Paula's Choice Defense Essential Glow Moisturizer SPF 30 Versus bareMinerals Complexion Rescue Tinted Hydrating Gel Cream SPF30 - Birch
Updated on December 05, 2023
Overview
What they are
These products are both vegan and cruelty-free . They have a total of 7 ingredients in common
Cool Features
They both contain exfoliants, peptides and SPF
Suited For
They're both likely to be good for anti aging, dry skin, brightening skin, sensitive skin and scar healing
Free From
They both do not contain any harsh alcohols, common allergens, fragrances, 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 Defense Essential Glow Moisturizer SPF 30 45 ingredients
bareMinerals Complexion Rescue Tinted Hydrating Gel Cream SPF30 40 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 Defense Essential Glow Moisturizer SPF 30 45 ingredients
bareMinerals Complexion Rescue Tinted Hydrating Gel Cream SPF30 40 ingredients
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningC12-15 Alkyl Benzoate
AntimicrobialZinc Oxide
Cosmetic Colorant
Titanium Dioxide
Cosmetic Colorant
Glycerin
Humectant
Isononyl Isononanoate
EmollientButylene Glycol
Humectant
Cetearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Potassium Cetyl Phosphate
EmulsifyingDimethicone
Emollient
Glyceryl Stearate
Emollient
Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract
Bleaching
Actinidia Chinensis Fruit Extract
EmollientArgania Spinosa Kernel Oil
Emollient
Tetrapeptide-30
Skin Conditioning
Linoleic Acid
Cleansing
Resveratrol
Antioxidant
Ascorbyl Glucoside
Antioxidant
Niacinamide
Smoothing
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Magnesium Ascorbyl Phosphate
Antioxidant
Bisabolol
Masking
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Phospholipids
Skin Conditioning
Lecithin
Emollient
Glycine Soja Sterols
Emollient
Xanthophylls
Skin ConditioningPullulan
Sodium Gluconate
Skin ConditioningXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingSclerotium Gum
Emulsion StabilisingAlumina
Abrasive
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Citric Acid
Buffering
Triethoxycaprylylsilane
C13-14 Isoparaffin
Emollient
Acrylates Copolymer
Polyhydroxystearic Acid
Emulsifying
Caprylyl Glycol
EmollientPolyacrylamide
Ceteareth-20
Cleansing
Aluminum Stearate
Cosmetic ColorantLaureth-7
EmulsifyingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningPhenoxyethanol
Preservative
Water, C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate, Zinc Oxide, Titanium Dioxide, Glycerin, Isononyl Isononanoate, Butylene Glycol, Cetearyl Alcohol, Potassium Cetyl Phosphate, Dimethicone, Glyceryl Stearate, Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract, Actinidia Chinensis Fruit Extract, Argania Spinosa Kernel Oil, Tetrapeptide-30, Linoleic Acid, Resveratrol, Ascorbyl Glucoside, Niacinamide, Tocopheryl Acetate, Magnesium Ascorbyl Phosphate, Bisabolol, Tocopherol, Phospholipids, Lecithin, Glycine Soja Sterols, Xanthophylls, Pullulan, Sodium Gluconate, Xanthan Gum, Sclerotium Gum, Alumina, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Citric Acid, Triethoxycaprylylsilane, C13-14 Isoparaffin, Acrylates Copolymer, Polyhydroxystearic Acid, Caprylyl Glycol, Polyacrylamide, Ceteareth-20, Aluminum Stearate, Laureth-7, Ethylhexylglycerin, Phenoxyethanol
Water
Skin ConditioningCoconut Alkanes
Emollient
Propanediol
Solvent
Titanium Dioxide
Cosmetic Colorant
Squalane
Emollient
Sorbitan Sesquiisostearate
Emulsifying
Isostearic Acid
Cleansing
Polysorbate 60
Emulsifying
Trehalose
Humectant
Glycerin
Humectant
Agar
MaskingSilica
Abrasive
Moringa Oleifera Seed Extract
Skin Conditioning
Salicornia Herbacea Extract
Skin ConditioningMelilotus Officinalis Extract
AstringentTheobroma Cacao Seed Extract
Antioxidant
Coco-Caprylate/Caprate
Emollient
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Caffeine
Skin Conditioning
Lauroyl Lysine
Skin ConditioningSuccinoglycan
Skin ConditioningAluminum Hydroxide
EmollientHydrogen Dimethicone
Citric Acid
Buffering
Disodium Phosphate
BufferingAcetyl Tetrapeptide-5
Humectant
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Polyglyceryl-4 Laurate/Succinate
Cellulose Gum
Emulsion StabilisingMagnesium Chloride
Calcium Chloride
AstringentPotassium Chloride
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Magnesium Stearate
Cosmetic ColorantPhenoxyethanol
Preservative
Mica
Cosmetic Colorant
CI 77491
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77492
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77499
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantWater, Coconut Alkanes, Propanediol, Titanium Dioxide, Squalane, Sorbitan Sesquiisostearate, Isostearic Acid, Polysorbate 60, Trehalose, Glycerin, Agar, Silica, Moringa Oleifera Seed Extract, Salicornia Herbacea Extract, Melilotus Officinalis Extract, Theobroma Cacao Seed Extract, Coco-Caprylate/Caprate, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Caffeine, Lauroyl Lysine, Succinoglycan, Aluminum Hydroxide, Hydrogen Dimethicone, Citric Acid, Disodium Phosphate, Acetyl Tetrapeptide-5, Butylene Glycol, Polyglyceryl-4 Laurate/Succinate, Cellulose Gum, Magnesium Chloride, Calcium Chloride, Potassium Chloride, Sodium Hyaluronate, Magnesium Stearate, Phenoxyethanol, Mica, CI 77491, CI 77492, CI 77499, CI 77891
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Butylene Glycol (or BG) is used within cosmetic products for a few different reasons:
Overall, Butylene Glycol is a safe and well-rounded ingredient that works well with other ingredients.
Though this ingredient works well with most skin types, some people with sensitive skin may experience a reaction such as allergic rashes, closed comedones, or itchiness.
Learn more about Butylene GlycolThis 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 TriglycerideCitric Acid is an AHA derived from citrus fruits (think oranges, lemons, and limes!).
As an AHA, Citric Acid removes the top layer of skin cells from the newer layer of skin underneath. This helps skin to remove dark spots and even out skin tone.
If you spot Citric Acid near the end of an ingredient list, it's likely there as a pH adjuster rather than an active ingredient.
Read more about some other popular AHA's here:
Learn more about Citric AcidGlycerin 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 GlycerinPhenoxyethanol 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.
Titanium Dioxide is a mineral (or physical) sunscreen ingredient that provides broad-spectrum protection by blocking both UV-A and UV-B rays.
It sits on the skin’s surface and primarily reflects and scatters UV light and also absorbs some of it.
This makes the line between “mineral” and “chemical” sunscreens a bit blurry, but in skincare labeling, Titanium Dioxide and Zinc Oxide are the two ingredients officially classified as mineral filters.
Because it’s non-irritating, Titanium Dioxide is often recommended for sensitive or acne-prone skin.
Thanks to modern production methods, nano-scale or fine-grade Titanium Dioxide is now widely used in cosmetics to reduce white cast and improve texture.
Despite its small particle size, studies show that Titanium Dioxide, even in nanoparticle form, is not absorbed into the skin.
Learn more about Titanium DioxideWater. 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 WaterIngredient Ratings
Here's what our community thinks of the ingredients in these products.
When to use
Paula's Choice Defense Essential Glow Moisturizer SPF 30 45 ingredients
bareMinerals Complexion Rescue Tinted Hydrating Gel Cream SPF30 40 ingredients
Reviews
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