Versus

Paula's Choice Resist Youth-Extending Daily Hydrating Fluid SPF 50 Versus Cotz Skincare Face Prime & Protect SPF 40 Tinted

Sunscreen
Sunscreen
American Brand United States
American Brand United States

Updated on April 17, 2025

Overview

What they are

These products are both cruelty-free and fungal acne (malassezia) safe sunscreens. They have a total of 3 ingredients in common

Cool Features

They both contain exfoliants and SPF

Free From

They both do not contain any 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

Click any item below to learn more and see relevant 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

Key Ingredients

Benefits

Concerns

Key Ingredients

Benefits

Ingredients Side-by-side

found in both products
Resist Youth-Extending Daily Hydrating Fluid SPF 50

Ingredients Explained

These ingredients are found in both products.

Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.

Emollient, Skin Conditioning, Skin Protecting

Dimethicone is a type of synthetic silicone created from natural materials such as quartz.

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 Dimethicone
Cosmetic Colorant, UV Absorber, UV Filter

Titanium Dioxide is a mineral (or physical) sunscreen ingredient that provides broad-spectrum protection by blocking both UV-A and UV-B rays.

It sits on the skin’s surface and primarily reflects and scatters UV light and also absorbs some of it.

This makes the line between “mineral” and “chemical” sunscreens a bit blurry, but in skincare labeling, Titanium Dioxide and Zinc Oxide are the two ingredients officially classified as mineral filters.

Because it’s non-irritating, Titanium Dioxide is often recommended for sensitive or acne-prone skin.

Thanks to modern production methods, nano-scale or fine-grade Titanium Dioxide is now widely used in cosmetics to reduce white cast and improve texture.

Despite its small particle size, studies show that Titanium Dioxide, even in nanoparticle form, is not absorbed into the skin.

Learn more about Titanium Dioxide

This 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.

When to use

467 Routines
98% use in am
2% use in pm
97% use every day
When to use See routines that use it ->
40 Routines
100% use in am
0% use in pm
93% use every day
When to use See routines that use it ->

Reviews

Here's what our community thinks

Paula's Choice Resist Youth-Extending Daily Hydrating Fluid SPF 50 29 ingredients

3.7 /5
from 11 ratings
Absorbs Well (8) Works Well (5) Light (4)
dianasergeyeva_621's avatar

dianasergeyeva_621

10 months ago
Review

Gave me CC. Idk why app its not showing but it contains more that 8 ingredients with oil. The application was nice, I really enjoued it until i strated noticing closed comedones all over my face.

#broke me out
#light
Lelo's avatar

Lelo .

7 months ago
Review

I actually LOVED this product, when I would use it, it left my skin feeling hydrated, glowing and soft. It absorbs quickly with little to no white cast. But after a month I started to experience SEVERE skin reactions around my eyes, such as stinging, redness and puffiness, I didn’t realize this sunscreen contains alcohol. I wanted to keep using it especially with its high SPF protection but my Show more

#hydrating
#irritating
#absorbs well
#no scent

Cotz Skincare Face Prime & Protect SPF 40 Tinted 13 ingredients

1.7 /5
from 3 ratings
Heavy (2) Broke Me Out (1) Drying (1)
RuthC's avatar

RuthC

11 months ago
Review

Two stars purely because it didn't break me out but this stuff sucks, idk why so many FA sufferers seem to like it. The texture is terrible and hard to spread, reapplication is a nightmare, and the tint makes me look totally orange.

#drying
#heavy