PCA Skin Sheer Tint Broad Spectrum SPF 45 Versus Aveeno Positively Radiant Daily Moisturizer SPF 15
Updated on March 30, 2024
Overview
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
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Ingredient Info
PCA Skin Sheer Tint Broad Spectrum SPF 45 24 ingredients
Aveeno Positively Radiant Daily Moisturizer SPF 15 35 ingredients
What's inside
What's inside
At a glance
Click on any of the items below to learn more
PCA Skin Sheer Tint Broad Spectrum SPF 45 24 ingredients
Aveeno Positively Radiant Daily Moisturizer SPF 15 35 ingredients
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Titanium Dioxide 7.6%
Cosmetic Colorant
Zinc Oxide 8%
Cosmetic Colorant
Alumina
Abrasive
Butyloctyl Salicylate
Skin Conditioning
C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate
AntimicrobialCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientDimethicone
Emollient
Dimethicone/PEG-10/15 Crosspolymer
Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer
Skin Conditioning
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningHexylene Glycol
EmulsifyingHydrogen Dimethicone
Iron Oxides
Isododecane
EmollientJojoba Esters
Emollient
Methyl Methacrylate/Glycol Dimethacrylate Crosspolymer
Octyldodecanol
EmollientPEG-9 Polydimethylsiloxyethyl Dimethicone
Emulsifying
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Polyglyceryl-3 Polydimethylsiloxyethyl Dimethicone
Skin Conditioning
Polymethylsilsesquioxane
Sodium Chloride
Masking
Triethoxycaprylylsilane
Water
Skin ConditioningTitanium Dioxide 7.6%, Zinc Oxide 8%, Alumina, Butyloctyl Salicylate, C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate, Caprylyl Glycol, Dimethicone, Dimethicone/PEG-10/15 Crosspolymer, Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Ethylhexylglycerin, Hexylene Glycol, Hydrogen Dimethicone, Iron Oxides, Isododecane, Jojoba Esters, Methyl Methacrylate/Glycol Dimethacrylate Crosspolymer, Octyldodecanol, PEG-9 Polydimethylsiloxyethyl Dimethicone, Phenoxyethanol, Polyglyceryl-3 Polydimethylsiloxyethyl Dimethicone, Polymethylsilsesquioxane, Sodium Chloride, Triethoxycaprylylsilane, Water
Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane 3%
UV Absorber
Homosalate 11.5%
Skin Conditioning
Ethylhexyl Salicylate 5%
UV Absorber
Octocrylene 3%
UV Absorber
Water
Skin ConditioningC12-15 Alkyl Benzoate
AntimicrobialCetearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Dimethicone
Emollient
Glycine Soja Seed Extract
Skin Conditioning
Phenyl Trimethicone
Skin Conditioning
Glycerin
Humectant
Arachidyl Alcohol
EmollientCetearyl Glucoside
EmulsifyingPhenoxyethanol
Preservative
Benzyl Alcohol
Perfuming
Panthenol
Skin Conditioning
Ethylene/Acrylic Acid Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingBehenyl Alcohol
Emollient
Steareth-2
EmulsifyingParfum
Masking
Steareth-21
CleansingPolymethyl Methacrylate
Polyacrylamide
Arachidyl Glucoside
EmulsifyingDisodium EDTA
C13-14 Isoparaffin
Emollient
Laureth-7
EmulsifyingSilica
Abrasive
Benzalkonium Chloride
Antimicrobial
Iodopropynyl Butylcarbamate
Preservative
BHT
Antioxidant
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingCitric Acid
Buffering
Titanium Dioxide
Cosmetic Colorant
Mica
Cosmetic Colorant
Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane 3%, Homosalate 11.5%, Ethylhexyl Salicylate 5%, Octocrylene 3%, Water, C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate, Cetearyl Alcohol, Dimethicone, Glycine Soja Seed Extract, Phenyl Trimethicone, Glycerin, Arachidyl Alcohol, Cetearyl Glucoside, Phenoxyethanol, Benzyl Alcohol, Panthenol, Ethylene/Acrylic Acid Copolymer, Behenyl Alcohol, Steareth-2, Parfum, Steareth-21, Polymethyl Methacrylate, Polyacrylamide, Arachidyl Glucoside, Disodium EDTA, C13-14 Isoparaffin, Laureth-7, Silica, Benzalkonium Chloride, Iodopropynyl Butylcarbamate, BHT, Sodium Hydroxide, Citric Acid, Titanium Dioxide, Mica
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate is made up of Benzoic Acid and long chain alcohols. It has a low molecular weight.
C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate is an emollient and texture enhancer. Due to its solubility, it is often used in sunscreens to help evenly distribute active ingredients.
As an emollient, C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate helps soften and hydrate your skin. Emollients create a film on your skin that traps moisture within.
This ingredient has been reported to cause eye irritation.
Learn more about C12-15 Alkyl BenzoateDimethicone 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 DimethiconePhenoxyethanol is a preservative that has germicide, antimicrobial, and aromatic properties. Studies show that phenoxyethanol can prevent microbial growth. By itself, it has a scent that is similar to that of a rose.
It's often used in formulations along with Caprylyl Glycol to preserve the shelf life of products.
Titanium dioxide is a mineral UV filter widely used in sunscreens and cosmetics.
It is one of only two UV filters officially classified as “mineral” by regulatory agencies, the other being zinc oxide.
Titanium dioxide provides broad-spectrum protection mostly in the UVB and UVAII range, with some protection in the UVAI range.
While its UVA protection isn’t as strong as zinc oxide’s, the difference is minor.
A common myth is that mineral UV filters reflect UV light. However, modern research shows titanium dioxide absorbs UV radiation like chemical filters (~95% absorption & 5% reflection).
Thanks to its non-irritating nature, titanium dioxide is suitable for sensitive, acne-prone, or redness-prone skin. It is unlikely to cause "eye sting" like other sunscreen ingredients.
A major drawback of this ingredient is its white cast and thick texture. This is why mineral sunscreens often leave a white cast and are less cosmetically elegant than chemical/hybrid sunscreens.
To improve white cast and spreadability, micronized or nano-sized titanium dioxide is often used.
There are ongoing concerns surrounding nano-titanium oxide's impact on marine ecosystems.
There is no conclusive evidence that any form of titanium oxide (or any other sunscreen ingredients) will cause harm to marine ecosystems or coral reefs. The science is still developing but many consumers are keeping a close eye on this issue.
Please note, many destinations have reef-safety sunscreen rules. For instance, the U.S. Virgin Islands advises all visitors to use non-nano mineral sunscreens.
Nano mineral sunscreens once raised safety concerns about absorption into skin.
Extensive research has shown that they do not penetrate healthy or damaged skin; they remain safely on the surface and the top layer of dead skin (stratum corneum).
You'll likely find titanium dioxide bundled with alumina, silica, or dimethicone. These ingredients help make titanium dioxide highly photostable; this prevents it from interacting with other formula components under UV light.
Learn more about Titanium DioxideWater. 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. Stay hydrated!
Learn more about WaterIngredient Ratings
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When to use
PCA Skin Sheer Tint Broad Spectrum SPF 45 24 ingredients
Aveeno Positively Radiant Daily Moisturizer SPF 15 35 ingredients
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