Paula's Choice Extra Care Non-Greasy Sunscreen SPF 50 Versus Banobagi Milk Thistle Repair Sunscreen SPF50+ PA++++
This hybrid sunscreen covers the full UV range and blocks ~98% of UVB at SPF 50.
This chemical sunscreen covers most of the UV range, lighter on the deep UVA that drives aging.
What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Homosalate 10%
Skin ConditioningBenzophenone-3 6%
UV AbsorberEthylhexyl Salicylate 5%
UV AbsorberButyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane 3%
UV AbsorberOctocrylene 2%
UV AbsorberWater
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
HumectantPEG-8
HumectantPolyethylene
AbrasiveSilica
AbrasiveDimethicone
EmollientPicrasma Excelsa Wood Extract
AstringentSodium Ascorbyl Phosphate
AntioxidantRetinyl Palmitate
Skin ConditioningTocopherol
AntioxidantTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantTitanium Dioxide
Cosmetic ColorantAloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice
Skin ConditioningBentonite
AbsorbentMethyl Glucose Sesquistearate
EmollientAcrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingSodium Polyacrylate
AbsorbentKaolin
AbrasiveEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningDisodium EDTA
ChelatingSodium Hydroxide
BufferingPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeChlorphenesin
AntimicrobialHomosalate 10%, Benzophenone-3 6%, Ethylhexyl Salicylate 5%, Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane 3%, Octocrylene 2%, Water, Butylene Glycol, PEG-8, Polyethylene, Silica, Dimethicone, Picrasma Excelsa Wood Extract, Sodium Ascorbyl Phosphate, Retinyl Palmitate, Tocopherol, Tocopheryl Acetate, Titanium Dioxide, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Bentonite, Methyl Glucose Sesquistearate, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Sodium Polyacrylate, Kaolin, Ethylhexylglycerin, Disodium EDTA, Sodium Hydroxide, Phenoxyethanol, Chlorphenesin
Arctium Lappa Root Extract
Skin ConditioningWater
Skin ConditioningDicaprylyl Carbonate
EmollientGlycerin
HumectantDibutyl Adipate
EmollientDiethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl Benzoate
UV FilterHydrogenated Polyisobutene
EmollientDipropylene Glycol
Humectant1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningNiacinamide
SmoothingEthylhexyl Triazone
UV AbsorberSilybum Marianum Seed Extract
Skin ConditioningSalvia Officinalis Leaf Extract
CleansingHouttuynia Cordata Extract
Skin ConditioningLeontopodium Alpinum Extract
Skin ConditioningJasminum Officinale Extract
MaskingLilium Tigrinum Extract
Skin ConditioningEthylhexyl Olivate
Skin ConditioningCetearyl Olivate
Sodium Acrylates Copolymer
Butylene Glycol
HumectantSorbitan Olivate
EmulsifyingPolyglyceryl-4 Oleate
EmulsifyingAdenosine
Skin ConditioningEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningTocopherol
AntioxidantDisodium EDTA
ChelatingArctium Lappa Root Extract, Water, Dicaprylyl Carbonate, Glycerin, Dibutyl Adipate, Diethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl Benzoate, Hydrogenated Polyisobutene, Dipropylene Glycol, 1,2-Hexanediol, Niacinamide, Ethylhexyl Triazone, Silybum Marianum Seed Extract, Salvia Officinalis Leaf Extract, Houttuynia Cordata Extract, Leontopodium Alpinum Extract, Jasminum Officinale Extract, Lilium Tigrinum Extract, Ethylhexyl Olivate, Cetearyl Olivate, Sodium Acrylates Copolymer, Butylene Glycol, Sorbitan Olivate, Polyglyceryl-4 Oleate, Adenosine, Ethylhexylglycerin, Tocopherol, Disodium EDTA
Reviews
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 GlycolDisodium EDTA is a chelating agent. It grabs onto and deactivates metal ions that sneak into your products from water, packaging, or air.
This ingredient mainly works behind the scenes and helps with:
On top of that, this ingredient can counteract the effects of hard water by binding to the minerals in it.
One thing worth knowing is that Disodium EDTA has been shown to be a mild penetration enhancer. It can help other ingredients absorb into skin more effectively which can be a double-edged sword (great for actives, but can also make the active too strong if you have sensitive skin).
Clinical patch testing showed no significant skin irritation at typical use concentrations and minimal dermal absorption.
You'll most likely see this ingredient near the end of an ingredient list. It's typically found in concentrations less than 1%.
Learn more about Disodium EDTAEthylhexylglycerin is created from glycerin. It is a multitasker ingredient that:
The CIR Expert Panel found minimal skin absorption or sensitization of any kind in a safety assessment. Though this ingredient is considered well-tolerated, a small number of cases of allergic dermatitis have been published since 2002. Just be sure to patch test if you are unsure.
Industry-reported use ranges from 8% in rinse-off products and 2% in leave-on formulations.
Learn more about EthylhexylglycerinTocopherol is a fat-soluble antioxidant known as Vitamin E.
You'll find this ingredient in the vast majority of skincare (for good reason). It works to neutralize free radicals, or unstable molecules generated by UV exposure, pollution, and other environmental stressors, before they can cause oxidative damage to your skin cells.
Topically applied tocopherol has been shown to protect against UV damage by ramping up the skin's own natural defense enzymes.
It also acts as a skin conditioning agent; some studies show that regular topical use can improve the skin's water-binding capacity over 2-4 weeks.
This ingredient is especially loved for being a team player. When combined with Vitamin C, the photoprotective effect of both ingredients roughly doubles and the combo also helps reduce UV-induced DNA damage.
This ingredient has some brightening potential but it's more of a prevention ingredient than spot-fader. Cell studies show it can slow down melanin production but it's worth noting that it's not the most powerful brightener out there.
In formulations, it also serves as a stabilizer that helps protect other oxidation-prone ingredients from degrading.
Concentrations usually range from 0.1-1% in most leave-on products.
Learn more about TocopherolWater. 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. Remember to stay hydrated!
Learn more about Water