Here's our complete breakdown comparing the ingredients, attributes, and more of Neutrogena Healthy Skin Primer SPF15 versus Paula's Choice Ultra-Light Daily Hydrating Fluid SPF 30+ .
Published on April 29, 2023
Overview
What they are
These products are both fungal acne (malassezia) safe sunscreens. They have a total of 8 ingredients in common
Cool Features
They both contain exfoliants, SPF and Vitamin E
Suited For
They're both likely to be good for anti aging, dry skin, brightening skin and scar healing
Free From
They both do not contain any 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
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
Ingredient Info
Neutrogena Healthy Skin Primer SPF15 29 ingredients
Paula's Choice Ultra-Light Daily Hydrating Fluid SPF 30+ 29 ingredients
Alcohol Free
This product is free of harsh alcohols 🎉
Contains Silicon
Ingredients in this product that are types of silicon:
Fragrance Free
This product is free of fragrances 🎉
Sulfate Free
This product is free of sulfates 🎉
Paraben Free
This product is free of parabens 🎉
Oil Free
This product is free of oils 🎉
Malassezia Safe
This product is free of malassezia feeding ingredients 🎉
Not Reef Safe
Ingredients in this product that are not reef safe:
EU Allergen Free
This product is free of EU allergens 🎉
Non Vegan
This product is not vegan 😥
Not Cruelty Free
This product is not cruelty-free 😥
Contains Alcohol
Ingredients in this product that are types of alcohol:
Contains Silicon
Ingredients in this product that are types of silicon:
Contains Fragrance
Ingredients in this product that are forms of fragrance:
Sulfate Free
This product is free of sulfates 🎉
Paraben Free
This product is free of parabens 🎉
Oil Free
This product is free of oils 🎉
Malassezia Safe
This product is free of malassezia feeding ingredients 🎉
Not Reef Safe
Ingredients in this product that are not reef safe:
Contains EU Allergens
Ingredients in this product that are EU allergens:
Non Vegan
This product is not vegan 😥
Cruelty Free
This product is cruelty-free 🎉
At a glance
Click on any of the items below to learn more
Neutrogena Healthy Skin Primer SPF15 29 ingredients
Paula's Choice Ultra-Light Daily Hydrating Fluid SPF 30+ 29 ingredients
Notable Ingredients
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Benefits
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Concerns
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Notable Ingredients
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Benefits
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Concerns
This product contains 1 ingredient that may have this attribute:
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Join SkinSortIngredients Compared
Ingredients that are highlighted in purple are present in both products.
Neutrogena Healthy Skin Primer SPF15 29 ingredients
Paula's Choice Ultra-Light Daily Hydrating Fluid SPF 30+ 29 ingredients
Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane 2% • Homosalate 3% • Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate 4% • Dimethicone • C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate • Isododecane • Methyl Trimethicone • Lauryl Peg-9 Polydimethylsiloxyethyl Dimethicone • Silica • Butylene Glycol • Peg-9 Polydimethylsiloxyethyl Dimethicone • Synthetic Fluorphlogopite • Sodium Chloride • Nylon-12 • Phenoxyethanol • Quaternium-90 Bentonite • Dimethicone Crosspolymer • Caprylyl Glycol • Glycine Soja Seed Extract • Tocopherol • Propylene Carbonate • Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer • Disodium EDTA • Sorbic Acid • Chrysanthemum Parthenium Flower/Leaf/Stem Juice • Titanium Dioxide • Mica • CI 77492 • Tin Oxide
Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane 2% • Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate 7.5% • Ethylhexyl Salicylate 5% • Octocrylene 2% • Water • Glycerin • Silica • Dimethicone • Benzyl Alcohol • Tocopherol • Chamomilla Recutita Flower Extract • Vitis Vinifera Seed Extract • Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract • Camellia Oleifera Leaf Extract • Peucedanum Graveolens Extract • Sambucus Nigra Fruit Extract • Avena Sativa Bran Extract • Punica Granatum Extract • Lycium Barbarum Fruit Extract • Hydrogenated Lecithin • Titanium Dioxide • Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer • Diethylhexyl Syringylidenemalonate • Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer • Xanthan Gum • Sodium Carbomer • Sodium Benzoate • Potassium Sorbate • Phenoxyethanol
Ingredients Side-by-side
Ingredients that are highlighted in purple are present in both products.
Learn more about what what Com. / Irr. ratings are
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Also known as Avobenzone, this ingredient is a chemical sunscreen filter that provides protection in the UV-A range.
Avobenzone is globally approved and is the most commonly used UV-A filter in the world.
Studies have found that avobenzone becomes ineffective when exposed to UV light (it is not photostable; meaning that it breaks down in sunlight). Because of this, formulations that include avobenzone will usually contain stabilizers such as octocrylene.
However, some modern formulations (looking at you, EU!) are able to stabilize avobenzone by coating the molecules.
Avobenzone does not protect against the UV-B range, so it's important to check that the sunscreen you're using contains other UV filters that do!
The highest concentration of avobenzone permitted is 3% in the US, and 5% in the EU.
Learn more about Butyl MethoxydibenzoylmethaneNeutrogena Healthy Skin Primer SPF15 contains this as ingredient number 1.
Paula's Choice Ultra-Light Daily Hydrating Fluid SPF 30+ contains this as ingredient number 1.
Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate is an organic compound that provides UVB protection. It often goes by the more common name of octinoxate. It is created from methoxycinnamic acid and 2-ethylhexanol.
Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate absorbs UVB rays with wavelengths between 280-320 nm. UV absorbers protect your skin by using chemical reactions to convert UV rays into heat and energy.
UVB (290-320 nm) rays emit more energy than UVA rays. They are capable of damaging DNA, causing sunburns and are thought to be linked to skin cancer.
The state of Hawaii has banned sunscreens containing octinoxate due to its potential impact on coral reefs. More research is needed to bridge gaps in this research. The European Union allows higher levels of octinoxate in sunscreens than the US and Australia.
Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate is oil soluble. It is not stable and may lose efficacy when exposed to sunlight.
Learn more about Ethylhexyl MethoxycinnamateNeutrogena Healthy Skin Primer SPF15 contains this as ingredient number 3.
Paula's Choice Ultra-Light Daily Hydrating Fluid SPF 30+ contains this as ingredient number 2.
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.
Neutrogena Healthy Skin Primer SPF15 contains this as ingredient number 4.
Paula's Choice Ultra-Light Daily Hydrating Fluid SPF 30+ contains this as ingredient number 8.
Silica is a mineral naturally found in our skin. It helps to thicken and smooth the texture of a product. It also acts as an agent for other ingredients by increasing the absorption of other ingredients into the skin.
Silica is often used for absorption and can help reduce shine when products are applied. Silica occurs in naturally in materials like clay and sandstone, and it can also be produced synthetically.
Silica is present naturally within the skin during collagen production and when reducing inflammation.
Learn more about SilicaNeutrogena Healthy Skin Primer SPF15 contains this as ingredient number 9.
Paula's Choice Ultra-Light Daily Hydrating Fluid SPF 30+ contains this as ingredient number 7.
Phenoxyethanol is a preservative that has germicide, antimicrobial, and aromatic properties. Studies show that phenoxyethanol can prevent germ and 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.
Neutrogena Healthy Skin Primer SPF15 contains this as ingredient number 16.
Paula's Choice Ultra-Light Daily Hydrating Fluid SPF 30+ contains this as ingredient number 30.
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 TocopherolNeutrogena Healthy Skin Primer SPF15 contains this as ingredient number 21.
Paula's Choice Ultra-Light Daily Hydrating Fluid SPF 30+ contains this as ingredient number 10.
Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer is a silicone used to improve the texture of products and absorb oil. It does not get absorbed into the skin.
Like other silicones, Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer helps condition the skin by creating a barrier. In this sense, it can act as an emollient and trap moisture in.
Neutrogena Healthy Skin Primer SPF15 contains this as ingredient number 23.
Paula's Choice Ultra-Light Daily Hydrating Fluid SPF 30+ contains this as ingredient number 22.
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 DioxideNeutrogena Healthy Skin Primer SPF15 contains this as ingredient number 27.
Paula's Choice Ultra-Light Daily Hydrating Fluid SPF 30+ contains this as ingredient number 21.
Here's what our community thinks of the ingredients in these two products.
Neutrogena Healthy Skin Primer SPF15 29 ingredients
Paula's Choice Ultra-Light Daily Hydrating Fluid SPF 30+ 29 ingredients
Usage
Here's some more info on how this product is used by our community.
When to use
Neutrogena Healthy Skin Primer SPF15 29 ingredients
Paula's Choice Ultra-Light Daily Hydrating Fluid SPF 30+ 29 ingredients
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