Paula's Choice Calm Barrier Protect Mineral Sunscreen SPF 30 Versus EltaMD, Inc UV Sheer Broad-Spectrum SPF50+ Serum
Updated on May 14, 2024
Overview
What they are
These products are both sunscreens. They have a total of 9 ingredients in common
Cool Features
They both contain SPF and Vitamin C
Suited For
They're both likely to be good for fighting acne, dry skin, brightening skin, reducing pores and better texture
Free From
They both do not contain any harsh alcohols, common allergens, 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
Paula's Choice Calm Barrier Protect Mineral Sunscreen SPF 30 44 ingredients
EltaMD, Inc UV Sheer Broad-Spectrum SPF50+ Serum 23 ingredients
About this product
About this product
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
EltaMD, Inc UV Sheer Broad-Spectrum SPF50+ Serum 23 ingredients
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingC12-15 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
EmulsifyingSilica
Abrasive
Trehalose
HumectantInulin
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
AbsorbentSodium Hydroxide
BufferingAcacia Senegal Gum
MaskingSodium Citrate
BufferingCapryloyl Glycerin/Sebacic Acid Copolymer
Skin ConditioningPolysorbate 60
Emulsifying
Sorbitan Isostearate
Emulsifying
Glyceryl Stearate
Emollient
Lecithin
EmollientGlyceryl 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
Octocrylene 10%
UV Absorber
Zinc Oxide 15%
Cosmetic Colorant
Water
Skin ConditioningButyloctyl Salicylate
Skin Conditioning
Coco-Caprylate/Caprate
Emollient
Isohexadecane
EmollientButylene Glycol
Humectant
Isododecane
EmollientPhenoxyethanol
Preservative
Polyhydroxystearic Acid
Emulsifying
Triethoxycaprylylsilane
Polyacrylate Crosspolymer-6
Emulsion StabilisingAcacia Senegal Gum
MaskingPolysilicone-11
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingTetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate
Antioxidant
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningHydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingSqualane
Emollient
Disodium EDTA
Polysorbate 60
Emulsifying
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingOctocrylene 10%, Zinc Oxide 15%, Water, Butyloctyl Salicylate, Coco-Caprylate/Caprate, Isohexadecane, Butylene Glycol, Isododecane, Phenoxyethanol, Polyhydroxystearic Acid, Triethoxycaprylylsilane, Polyacrylate Crosspolymer-6, Acacia Senegal Gum, Polysilicone-11, Xanthan Gum, Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate, Ethylhexylglycerin, Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Squalane, Disodium EDTA, Polysorbate 60, Sodium Hyaluronate, Sodium Hydroxide
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Water. 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 WaterZinc 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 OxidePolyhydroxystearic Acid is a soft wax made from castor oil.
It is is a texture thickener, emulsifier, and film-former. Emulsifiers prevent ingredients from separating, such as oils and waters.
Polyhydroxystearic Acid may not be fungal acne safe.
Learn more about Polyhydroxystearic AcidThis is a synthetic polymer. It helps improve the texture of products by adding thickness and gel-like feel.
It is also an emulsifer, meaning it prevents ingredients such as oil and water from separating. It also helps evenly disperse other ingredients.
Triethoxycaprylylsilane 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 TriethoxycaprylylsilaneXanthan 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 GumSodium Hydroxide is also known as lye or caustic soda. It is used to adjust the pH of products; many ingredients require a specific pH to be effective.
In small amounts, sodium hydroxide is considered safe to use. However, large amounts may cause chemical burns due to its high alkaline.
Your skin has a natural pH and acid mantle. This acid mantle helps prevent harmful bacteria from breaking through. The acid mantle also helps keep your skin hydrated.
"Alkaline" refers to a high pH level. A low pH level would be considered acidic.
Learn more about Sodium HydroxideAcacia Senegal Gum has skin soothing, thickening, and formulation stabilizing properties. It comes from the Acacia tree that is native to sub-Saharan Africa.
Polysorbate 60 is used to help stabilize products. It is a surfactant and emulsifier. These properties help keep ingredients together in a product. Surfactants help reduce surface tension between ingredients with different states, such as liquids and solids. Emulsifiers help prevent oils and waters from separating.
Polysorbate 60 is sorbitol-based and created from the ethoxylation of sorbitan. Ethoxylation is a chemical reaction used to add ethylene oxide. Sorbitan is a the dehydrated version of sorbitol, a sugar found in fruits.
In this case, the 60 comes from reacting 60 units of ethylene oxide with sorbitan.
Polysorbates are commonly used in medicine and foods.
Learn more about Polysorbate 60Ingredient Ratings
Here's what our community thinks of the ingredients in these products.
When to use
Paula's Choice Calm Barrier Protect Mineral Sunscreen SPF 30 44 ingredients
EltaMD, Inc UV Sheer Broad-Spectrum SPF50+ Serum 23 ingredients
Reviews
Here's what our community thinks
Paula's Choice Calm Barrier Protect Mineral Sunscreen SPF 30 44 ingredients
Very moisturizing and helped heal my skin barrier. Don’t think it’s breaking me out, and I have acne prone skin. It’s mineral, so it doesn’t burn the eyes. Can’t speak much for a white cast because I’m pale as a ghost, but it rubs in pretty nice!
I’ve tried my share of sunscreens, and this was one of the best. It’s far less greasy than many others I’ve tried, it takes a minute to absorb but within an hour I’d say is unnoticeable to the touch. It does not irritate my skin and there’s barely a white cast, it’s hardly noticeable once it’s rubbed in (I have light medium skin tone).
EltaMD, Inc UV Sheer Broad-Spectrum SPF50+ Serum 23 ingredients
I quite like this sunscreen by EltaMD. One of my favorite talking points about this sunscreen is the vitamin C derivative it contains, tetrahexyldecyl ascorbate (THD), which is oil-soluble. THD is able to much more readily penetrate the compacted hydrophobic (water repellent) lipid matrix of the stratum corneum versus other vitamin C derivatives used in skincare. This product also contains Show more
