Versus

Good Molecules Sheer Mineral Sunscreen SPF 30 Versus COOLA Classic Face Sunscreen SPF 50 - White Tea

Sunscreen
Sunscreen
American Brand United States
American Brand United States

Updated on August 12, 2024

Overview

What they are

These products are both vegan and cruelty-free sunscreens. They have a total of 9 ingredients in common

Cool Features

They both contain SPF

Suited For

They're both likely to be good for dry skin, brightening skin and sensitive skin

Free From

They both do not contain any harsh alcohols, parabens or sulfates

What's Inside

They both contain oils

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
Sheer Mineral Sunscreen SPF 30
Classic Face Sunscreen SPF 50

Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane 1.75%

UV Absorber
Chemical UV Filter IconMay cause irritation IconMay worsen Rosacea Icon

Homosalate 5%

Skin Conditioning
Chemical UV Filter IconNon-Reef-Safe Icon

Ethylhexyl Salicylate 2%

UV Absorber
0 / 0 Chemical UV Filter IconNon-Reef-Safe IconMay worsen Rosacea Icon

Octocrylene 5%

UV Absorber
Chemical UV Filter IconNon-Reef-Safe IconMay worsen Eczema Icon

Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice

Skin Conditioning
Helps reduce Skin Redness IconHelps reduce irritation Icon

Carthamus Tinctorius Oleosomes

Emollient
Not safe for Fungal Acne Icon

Water

Skin Conditioning

Carthamus Tinctorius Seed Oil

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

Glycerin

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

Polyacrylate Crosspolymer-6

Emulsion Stabilising

Limnanthes Alba Seed Oil

Skin Conditioning
Oil IconNot safe for Fungal Acne Icon

Mauritia Flexuosa Fruit Oil

Skin Conditioning
Oil IconNot safe for Fungal Acne Icon

Rubus Idaeus Seed Oil

Emollient
Oil IconNot safe for Fungal Acne Icon

Squalane

Emollient
1 / 0 Helps hydrate Dry Skin Icon

Brassica Campestris Seed Oil

Skin Conditioning
Oil IconNot safe for Fungal Acne Icon

Opuntia Ficus-Indica Flower Extract

Skin Conditioning

Camelina Sativa Seed Oil

Skin Conditioning
Oil IconNot safe for Fungal Acne Icon

Xanthan Gum

Emulsifying

Cetearyl Alcohol

Emollient
2 / 1 Fatty Alcohol IconMay worsen Oily Skin IconBad for Acne Prone Skin IconNot safe for Fungal Acne Icon

Cetyl Palmitate

Emollient
0 / 0 Not safe for Fungal Acne Icon

Caprylyl Glycol

Emollient

1,2-Hexanediol

Skin Conditioning

Sorbitan Palmitate

Emulsifying
Not safe for Fungal Acne Icon

Methyl Dihydroabietate

Dimethicone

Emollient
1 / 0 Silicon Icon

Sorbitan Oleate

Emulsifying
3 / 0 Bad for Acne Prone Skin IconNot safe for Fungal Acne Icon

Silica

Abrasive
Exfoliant IconMay worsen Eczema IconMay worsen Rosacea Icon

Sodium Phytate

Sodium Hydroxide

Buffering

Polysilicone-11

Butylene Glycol

Humectant
1 / 0 Helps hydrate Dry Skin Icon

Tropolone

Skin Conditioning

Decyl Glucoside

Cleansing

Linalool

Perfuming
Fragrance IconMay cause irritation IconEU Allergen IconMay worsen Eczema IconMay worsen Rosacea Icon

Geraniol

Perfuming
Fragrance IconMay cause irritation IconEU Allergen Icon

Hexyl Cinnamal

Perfuming
Fragrance IconMay cause irritation IconEU Allergen Icon

Limonene

Perfuming
Fragrance IconMay worsen Eczema IconMay worsen Rosacea Icon

Parfum

Masking
Fragrance IconMay worsen Eczema IconMay worsen Rosacea Icon

Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride

Masking

Linalyl Acetate

Masking
May cause irritation IconEU Allergen Icon

Salvia Sclarea Oil

Masking
Oil Icon

Phenethyl Alcohol

Masking

Benzyl Acetate

Masking
Fragrance Icon

Citrus Reticulata Leaf Oil

Masking
Fragrance IconOil Icon

Citrus Bergamia Peel Oil Expressed

Perfuming
Fragrance IconOil Icon

3-Hexenol

Masking
Fragrance Icon

Hexyl Acetate

Masking
Fragrance Icon

Hexenyl Acetate

Masking
Fragrance Icon

Santalum Album Oil

Masking
Oil IconMay cause irritation IconEU Allergen Icon

Alpha-Ionone

Perfuming
Fragrance Icon

A-Terpinyl Acetate

Perfuming
Fragrance Icon

Alpha-Terpinene

Perfuming
Fragrance IconMay cause irritation IconEU Allergen Icon

Geranyl Acetate

Perfuming
Fragrance IconMay cause irritation IconEU Allergen Icon

Aniba Rosaeodora Wood Oil

Astringent
Fragrance IconOil Icon

Anisaldehyde

Masking
Fragrance Icon

Rose Ketone-4

Perfuming
Fragrance Icon

Methyl Benzoate

Perfuming
Fragrance IconPreservative Icon

Zingiber Officinale Root Oil

Masking
Fragrance IconOil Icon

Mentha Piperita Oil

Masking
Fragrance IconOil IconMay cause irritation IconEU Allergen Icon

Nerol

Perfuming
Fragrance Icon

Benzaldehyde

Masking
Fragrance IconMay cause irritation IconEU Allergen Icon

Jasminum Officinale Oil

Masking
Fragrance IconOil IconMay cause irritation IconEU Allergen Icon

Ingredients Explained

These ingredients are found in both products.

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

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
Masking, Skin Conditioning

This ingredient is an emollient, solvent, and texture enhancer. It is considered a skin-softener by helping the skin prevent moisture loss.

It helps thicken a product's formula and makes it easier to spread by dissolving clumping compounds.

Caprylic Triglyceride is made by combining glycerin with coconut oil, forming a clear liquid.

While there is an assumption Caprylic Triglyceride can clog pores due to it being derived from coconut oil, there is no research supporting this.

Learn more about Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Emollient, Emulsifying, Emulsion Stabilising

Cetearyl alcohol is a mixture of two fatty alcohols: cetyl alcohol and stearyl alcohol. It is mainly used as an emulsifier. Emulsifiers help prevent the separation of oils and products. Due to its composition, it can also be used to thicken a product or help create foam.

Cetearyl alcohol is an emollient. Emollients help soothe and hydrate the skin by trapping moisture.

Studies show Cetearyl alcohol is non-toxic and non-irritating. The FDA allows products labeled "alcohol-free" to have fatty alcohols.

This ingredient is usually derived from plant oils such as palm, vegetable, or coconut oils. There is debate on whether this ingredient will cause acne.

Due to the fatty acid base, this ingredient may not be Malassezia folliculitis safe.

Learn more about Cetearyl Alcohol
Emollient, Humectant, Skin Conditioning

Caprylyl Glycol is a humectant and emollient, meaning it attracts and preserves moisture.

It is a common ingredient in many products, especially those designed to hydrate skin. The primary benefits are retaining moisture, skin softening, and promoting a healthy skin barrier.

Though Caprylyl Glycol is an alcohol derived from fatty acids, it is not the kind that can dry out skin.

This ingredient is also used as a preservative to extend the life of products. It has slight antimicrobial properties.

Learn more about Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient, Masking, Skin Conditioning

Cetyl Palmitate is a wax-like substance.

It comes from palmitic acid and palmityl alcohol. Cetyl Palmitate may not be safe for Malassezia folliculitis, or fungal-acne.

This ingredient is naturally found in the guava fruit and stony corals.

Learn more about Cetyl Palmitate
Emulsifying

Sorbitan Palmitate is an emulsifier.

It is created by reacting sorbitol with palmitic acid.

Humectant, Skin Conditioning, Skin Protecting

Glycerin is already naturally found in your skin. It helps moisturize and protect your skin.

A study from 2016 found glycerin to be more effective as a humectant than AHAs and hyaluronic acid.

As a humectant, it helps the skin stay hydrated by pulling moisture to your skin. The low molecular weight of glycerin allows it to pull moisture into the deeper layers of your skin.

Hydrated skin improves your skin barrier; Your skin barrier helps protect against irritants and bacteria.

Glycerin has also been found to have antimicrobial and antiviral properties. Due to these properties, glycerin is often used in wound and burn treatments.

In cosmetics, glycerin is usually derived from plants such as soybean or palm. However, it can also be sourced from animals, such as tallow or animal fat.

This ingredient is organic, colorless, odorless, and non-toxic.

Glycerin is the name for this ingredient in American English. British English uses Glycerol/Glycerine.

Learn more about Glycerin
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
Skin Conditioning

Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice comes from leaves of the aloe plant. Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice is best known for helping to soothe sunburns. It is also anti-inflammatory, moisturizing, antiseptic, and can help heal wounds.

Aloe is packed with good stuff including Vitamins A, C, and E. These vitamins are antioxidants, which help fight free-radicals and the damage they may cause. Free-radicals are molecules that may damage your skin cells, such as pollution.

Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice also contains sugars. These sugars come in the form of monosaccharides and polysaccharides, folic acid, and choline. These sugars are able to help bind moisture to skin.

It also contains minerals such as calcium, 12 anthraquinones, fatty acids, amino acids, and Vitamin B12.

Learn more about Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice

When to use

137 Routines
97% use in am
2% use in pm
93% use every day
When to use See routines that use it ->
10 Routines
100% use in am
0% use in pm
100% use every day

Reviews

Here's what our community thinks

Good Molecules Sheer Mineral Sunscreen SPF 30 32 ingredients

4.0 /5
from 2 ratings
Works Well (2) Absorbs Well (1) Expensive (1)
king.sweetpotato's avatar

Gemini James

5 days ago
Review

Probably one of the best zinc based sunscreens I’ve used. Feels a lot less heavy than the others and over time feels a lot less sticky. Definitely has a white cast though. And I’m pretty pale mind you. Not super noticeable but it is there.

Not my daily sunscreen though. I use it once or twice a week because my acne proneness responds well to zinc.

#works well
sabrinakhansantiago's avatar

SABRINA KHAN SANTIAGO

3 months ago
Review

I was so sad when I ran out of this product, it left no white cast, (minimal on my arm as I have arm hair, but really good considering I’m part south Asian, so I’m tan/brown), and super convenient and easy to use. One of my favorite minerals, just wish it was a higher spf and bigger tube/size.

#expensive
#hydrating
#light
#absorbs well

COOLA Classic Face Sunscreen SPF 50 62 ingredients

Classic Face Sunscreen SPF 50 hasn't been rated yet.
Rate it now