Olay Sensitive Mineral Zinc Oxide Sunscreen SPF 30 Versus EltaMD, Inc UV Clear Broad-Spectrum SPF 46
Updated on January 19, 2024
Overview
What they are
These products are both sunscreens. They have a total of 5 ingredients in common
Cool Features
They both contain niacinamide and SPF
Suited For
They're both likely to be good for fighting acne, anti aging, dry skin, brightening skin, sensitive skin, oily skin, reducing pores, scar healing and dark spots
Free From
They both do not contain any harsh alcohols, common allergens, fragrances, oils, 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
Olay Sensitive Mineral Zinc Oxide Sunscreen SPF 30 21 ingredients
EltaMD, Inc UV Clear Broad-Spectrum SPF 46 17 ingredients
About this product
About this product
At a glance
Click on any of the items below to learn more
Olay Sensitive Mineral Zinc Oxide Sunscreen SPF 30 21 ingredients
EltaMD, Inc UV Clear Broad-Spectrum SPF 46 17 ingredients
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Zinc Oxide 17.5%
Cosmetic Colorant
Water
Skin ConditioningCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingIsohexadecane
EmollientGlycerin
Humectant
Steareth-21
CleansingPolyhydroxystearic Acid
Emulsifying
Colloidal Oatmeal
Abrasive
Niacinamide
Smoothing
Palmitoyl Pentapeptide-4
Skin Conditioning
Hydroxyacetophenone
Antioxidant
C13-14 Isoparaffin
Emollient
Steareth-2
EmulsifyingLaureth-7
EmulsifyingStearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Behenyl Alcohol
Emollient
Cetyl Alcohol
Emollient
Disodium EDTA
Polyacrylamide
Triethoxycaprylylsilane
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Zinc Oxide 17.5%, Water, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Isohexadecane, Glycerin, Steareth-21, Polyhydroxystearic Acid, Colloidal Oatmeal, Niacinamide, Palmitoyl Pentapeptide-4, Hydroxyacetophenone, C13-14 Isoparaffin, Steareth-2, Laureth-7, Stearyl Alcohol, Behenyl Alcohol, Cetyl Alcohol, Disodium EDTA, Polyacrylamide, Triethoxycaprylylsilane, Phenoxyethanol
Zinc Oxide 9%
Cosmetic Colorant
Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate 7.5%
UV Absorber
Water
Skin ConditioningCyclomethicone
Emollient
Niacinamide
Smoothing
Octyldodecyl Neopentanoate
EmollientHydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingPolyisobutene
PEG-7 Trimethylolpropane Coconut Ether
EmulsifyingSodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Lactic Acid
Buffering
Oleth-3 Phosphate
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Iodopropynyl Butylcarbamate
Preservative
Triethoxycaprylylsilane
Zinc Oxide 9%, Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate 7.5%, Water, Cyclomethicone, Niacinamide, Octyldodecyl Neopentanoate, Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Polyisobutene, PEG-7 Trimethylolpropane Coconut Ether, Sodium Hyaluronate, Tocopheryl Acetate, Lactic Acid, Oleth-3 Phosphate, Phenoxyethanol, Butylene Glycol, 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.
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 WaterNiacinamide is a multitasking form of vitamin B3 that strengthens the skin barrier, reduces pores and dark spots, regulates oil, and improves signs of aging.
And the best part? It's gentle and well-tolerated by most skin types, including sensitive and reactive skin.
You might have heard of "niacin flush", or the reddening of skin that causes itchiness. Niacinamide has not been found to cause this.
In very rare cases, some individuals may not be able to tolerate niacinamide at all or experience an allergic reaction to it.
If you are experiencing flaking, irritation, and dryness with this ingredient, be sure to double check all your products as this ingredient can be found in all categories of skincare.
When incorporating niacinamide into your routine, look out for concentration amounts. Typically, 5% niacinamide provides benefits such as fading dark spots. However, if you have sensitive skin, it is better to begin with a smaller concentration.
When you apply niacinamide to your skin, your body converts it into nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD). NAD is an essential coenzyme that is already found in your cells as "fuel" and powers countless biological processes.
In your skin, NAD helps repair cell damage, produce new healthy cells, support collagen production, strengthen the skin barrier, and fight environmental stressors (like UV and pollution).
Our natural NAD levels start to decline with age, leading to slower skin repair, visible aging, and a weaker skin barrier. By providing your skin niacinamide, you're recharging your skin's NAD levels. This leads to stronger, healthier, and younger looking skin.
Another name for vitamin B3 is nicotinamide. This vitamin is water-soluble and our bodies don't store it. We obtain Vitamin B3 from either food or skincare. Meat, fish, wheat, yeast, and leafy greens contain vitamin B3.
The type of niacinamide used in skincare is synthetically created.
Learn more about NiacinamideTriethoxycaprylylsilane 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 TriethoxycaprylylsilanePhenoxyethanol 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.
Ingredient Ratings
Here's what our community thinks of the ingredients in these products.
When to use
Olay Sensitive Mineral Zinc Oxide Sunscreen SPF 30 21 ingredients
EltaMD, Inc UV Clear Broad-Spectrum SPF 46 17 ingredients
Reviews
Here's what our community thinks
Olay Sensitive Mineral Zinc Oxide Sunscreen SPF 30 21 ingredients
PROS:
-On darker skin-tones, it leaves a very minimal white cast.
-It hasn't broken me out or triggered my rosacea.
-My skin feels soothed after application.
CONS:
-After application, it leaves your face feeling tacky.
-Not light-weight. Feels quite heavy on the face.
I would prefer something more lightweight since I have oily skin. Would not recommend it for summer but I might Show more
EltaMD, Inc UV Clear Broad-Spectrum SPF 46 17 ingredients
Feels SO comfortable on the skin, I want to keep using it. I also love that it's FA safe. But it pills after I blend out concealer with a sponge and I wonder how much of it is still on my face after that. It's supposed to be good for sensitive skin and while it's actually calming for my skin overall after I put it on, it also irritates the skin around my eyes - at the end of the day, there's Show more
No for me.
I actually really enjoy the consistency. It glides really nicely but oh my lord this thing PILLS like no other. It doesn’t matter if I rub, gently pat it in, or wait however amount of time after my moisturizer; it will pill making it especially impossible to wear under makeup.
