PCA Skin Weightless Protection Broad Spectrum SPF 45 Versus Hero Cosmetics Force Shield Superbeam Sunscreen Apricot SPF 30
Updated on October 15, 2024
Overview
What they are
These products are both cruelty-free sunscreens. They have a total of 7 ingredients in common
Cool Features
They both contain exfoliants, SPF and Vitamin E
Suited For
They're both likely to be good for fighting acne, anti aging, dry skin, sensitive skin and dark spots
Free From
They both do not contain any harsh alcohols, common allergens, parabens or sulfates
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
PCA Skin Weightless Protection Broad Spectrum SPF 45 41 ingredients
Hero Cosmetics Force Shield Superbeam Sunscreen Apricot SPF 30 45 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
PCA Skin Weightless Protection Broad Spectrum SPF 45 41 ingredients
Hero Cosmetics Force Shield Superbeam Sunscreen Apricot SPF 30 45 ingredients
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Ethylhexyl Salicylate 4.9%
UV Absorber
Octocrylene 1.9%
UV Absorber
Zinc Oxide 8.4%
Cosmetic Colorant
Avena Sativa Bran Extract
Abrasive
Bisabolol
Masking
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Butyloctyl Salicylate
Skin Conditioning
Caffeine
Skin Conditioning
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Caprylyl Methicone
Skin Conditioning
Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Peel Extract
Emulsion Stabilising
Cucumis Melo Cantalupensis Fruit Extract
AstringentCucumis Melo Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningCucumis Sativus Fruit Extract
Emollient
Cyclopentasiloxane
Emollient
Dimethicone
Emollient
Ectoin
Skin Conditioning
Ethyl Ferulate
Antioxidant
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningHydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingMentha Piperita Extract
CleansingMentha Viridis Extract
MaskingOctyldodecyl Neopentanoate
EmollientOleth-3 Phosphate
Passiflora Incarnata Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningPEG-7 Trimethylolpropane Coconut Ether
EmulsifyingPhenoxyethanol
Preservative
Polyisobutene
Propanediol
Solvent
Pyrus Malus Fruit Extract
Skin Conditioning
Rubus Idaeus Fruit Extract
AstringentRose Extract
Skin ConditioningSantalum Album Wood Extract
Perfuming
Silybum Marianum Seed Extract
Skin ConditioningSodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Sodium Stearoyl Glutamate
CleansingStyrene/Acrylates Copolymer
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Triethoxycaprylylsilane
Undecylcrylene Dimethicone
Water
Skin ConditioningEthylhexyl Salicylate 4.9%, Octocrylene 1.9%, Zinc Oxide 8.4%, Avena Sativa Bran Extract, Bisabolol, Butylene Glycol, Butyloctyl Salicylate, Caffeine, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Caprylyl Methicone, Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Peel Extract, Cucumis Melo Cantalupensis Fruit Extract, Cucumis Melo Fruit Extract, Cucumis Sativus Fruit Extract, Cyclopentasiloxane, Dimethicone, Ectoin, Ethyl Ferulate, Ethylhexylglycerin, Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Mentha Piperita Extract, Mentha Viridis Extract, Octyldodecyl Neopentanoate, Oleth-3 Phosphate, Passiflora Incarnata Fruit Extract, PEG-7 Trimethylolpropane Coconut Ether, Phenoxyethanol, Polyisobutene, Propanediol, Pyrus Malus Fruit Extract, Rubus Idaeus Fruit Extract, Rose Extract, Santalum Album Wood Extract, Silybum Marianum Seed Extract, Sodium Hyaluronate, Sodium Stearoyl Glutamate, Styrene/Acrylates Copolymer, Tocopheryl Acetate, Triethoxycaprylylsilane, Undecylcrylene Dimethicone, Water
Zinc Oxide
Cosmetic Colorant
Water
Skin ConditioningCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Propanediol
Solvent
C13-15 Alkane
SolventC15-19 Alkane
SolventButyloctyl Salicylate
Skin Conditioning
Bis-Diglyceryl Polyacyladipate-2
Emollient
Octyldodecanol
EmollientCetearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Polyacrylate Crosspolymer-6
Emulsion StabilisingHippophae Rhamnoides Oil
Emollient
Betaine
Humectant
Mica
Cosmetic Colorant
Musa Sapientum Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningSilica
Abrasive
Coco-Glucoside
CleansingArachidyl Alcohol
EmollientXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingPolyhydroxystearic Acid
Emulsifying
Polyglyceryl-3 Polyricinoleate
Emulsifying
Isostearic Acid
Cleansing
Lecithin
Emollient
Polyglyceryl-3 Lactate/Laurate
CleansingPolyglycerin-3
Humectant
Bisabolol
Masking
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Behenyl Alcohol
Emollient
Caprylhydroxamic Acid
Sodium Dilauramidoglutamide Lysine
HumectantCitric Acid
Buffering
Arachidyl Glucoside
EmulsifyingEctoin
Skin Conditioning
Niacinamide
Smoothing
Maltodextrin
Absorbent
Sodium Citrate
BufferingSodium Phytate
Terminalia Ferdinandiana Fruit Extract
Antioxidant
Lactobacillus Ferment
Skin ConditioningTin Oxide
Abrasive
Glucose
Humectant
Leuconostoc/Radish Root Ferment Filtrate
Antimicrobial
CI 77492
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77491
Cosmetic ColorantTitanium Dioxide
Cosmetic Colorant
Zinc Oxide, Water, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Propanediol, C13-15 Alkane, C15-19 Alkane, Butyloctyl Salicylate, Bis-Diglyceryl Polyacyladipate-2, Octyldodecanol, Cetearyl Alcohol, Polyacrylate Crosspolymer-6, Hippophae Rhamnoides Oil, Betaine, Mica, Musa Sapientum Leaf Extract, Silica, Coco-Glucoside, Arachidyl Alcohol, Xanthan Gum, Polyhydroxystearic Acid, Polyglyceryl-3 Polyricinoleate, Isostearic Acid, Lecithin, Polyglyceryl-3 Lactate/Laurate, Polyglycerin-3, Bisabolol, Tocopherol, Behenyl Alcohol, Caprylhydroxamic Acid, Sodium Dilauramidoglutamide Lysine, Citric Acid, Arachidyl Glucoside, Ectoin, Niacinamide, Maltodextrin, Sodium Citrate, Sodium Phytate, Terminalia Ferdinandiana Fruit Extract, Lactobacillus Ferment, Tin Oxide, Glucose, Leuconostoc/Radish Root Ferment Filtrate, CI 77492, CI 77491, Titanium Dioxide
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Bisabolol is famous for its skin soothing properties. It does this by blocking inflammatory signals, helping to reduce your body's reaction to irritation.
This ingredient also interferes with the process of hyperpigmentation. This can help with reducing dark spots and uneven tone.
Bisabolol is an antioxidant. Antioxidants help fight free-radicals. Free-radicals are molecules that may damage your skin cells. By fighting these free-radicals, Bisabolol may slow down signs of aging.
Studies have shown Bisabolol to have antimicrobial properties and may be a fungicide. These properties help preserve a product's shelf life.
All these properties makes bisabolol a great skin barrier helper ingredient.
Bisabolol also helps the absorption of other ingredients.
Note: Synthetic Bisabolol has been shown to be less effective.
Learn more about BisabololButyloctyl 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 SalicylateThis 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 TriglycerideEctoin is a compound found naturally in some species of bacteria. It can be synthetically created for skincare use.
This ingredient is an osmolyte; Osmolytes help organisms survive osmotic shock (it protects them from extreme conditions). It does this by influencing the properties of biological fluids within cells.
When applied to the skin, ectoin helps bind water molecules to protect our skin. The water forms a sort of armor for the parts of our skin cells, enzymes, proteins, and more.
Besides this, ectoin has many uses in skincare:
A study from 2004 found ectoin to counteract the damage from UV-A exposure at different cell levels. It has also been shown to protect skin against both UV-A, UV-B rays, infrared light, and visible light.
Studies show ectoin to have dual-action pollution protection: first, it protects our skin from further pollution damage. Second, it helps repair damage from pollution.
In fact, ectoin has been shown to help with:
Fun fact: In the EU, ectoin is used in inhalation medication as an anti-pollution ingredient.
Ectoin is a highly stable ingredient. It has a wide pH range of 1-9. Light, oxygen, and temperature do not affect this ingredient.
Learn more about EctoinPropanediol is an all-star ingredient. It softens, hydrates, and smooths the skin.Â
It’s often used to:
Propanediol is not likely to cause sensitivity and considered safe to use. It is derived from corn or petroleum with a clear color and no scent.
Learn more about PropanediolWater. 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 WaterZinc Oxide is a mineral broad-spectrum UV filter; it is the broadest UVA and UVB reflector approved by the FDA. While it is most commonly man-made for cosmetics, it can naturally occur in zincite, a rare mineral.
Today, traditional and nano-sized zinc oxide can be found in beauty products. Nano-sized zinc oxide can enhance a product's UV protection. While it is not believed to have a negative effect on skin, nano-zinc oxide may be harmful to coral reefs - though the verdict is not entirely out on this one.
Zinc Oxide also has antibacterial and calming properties. It is not water soluble.
Zinc has been used throughout history as an ingredient in paint and medicine. An Indian text from 500BC is believed to list zinc oxide as a salve for open wound. The Ancient Greek physician Dioscorides has also mentioned the use of zinc as an ointment in 1AD.
Learn more about Zinc OxideIngredient Ratings
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When to use
PCA Skin Weightless Protection Broad Spectrum SPF 45 41 ingredients
Hero Cosmetics Force Shield Superbeam Sunscreen Apricot SPF 30 45 ingredients
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PCA Skin Weightless Protection Broad Spectrum SPF 45 41 ingredients
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