Paula's Choice 5% Vitamin C Sheer Moisturizer SPF 50 Versus Mecca Cosmetica To Save Face Matte Sun Serum SPF 50+
Updated on February 25, 2025
Overview
What they are
These products are both sunscreens. They have a total of 5 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, reducing pores, scar healing and better texture
Free From
They both do not contain any harsh alcohols, parabens or sulfates
What's Inside
They both contain fragrances and oils
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
Paula's Choice 5% Vitamin C Sheer Moisturizer SPF 50 30 ingredients
Mecca Cosmetica To Save Face Matte Sun Serum SPF 50+ 47 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
Paula's Choice 5% Vitamin C Sheer Moisturizer SPF 50 30 ingredients
Mecca Cosmetica To Save Face Matte Sun Serum SPF 50+ 47 ingredients
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane
UV Absorber
Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate
UV Absorber
Ethylhexyl Salicylate
UV Absorber
Octocrylene
UV Absorber
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
Humectant
Silica
Abrasive
3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid
Skin Conditioning
Ascorbyl Glucoside
Antioxidant
Dimethicone
Emollient
Propanediol
Solvent
Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate
Antioxidant
Acetyl Zingerone
Antioxidant
Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingDiethylhexyl Syringylidenemalonate
Skin ProtectingDimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer
Skin Conditioning
Porphyra Umbilicalis Extract
Skin ConditioningHydrogenated Lecithin
Emulsifying
Ricinus Communis Seed Oil
Masking
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingTocopherol
Antioxidant
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningLaureth-4
Emulsifying
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Potassium Sorbate
Preservative
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
Titanium Dioxide
Cosmetic Colorant
Iron Oxides
Entada Phaseoloides Bark/Seed Extract
Skin ConditioningButyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane, Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate, Ethylhexyl Salicylate, Octocrylene, Water, Glycerin, Silica, 3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid, Ascorbyl Glucoside, Dimethicone, Propanediol, Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate, Acetyl Zingerone, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Diethylhexyl Syringylidenemalonate, Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Porphyra Umbilicalis Extract, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Ricinus Communis Seed Oil, Sodium Hydroxide, Tocopherol, Xanthan Gum, Ethylhexylglycerin, Laureth-4, Phenoxyethanol, Potassium Sorbate, Sodium Benzoate, Titanium Dioxide, Iron Oxides, Entada Phaseoloides Bark/Seed Extract
Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane 4%
UV Absorber
Ethylhexyl Triazone 4%
UV Absorber
Bis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine 2%
Skin Conditioning
Methylene Bis-Benzotriazolyl Tetramethylbutylphenol 2%
UV Filter
Phenylbenzimidazole Sulfonic Acid 2%
UV Absorber
Water
Skin ConditioningDibutyl Adipate
EmollientNiacinamide
Smoothing
Silica
Abrasive
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate
AntimicrobialPolyglyceryl-3 Methylglucose Distearate
Emulsifying
Undecane
EmollientAminomethyl Propanol
BufferingPotassium Cetyl Phosphate
EmulsifyingEthylhexyl Methoxycrylene
Skin ConditioningGlyceryl Stearate
Emollient
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Acrylates Copolymer
Tridecane
Perfuming
Salix Alba Bark Extract
Astringent
Gluconolactone
Skin Conditioning
Decyl Glucoside
CleansingParfum
Masking
Caprylyl Glycol
EmollientCaramel
Cosmetic Colorant1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Hydroxyacetophenone
Antioxidant
Acacia Senegal Gum
MaskingDisodium EDTA
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingDecylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningHexamethylindanopyran
Masking
Propylene Glycol
Humectant
Hexyl Cinnamal
Perfuming
CI 15985
Cosmetic ColorantLinalool
Perfuming
Limonene
Perfuming
Linalyl Acetate
Masking
Alpha-Isomethyl Ionone
Perfuming
Citrus Aurantium Peel Oil
Tetramethyl Acetyloctahydronaphthalenes
Masking
Terpineol
Masking
Citrus Limon Peel Oil
Masking
Citronellol
Perfuming
CI 14700
Cosmetic ColorantButyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane 4%, Ethylhexyl Triazone 4%, Bis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine 2%, Methylene Bis-Benzotriazolyl Tetramethylbutylphenol 2%, Phenylbenzimidazole Sulfonic Acid 2%, Water, Dibutyl Adipate, Niacinamide, Silica, Butylene Glycol, C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate, Polyglyceryl-3 Methylglucose Distearate, Undecane, Aminomethyl Propanol, Potassium Cetyl Phosphate, Ethylhexyl Methoxycrylene, Glyceryl Stearate, Tocopheryl Acetate, Phenoxyethanol, Acrylates Copolymer, Tridecane, Salix Alba Bark Extract, Gluconolactone, Decyl Glucoside, Parfum, Caprylyl Glycol, Caramel, 1,2-Hexanediol, Hydroxyacetophenone, Acacia Senegal Gum, Disodium EDTA, Xanthan Gum, Decylene Glycol, Hexamethylindanopyran, Propylene Glycol, Hexyl Cinnamal, CI 15985, Linalool, Limonene, Linalyl Acetate, Alpha-Isomethyl Ionone, Citrus Aurantium Peel Oil, Tetramethyl Acetyloctahydronaphthalenes, Terpineol, Citrus Limon Peel Oil, Citronellol, CI 14700
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 MethoxydibenzoylmethanePhenoxyethanol 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.
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 SilicaWater. 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 WaterXanthan 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 GumIngredient Ratings
Here's what our community thinks of the ingredients in these products.
When to use
Paula's Choice 5% Vitamin C Sheer Moisturizer SPF 50 30 ingredients
Mecca Cosmetica To Save Face Matte Sun Serum SPF 50+ 47 ingredients
