PCA Skin Weightless Protection Broad Spectrum SPF 45 Versus Prequel Solar Shade Broad Spectrum SPF 46 PA++++
Updated on October 15, 2024
Overview
What they are
These products are both cruelty-free sunscreens. They have a total of 6 ingredients in common
Cool Features
They both contain exfoliants, SPF and Vitamin E
Suited For
They're both likely to be good for anti aging, dry skin, sensitive skin and dark spots
Free From
They both do not contain any harsh alcohols, common allergens, parabens or sulfates
What's Inside
They both contain fragrances
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
Prequel Solar Shade Broad Spectrum SPF 46 PA++++ 43 ingredients
What's inside
What's inside
At a glance
Click on any of the items below to learn more
PCA Skin Weightless Protection Broad Spectrum SPF 45 41 ingredients
Prequel Solar Shade Broad Spectrum SPF 46 PA++++ 43 ingredients
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
UV Filter
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
Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane 3%
UV Absorber
Homosalate 7%
Skin Conditioning
Octocrylene 9%
UV Absorber
Ethylhexyl Salicylate 5%
UV Absorber
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
Humectant
Butyloctyl Salicylate
Skin Conditioning
C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate
AntimicrobialPongamia Glabra Seed Oil
Skin Conditioning
Undecane
EmollientBetaine
Humectant
Silica
Abrasive
Ethyl Ferulate
Antioxidant
Oryza Sativa Extract
Absorbent
Oryza Sativa Germ Extract
EmollientGlycine Soja Seed Extract
Skin Conditioning
Tridecane
Perfuming
Glycine Soja Oil
Emollient
Sodium Dilauramidoglutamide Lysine
HumectantDunaliella Salina Extract
Skin ConditioningHaematococcus Pluvialis Extract
Antioxidant
Inulin
Skin ConditioningFructose
Humectant
Glucose
Humectant
Pongamia Pinnata Seed Extract
Skin ConditioningPolyglyceryl-4 Laurate
Emulsifying
Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingHydroxyacetophenone
Antioxidant
Arachidyl Alcohol
EmollientPolyglyceryl-6 Laurate
Emulsifying
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Behenyl Alcohol
Emollient
Cellulose Gum
Emulsion StabilisingPolyglyceryl-3 Diisostearate
Emulsifying
Arachidyl Glucoside
EmulsifyingTocopherol
Antioxidant
Sodium Phytate
Polysorbate 60
Emulsifying
Sorbitan Isostearate
Emulsifying
Citric Acid
Buffering
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingCellulose
AbsorbentButyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane 3%, Homosalate 7%, Octocrylene 9%, Ethylhexyl Salicylate 5%, Water, Glycerin, Butyloctyl Salicylate, C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate, Pongamia Glabra Seed Oil, Undecane, Betaine, Silica, Ethyl Ferulate, Oryza Sativa Extract, Oryza Sativa Germ Extract, Glycine Soja Seed Extract, Tridecane, Glycine Soja Oil, Sodium Dilauramidoglutamide Lysine, Dunaliella Salina Extract, Haematococcus Pluvialis Extract, Inulin, Fructose, Glucose, Pongamia Pinnata Seed Extract, Polyglyceryl-4 Laurate, Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Hydroxyacetophenone, Arachidyl Alcohol, Polyglyceryl-6 Laurate, 1,2-Hexanediol, Caprylyl Glycol, Behenyl Alcohol, Cellulose Gum, Polyglyceryl-3 Diisostearate, Arachidyl Glucoside, Tocopherol, Sodium Phytate, Polysorbate 60, Sorbitan Isostearate, Citric Acid, Xanthan Gum, Cellulose
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
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 SalicylateEthyl ferulate is an antioxidant derived from ferulic acid and ethyl alcohol. You'll most likely see this ingredient in sunscreens.
One study from 2014 found a concentration of 10% showed a similar SPF to Benzimidazole. Though this is considered a chemical UV filter, this ingredient is not listed as so. This is due to regulatory loopholes. You'll likely find this ingredient in "100% mineral" sunscreens.
This ingredient is typically found in concentrations between 0.5-1%. It is usually created synthetically or from rice bran oil.
Learn more about Ethyl FerulateEthylhexyl 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 SalicylateThis is a synthetic polymer. It helps improve the texture of products by adding thickness and gel-like feel.
It is also an emulsifer, meaning it prevents ingredients such as oil and water from separating. It also helps evenly disperse other ingredients.
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 OctocryleneWater. 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 Weightless Protection Broad Spectrum SPF 45 41 ingredients
Prequel Solar Shade Broad Spectrum SPF 46 PA++++ 43 ingredients
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PCA Skin Weightless Protection Broad Spectrum SPF 45 41 ingredients
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