Maelove The Sun Protector SPF 30 Versus Dr. Dennis Gross Skincare Dark Spot Sun Defense Broad Spectrum SPF 50
Overview
What they are
These products are both cruelty-free sunscreens. They have a total of 11 ingredients in common
Cool Features
They both contain SPF, Vitamin C 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, dark spots and better texture
Free From
They both do not contain any 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
Maelove The Sun Protector SPF 30 40 ingredients
Dr. Dennis Gross Skincare Dark Spot Sun Defense Broad Spectrum SPF 50 57 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
Maelove The Sun Protector SPF 30 40 ingredients
Dr. Dennis Gross Skincare Dark Spot Sun Defense Broad Spectrum SPF 50 57 ingredients
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Zinc Oxide
Cosmetic Colorant
Water
Skin ConditioningCyclopentasiloxane
Emollient
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Glycerin
Humectant
Glyceryl Stearate
Emollient
PEG-100 Stearate
Cyclohexasiloxane
Emollient
Polyglyceryl-3 Polydimethylsiloxyethyl Dimethicone
Skin Conditioning
Sorbitan Stearate
Emulsifying
Dimethicone
Emollient
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Sodium Lactate
BufferingPolyacrylamide
C13-14 Isoparaffin
Emollient
Laureth-7
EmulsifyingCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientHexylene Glycol
EmulsifyingImperata Cylindrica Root Extract
Skin ConditioningPEG-8
HumectantCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingTriethoxysilylethyl Polydimethylsiloxyethyl Hexyl Dimethicone
Skin Conditioning
Cetyl Alcohol
Emollient
Lecithin
Emollient
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningAscorbyl Palmitate
Antioxidant
Ascorbic Acid
Antioxidant
Citric Acid
Buffering
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingTocopheryl Linoleate/Oleate
Antioxidant
Teprenone
Skin ConditioningPhoenix Dactylifera Fruit Extract
EmollientPolygonum Aviculare Extract
EmollientDisodium EDTA
Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate
Humectant
Arabidopsis Thaliana Extract
Antioxidant
Plankton Extract
Skin ConditioningMicrococcus Lysate
Skin ConditioningZinc Oxide, Water, Cyclopentasiloxane, Butylene Glycol, Glycerin, Glyceryl Stearate, PEG-100 Stearate, Cyclohexasiloxane, Polyglyceryl-3 Polydimethylsiloxyethyl Dimethicone, Sorbitan Stearate, Dimethicone, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Sodium Lactate, Polyacrylamide, C13-14 Isoparaffin, Laureth-7, Caprylyl Glycol, Hexylene Glycol, Imperata Cylindrica Root Extract, PEG-8, Carbomer, Triethoxysilylethyl Polydimethylsiloxyethyl Hexyl Dimethicone, Cetyl Alcohol, Lecithin, Tocopherol, Phenoxyethanol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Ascorbyl Palmitate, Ascorbic Acid, Citric Acid, Xanthan Gum, Tocopheryl Linoleate/Oleate, Teprenone, Phoenix Dactylifera Fruit Extract, Polygonum Aviculare Extract, Disodium EDTA, Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate, Arabidopsis Thaliana Extract, Plankton Extract, Micrococcus Lysate
Titanium Dioxide
Cosmetic Colorant
Zinc Oxide
Cosmetic Colorant
Acrylates/Carbamate Copolymer
Skin ConditioningAluminum Hydroxide
EmollientAscorbyl Glucoside
Antioxidant
Benzyl Alcohol
Perfuming
BHT
Antioxidant
Bis-Ethylhexyl Hydroxydimethoxy Benzylmalonate
Antioxidant
Boerhavia Diffusa Root Extract
Skin Protecting
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate
AntimicrobialCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingCarthamus Tinctorius Seed Oil
Masking
Citric Acid
Buffering
Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Oil
Masking
Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Peel Extract
Emulsion Stabilising
Coco-Caprylate/Caprate
Emollient
Coconut Alkanes
Emollient
Disodium EDTA
Echium Plantagineum Seed Oil
Skin Conditioning
Glycerin
Humectant
Glycolic Acid
Buffering
Hydrogenated Lecithin
Emulsifying
Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingHydroxypropyl Cyclodextrin
MaskingIsohexadecane
EmollientIsononyl Isononanoate
EmollientIsopropyl Titanium Triisostearate
Emollient
Magnesium Ascorbyl Phosphate
Antioxidant
Melatonin
Antioxidant
Nordihydroguaiaretic Acid
Antioxidant
Oenothera Biennis Oil
Emollient
Olea Europaea Fruit Oil
Masking
Oleanolic Acid
Skin ConditioningOryza Sativa Extract
Absorbent
Palmitoyl Tripeptide-38
Skin Conditioning
PEG-60 Almond Glycerides
Emulsifying
Pentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningPhenoxyethanol
Preservative
Phospholipids
Skin Conditioning
Polyhydroxystearic Acid
Emulsifying
Polysorbate 60
Emulsifying
Potassium Sorbate
Preservative
Propanediol
Solvent
Saccharide Isomerate
Humectant
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
Sodium Citrate
BufferingSodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Sodium PCA
Humectant
Sphingolipids
EmollientStearic Acid
Cleansing
Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate
Antioxidant
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Water
Skin ConditioningXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingZinc PCA
Humectant
Titanium Dioxide, Zinc Oxide, Acrylates/Carbamate Copolymer, Aluminum Hydroxide, Ascorbyl Glucoside, Benzyl Alcohol, BHT, Bis-Ethylhexyl Hydroxydimethoxy Benzylmalonate, Boerhavia Diffusa Root Extract, Butylene Glycol, C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate, Caprylyl Glycol, Carbomer, Carthamus Tinctorius Seed Oil, Citric Acid, Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Oil, Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Peel Extract, Coco-Caprylate/Caprate, Coconut Alkanes, Disodium EDTA, Echium Plantagineum Seed Oil, Glycerin, Glycolic Acid, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Hydroxypropyl Cyclodextrin, Isohexadecane, Isononyl Isononanoate, Isopropyl Titanium Triisostearate, Magnesium Ascorbyl Phosphate, Melatonin, Nordihydroguaiaretic Acid, Oenothera Biennis Oil, Olea Europaea Fruit Oil, Oleanolic Acid, Oryza Sativa Extract, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-38, PEG-60 Almond Glycerides, Pentylene Glycol, Phenoxyethanol, Phospholipids, Polyhydroxystearic Acid, Polysorbate 60, Potassium Sorbate, Propanediol, Saccharide Isomerate, Sodium Benzoate, Sodium Citrate, Sodium Hyaluronate, Sodium PCA, Sphingolipids, Stearic Acid, Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate, Tocopherol, Water, Xanthan Gum, Zinc PCA
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 WaterButylene Glycol (or BG) is used within cosmetic products for a few different reasons:
Overall, Butylene Glycol is a safe and well-rounded ingredient that works well with other ingredients.
Though this ingredient works well with most skin types, some people with sensitive skin may experience a reaction such as allergic rashes, closed comedones, or itchiness.
Learn more about Butylene GlycolGlycerin 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 GlycerinCaprylyl 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 GlycolCarbomer is a polymer of acrylic acid. Its main role is to create a gel consistency.
A high amount of carbomer can cause pilling or balling up of products. Don't worry, most products contain 1% or less of carbomer.
Tocopherol (also known as Vitamin E) is a common antioxidant used to help protect the skin from free-radicals and strengthen the skin barrier. It's also fat soluble - this means our skin is great at absorbing it.
Vitamin E also helps keep your natural skin lipids healthy. Your lipid skin barrier naturally consists of lipids, ceramides, and fatty acids. Vitamin E offers extra protection for your skin’s lipid barrier, keeping your skin healthy and nourished.
Another benefit is a bit of UV protection. Vitamin E helps reduce the damage caused by UVB rays. (It should not replace your sunscreen). Combining it with Vitamin C can decrease sunburned cells and hyperpigmentation after UV exposure.
You might have noticed Vitamin E + C often paired together. This is because it is great at stabilizing Vitamin C. Using the two together helps increase the effectiveness of both ingredients.
There are often claims that Vitamin E can reduce/prevent scarring, but these claims haven't been confirmed by scientific research.
Learn more about TocopherolPhenoxyethanol 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.
Citric Acid is an AHA derived from citrus fruits (think oranges, lemons, and limes!).
As an AHA, Citric Acid removes the top layer of skin cells from the newer layer of skin underneath. This helps skin to remove dark spots and even out skin tone.
If you spot Citric Acid near the end of an ingredient list, it's likely there as a pH adjuster rather than an active ingredient.
Read more about some other popular AHA's here:
Learn more about Citric 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 GumDisodium EDTA plays a role in making products more stable by aiding other preservatives.
It is a chelating agent, meaning it neutralizes metal ions that may be found in a product.
Disodium EDTA is a salt of edetic acid and is found to be safe in cosmetic ingredients.
Learn more about Disodium EDTAIngredient Ratings
Here's what our community thinks of the ingredients in these products.
