Paula's Choice Defense Essential Glow Moisturizer SPF 30 Versus Olay Complete All Day Moisturizer Sensitive Skin SPF 15
Updated on December 05, 2023
Overview
Cool Features
They both contain SPF and Vitamin E
Suited For
They're both likely to be good for fighting acne, 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
Olay Complete All Day Moisturizer Sensitive Skin SPF 15 23 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
Olay Complete All Day Moisturizer Sensitive Skin SPF 15 23 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
Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate 6%
UV Absorber
Zinc Oxide
Cosmetic Colorant
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
Humectant
Isohexadecane
EmollientAloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract
Emollient
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Steareth-21
CleansingCyclopentasiloxane
Emollient
Polyacrylamide
Stearyl Alcohol
Emollient
C13-14 Isoparaffin
Emollient
Behenyl Alcohol
Emollient
DMDM Hydantoin
Preservative
Cetyl Alcohol
Emollient
PEG/PPG-20/20 Dimethicone
Emulsifying
Laureth-7
EmulsifyingSteareth-2
EmulsifyingDisodium EDTA
Triethoxycaprylylsilane
Oleth-3 Phosphate
BHT
Antioxidant
Iodopropynyl Butylcarbamate
Preservative
Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate 6%, Zinc Oxide, Water, Glycerin, Isohexadecane, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract, Tocopheryl Acetate, Steareth-21, Cyclopentasiloxane, Polyacrylamide, Stearyl Alcohol, C13-14 Isoparaffin, Behenyl Alcohol, DMDM Hydantoin, Cetyl Alcohol, PEG/PPG-20/20 Dimethicone, Laureth-7, Steareth-2, Disodium EDTA, Triethoxycaprylylsilane, Oleth-3 Phosphate, BHT, Iodopropynyl Butylcarbamate
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 OxideGlycerin 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 GlycerinTocopheryl Acetate is AKA Vitamin E. It is an antioxidant and protects your skin from free radicals. Free radicals damage the skin by breaking down collagen.
One study found using Tocopheryl Acetate with Vitamin C decreased the number of sunburned cells.
Tocopheryl Acetate is commonly found in both skincare and dietary supplements.
Learn more about Tocopheryl AcetateTriethoxycaprylylsilane 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 TriethoxycaprylylsilaneThis ingredient is also known as "C13-14 Isoalkane".
C13-14 Isoparaffin is created from petroleum-based mineral oils. It is an emollient and helps thicken a product.
As an emollient, it helps keep the skin soft and smooth by creating a barrier on top. This barrier traps moisture in, keeping the skin hydrated.
C13-14 Isoparaffin may not be fungal-acne safe.
Learn more about C13-14 IsoparaffinPolyacrylamide is a synthetic polymer. It is used to stabilize products and bind ingredients. When hydrated, Polyacrylamide forms a soft gel.
Polyacrylamide is low-toxicity. If source properly, it is deemed safe to use in cosmetics.
It should be noted the precursor to Polyacrylamide is acrylamide. Acrylamide is a carcinogen. Most reputable sources of Polyacrylamide will screen for residual acrylamide to make sure the count is in a safe range. Acrylamide is not able to be absorbed through the skin.
We recommend speaking with a professional if you have concerns.
Learn more about PolyacrylamideLaureth-7 is created by the ethoxylation of lauryl alcohol using ethylene oxide. Lauryl alcohol is a fatty alcohol with hydrating properties.
This ingredient is an emulsifier and cleansing ingredient. As an emulsifier, it is used to prevent ingredients from separating. It also helps cleanse the skin by gathering dirt, oil, and pollutants to be rinsed away.
Ingredient 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
Olay Complete All Day Moisturizer Sensitive Skin SPF 15 23 ingredients
Reviews
Here's what our community thinks
Paula's Choice Defense Essential Glow Moisturizer SPF 30 45 ingredients
It's hard to rate a product that gave you an allergic/irritant reaction. That's the case with this one for me.
So first, the positives. If your skin doesn't react badly to this, it could be great for you. It's a mineral sunscreen with minimal white cast. It's only barely visible on my fair/light skin tone. The finish is moderately glowy, not greasy or over the top. It looks nice. The texture is Show more
Olay Complete All Day Moisturizer Sensitive Skin SPF 15 23 ingredients
Consistency, hydration and absorbs fully
Okay moisturiser and I like that is has spf in it but does leave my skin somewhat oily.
