansing
Polyhydroxystearic Acid
Emulsifying
Lecithin
Emollient
Polyglyceryl-3 Polyricinoleate
Emulsifying
Coco-Glucoside
CleansingPolyglycerin-3
Humectant
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Bisabolol
Masking
Polyglyceryl-3 Lactate/Laurate
CleansingXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingSodium Citrate
BufferingSclerotium Gum
Emulsion StabilisingArachidyl Glucoside
EmulsifyingCitric Acid
Buffering
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
Behenyl Alcohol
Emollient
Sodium Phytate
Maltodextrin
Absorbent
T-Butyl Alcohol
Perfuming
Arachidyl Alcohol
EmollientGlucose
Humectant
Calcium Gluconate
HumectantZinc Oxide 18.23%, Water, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, C13-15 Alkane, Pentylene Glycol, C15-19 Alkane, Propanediol, Moringa Oleifera Leaf Water, Bis-Diglyceryl Polyacyladipate-2, Gluconolactone, Moringa Oleifera Seed Extract, Polyacrylate Crosspolymer-6, Physalis Alkekengi Calyx Extract, Cetearyl Alcohol, Beta-Carotene, Inositol, Sodium Dilauramidoglutamide Lysine, Isostearic Acid, Polyhydroxystearic Acid, Lecithin, Polyglyceryl-3 Polyricinoleate, Coco-Glucoside, Polyglycerin-3, Tocopherol, Bisabolol, Polyglyceryl-3 Lactate/Laurate, Xanthan Gum, Sodium Citrate, Sclerotium Gum, Arachidyl Glucoside, Citric Acid, Sodium Benzoate, Behenyl Alcohol, Sodium Phytate, Maltodextrin, T-Butyl Alcohol, Arachidyl Alcohol, Glucose, Calcium Gluconate
Octocrylene 10%
UV Absorber
Zinc Oxide 15%
Cosmetic Colorant
Water
Skin ConditioningButyloctyl Salicylate
Skin Conditioning
Coco-Caprylate/Caprate
Emollient
Isohexadecane
EmollientButylene Glycol
Humectant
Isododecane
EmollientPhenoxyethanol
Preservative
Polyhydroxystearic Acid
Emulsifying
Triethoxycaprylylsilane
Polyacrylate Crosspolymer-6
Emulsion StabilisingAcacia Senegal Gum
MaskingPolysilicone-11
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingTetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate
Antioxidant
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningHydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingSqualane
Emollient
Disodium EDTA
Polysorbate 60
Emulsifying
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingOctocrylene 10%, Zinc Oxide 15%, Water, Butyloctyl Salicylate, Coco-Caprylate/Caprate, Isohexadecane, Butylene Glycol, Isododecane, Phenoxyethanol, Polyhydroxystearic Acid, Triethoxycaprylylsilane, Polyacrylate Crosspolymer-6, Acacia Senegal Gum, Polysilicone-11, Xanthan Gum, Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate, Ethylhexylglycerin, Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Squalane, Disodium EDTA, Polysorbate 60, Sodium Hyaluronate, Sodium Hydroxide
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 WaterPolyacrylate Crosspolymer-6 is a texture enhancer and pH adjuster.
It is be used to thicken water-based products and create a gel-texture with a velvet feel.
One manufacturer claims this ingredient to have a pH range of 2-8 and to be biodegradable.
Learn more about Polyacrylate Crosspolymer-6Polyhydroxystearic 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 AcidXanthan 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 GumIngredient Ratings
Here's what our community thinks of the ingredients in these products.
When to use
Farmacy Green Defense Daily Mineral Sunscreen SPF 30 39 ingredients
EltaMD, Inc UV Sheer Broad-Spectrum SPF50+ Serum 23 ingredients
Reviews
Here's what our community thinks
Farmacy Green Defense Daily Mineral Sunscreen SPF 30 39 ingredients
EltaMD, Inc UV Sheer Broad-Spectrum SPF50+ Serum 23 ingredients
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
