Versus

Hero Cosmetics Force Shield Superlight Sunscreen SPF 30 Versus Paula's Choice Resist Super-Light Wrinkle Defense SPF 30

Sunscreen
Sunscreen
American Brand United States
American Brand United States

Updated on October 22, 2023

Overview

What they are

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

Cool Features

They both contain exfoliants, 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 dark spots

Free From

They both do not contain any common allergens, 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

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
Force Shield Superlight Sunscreen SPF 30

Zinc Oxide 17.53%

Cosmetic Colorant
1 / 0 Mineral UV Filter IconHelps fight Acne IconNon-Reef-Safe Icon

Water

Skin Conditioning

Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride

Masking
Helps hydrate Dry Skin Icon

C13-15 Alkane

Solvent

Propanediol

Solvent
Helps hydrate Dry Skin Icon

C15-19 Alkane

Solvent

Bis-Diglyceryl Polyacyladipate-2

Emollient
Helps hydrate Dry Skin IconNot safe for Fungal Acne Icon

Butyloctyl Salicylate

Skin Conditioning
Non-Reef-Safe Icon

Ectoin

Skin Conditioning
Helps hydrate Dry Skin IconHelps reduce irritation Icon

Alteromonas Ferment Extract

Skin Conditioning
Helps reduce irritation Icon

Harungana Madagascariensis Extract

Skin Conditioning

Ipomoea Batatas Root Extract

Skin Conditioning

Rubus Idaeus Seed Oil

Emollient
Oil IconHelps hydrate Dry Skin IconNot safe for Fungal Acne Icon

Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract

Antimicrobial
Antioxidant IconHelps hydrate Dry Skin IconHelps reduce Skin Redness IconHelps reduce irritation IconGood for Minimizing Pores IconHelps with Anti-Aging Icon

Corallina Officinalis Extract

Skin Conditioning
Helps hydrate Dry Skin Icon

Curcuma Longa Leaf Extract

Skin Conditioning

Melia Azadirachta Flower Extract

Skin Conditioning

Melia Azadirachta Leaf Extract

Skin Conditioning

Moringa Oleifera Seed Oil

Emollient
Oil IconHelps hydrate Dry Skin IconHelps reduce irritation IconNot safe for Fungal Acne Icon

Ocimum Sanctum Leaf Extract

Skin Conditioning
Good for Dark Spots Icon

Oryza Sativa Hull Extract

Moisturising

Solanum Melongena Fruit Extract

Skin Conditioning

Coccinia Indica Fruit Extract

Skin Conditioning

Tocopherol

Antioxidant
0-3 / 0-3 Vitamin E IconAntioxidant IconHelps hydrate Dry Skin IconHelps with Anti-Aging IconGood for Scar Healing Icon

Bisabolol

Masking
Helps reduce Skin Redness IconHelps reduce irritation IconGood for Dark Spots Icon

Amber Powder

Coco-Glucoside

Cleansing

Glucose

Humectant
Helps hydrate Dry Skin Icon

Glycerin

Humectant
0 / 0 Helps hydrate Dry Skin IconGood for Scar Healing IconHelps brighten skin Icon

Xanthan Gum

Emulsifying

1,2-Hexanediol

Skin Conditioning
Helps hydrate Dry Skin Icon

Caprylhydroxamic Acid

Arachidyl Alcohol

Emollient

Arachidyl Glucoside

Emulsifying

Hydroxyacetophenone

Antioxidant
Antioxidant IconHelps reduce irritation Icon

Polyacrylate Crosspolymer-6

Emulsion Stabilising

Behenyl Alcohol

Emollient
Fatty Alcohol Icon

Cetearyl Alcohol

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

Isostearic Acid

Cleansing
Bad for Acne Prone Skin IconNot safe for Fungal Acne Icon

Lecithin

Emollient
Helps hydrate Dry Skin Icon

Polyglycerin-3

Humectant
Helps hydrate Dry Skin Icon

Polyglyceryl-3 Lactate/Laurate

Cleansing

Polyglyceryl-3 Polyricinoleate

Emulsifying
Not safe for Fungal Acne Icon

Polyhydroxystearic Acid

Emulsifying
Not safe for Fungal Acne Icon

Silica

Abrasive
Exfoliant IconMay worsen Eczema IconMay worsen Rosacea Icon

T-Butyl Alcohol

Perfuming
Alcohol IconFragrance IconCan worsen Dry Skin Icon

Sodium Benzoate

Masking
Preservative Icon

Sodium Citrate

Buffering

Sodium Dilauramidoglutamide Lysine

Humectant

Sodium Phytate

Citric Acid

Buffering
AHA IconGood for Oily Skin IconGood for Skin Texture IconGood for Minimizing Pores IconGood for Scar Healing IconHelps brighten skin IconMay worsen Rosacea Icon

Inositol

Humectant
Helps hydrate Dry Skin Icon

Lactobacillus Ferment Lysate

Skin Conditioning
Not safe for Fungal Acne Icon

Saccharomyces Lysate

Skin Conditioning

Butylene Glycol

Humectant
1 / 0 Helps hydrate Dry Skin Icon

Caprylyl Glycol

Emollient
Resist Super-Light Wrinkle Defense SPF 30

Ingredients Explained

These ingredients are found in both products.

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

Cosmetic Colorant, Skin Protecting, UV Absorber

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 Oxide
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, Soothing

Bisabolol is famous for its skin soothing properties. It does this by blocking inflammatory signals, helping to reduce your body's reaction to irritation.

This ingredient also interferes with the process of hyperpigmentation. This can help with reducing dark spots and uneven tone.

Bisabolol is an antioxidant. Antioxidants help fight free-radicals. Free-radicals are molecules that may damage your skin cells. By fighting these free-radicals, Bisabolol may slow down signs of aging.

Studies have shown Bisabolol to have antimicrobial properties and may be a fungicide. These properties help preserve a product's shelf life.

All these properties makes bisabolol a great skin barrier helper ingredient.

Bisabolol also helps the absorption of other ingredients.

Note: Synthetic Bisabolol has been shown to be less effective.

Learn more about Bisabolol
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

When to use

259 Routines
99% use in am
1% use in pm
96% use every day
When to use See routines that use it ->
125 Routines
96% use in am
4% use in pm
90% use every day
When to use See routines that use it ->

Reviews

Here's what our community thinks

Hero Cosmetics Force Shield Superlight Sunscreen SPF 30 56 ingredients

3.7 /5
from 15 ratings
No Scent (3) Works Well (3) Great Value (3)
bigcheeeeese's avatar

bigcheeeeese

19 days ago
Review

This is the sunscreen I repurchase over and over. It works for my sensitive skin, cancels out my redness, and doesn’t break me out. The zinc/mineral base is great. I find that it leaves no white cast at all.

#great value
#absorbs well
#no scent
#works well
tabby_274's avatar

tabby_274

2 years ago
Review

liked it originally but..
i like the green color and consistency, it feels smooth and cancels out redness really well. i like the smell of it too, it reminds me of cinnamon or something? it’s hard to describe. i previously left a more positive review on it but found that it pills super bad on me. no matter how well my skin is hydrated beforehand it pairs awfully with makeup and on its own. the Show more

Paula's Choice Resist Super-Light Wrinkle Defense SPF 30 30 ingredients

5.0 /5
from 3 ratings
Light (2) Works Well (2) Absorbs Well (1)
hydrationplease's avatar

hydrationplease

1 year ago
Review

A phenomenal tinted mineral sunscreen. It has a light, lotion-like texture. Not greasy or heavy at all. It is quick and easy to apply. Dries down to a matte finish. Just very pleasant and effortless to use.

The tint claims to be universal, but of course it's not at all. In fact it's pretty much a perfect match for my skin tone, which is very light and cool toned. (For reference, two of my best Show more

#drying
#light
#no scent
#works well
SimplyChelsey's avatar

SimplyChelsey

19 days ago
Review

For the girls who need a pale tinted sunscreen this one is for us! I’ve tried dozens of tinted “universal” sunscreens (and us fair skinned folks know that’s just not true) but this one is perfect! It dries down matte and is lightweight cream. Only downside it can be a tad drying (good if your oily/combo like me) but if you have a single dry patch, it will show. Overall I’ll keep using this one Show more

#light
#absorbs well
#works well