Versus

PCA Skin Weightless Protection Broad Spectrum SPF 45 Versus Origins Dr. Andrew Weil Mega-Bright SPF 30

Sunscreen
Day Moisturizer
American Brand United States
American Brand United States

Updated on March 06, 2025

Overview

What they are

These products are both cruelty-free . They have a total of 10 ingredients in common

Cool Features

They both contain exfoliants, hyaluronic acid, SPF and Vitamin E

Suited For

They're both likely to be good for fighting acne, dry skin, sensitive skin and dark spots

Free From

They both do not contain any harsh alcohols, parabens or sulfates

What's Inside

They both contain fragrances and 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

What's inside

At a glance

Click on any of the items below to learn more

Key Ingredients

Benefits

Concerns

Ingredients Side-by-side

found in both products
Weightless Protection Broad Spectrum SPF 45
Dr. Andrew Weil Mega-Bright SPF 30

Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane 3%

UV Absorber
Chemical UV Filter IconMay cause irritation IconMay worsen Rosacea Icon

Homosalate 5%

Skin Conditioning
Chemical UV Filter IconNon-Reef-Safe Icon

Ethylhexyl Salicylate 5%

UV Absorber
0 / 0 Chemical UV Filter IconNon-Reef-Safe IconMay worsen Rosacea Icon

Octocrylene 2.7%

UV Absorber
Chemical UV Filter IconNon-Reef-Safe IconMay worsen Eczema Icon

Water

Skin Conditioning

Butyloctyl Salicylate

Skin Conditioning
Non-Reef-Safe Icon

Behenyl Alcohol

Emollient
Fatty Alcohol Icon

Nylon-12

Non-Reef-Safe Icon

Octyldodecyl Neopentanoate

Emollient

Butylene Glycol

Humectant
1 / 0 Helps hydrate Dry Skin Icon

Dimethicone

Emollient
1 / 0 Silicon Icon

Myristyl Myristate

Emollient
0-5 / 2 May worsen Oily Skin IconBad for Acne Prone Skin IconNot safe for Fungal Acne Icon

Cetyl Esters

Emollient
1 / 1 Fatty Alcohol IconNot safe for Fungal Acne Icon

Ascorbyl Glucoside

Antioxidant
Vitamin C IconAntioxidant IconHelps reduce Skin Redness IconGood for Skin Texture IconGood for Minimizing Pores IconHelps brighten skin Icon

Polyethylene

Abrasive
Exfoliant Icon

Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer

Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Peel Oil

Masking
Oil Icon

Pelargonium Graveolens Flower Oil

Masking
Fragrance IconOil IconMay cause irritation IconEU Allergen Icon

Cananga Odorata Flower Oil

Masking
Fragrance IconOil IconMay cause irritation IconEU Allergen IconMay worsen Eczema Icon

Eugenia Caryophyllus Bud Oil

Masking
Fragrance IconOil IconMay cause irritation IconEU Allergen Icon

Rosa Damascena Flower Oil

Masking
Oil Icon

Jasminum Officinale Oil

Masking
Fragrance IconOil IconMay cause irritation IconEU Allergen Icon

Viola Odorata Flower/Leaf Extract

Masking

Polianthes Tuberosa Extract

Masking

Farnesol

Perfuming
Fragrance IconMay cause irritation IconEU Allergen Icon

Eugenol

Perfuming
Fragrance IconMay cause irritation IconEU Allergen Icon

Benzyl Salicylate

Perfuming
Fragrance IconMay cause irritation IconEU Allergen Icon

Citronellol

Perfuming
Fragrance IconMay cause irritation IconEU Allergen Icon

Citral

Perfuming
Fragrance IconMay cause irritation IconEU Allergen IconMay worsen Rosacea Icon

Benzyl Benzoate

Antimicrobial
Fragrance IconMay cause irritation IconEU Allergen Icon

Geraniol

Perfuming
Fragrance IconMay cause irritation IconEU Allergen Icon

Rosa Roxburghii Fruit Extract

Tonic

Paeonia Albiflora Root Extract

Skin Conditioning

Saccharum Officinarum Extract

Moisturising

Citrus Grandis Peel Extract

Astringent
Fragrance Icon

Triticum Vulgare Germ Extract

Skin Conditioning

Hordeum Vulgare Extract

Emollient

Palmaria Palmata Extract

Skin Protecting

Morus Nigra Root Extract

Skin Conditioning

Punica Granatum Fruit Juice

Masking

Scutellaria Baicalensis Root Extract

Astringent

Hydrolyzed Rice Bran Extract

Skin Conditioning

Gentiana Lutea Root Extract

Skin Conditioning

Curcuma Longa Root Extract

Masking
Fragrance Icon

Vitis Vinifera Fruit Extract

Skin Conditioning

Sucrose

Humectant
Helps hydrate Dry Skin Icon

Glyceryl Stearate

Emollient
1 / 0 Not safe for Fungal Acne Icon

PEG-100 Stearate

0 / 0 Not safe for Fungal Acne Icon

PEG-6

Humectant

Glycerin

Humectant
0 / 0 Helps hydrate Dry Skin IconGood for Scar Healing IconHelps brighten skin Icon

Cholesterol

Emollient
0 / 0 Helps hydrate Dry Skin Icon

Linoleic Acid

Cleansing
Helps hydrate Dry Skin IconHelps reduce irritation IconGood for Dark Spots IconGood for Scar Healing IconHelps fight Acne IconMay worsen Oily Skin IconBad for Acne Prone Skin IconNot safe for Fungal Acne Icon

Salicylic Acid

Masking
BHA IconPreservative IconGood for Oily Skin IconGood for Minimizing Pores IconHelps fight Acne IconHelps brighten skin IconCan worsen Dry Skin IconMay worsen Eczema IconMay worsen Rosacea Icon

Di-PPG-2 Myreth-10 Adipate

Emollient
Helps hydrate Dry Skin Icon

Sodium Hyaluronate

Humectant
0 / 0 Hyaluronic Acid IconHelps hydrate Dry Skin Icon

Betaine

Humectant
Helps hydrate Dry Skin IconHelps reduce irritation IconGood for Dark Spots Icon

Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate

Humectant
Helps reduce Skin Redness IconHelps reduce irritation IconGood for Dark Spots Icon

Steareth-21

Cleansing

Trehalose

Humectant
Helps hydrate Dry Skin Icon

Tocopheryl Acetate

Antioxidant
0 / 0 Vitamin E IconAntioxidant Icon

Myristyl Laurate

Trisiloxane

Skin Conditioning
Silicon Icon

Di-C12-18 Alkyl Dimonium Chloride

Skin Conditioning

Caprylyl Glycol

Emollient
Fatty Alcohol Icon

Squalane

Emollient
1 / 0 Helps hydrate Dry Skin Icon

Myristyl Alcohol

Emollient
2 / 4 Fatty Alcohol Icon

Tromethamine

Buffering

Sodium Dehydroacetate

Preservative
Preservative Icon

Hexylene Glycol

Emulsifying
0-2 / 0-1

Sodium Hydroxide

Buffering

Phenoxyethanol

Preservative
Preservative Icon

Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane 3%, Homosalate 5%, Ethylhexyl Salicylate 5%, Octocrylene 2.7%, Water, Butyloctyl Salicylate, Behenyl Alcohol, Nylon-12, Octyldodecyl Neopentanoate, Butylene Glycol, Dimethicone, Myristyl Myristate, Cetyl Esters, Ascorbyl Glucoside, Polyethylene, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer, Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Peel Oil, Pelargonium Graveolens Flower Oil, Cananga Odorata Flower Oil, Eugenia Caryophyllus Bud Oil, Rosa Damascena Flower Oil, Jasminum Officinale Oil, Viola Odorata Flower/Leaf Extract, Polianthes Tuberosa Extract, Farnesol, Eugenol, Benzyl Salicylate, Citronellol, Citral, Benzyl Benzoate, Geraniol, Rosa Roxburghii Fruit Extract, Paeonia Albiflora Root Extract, Saccharum Officinarum Extract, Citrus Grandis Peel Extract, Triticum Vulgare Germ Extract, Hordeum Vulgare Extract, Palmaria Palmata Extract, Morus Nigra Root Extract, Punica Granatum Fruit Juice, Scutellaria Baicalensis Root Extract, Hydrolyzed Rice Bran Extract, Gentiana Lutea Root Extract, Curcuma Longa Root Extract, Vitis Vinifera Fruit Extract, Sucrose, Glyceryl Stearate, PEG-100 Stearate, PEG-6, Glycerin, Cholesterol, Linoleic Acid, Salicylic Acid, Di-PPG-2 Myreth-10 Adipate, Sodium Hyaluronate, Betaine, Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate, Steareth-21, Trehalose, Tocopheryl Acetate, Myristyl Laurate, Trisiloxane, Di-C12-18 Alkyl Dimonium Chloride, Caprylyl Glycol, Squalane, Myristyl Alcohol, Tromethamine, Sodium Dehydroacetate, Hexylene Glycol, Sodium Hydroxide, Phenoxyethanol

Ingredients Explained

These ingredients are found in both products.

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

Humectant, Masking, Skin Conditioning

Butylene Glycol (or BG) is used within cosmetic products for a few different reasons:

Overall, Butylene Glycol is a safe and well-rounded ingredient that works well with other ingredients.

Though this ingredient works well with most skin types, some people with sensitive skin may experience a reaction such as allergic rashes, closed comedones, or itchiness.

Learn more about Butylene Glycol
Skin Conditioning, Solvent, UV Filter

Butyloctyl Salicylate is a chemical UV filter structurally similar to octisalate. It is a photostabilizer, SPF booster, emollient and solvent. This ingredient helps evenly spread out ingredients.

According to a manufacturer, it is suitable for pairing with micro Titanium Dioxide, Zinc Oxide, and pigments.

Photostabilizers help stabilize UV-filters and prevents them from degrading quickly.

Learn more about Butyloctyl Salicylate
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
UV Absorber, UV Filter

Ethylhexyl 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 Salicylate
UV Absorber, UV Filter

Octocrylene 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 Octocrylene

We don't have a description for Octyldodecyl Neopentanoate yet.

Preservative

Phenoxyethanol 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.

Humectant, Skin Conditioning

Sodium Hyaluronate is hyaluronic acid's salt form. It is commonly derived from the sodium salt of hyaluronic acid.

Like hyaluronic acid, it is great at holding water and acts as a humectant. This makes it a great skin hydrating ingredient.

Sodium Hyaluronate is naturally occurring in our bodies and is mostly found in eye fluid and joints.

These are some other common types of Hyaluronic Acid:

Learn more about Sodium Hyaluronate
Antioxidant, Skin Conditioning

Tocopheryl Acetate is AKA Vitamin E. It is an antioxidant and protects your skin from free radicals. Free radicals damage the skin by breaking down collagen.

One study found using Tocopheryl Acetate with Vitamin C decreased the number of sunburned cells.

Tocopheryl Acetate is commonly found in both skincare and dietary supplements.

Learn more about Tocopheryl Acetate
Skin Conditioning, Solvent

Water. 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 Water

When to use

6 Routines
100% use in am
0% use in pm
100% use every day
1 Routine
100% use in am
0% use in pm
100% use every day