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Product Comparison

Here's our complete breakdown comparing the ingredients, attributes, and more of MDSolarSciences Solar Stick Mineral Sunscreen SPF40 versus MDSolarSciences Mineral Crème SPF 50 .

Published on July 30, 2022

Overview

What they are

These products are both cruelty-free sunscreens. They have a total of 8 ingredients in common

Cool Features

They both contain exfoliants, SPF, Vitamin C and Vitamin E

Suited For

They're both likely to be good for fighting acne, anti aging, brightening skin, dark spots and better texture

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 need an update? Let us know.

Sunscreen American Brand United States
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

Shop

Buy Solar Stick Mineral Sunscreen SPF40

Starts at $22.00
Shop

Buy Mineral Crème SPF 50

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
40
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

At a glance

Click on any of the items below to learn more

Notable Ingredients

Mineral UV Filter (2)
Vitamin C
Vitamin E
Exfoliators

Benefits

Hydrating (2)
Redness Reducing
Skin Texture
Anti-Aging (2)
Dark Spots
Scar Healing
Acne Fighting
Brightening (2)

Concerns

May Worsen Oily Skin (3)
Acne Trigger
Irritating

Notable Ingredients

Mineral UV Filter (2)
Vitamin C
Vitamin E
Exfoliators

Benefits

Redness Reducing (2)
Reduces Irritation
Skin Texture
Reduces Large Pores
Anti-Aging (2)
Dark Spots
Acne Fighting (2)
Brightening (2)

Concerns

Rosacea
Eczema
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Ingredients Side-by-side

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

Learn more about what what Com. / Irr. ratings are

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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: Cosmetic Colorant, UV Absorber, UV Filter
Community Rating: Mixed

Titanium dioxide is known for its UVA and UVB protection properties. It is non-comedogenic and non-irritating. Titanium Dioxide is a physical sunscreen. Physical sunscreens reflect light and prevent it from reaching your skin.

Protecting your skin against UV radiation can prevent the signs of aging. Sun damage is associated with fine-lines, wrinkles, loss of firmness, and hyperpigmentation. Titanium dioxide can help prevent premature aging.

With modern production, nano-scale or fine-grade titanium dioxide can be easily produced for cosmetics. In sunscreen, titanium dioxide absorbs UV light. Our skin is not able to absorb Titanium dioxide, even nanoparticles.

Titanium itself is the 9th most common element in the Earth's crust. Titanium dioxide is formed when oxygen is introduced and can be found in ores, dust, sand, and soil.

Pure titanium dioxide is a white powder that is used in many products to add or change color.

Learn more about Titanium Dioxide

MDSolarSciences Solar Stick Mineral Sunscreen SPF40 contains this as ingredient number 1.

MDSolarSciences Mineral Crème SPF 50 contains this as ingredient number 1.

2
What it does: Cosmetic Colorant, Skin Protecting, UV Absorber, UV Filter
Community Rating: Liked

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 can be harmful to coral reefs.

More about harmful reef ingredients here.

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

MDSolarSciences Solar Stick Mineral Sunscreen SPF40 contains this as ingredient number 2.

MDSolarSciences Mineral Crème SPF 50 contains this as ingredient number 2.

3
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.

MDSolarSciences Solar Stick Mineral Sunscreen SPF40 contains this as ingredient number 4.

MDSolarSciences Mineral Crème SPF 50 contains this as ingredient number 3.

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

Butyloctyl Salicylate is a photostabilizer, emollient and solvent. Its main purpose is to evenly spread out ingredients.

This ingredient is a common sunscreen ingredient carrier and photostabilizer. According to a manufacturer, it is suitable for carrying micro Titanium Dioxide, Zinc Oxide, and pigments.

Photostabilizers help stabilize UV-filters and prevents them from degrading quickly.

According to EU regulation, this ingredient can cause harmful effects to aquatic life.

Learn more about Butyloctyl Salicylate

MDSolarSciences Solar Stick Mineral Sunscreen SPF40 contains this as ingredient number 5.

MDSolarSciences Mineral Crème SPF 50 contains this as ingredient number 7.

5
What it does: Masking, Skin Conditioning
Community Rating: Mixed

Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride is an emollient, solvent, and texture enhancer. It is considered a skin-softener by helping the skin prevent moisture loss.

Within a product, Caprylic Triglyceride can thicken the product and make spreadability easier by dissolving clumping compounds. An added benefit of Caprylic Triglyceride is its antioxidant properties.

Caprylic Triglyceride is made by combining glycerin with coconut oil, forming a clear liquid. Caprylic Triglyceride has not been found to be toxic for human use in concentrations under 50%.

While there is an assumption Caprylic Triglyceride can clog pores due to it being derived from coconut oil, there is no research supporting this.

Learn more about Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride

MDSolarSciences Solar Stick Mineral Sunscreen SPF40 contains this as ingredient number 9.

MDSolarSciences Mineral Crème SPF 50 contains this as ingredient number 4.

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

Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate is a form of Vitamin C.

Vitamin C helps reduce redness, improve skin texture, reduce the effects of aging, reduce the visibility of dark spots, and brighten skin.

Your skin uses Vitamin C to produce collagen and collagen production plays a role in having a strong skin barrier and having plump skin. As an antioxidant, Sodium Ascorbyl Phosphate also helps reduce the signs of aging such as fine-lines and wrinkles.

Studies show Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate is more stable when combined with stabilizing ingredients.

VItamin C helps brighten skin by blocking the process of skin darkening.

Read more about other types of Vitamin C:

Learn more about Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate

MDSolarSciences Solar Stick Mineral Sunscreen SPF40 contains this as ingredient number 13.

MDSolarSciences Mineral Crème SPF 50 contains this as ingredient number 10.

7
What it does: Emollient, Emulsifying

Glyceryl Isostearate is a mixture made from glycerin and isostearic acid.

Glyceryl Isostearate is an emollient. Emollients create a barrier to trap moisture in. This helps keep your skin hydrated.

Glyceryl Isostearate also helps make the texture of a product thicker.

Glyceryl Isostearate isn't fungal acne safe.

Learn more about Glyceryl Isostearate

MDSolarSciences Solar Stick Mineral Sunscreen SPF40 contains this as ingredient number 19.

MDSolarSciences Mineral Crème SPF 50 contains this as ingredient number 8.

8
What it does: Emulsifying
Community Rating: Disliked

Polyhydroxystearic Acid is a soft wax made from castor oil.

It is is a texture thickener, emulsifier, and film-former. Emulsifiers prevent ingredients from separating, such as oils and waters.

Polyhydroxystearic Acid may not be fungal acne safe.

Learn more about Polyhydroxystearic Acid

MDSolarSciences Solar Stick Mineral Sunscreen SPF40 contains this as ingredient number 20.

MDSolarSciences Mineral Crème SPF 50 contains this as ingredient number 16.

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

13% are loved or liked
13% have mixed ratings
52% are disliked or very disliked
22% have no rating yet
29% are loved or liked
14% have mixed ratings
48% are disliked or very disliked
10% have no rating yet

Usage

Here's some more info on how this product is used by our community.

When to use

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Reviews

Here's what our community thinks

MDSolarSciences Solar Stick Mineral Sunscreen SPF40 23 ingredients

Solar Stick Mineral Sunscreen SPF40 hasn't been rated yet.
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MDSolarSciences Mineral Crème SPF 50 21 ingredients

3.0 /5
from 1 review
BubbIes's Avatar'
Mar 13, 2024

The consistency of this is pretty nice and it doesn't leave a bad white cast, but one of the ingredient's safety worries me enough that I don't want to use it too often.

Cyclopentasiloxane hazard statements: "Flammable liquid and...

The consistency of this is pretty nice and it doesn't leave a bad white cast, but one of the ingredient's safety worries me enough that I don't want to use it too often.

Cyclopentasiloxane hazard statements: "Flammable liquid and vapor. Suspected of damaging fertility. May cause long lasting harmful effects to aquatic life. While cyclopentasiloxane is generally safe for human use, it may have a negative impact on the environment."

Hydrating
Light
Works Well

Alternatives

Our Dupe Finder has found 12 potential alternatives that have similar ingredients to MDSolarSciences Solar Stick Mineral Sunscreen SPF40.

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