Invisible Zinc Sport Mineral Sunscreen SPF 50+ Versus EltaMD, Inc UV Shield Broad-Spectrum SPF 45
Updated on June 19, 2025
Overview
What they are
These products are both sunscreens. They have a total of 7 ingredients in common
Cool Features
They both contain SPF
Suited For
They're both likely to be good for fighting acne and dry skin
Free From
They both do not contain any harsh alcohols, common allergens, fragrances, oils, parabens or sulfates
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
Invisible Zinc Sport Mineral Sunscreen SPF 50+ 16 ingredients
EltaMD, Inc UV Shield Broad-Spectrum SPF 45 19 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
Invisible Zinc Sport Mineral Sunscreen SPF 50+ 16 ingredients
EltaMD, Inc UV Shield Broad-Spectrum SPF 45 19 ingredients
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Zinc Oxide 27%
Cosmetic Colorant
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
Humectant
Cetearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Cetearyl Glucoside
EmulsifyingCyclopentasiloxane
Emollient
Dimethicone
Emollient
Glyceryl Isostearate
Emollient
Polyglyceryl-4 Isostearate
Emulsifying
Hexyl Laurate
Emollient
Cetyl PEG/PPG-10/1 Dimethicone
Emulsifying
Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingSodium Hydroxide
BufferingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningPhenoxyethanol
Preservative
Triethoxycaprylylsilane
Zinc Oxide 27%, Water, Glycerin, Cetearyl Alcohol, Cetearyl Glucoside, Cyclopentasiloxane, Dimethicone, Glyceryl Isostearate, Polyglyceryl-4 Isostearate, Hexyl Laurate, Cetyl PEG/PPG-10/1 Dimethicone, Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Sodium Hydroxide, Ethylhexylglycerin, Phenoxyethanol, Triethoxycaprylylsilane
Zinc Oxide 9%
Cosmetic Colorant
Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate 7.5%
UV Absorber
Water
Skin ConditioningIsopropyl Palmitate
Emollient
Ethylhexyl Stearate
Emollient
Cetearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Polysorbate 60
Emulsifying
Oleth-3 Phosphate
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Cetearyl Glucoside
EmulsifyingHydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingPolyisobutene
Polyether-1
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
PEG-7 Trimethylolpropane Coconut Ether
EmulsifyingTocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Citric Acid
Buffering
Iodopropynyl Butylcarbamate
Preservative
Triethoxycaprylylsilane
Zinc Oxide 9%, Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate 7.5%, Water, Isopropyl Palmitate, Ethylhexyl Stearate, Cetearyl Alcohol, Polysorbate 60, Oleth-3 Phosphate, Phenoxyethanol, Cetearyl Glucoside, Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Polyisobutene, Polyether-1, Butylene Glycol, PEG-7 Trimethylolpropane Coconut Ether, Tocopheryl Acetate, Citric Acid, Iodopropynyl Butylcarbamate, Triethoxycaprylylsilane
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
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 AlcoholCetearyl Glucoside is a surfactant and emulsifier. It can be produced from synthetic of natural sources of cetearyl alcohol and glucose.
Emulsifiers help prevent ingredients from separating, such as oils and waters. It can also be used to enhance the texture of products.
As a surfactant, Cetearyl Glucoside helps during the cleansing process. By gathering all the dirt and oils, it allows these molecules to be washed away easily.
Learn more about Cetearyl GlucosideThis is a synthetic polymer. It helps improve the texture of products by adding thickness and gel-like feel.
It is also an emulsifer, meaning it prevents ingredients such as oil and water from separating. It also helps evenly disperse other ingredients.
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 TriethoxycaprylylsilaneWater. 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 WaterZinc 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 OxideIngredient Ratings
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When to use
Invisible Zinc Sport Mineral Sunscreen SPF 50+ 16 ingredients
EltaMD, Inc UV Shield Broad-Spectrum SPF 45 19 ingredients
Reviews
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