Paula's Choice Resist Youth-Extending Daily Hydrating Fluid SPF 50 Versus COOLA Classic Face Sunscreen SPF 50
What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane 2%
UV Absorber
Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate 7.5%
UV Absorber
Ethylhexyl Salicylate 5%
UV Absorber
Octocrylene 2%
UV Absorber
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
Humectant
Silica
Abrasive
Dimethicone
Emollient
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Chamomilla Recutita Flower Extract
Masking
Vitis Vinifera Seed Extract
Antimicrobial
Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
Antimicrobial
Camellia Oleifera Leaf Extract
AstringentPeucedanum Graveolens Extract
TonicSambucus Nigra Fruit Extract
AstringentAvena Sativa Bran Extract
Abrasive
Punica Granatum Extract
AstringentLycium Barbarum Fruit Extract
Astringent
Hydrogenated Lecithin
Emulsifying
Titanium Dioxide
Cosmetic Colorant
Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer
Skin Conditioning
Diethylhexyl Syringylidenemalonate
Skin ProtectingHydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingSodium Carbomer
Emulsion StabilisingBenzyl Alcohol
Perfuming
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
Potassium Sorbate
Preservative
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane 2%, Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate 7.5%, Ethylhexyl Salicylate 5%, Octocrylene 2%, Water, Glycerin, Silica, Dimethicone, Tocopherol, Chamomilla Recutita Flower Extract, Vitis Vinifera Seed Extract, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Camellia Oleifera Leaf Extract, Peucedanum Graveolens Extract, Sambucus Nigra Fruit Extract, Avena Sativa Bran Extract, Punica Granatum Extract, Lycium Barbarum Fruit Extract, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Titanium Dioxide, Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Diethylhexyl Syringylidenemalonate, Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Xanthan Gum, Sodium Carbomer, Benzyl Alcohol, Sodium Benzoate, Potassium Sorbate, Phenoxyethanol
Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane 1.75%
UV Absorber
Homosalate 5%
Skin Conditioning
Ethylhexyl Salicylate 2%
UV Absorber
Octocrylene 5%
UV Absorber
Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice
Skin Conditioning
Carthamus Tinctorius Oleosomes
Emollient
Water
Skin ConditioningCarthamus Tinctorius Seed Oil
Masking
Glycerin
Humectant
Polyacrylate Crosspolymer-6
Emulsion StabilisingLimnanthes Alba Seed Oil
Skin Conditioning
Mauritia Flexuosa Fruit Oil
Skin Conditioning
Rubus Idaeus Seed Oil
Emollient
Squalane
Emollient
Brassica Campestris Seed Oil
Skin Conditioning
Opuntia Ficus-Indica Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningCamelina Sativa Seed Oil
Skin Conditioning
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingCetearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Cetyl Palmitate
Emollient
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Sorbitan Palmitate
Emulsifying
Methyl Dihydroabietate
Dimethicone
Emollient
Sorbitan Oleate
Emulsifying
Silica
Abrasive
Sodium Phytate
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingPolysilicone-11
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Tropolone
Skin ConditioningDecyl Glucoside
Cleansing
Linalool
Perfuming
Geraniol
Perfuming
Hexyl Cinnamal
Perfuming
Limonene
Perfuming
Parfum
Masking
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Linalyl Acetate
Masking
Salvia Sclarea Oil
Masking
Phenethyl Alcohol
MaskingBenzyl Acetate
Masking
Citrus Reticulata Leaf Oil
Masking
Citrus Aurantium Bergamia Peel Oil
Perfuming
3-Hexenol
Masking
Hexyl Acetate
Masking
Hexenyl Acetate
Masking
Santalum Album Oil
Masking
Alpha-Ionone
Perfuming
A-Terpinyl Acetate
Perfuming
Alpha-Terpinene
Perfuming
Geranyl Acetate
Perfuming
Aniba Rosaeodora Wood Oil
Astringent
Anisaldehyde
Masking
Rose Ketone-4
Perfuming
Methyl Benzoate
Perfuming
Zingiber Officinale Root Oil
Masking
Mentha Piperita Oil
Masking
Nerol
Perfuming
Benzaldehyde
Masking
Jasminum Officinale Oil
Masking
Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane 1.75%, Homosalate 5%, Ethylhexyl Salicylate 2%, Octocrylene 5%, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Carthamus Tinctorius Oleosomes, Water, Carthamus Tinctorius Seed Oil, Glycerin, Polyacrylate Crosspolymer-6, Limnanthes Alba Seed Oil, Mauritia Flexuosa Fruit Oil, Rubus Idaeus Seed Oil, Squalane, Brassica Campestris Seed Oil, Opuntia Ficus-Indica Flower Extract, Camelina Sativa Seed Oil, Xanthan Gum, Cetearyl Alcohol, Cetyl Palmitate, Caprylyl Glycol, 1,2-Hexanediol, Sorbitan Palmitate, Methyl Dihydroabietate, Dimethicone, Sorbitan Oleate, Silica, Sodium Phytate, Sodium Hydroxide, Polysilicone-11, Butylene Glycol, Tropolone, Decyl Glucoside, Linalool, Geraniol, Hexyl Cinnamal, Limonene, Parfum, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Linalyl Acetate, Salvia Sclarea Oil, Phenethyl Alcohol, Benzyl Acetate, Citrus Reticulata Leaf Oil, Citrus Aurantium Bergamia Peel Oil, 3-Hexenol, Hexyl Acetate, Hexenyl Acetate, Santalum Album Oil, Alpha-Ionone, A-Terpinyl Acetate, Alpha-Terpinene, Geranyl Acetate, Aniba Rosaeodora Wood Oil, Anisaldehyde, Rose Ketone-4, Methyl Benzoate, Zingiber Officinale Root Oil, Mentha Piperita Oil, Nerol, Benzaldehyde, Jasminum Officinale Oil
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Also known as Avobenzone, this ingredient is a chemical sunscreen filter that provides protection in the UV-A range.
Avobenzone is globally approved and is the most commonly used UV-A filter in the world.
Studies have found that avobenzone becomes ineffective when exposed to UV light (it is not photostable; meaning that it breaks down in sunlight). Because of this, formulations that include avobenzone will usually contain stabilizers such as octocrylene.
However, some modern formulations (looking at you, EU!) are able to stabilize avobenzone by coating the molecules.
Avobenzone does not protect against the UV-B range, so it's important to check that the sunscreen you're using contains other UV filters that do!
The highest concentration of avobenzone permitted is 3% in the US, and 5% in the EU.
Learn more about Butyl MethoxydibenzoylmethaneDimethicone is a type of synthetic silicone created from natural materials such as quartz. It is also known as polydimethylsiloxane.
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 DimethiconeEthylhexyl Salicylate is an organic compound used to block UV rays. It primarily absorbs UVB rays but offers a small amount of UVA protection as well.
Commonly found in sunscreens, Ethylhexyl Salicylate is created from salicylic acid and 2-ethylhexanol. You might know salicylic acid as the effective acne fighter ingredient and BHA.
The ethylhexanol in this ingredient is a fatty alcohol and helps hydrate your skin, similar to oils. It is an emollient, which means it traps moisture into the skin.
According to manufacturers, Ethylhexyl Salicylate absorbs UV wavelength of 295-315 nm, with a peak absorption at 307-310 nm. UVA rays are linked to long term skin damage, such as hyperpigmentation. UVB rays emit more energy and are capable of damaging our DNA. UVB rays cause sunburn.
Learn more about Ethylhexyl SalicylateGlycerin (or glycerol) is a compound naturally found in your skin. It's a powerhouse humectant that pulls water into the stratum corneum.
Topically, glycerin does several things at once:
Your skin makes glycerin on its own (mostly from sebaceous oil breakdown) and shuttles it to your outermost layer of skin, or your epidermis, via aquaporin-3.
Aquaporin-3 is a transporter that is essential for normal skin hydration, elasticity, and repair. Interestingly, mice lacking in AQP3 have dry and less elastic skin that can be fully corrected with glycerin.
This ingredient is non-irritating, plays well with almost every ingredient, and works across all skin types. Typical use is anywhere between 3-10% but can go up to 79% in some leave-on products.
Just know very high concentrations (>40%) can feel tacky in low humidity.
Glycerin is the name for this ingredient in American English. British English uses Glycerol/Glycerine.
Learn more about GlycerinOctocrylene 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 OctocryleneSilica, also known as silicon dioxide, is a naturally occurring mineral. It is used as a fine, spherical, and porous powder in cosmetics.
Though it has exfoliant properties, the function of silica varies depending on the product.
The unique structure of silica enhances the spreadability and adds smoothness, making it a great texture enhancer.
It is also used as an active carrier, emulsifier, and mattifier due to its ability to absorb excess oil.
In some products, tiny microneedles called spicules are made from silica or hydrolyzed sponge. When you rub them in, they lightly polish away dead skin layers and enhance the penetration of active ingredients.
Learn more about SilicaWater. 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 WaterXanthan gum is used as a stabilizer and thickener within cosmetic products. It helps give products a sticky, thick feeling - preventing them from being too runny.
On the technical side of things, xanthan gum is a polysaccharide - a combination consisting of multiple sugar molecules bonded together.
Xanthan gum is a pretty common and great ingredient. It is a natural, non-toxic, non-irritating ingredient that is also commonly used in food products.
Learn more about Xanthan Gum
