Paula's Choice Calm Redness Relief SPF 30 Mineral Moisturizer For Normal To Oily Skin Versus NeoStrata Defend Sheer Hydration Sunscreen Broad Spectrum SPF 40
Updated on July 18, 2024
Overview
Cool Features
They both contain SPF
Suited For
They're both likely to be good for dry skin and brightening skin
Free From
They both do not contain any harsh alcohols, common allergens, fragrances, oils, 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 Redness Relief SPF 30 Mineral Moisturizer For Normal To Oily Skin 34 ingredients
NeoStrata Defend Sheer Hydration Sunscreen Broad Spectrum SPF 40 34 ingredients
About this product
About this product
At a glance
Click on any of the items below to learn more
Paula's Choice Calm Redness Relief SPF 30 Mineral Moisturizer For Normal To Oily Skin 34 ingredients
NeoStrata Defend Sheer Hydration Sunscreen Broad Spectrum SPF 40 34 ingredients
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningEthylhexyl Palmitate
Emollient
Zinc Oxide
Cosmetic Colorant
Cyclomethicone
Emollient
Titanium Dioxide
Cosmetic Colorant
Dimethicone
Emollient
Glyceryl Stearate
Emollient
PEG-100 Stearate
C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate
AntimicrobialPolysorbate 80
Emulsifying
Caprylyl Methicone
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingIsohexadecane
EmollientCetyl Alcohol
Emollient
Propylene Glycol
Humectant
Polyglyceryl-6 Isostearate
Emulsifying
Allantoin
Skin Conditioning
Chamomilla Recutita Flower Extract
Masking
Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
Antimicrobial
Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract
Bleaching
Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice
Skin Conditioning
Glycerin
Humectant
Panthenol
Skin Conditioning
Algae Extract
Emollient
Lauryl PEG-9 Polydimethylsiloxyethyl Dimethicone
Skin Conditioning
Polyhydroxystearic Acid
Emulsifying
Triethoxysilylethyl Polydimethylsiloxyethyl Hexyl Dimethicone
Skin Conditioning
Caprylyl Glycol
EmollientButylene Glycol
Humectant
Diethylhexyl Carbonate
EmollientTriethoxycaprylylsilane
Disodium EDTA
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Chlorphenesin
Antimicrobial
Water, Ethylhexyl Palmitate, Zinc Oxide, Cyclomethicone, Titanium Dioxide, Dimethicone, Glyceryl Stearate, PEG-100 Stearate, C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate, Polysorbate 80, Caprylyl Methicone, Sodium Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Isohexadecane, Cetyl Alcohol, Propylene Glycol, Polyglyceryl-6 Isostearate, Allantoin, Chamomilla Recutita Flower Extract, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Glycerin, Panthenol, Algae Extract, Lauryl PEG-9 Polydimethylsiloxyethyl Dimethicone, Polyhydroxystearic Acid, Triethoxysilylethyl Polydimethylsiloxyethyl Hexyl Dimethicone, Caprylyl Glycol, Butylene Glycol, Diethylhexyl Carbonate, Triethoxycaprylylsilane, Disodium EDTA, Phenoxyethanol, Chlorphenesin
Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane 3%
UV Absorber
Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate 7.5%
UV Absorber
Ethylhexyl Salicylate 5%
UV Absorber
Water
Skin ConditioningAcetyl Glucosamine
Skin ConditioningButyloctyl Salicylate
Skin Conditioning
Cyclopentasiloxane
Emollient
Dimethicone
Emollient
C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate
AntimicrobialGlycerin
Humectant
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Glyceryl Stearate
Emollient
Octyldodecyl Neopentanoate
EmollientCetyl Alcohol
Emollient
PEG-100 Stearate
Cetearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Vitis Vinifera Seed Extract
Antimicrobial
Melia Azadirachta Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningLecithin
EmollientArctium Lappa Root Extract
Skin ConditioningTocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Dimethicone Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingPropylene Glycol
Humectant
PEG-75 Stearate
Steareth-20
CleansingXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingCeteth-20
CleansingAmmonium Hydroxide
BufferingCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingDisodium EDTA
Caprylyl Glycol
EmollientPhenoxyethanol
Preservative
Chlorphenesin
Antimicrobial
Sodium Bisulfite
Antioxidant
Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane 3%, Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate 7.5%, Ethylhexyl Salicylate 5%, Water, Acetyl Glucosamine, Butyloctyl Salicylate, Cyclopentasiloxane, Dimethicone, C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate, Glycerin, Butylene Glycol, Glyceryl Stearate, Octyldodecyl Neopentanoate, Cetyl Alcohol, PEG-100 Stearate, Cetearyl Alcohol, Vitis Vinifera Seed Extract, Melia Azadirachta Leaf Extract, Lecithin, Arctium Lappa Root Extract, Tocopheryl Acetate, Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Propylene Glycol, PEG-75 Stearate, Steareth-20, Xanthan Gum, Ceteth-20, Ammonium Hydroxide, Carbomer, Disodium EDTA, Caprylyl Glycol, Phenoxyethanol, Chlorphenesin, Sodium Bisulfite
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 WaterDimethicone is a type of synthetic silicone created from natural materials such as quartz.
What it does:
Dimethicone comes in different viscosities:
Depending on the viscosity, dimethicone has different properties.
Ingredients lists don't always show which type is used, so we recommend reaching out to the brand if you have questions about the viscosity.
This ingredient is unlikely to cause irritation because it does not get absorbed into skin. However, people with silicone allergies should be careful about using this ingredient.
Note: Dimethicone may contribute to pilling. This is because it is not oil or water soluble, so pilling may occur when layered with products. When mixed with heavy oils in a formula, the outcome is also quite greasy.
Learn more about DimethiconeGlyceryl Stearate is a mix of glycerin and stearic acid.
It is used to stabilize the mixing of water and oil ingredients. By preventing these ingredients from separating, it can help elongate shelf life. It can also help thicken the product's texture.
As an emollient, it helps soften skin and supports barrier-replenishing ingredients.
In cosmetics, Glyceryl Stearate is often made from vegetable oils or synthetically produced.
This ingredient may not be fungal-acne safe
Fun fact: The human body also creates Glyceryl Stearate naturally.
Learn more about Glyceryl StearatePeg-100 Stearate is an emollient and emulsifier. As an emollient, it helps keep skin soft by trapping moisture in. On the other hand, emulsifiers help prevent oil and water from separating in a product.
PEGS are a hydrophilic polyether compound . There are 100 ethylene oxide monomers in Peg-100 Stearate. Peg-100 Stearate is polyethylene glycol ester of stearic acid.
C12-15 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 BenzoateCetyl Alcohol is a fatty alcohol. Fatty Alcohols are most often used as an emollient or to thicken a product.
Its main roles are:
Though it has "alcohol" in the name, it is not related to denatured alcohol or ethyl alcohol. The FDA allows products labeled "alcohol-free" to have fatty alcohols.
Learn more about Cetyl AlcoholPropylene Glycol is an odorless, colorless liquid. As a humectant, it helps skin retain moisture. It also aids in delivering active ingredients.
Another role of this ingredient is preventing a product from melting or freezing. Propylene glycol also adds antimicrobrial properties to a product, elongating product lifespan.
This ingredient is considered an organic alcohol and commonly added into both cosmetics and foods.
Those with sensitive skin or conditions may develop a rash when using this ingredient.
Learn more about Propylene GlycolGlycerin 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 GlycerinCaprylyl Glycol is a humectant and emollient, meaning it attracts and preserves moisture.
It is a common ingredient in many products, especially those designed to hydrate skin. The primary benefits are retaining moisture, skin softening, and promoting a healthy skin barrier.
Though Caprylyl Glycol is an alcohol derived from fatty acids, it is not the kind that can dry out skin.
This ingredient is also used as a preservative to extend the life of products. It has slight antimicrobial properties.
Learn more about Caprylyl GlycolButylene Glycol (or BG) is used within cosmetic products for a few different reasons:
- It is a solvent, meaning that it helps to dissolve other ingredients. This also enhances the absorption of the product into one's skin.
- It is a humectant, which means that it helps attract moisture into the skin.
- It helps improve product application.
- It has mild preservative properties.
Overall, Butylene Glycol is a safe and well-rounded ingredient that works well with other ingredients.
Disodium EDTA plays a role in making products more stable by aiding other preservatives.
It is a chelating agent, meaning it neutralizes metal ions that may be found in a product.
Disodium EDTA is a salt of edetic acid and is found to be safe in cosmetic ingredients.
Learn more about Disodium EDTAPhenoxyethanol 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.
Chlorphenesin is a synthetic preservative. It helps protect a product against bacteria in order to extend shelf life. In most cases, Chlorphenesin is paired with other preservatives such as phenoxyethanol and caprylyl glycol.
Chlorphenesin is a biocide. This means it is able to help fight the microorganisms on our skin. It is also able to fight odor-releasing bacteria.
Chlorphenesin is soluble in both water and glycerin.
Studies show Chlorphenesin is easily absorbed by our skin. You should speak with a skincare professional if you have concerns about using Chlorphenesin.
Learn more about ChlorphenesinIngredient Ratings
Here's what our community thinks of the ingredients in these products.
When to use
Paula's Choice Calm Redness Relief SPF 30 Mineral Moisturizer For Normal To Oily Skin 34 ingredients
NeoStrata Defend Sheer Hydration Sunscreen Broad Spectrum SPF 40 34 ingredients
Reviews
Here's what our community thinks
Paula's Choice Calm Redness Relief SPF 30 Mineral Moisturizer For Normal To Oily Skin 34 ingredients
Gives you an oily skin after just a few hours of usage.
