Maelove The Sun Protector SPF 30 Versus SkinMedica Essential Defense Mineral Shield SPF 35
Overview
What they are
These products are both vegan sunscreens. They have a total of 8 ingredients in common
Suited For
They're both likely to be good for 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
Maelove The Sun Protector SPF 30 40 ingredients
SkinMedica Essential Defense Mineral Shield SPF 35 17 ingredients
About this product
About this product
At a glance
Click on any of the items below to learn more
Maelove The Sun Protector SPF 30 40 ingredients
SkinMedica Essential Defense Mineral Shield SPF 35 17 ingredients
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
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
MaskingSodium 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
EmollientTocopherol
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
Water
Skin ConditioningCyclopentasiloxane
Emollient
Dimethicone
Emollient
Polyglyceryl-3 Polydimethylsiloxyethyl Dimethicone
Skin Conditioning
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Aluminum Hydroxide
EmollientDimethicone/PEG-10/15 Crosspolymer
PEG-9 Polydimethylsiloxyethyl Dimethicone
Emulsifying
Sodium Chloride
Masking
Caffeine
Skin ConditioningCamellia Oleifera Leaf Extract
AstringentSodium Citrate
BufferingDimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer
Skin ConditioningTriethoxysilylethyl Polydimethylsiloxyethyl Hexyl Dimethicone
Skin Conditioning
Stearic Acid
Cleansing
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningPhenoxyethanol
Preservative
Water, Cyclopentasiloxane, Dimethicone, Polyglyceryl-3 Polydimethylsiloxyethyl Dimethicone, Butylene Glycol, Aluminum Hydroxide, Dimethicone/PEG-10/15 Crosspolymer, PEG-9 Polydimethylsiloxyethyl Dimethicone, Sodium Chloride, Caffeine, Camellia Oleifera Leaf Extract, Sodium Citrate, Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Triethoxysilylethyl Polydimethylsiloxyethyl Hexyl Dimethicone, Stearic Acid, Ethylhexylglycerin, Phenoxyethanol
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
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 WaterCyclopentasiloxane, or D5, is a silicone used to improve texture of products and trap moisture.
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.
It is also 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 CyclopentasiloxaneButylene 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.
- It has mild preservative properties.
Overall, Butylene Glycol is a safe and well-rounded ingredient that works well with other ingredients.
Polyglyceryl-3 Polydimethylsiloxyethyl Dimethicone is a type of silicone.
Dimethicone is a type of synthetic silicone created from natural materials such as quartz.
What it does:
Dimethicone comes in different viscosities:
Depending on the viscosity, dimethicone has different properties.
Ingredients lists don't always show which type is used, so we recommend reaching out to the brand if you have questions about the viscosity.
This ingredient is unlikely to cause irritation because it does not get absorbed into skin. However, people with silicone allergies should be careful about using this ingredient.
Note: Dimethicone may contribute to pilling. This is because it is not oil or water soluble, so pilling may occur when layered with products. When mixed with heavy oils in a formula, the outcome is also quite greasy.
Learn more about DimethiconeTriethoxysilylethyl Polydimethylsiloxyethyl Hexyl Dimethicone is a type of silicone.
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.
Ethylhexylglycerin (we can't pronounce this either) is commonly used as a preservative and skin softener. It is derived from glyceryl.
You might see Ethylhexylglycerin often paired with other preservatives such as phenoxyethanol. Ethylhexylglycerin has been found to increase the effectiveness of these other preservatives.
Ingredient Ratings
Here's what our community thinks of the ingredients in these products.
When to use
Maelove The Sun Protector SPF 30 40 ingredients
SkinMedica Essential Defense Mineral Shield SPF 35 17 ingredients
Reviews
Here's what our community thinks
Maelove The Sun Protector SPF 30 40 ingredients
SkinMedica Essential Defense Mineral Shield SPF 35 17 ingredients
Repurchased 8 times.
My favorite holy grail sunscreen. The zinc buffs into the skin if you rub it for a minute. The zinc also calms down my acne and redness. Great for my dry and reactive skin. I try other famous sunscreens and come back to this one.
