Paula's Choice Smoothing Primer Serum SPF 30 Versus Cover FX Invisible Primer SPF 30
Updated on May 31, 2024
Overview
What they are
These products are both cruelty-free face primers. They have a total of 7 ingredients in common
Cool Features
They both contain SPF
Suited For
They're both likely to be good for anti aging and scar healing
Free From
They both do not contain any harsh alcohols, common allergens, fragrances, oils, 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 Smoothing Primer Serum SPF 30 21 ingredients
Cover FX Invisible Primer SPF 30 18 ingredients
About this product
About this product
At a glance
Click on any of the items below to learn more
Paula's Choice Smoothing Primer Serum SPF 30 21 ingredients
Cover FX Invisible Primer SPF 30 18 ingredients
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Isododecane
EmollientEthylhexyl Methoxycinnamate 6%
UV Absorber
Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer
Skin ConditioningButyloctyl Salicylate
Skin Conditioning
Homosalate 4%
Skin Conditioning
Ethylhexyl Salicylate 4%
UV Absorber
Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane 2%
UV Absorber
Polysilicone-11
Bisabolol
Masking
Coffea Arabica Seed Extract
MaskingGlycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract
Bleaching
Chamomilla Recutita Flower Extract
Masking
Retinyl Palmitate
Skin Conditioning
Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract
Emollient
Calluna Vulgaris Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningCamellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
Antimicrobial
Chlorella Vulgaris Extract
Skin ConditioningCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingPhysalis Angulata Extract
Skin ProtectingPyrus Malus Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningDiethylhexyl Syringylidenemalonate
Skin ProtectingIsododecane, Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate 6%, Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Butyloctyl Salicylate, Homosalate 4%, Ethylhexyl Salicylate 4%, Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane 2%, Polysilicone-11, Bisabolol, Coffea Arabica Seed Extract, Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract, Chamomilla Recutita Flower Extract, Retinyl Palmitate, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract, Calluna Vulgaris Flower Extract, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Chlorella Vulgaris Extract, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Physalis Angulata Extract, Pyrus Malus Fruit Extract, Diethylhexyl Syringylidenemalonate
Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane 3%
UV Absorber
Homosalate 10%
Skin Conditioning
Ethylhexyl Salicylate 5%
UV Absorber
Octocrylene 2.6%
UV Absorber
Isododecane
EmollientDimethicone/Bis-Isobutyl PPG-20 Crosspolymer
EmollientC12-15 Alkyl Benzoate
AntimicrobialButyloctyl Salicylate
Skin Conditioning
Caprylyl Methicone
Skin Conditioning
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingDimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer
Skin ConditioningSolanum Lycopersicum Fruit Extract
Antioxidant
Sesamum Indicum Seed Extract
Skin ConditioningTocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Squalane
Emollient
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Silica
Abrasive
Dimethyl Isosorbide
SolventButyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane 3%, Homosalate 10%, Ethylhexyl Salicylate 5%, Octocrylene 2.6%, Isododecane, Dimethicone/Bis-Isobutyl PPG-20 Crosspolymer, C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate, Butyloctyl Salicylate, Caprylyl Methicone, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Solanum Lycopersicum Fruit Extract, Sesamum Indicum Seed Extract, Tocopheryl Acetate, Squalane, Tocopherol, Silica, Dimethyl Isosorbide
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Isododecane is a fragrance, emollient, and solvent.
As an emollient, it helps your skin stay soft and hydrated. Emollients help trap moisture into your skin.
Isododecane's role as a solvent makes it a great texture enhancer. It spreads smoothly on skin and does not leave a sticky feeling behind. Isododecane also helps prevent color transfer in makeup products.
Isododecane is not absorbed into skin.
Learn more about IsododecaneThis ingredient is a silicone used to improve the texture of products and absorb oil. It does not get absorbed into the skin.
Like other silicones, Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer helps condition the skin by creating a barrier. In this sense, it can act as an emollient and trap moisture in.
This ingredient is a type of elastomer.
Learn more about Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone CrosspolymerButyloctyl Salicylate is similar to octisalate. It a photostabilizer, SPF booster, emollient and solvent. Its main purpose is to evenly spread out ingredients.
This ingredient is a common sunscreen ingredient carrier and photostabilizer. According to a manufacturer, it is suitable for carrying micro Titanium Dioxide, Zinc Oxide, and pigments.
Photostabilizers help stabilize UV-filters and prevents them from degrading quickly.
Due to regulation loopholes, this ingredient is not required to be labeled as an active chemical filter like other UV ingredients. This is why you'll likely find this ingredient in mineral sunscreens from the US.
According to EU regulation, this ingredient can cause harmful effects to aquatic life.
Learn more about Butyloctyl SalicylateHomosalate 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 HomosalateEthylhexyl 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 SalicylateAlso 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 MethoxydibenzoylmethaneThis 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 TriglycerideIngredient Ratings
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