Here's our complete breakdown comparing the ingredients, attributes, and more of Paula's Choice Extra Care Non-Greasy Sunscreen SPF 50 versus CeraVe Facial Moisturizing Lotion AM with Sunscreen Broad Spectrum SPF 30 US .
Last updated on January 17, 2024. Published on August 21, 2021
Overview
Cool Features
They both contain SPF
Suited For
They're both likely to be good for fighting acne, anti aging, dry skin, brightening skin, sensitive skin, oily skin, reducing pores and dark spots
Free From
They both do not contain any harsh alcohols, common allergens, fragrances or oils
What's Inside
They both contain silicones
We independently verify ingredients, and our claims are backed by peer-reviewed research. Spot a product that need an update? Let us know.
Sunscreen
Sunscreens help absorb or reflect UV radiation and protect skin against skin damage. Sunscreens may come in the form of lotion, gel, foam, spray, or solid-stick.
Day Moisturizer
Day Moisturizers are marketed to hydrate the skin during the daytime.
Price
Ingredient Info
Paula's Choice Extra Care Non-Greasy Sunscreen SPF 50 28 ingredients
CeraVe Facial Moisturizing Lotion AM with Sunscreen Broad Spectrum SPF 30 27 ingredients
Alcohol Free
This product is free of harsh alcohols 🎉
Contains Silicon
Ingredients in this product that are types of silicon:
Fragrance Free
This product is free of fragrances 🎉
Sulfate Free
This product is free of sulfates 🎉
Paraben Free
This product is free of parabens 🎉
Oil Free
This product is free of oils 🎉
Not Malassezia Safe
Ingredients in this product that are not malassezia safe:
Not Reef Safe
Ingredients in this product that are not reef safe:
EU Allergen Free
This product is free of EU allergens 🎉
Non Vegan
This product is not vegan 😥
Cruelty Free
This product is cruelty-free 🎉
Alcohol Free
This product is free of harsh alcohols 🎉
Contains Silicon
Ingredients in this product that are types of silicon:
Fragrance Free
This product is free of fragrances 🎉
Contains Sulfate
Ingredients in this product that are types of sulfate:
Contains Parabens
Ingredients in this product that are types of parabens:
Oil Free
This product is free of oils 🎉
Not Malassezia Safe
Ingredients in this product that are not malassezia safe:
Not Reef Safe
Ingredients in this product that are not reef safe:
EU Allergen Free
This product is free of EU allergens 🎉
Non Vegan
This product is not vegan 😥
Not Cruelty Free
This product is not cruelty-free 😥
At a glance
Click on any of the items below to learn more
Paula's Choice Extra Care Non-Greasy Sunscreen SPF 50 28 ingredients
CeraVe Facial Moisturizing Lotion AM with Sunscreen Broad Spectrum SPF 30 27 ingredients
Notable Ingredients
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Benefits
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Concerns
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Notable Ingredients
This product contains 3 ingredients that may have this attribute:
This product contains 1 ingredient that may have this attribute:
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Benefits
This product contains 5 ingredients that may have this attribute:
This product contains 1 ingredient that may have this attribute:
This product contains 5 ingredients that may have this attribute:
This product contains 3 ingredients that may have this attribute:
This product contains 1 ingredient that may have this attribute:
This product contains 3 ingredients that may have this attribute:
This product contains 1 ingredient that may have this attribute:
This product contains 2 ingredients that may have this attribute:
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Concerns
This product contains 1 ingredient that may have this attribute:
This product contains 1 ingredient that may have this attribute:
This product contains 1 ingredient that may have this attribute:
This product contains 1 ingredient that may have this attribute:
This product contains 2 ingredients that may have this attribute:
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Join SkinSortIngredients Compared
Ingredients that are highlighted in purple are present in both products.
Paula's Choice Extra Care Non-Greasy Sunscreen SPF 50 28 ingredients
CeraVe Facial Moisturizing Lotion AM with Sunscreen Broad Spectrum SPF 30 27 ingredients
Homosalate 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
Homosalate 10% • Menthyl Anthranilate 5% • Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate 5% • Octocrylene 2% • Zinc Oxide 6.3% • Water • Niacinamide • Glycerin • Cetearyl Alcohol • Behentrimonium Methosulfate • Dimethicone • BHT • Ceramide NP • Ceramide AP • Ceramide EOP • Carbomer • Triethoxycaprylylsilane • Methylparaben • Sodium Lauroyl Lactylate • Cholesterol • Aluminum Starch Octenylsuccinate • Disodium EDTA • Propylparaben • Hydroxyethylcellulose • Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid • Phytosphingosine • Xanthan Gum
Ingredients Side-by-side
Ingredients that are highlighted in purple are present in both products.
Learn more about what what Com. / Irr. ratings are
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Homosalate is a chemical sunscreen filter that provides protection in the UV-B range (280nm - 320 nm), with a peak protection at 306 nm. It is internationally approved for use in sunscreens.
Homosalate is not photo-stable, meaning it's strength as a UV filter degrades over time with exposure to the sun. Because of this, it's often used in combination with other chemical sunscreen filters as avobenzone (which protects from the UV-A range). Homosalate also helps act as a solvent for harder-to-dissolve UV filters.
(Part of the reason that sunscreens need to be frequently re-applied is due to the photo instability of many chemical sunscreen filters)
Currently, homosalate is approved in concentrations up to 10% in the EU and 15% in the US. The FDA is currently doing further research on the effects of homosalate, and it is possible that these approved concentrations will change in the future.
Learn more about HomosalatePaula's Choice Extra Care Non-Greasy Sunscreen SPF 50 contains this as ingredient number 1.
CeraVe Facial Moisturizing Lotion AM with Sunscreen Broad Spectrum SPF 30 US contains this as ingredient number 1.
Octocrylene protects skin from sun damage. It absorbs UV-B with peak absorption of 304 nm. It is a common sunscreen ingredient and often paired with avobenzone, a UVA filter. This is because octocrylene stabilizes other sunscreen ingredients by protecting them from degradation when exposed to sunlight. Octocrylene is a photostable ingredient and loses about 10% of SPF in 95 minutes.
Octocrylene also acts as an emollient, meaning it helps skin retain moisture and softens skin. It is oil-soluble and hydrophobic, enhancing water-resistant properties in a product.
Those who are using ketoprofen, a topical anti-inflammatory drug, may experience an allergic reaction when using octocrylene. It is best to speak with a healthcare professional about using sunscreens with octocrylene.
The EU allows a maximum of these concentrations:
Learn more about OctocrylenePaula's Choice Extra Care Non-Greasy Sunscreen SPF 50 contains this as ingredient number 5.
CeraVe Facial Moisturizing Lotion AM with Sunscreen Broad Spectrum SPF 30 US contains this as ingredient number 4.
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. Talk about multi-purpose! If you see this, drink a glass of water. Stay hydrated!
Learn more about WaterPaula's Choice Extra Care Non-Greasy Sunscreen SPF 50 contains this as ingredient number 6.
CeraVe Facial Moisturizing Lotion AM with Sunscreen Broad Spectrum SPF 30 US contains this as ingredient number 6.
Dimethicone is a silicone used for making products smooth and silky. It also has the added benefit of sealing in hydration. The amount of dimethicone found in beauty products is considered safe and non-comedogenic, meaning it won't clog pores.
Dimethicone has been found increase absorption in skin, boosting the benefits of other ingredients. While there is concern for the safety of dimethicone, the levels used in skincare are safe for use.
Paula's Choice Extra Care Non-Greasy Sunscreen SPF 50 contains this as ingredient number 11.
CeraVe Facial Moisturizing Lotion AM with Sunscreen Broad Spectrum SPF 30 US contains this as ingredient number 11.
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 EDTAPaula's Choice Extra Care Non-Greasy Sunscreen SPF 50 contains this as ingredient number 25.
CeraVe Facial Moisturizing Lotion AM with Sunscreen Broad Spectrum SPF 30 US contains this as ingredient number 22.
Here's what our community thinks of the ingredients in these two products.
Paula's Choice Extra Care Non-Greasy Sunscreen SPF 50 28 ingredients
CeraVe Facial Moisturizing Lotion AM with Sunscreen Broad Spectrum SPF 30 27 ingredients
Usage
Here's some more info on how this product is used by our community.
When to use
Paula's Choice Extra Care Non-Greasy Sunscreen SPF 50 28 ingredients
CeraVe Facial Moisturizing Lotion AM with Sunscreen Broad Spectrum SPF 30 27 ingredients
Reviews
Here's what our community thinks
Paula's Choice Extra Care Non-Greasy Sunscreen SPF 50 28 ingredients
PallasCat_310
Good for the body, bad for the face
Like the other review mentioned, still greasy on the face despite the name. I do have oily skin so many...
Good for the body, bad for the face
Like the other review mentioned, still greasy on the face despite the name. I do have oily skin so many sunscreens have this problem. However, I found this to be a good body sunscreen, it blends out very easily and smoothly.
screamadelica
very greasy despite the name
this is just a typical greasy american sunscreen. not paula’s choice’s fault that the laws here are so awful, but it’s...
very greasy despite the name
this is just a typical greasy american sunscreen. not paula’s choice’s fault that the laws here are so awful, but it’s not a very good product. only OK for the body imo.
CeraVe Facial Moisturizing Lotion AM with Sunscreen Broad Spectrum SPF 30 27 ingredients
Diorgirl
Waste of money
This irritated my skin, I had little red dots all over my chin after using this. I wouldn't recommend if you are acne-prone or...
Waste of money
This irritated my skin, I had little red dots all over my chin after using this. I wouldn't recommend if you are acne-prone or sensitiv, cause this can really cause irritation!
Erika
Regret Buying
I have acne and it definitely didn't help. It left white casts and is very unpleasing to put on. I DON'T recommend.
Alternatives
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