Paula's Choice Advanced Sun Protection Daily Moisturiser SPF 50 PA++++ Versus Paula's Choice Skin Balancing Ultra-Sheer Daily Defense Broad Spectrum SPF 30
What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningDibutyl Adipate
EmollientDiethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl Benzoate
UV FilterPropylheptyl Caprylate
EmollientDicaprylyl Carbonate
EmollientEthylhexyl Salicylate
UV AbsorberEthylhexyl Triazone
UV AbsorberMethylene Bis-Benzotriazolyl Tetramethylbutylphenol
UV FilterUndecane
EmollientBis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantIsononyl Isononanoate
EmollientPropanediol
SolventTridecane
PerfumingPotassium Cetyl Phosphate
EmulsifyingSaccharomyces Ferment
Skin ConditioningSodium Polyacrylate
AbsorbentDecyl Glucoside
CleansingCaprylyl Glyceryl Ether
CleansingSodium Phytate
Caprylhydroxamic Acid
Lauroyl Lysine
Skin ConditioningPropylene Glycol
HumectantXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingTocopherol
AntioxidantNaringenin
Skin ConditioningHelianthus Annuus Seed Oil
EmollientWater, Dibutyl Adipate, Diethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl Benzoate, Propylheptyl Caprylate, Dicaprylyl Carbonate, Ethylhexyl Salicylate, Ethylhexyl Triazone, Methylene Bis-Benzotriazolyl Tetramethylbutylphenol, Undecane, Bis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine, Glycerin, Isononyl Isononanoate, Propanediol, Tridecane, Potassium Cetyl Phosphate, Saccharomyces Ferment, Sodium Polyacrylate, Decyl Glucoside, Caprylyl Glyceryl Ether, Sodium Phytate, Caprylhydroxamic Acid, Lauroyl Lysine, Propylene Glycol, Xanthan Gum, Tocopherol, Naringenin, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil
Water
Skin ConditioningHomosalate
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
HumectantBenzophenone-3
UV AbsorberButyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane
UV AbsorberSilica
AbrasiveOctocrylene
UV AbsorberAluminum Starch Octenylsuccinate
AbsorbentCetyl Dimethicone
EmollientCamellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialAloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice Powder
Skin ConditioningAscorbyl Palmitate
AntioxidantPhospholipids
Skin ConditioningSuperoxide Dismutase
AntioxidantAdenosine
Skin ConditioningTocopherol
AntioxidantBisabolol
AntioxidantBoerhavia Diffusa Root Extract
Skin ProtectingAvena Sativa Kernel Extract
AbrasivePanthenol
Skin ConditioningGinkgo Biloba Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningSalix Alba Bark Extract
AstringentAcrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingTitanium Dioxide
Cosmetic ColorantSodium Hydroxide
BufferingSteareth-21
CleansingSteareth-2
EmulsifyingPolysorbate 20
EmulsifyingDisodium EDTA
Phenoxyethanol
PreservativeSorbic Acid
PreservativeWater, Homosalate, Butylene Glycol, Benzophenone-3, Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane, Silica, Octocrylene, Aluminum Starch Octenylsuccinate, Cetyl Dimethicone, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice Powder, Ascorbyl Palmitate, Phospholipids, Superoxide Dismutase, Adenosine, Tocopherol, Bisabolol, Boerhavia Diffusa Root Extract, Avena Sativa Kernel Extract, Panthenol, Ginkgo Biloba Leaf Extract, Salix Alba Bark Extract, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Titanium Dioxide, Sodium Hydroxide, Steareth-21, Steareth-2, Polysorbate 20, Disodium EDTA, Phenoxyethanol, Sorbic Acid
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Tocopherol is a fat-soluble antioxidant known as Vitamin E.
You'll find this ingredient in the vast majority of skincare (for good reason). It works to neutralize free radicals, or unstable molecules generated by UV exposure, pollution, and other environmental stressors, before they can cause oxidative damage to your skin cells.
Topically applied tocopherol has been shown to protect against UV damage by ramping up the skin's own natural defense enzymes.
It also acts as a skin conditioning agent; some studies show that regular topical use can improve the skin's water-binding capacity over 2-4 weeks.
This ingredient is especially loved for being a team player. When combined with Vitamin C, the photoprotective effect of both ingredients roughly doubles and the combo also helps reduce UV-induced DNA damage.
This ingredient has some brightening potential but it's more of a prevention ingredient than spot-fader. Cell studies show it can slow down melanin production but it's worth noting that it's not the most powerful brightener out there.
In formulations, it also serves as a stabilizer that helps protect other oxidation-prone ingredients from degrading.
Concentrations usually range from 0.1-1% in most leave-on products.
Learn more about TocopherolWater. 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. Remember to stay hydrated!
Learn more about Water