Paula's Choice Calm Barrier Protect Mineral Sunscreen SPF 30 Versus BioNike Defence Sun Fluid Lotion SPF 50+
Updated on February 11, 2025
Overview
What they are
These products are both cruelty-free sunscreens. They have a total of 7 ingredients in common
Cool Features
They both contain SPF and Vitamin E
Suited For
They're both likely to be good for fighting acne, anti aging, dry skin, brightening skin, sensitive skin, reducing pores, scar healing and better texture
Free From
They both do not contain any harsh alcohols, common allergens, 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 needs an update? Let us know.
Ingredient Info
Paula's Choice Calm Barrier Protect Mineral Sunscreen SPF 30 44 ingredients
BioNike Defence Sun Fluid Lotion SPF 50+ 35 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 Calm Barrier Protect Mineral Sunscreen SPF 30 44 ingredients
BioNike Defence Sun Fluid Lotion SPF 50+ 35 ingredients
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate
AntimicrobialTitanium Dioxide
Cosmetic Colorant
Zinc Oxide
Cosmetic Colorant
Ethylhexyl Methoxycrylene
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
Humectant
Polyester-8
Skin Conditioning
Aluminum Stearate
Cosmetic ColorantC15-19 Alkane
SolventHydrogenated Lecithin
Emulsifying
Silica
Abrasive
Trehalose
Humectant
Inulin
Skin ConditioningAlpha-Glucan Oligosaccharide
CleansingAscorbyl Palmitate
Antioxidant
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Echium Plantagineum Seed Oil
Skin Conditioning
Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil
Emollient
Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil
Emollient
Centella Asiatica Extract
Cleansing
Polyhydroxystearic Acid
Emulsifying
Alumina
Abrasive
Glyceryl Caprylate
EmollientHydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingLeuconostoc/Radish Root Ferment Filtrate
Antimicrobial
Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer
Caprylhydroxamic Acid
Triethoxycaprylylsilane
Diheptyl Succinate
EmollientXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingAllantoin
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Polyacrylate
Absorbent
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingAcacia Senegal Gum
MaskingSodium Citrate
BufferingCapryloyl Glycerin/Sebacic Acid Copolymer
Skin ConditioningPolysorbate 60
Emulsifying
Sorbitan Isostearate
Emulsifying
Glyceryl Stearate
Emollient
Lecithin
Emollient
Glyceryl Oleate
Emollient
Citric Acid
Buffering
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
Water, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate, Titanium Dioxide, Zinc Oxide, Ethylhexyl Methoxycrylene, Glycerin, Polyester-8, Aluminum Stearate, C15-19 Alkane, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Silica, Trehalose, Inulin, Alpha-Glucan Oligosaccharide, Ascorbyl Palmitate, Tocopherol, Echium Plantagineum Seed Oil, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil, Centella Asiatica Extract, Polyhydroxystearic Acid, Alumina, Glyceryl Caprylate, Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Leuconostoc/Radish Root Ferment Filtrate, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer, Caprylhydroxamic Acid, Triethoxycaprylylsilane, Diheptyl Succinate, Xanthan Gum, Allantoin, Sodium Polyacrylate, Sodium Hydroxide, Acacia Senegal Gum, Sodium Citrate, Capryloyl Glycerin/Sebacic Acid Copolymer, Polysorbate 60, Sorbitan Isostearate, Glyceryl Stearate, Lecithin, Glyceryl Oleate, Citric Acid, Sodium Benzoate
Water
Skin ConditioningC12-15 Alkyl Benzoate
AntimicrobialDibutyl Adipate
EmollientCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Diethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl Benzoate
UV Filter
1,5-Pentanediol
SolventEthylhexyl Triazone
UV Absorber
Triacontanyl Pvp
HumectantBis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine
Skin Conditioning
Aluminum Starch Octenylsuccinate
Absorbent
Dicaprylyl Carbonate
EmollientPoloxamer 407
EmulsifyingLactobacillus Ferment
Skin ConditioningSodium Stearoyl Glutamate
CleansingNiacinamide
Smoothing
Acrylates/C12-22 Alkyl Methacrylate Copolymer
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Caprylyl Glycol
EmollientSodium Carboxymethyl Beta-Glucan
CleansingCarnosine
Skin Conditioning
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningDimethicone
Emollient
PPG-12/Smdi Copolymer
EmollientPanthenol
Skin Conditioning
Allantoin
Skin Conditioning
Caprylhydroxamic Acid
Glycerin
Humectant
Lactic Acid
Buffering
Hydroxypropyl Methylcellulose
Emulsion StabilisingArginine
Masking
Coco-Glucoside
CleansingXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingDisodium Lauryl Sulfosuccinate
CleansingPentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningTrisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate
Water, C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate, Dibutyl Adipate, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Diethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl Benzoate, 1,5-Pentanediol, Ethylhexyl Triazone, Triacontanyl Pvp, Bis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine, Aluminum Starch Octenylsuccinate, Dicaprylyl Carbonate, Poloxamer 407, Lactobacillus Ferment, Sodium Stearoyl Glutamate, Niacinamide, Acrylates/C12-22 Alkyl Methacrylate Copolymer, Tocopheryl Acetate, Caprylyl Glycol, Sodium Carboxymethyl Beta-Glucan, Carnosine, Ethylhexylglycerin, Dimethicone, PPG-12/Smdi Copolymer, Panthenol, Allantoin, Caprylhydroxamic Acid, Glycerin, Lactic Acid, Hydroxypropyl Methylcellulose, Arginine, Coco-Glucoside, Xanthan Gum, Disodium Lauryl Sulfosuccinate, Pentylene Glycol, Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Allantoin plays a role in soothing and moisturizing the skin. Because of this, it is often added to products with strong active ingredients.
Some studies have shown this ingredient can promote wound healing with higher concentrations.
Allantoin is derived from the comfrey plant but produced synthetically for cosmetic products to ensure purity.
Learn more about AllantoinC12-15 Alkyl Benzoate is made up of Benzoic Acid and long chain alcohols. It has a low molecular weight.
C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate is an emollient and texture enhancer. Due to its solubility, it is often used in sunscreens to help evenly distribute active ingredients.
As an emollient, C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate helps soften and hydrate your skin. Emollients create a film on your skin that traps moisture within.
This ingredient has been reported to cause eye irritation.
Learn more about C12-15 Alkyl BenzoateCaprylhydroxamic Acid is a chelating agent.
Chelating agents help prevent metal ions from binding to other ingredients. This helps prevent unwanted reactions and effects from using the product.
Caprylhydroxamic Acid is often used with natural antimicrobial products as an alternative to preservatives.
Learn more about Caprylhydroxamic AcidThis ingredient is an emollient, solvent, and texture enhancer. It is considered a skin-softener by helping the skin prevent moisture loss.
It helps thicken a product's formula and makes it easier to spread by dissolving clumping compounds.
Caprylic Triglyceride is made by combining glycerin with coconut oil, forming a clear liquid.
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 TriglycerideGlycerin is already naturally found in your skin. It helps moisturize and protect your skin.
A study from 2016 found glycerin to be more effective as a humectant than AHAs and hyaluronic acid.
As a humectant, it helps the skin stay hydrated by pulling moisture to your skin. The low molecular weight of glycerin allows it to pull moisture into the deeper layers of your skin.
Hydrated skin improves your skin barrier; Your skin barrier helps protect against irritants and bacteria.
Glycerin has also been found to have antimicrobial and antiviral properties. Due to these properties, glycerin is often used in wound and burn treatments.
In cosmetics, glycerin is usually derived from plants such as soybean or palm. However, it can also be sourced from animals, such as tallow or animal fat.
This ingredient is organic, colorless, odorless, and non-toxic.
Glycerin is the name for this ingredient in American English. British English uses Glycerol/Glycerine.
Learn more about GlycerinWater. 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
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When to use
Paula's Choice Calm Barrier Protect Mineral Sunscreen SPF 30 44 ingredients
BioNike Defence Sun Fluid Lotion SPF 50+ 35 ingredients
Reviews
Here's what our community thinks
