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Product Comparison

Here's our complete breakdown comparing the ingredients, attributes, and more of HELIOCARE 360º MD A-R Emulsion SPF50+ versus SkinMedica Essential Defense Mineral Shield Broad Spectrum SPF 32 Sunscreen Tinted .

Last updated on November 06, 2023. Published on November 04, 2023

Overview

What they are

These products are both sunscreens. They have a total of 12 ingredients in common

Cool Features

They both contain Vitamin E

Suited For

They're both likely to be good for brightening skin

Free From

They both do not contain any harsh alcohols, common allergens, oils 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 need an update? Let us know.

Sunscreen Spanish Brand Spain
Sunscreen American Brand United States

Sunscreen

Sunscreens help absorb or reflect UV radiation and protect skin against skin damage. Sunscreens may come in the form of lotion, gel, foam, spray, or solid-stick.

Sunscreen

Sunscreens help absorb or reflect UV radiation and protect skin against skin damage. Sunscreens may come in the form of lotion, gel, foam, spray, or solid-stick.

Price

Ingredient Info

Click any item below to learn more and view relevant ingredients.
alcohol-free
silicon-free
fragrance-free
sulfate-free
paraben-free
oil-free
fungal-acne safe
reef-safe
eu-allergen-free
vegan
cruelty-free
spf rating
50
alcohol-free
silicon-free
fragrance-free
sulfate-free
paraben-free
oil-free
fungal-acne safe
reef-safe
eu-allergen-free
vegan
cruelty-free
spf rating
32

At a glance

Click on any of the items below to learn more

Notable Ingredients

Chemical UV Filter
Mineral UV Filter (3)
Vitamin E (2)

Benefits

Hydrating (2)
Anti-Aging
Scar Healing
Acne Fighting
Brightening (2)

Concerns

May Worsen Oily Skin
Irritating
Eczema

Notable Ingredients

Vitamin E

Benefits

Brightening

Concerns

Drying
May Worsen Oily Skin
Acne Trigger
Rosacea
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Ingredients Compared

Ingredients that are highlighted in purple are present in both products.

Ingredients Side-by-side

Ingredients that are highlighted in purple are present in both products.

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Ingredients Explained

These ingredients are found in both products.

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

1
What it does: Skin Conditioning, Solvent
Community Rating: Loved

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. Talk about multi-purpose! If you see this, drink a glass of water. Stay hydrated!

Learn more about Water

HELIOCARE 360º MD A-R Emulsion SPF50+ contains this as ingredient number 1.

SkinMedica Essential Defense Mineral Shield Broad Spectrum SPF 32 Sunscreen Tinted contains this as ingredient number 1.

2
What it does: Emollient, Skin Conditioning, Solvent
Community Rating: Disliked

Cyclopentasiloxane is a silicone used to improve texture and trap moisture. An easier name for this is D5.

D5 is considered lightweight and volatile. Volatile means it evaporates quickly after application. Once evaporated, D5 leaves a thin barrier that helps keep skin hydrated.

D5 is an emollient. Emollients help soften the skin and prevent water loss. Silicones create a silky texture in products. D5 helps other ingredients become more spreadable.

Studies show D5 is safe to use in skincare products. We recommend speaking with a skincare professional if you have concerns.

Learn more about Cyclopentasiloxane

HELIOCARE 360º MD A-R Emulsion SPF50+ contains this as ingredient number 6.

SkinMedica Essential Defense Mineral Shield Broad Spectrum SPF 32 Sunscreen Tinted contains this as ingredient number 2.

3
What it does: Humectant, Masking, Skin Conditioning, Solvent
Community Rating: Mixed

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.

Overall, Butylene Glycol is a safe and well-rounded ingredient. It is unlikely to irritate skin, and works well with pretty much all other ingredients.

HELIOCARE 360º MD A-R Emulsion SPF50+ contains this as ingredient number 8.

SkinMedica Essential Defense Mineral Shield Broad Spectrum SPF 32 Sunscreen Tinted contains this as ingredient number 5.

4
What it does: Emulsifying, Skin Conditioning
Community Rating: Very Disliked

Peg-9 Polydimethylsiloxyethyl Dimethicone is a type of silicone.

HELIOCARE 360º MD A-R Emulsion SPF50+ contains this as ingredient number 9.

SkinMedica Essential Defense Mineral Shield Broad Spectrum SPF 32 Sunscreen Tinted contains this as ingredient number 8.

5
What it does: Emollient, Skin Conditioning, Skin Protecting
Community Rating: Very Disliked

Dimethicone is a silicone used for making products smooth and silky. It also has the added benefit of sealing in hydration. The amount of dimethicone found in beauty products is considered safe and non-comedogenic, meaning it won't clog pores.

Dimethicone has been found increase absorption in skin, boosting the benefits of other ingredients. While there is concern for the safety of dimethicone, the levels used in skincare are safe for use.

HELIOCARE 360º MD A-R Emulsion SPF50+ contains this as ingredient number 11.

SkinMedica Essential Defense Mineral Shield Broad Spectrum SPF 32 Sunscreen Tinted contains this as ingredient number 3.

6
What it does: Antioxidant, Skin Conditioning
Community Rating: Liked

Tocopheryl 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 Acetate

HELIOCARE 360º MD A-R Emulsion SPF50+ contains this as ingredient number 19.

SkinMedica Essential Defense Mineral Shield Broad Spectrum SPF 32 Sunscreen Tinted contains this as ingredient number 12.

7
What it does: Emollient, Humectant, Skin Protecting
Community Rating: Disliked

Aluminum Hydroxide is a form of aluminum. It can be naturally found in nature as the mineral gibbsite. In cosmetics, Aluminum Hydroxide is used as a colorant, pH adjuster, and absorbent.

As a colorant, Aluminum Hydroxide may add opacity, or reduce the transparency. Aluminum hydroxide is contains both basic and acidic properties.

According to manufacturers, this ingredient is an emollient and humectant. This means it helps hydrate the skin.

In medicine, this ingredient is used to help relieve heartburn and help heal ulcers.

Learn more about Aluminum Hydroxide

HELIOCARE 360º MD A-R Emulsion SPF50+ contains this as ingredient number 25.

SkinMedica Essential Defense Mineral Shield Broad Spectrum SPF 32 Sunscreen Tinted contains this as ingredient number 6.

8
What it does: Cleansing, Emulsifying, Emulsion Stabilising, Masking
Community Rating: Very Disliked

Stearic Acid is a fatty acid. It is an emollient, emulsifier, and texture enhancer.

As an emollient, stearic acid helps soften skin. It aids the skin's protective barrier by preventing water loss. It also provides a gentle cleansing effect without stripping away natural oils.

Stearic acid may also be used to enhance the texture of products. It can add volume and stabilize ingredients such as water and oil. This can help water and oil ingredients from separating.

Sources of stearic acid include animal or vegetable fats/oils such as coconut or shea. It can be naturally found in butter, cocoa butter, shea butter, vegetable fats, and animal tallow.

This ingredient may not be Malassezia folliculitis, or fungal-acne safe.

Learn more about Stearic Acid

HELIOCARE 360º MD A-R Emulsion SPF50+ contains this as ingredient number 26.

SkinMedica Essential Defense Mineral Shield Broad Spectrum SPF 32 Sunscreen Tinted contains this as ingredient number 18.

9
What it does:
Community Rating: Very Disliked

We don't have a description for Dimethicone/Peg-10/15 Crosspolymer.

HELIOCARE 360º MD A-R Emulsion SPF50+ contains this as ingredient number 27.

SkinMedica Essential Defense Mineral Shield Broad Spectrum SPF 32 Sunscreen Tinted contains this as ingredient number 7.

10
What it does: Buffering, Masking
Community Rating: Mixed

Sodium Citrate is the sodium salts of citric acid. In skincare, it is used to alter pH levels and acts as a preservative.

Sodium Citrate helps maintain the pH of a product. Normal pH level of skin is slightly acidic (~4.75-5.5). The acidity of our skin is maintained by our glands and skin biome. Being slightly acidic allows our skin to create an "acid mantle". This acid mantle is a thin barrier that protects our skin from bacteria and contaminants.

Sodium Citrate is a chelating agent. It neutralizes metal ions from water and prevents them from binding to other ingredients. This ensures the other ingredients will not be altered.

Learn more about Sodium Citrate

HELIOCARE 360º MD A-R Emulsion SPF50+ contains this as ingredient number 33.

SkinMedica Essential Defense Mineral Shield Broad Spectrum SPF 32 Sunscreen Tinted contains this as ingredient number 13.

11
What it does:
Community Rating: Disliked

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 Triethoxycaprylylsilane

HELIOCARE 360º MD A-R Emulsion SPF50+ contains this as ingredient number 41.

SkinMedica Essential Defense Mineral Shield Broad Spectrum SPF 32 Sunscreen Tinted contains this as ingredient number 17.

12
What it does: Cosmetic Colorant
Community Rating: Mixed

Ci 77492 is also hydrated iron III oxide. It's sole purpose is to give a yellow hue to products.

Iron III oxides are classified as inorganic chemicals for coloring.

Synthetically created Ci 77492 is considered safer than those naturally found. This is because the synthetically created version may contain less impurities. Iron oxides are generally non-toxic and non-allergenic.

Learn more about CI 77492

HELIOCARE 360º MD A-R Emulsion SPF50+ contains this as ingredient number 42.

SkinMedica Essential Defense Mineral Shield Broad Spectrum SPF 32 Sunscreen Tinted contains this as ingredient number 21.

Here's what our community thinks of the ingredients in these two products.

20% are loved or liked
20% have mixed ratings
41% are disliked or very disliked
18% have no rating yet
19% are loved or liked
19% have mixed ratings
57% are disliked or very disliked
5% have no rating yet

Usage

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