PCA Skin Weightless Protection Broad Spectrum SPF 45 Versus SkinBetter Science Sunbetter Tone Smart SPF 68 Sunscreen Compact
Updated on October 15, 2024
Overview
What they are
These products are both sunscreens. They have a total of 10 ingredients in common
Cool Features
They both contain exfoliants 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 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
PCA Skin Weightless Protection Broad Spectrum SPF 45 41 ingredients
SkinBetter Science Sunbetter Tone Smart SPF 68 Sunscreen Compact 43 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
SkinBetter Science Sunbetter Tone Smart SPF 68 Sunscreen Compact 43 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
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Acrylates/Dimethicone Copolymer
Skin ConditioningAlumina
Abrasive
Bis-Vinyl Dimethicone/Dimethicone Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingBisabolol
Masking
Brassica Campestris Sterols
Emollient
Butyloctyl Salicylate
Skin Conditioning
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Caprylyl Glycol
EmollientCerium Oxide
Cetylhydroxyproline Palmitamide
Skin ConditioningDimethicone
Emollient
Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer
Skin Conditioning
Disteardimonium Hectorite
StabilisingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningHexyldecanol
EmollientHimanthalia Elongata Extract
Skin ProtectingHydrogenated Vegetable Oil
Emollient
Iron Oxides
Laureth-25
CleansingLaureth-3
EmulsifyingMica
Cosmetic Colorant
Octyldodecyl Neopentanoate
EmollientOzokerite
Emulsion StabilisingPhenethyl Alcohol
MaskingPhenoxyethanol
Preservative
Phenyl Trimethicone
Skin Conditioning
Plankton Extract
Skin ConditioningPolyethylene
Abrasive
Polyhydroxystearic Acid
Emulsifying
Polymethyl Methacrylate
Prunus Armeniaca Kernel Oil
Masking
Silica
Abrasive
Simethicone
Emollient
Sodium Chloride
Masking
Stearic Acid
Cleansing
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Tribehenin
Emollient
Triethoxycaprylylsilane
Vinyl Dimethicone/Methicone Silsesquioxane Crosspolymer
Water
Skin ConditioningZingiber Officinale Root Extract
Masking
1,2-Hexanediol, Acrylates/Dimethicone Copolymer, Alumina, Bis-Vinyl Dimethicone/Dimethicone Copolymer, Bisabolol, Brassica Campestris Sterols, Butyloctyl Salicylate, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Caprylyl Glycol, Cerium Oxide, Cetylhydroxyproline Palmitamide, Dimethicone, Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Disteardimonium Hectorite, Ethylhexylglycerin, Hexyldecanol, Himanthalia Elongata Extract, Hydrogenated Vegetable Oil, Iron Oxides, Laureth-25, Laureth-3, Mica, Octyldodecyl Neopentanoate, Ozokerite, Phenethyl Alcohol, Phenoxyethanol, Phenyl Trimethicone, Plankton Extract, Polyethylene, Polyhydroxystearic Acid, Polymethyl Methacrylate, Prunus Armeniaca Kernel Oil, Silica, Simethicone, Sodium Chloride, Stearic Acid, Tocopherol, Tocopheryl Acetate, Tribehenin, Triethoxycaprylylsilane, Vinyl Dimethicone/Methicone Silsesquioxane Crosspolymer, Water, Zingiber Officinale Root Extract
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 TriglycerideDimethicone 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 DimethiconeEthylhexylglycerin (we can't pronounce this either) is commonly used as a preservative and skin softener. It is derived from glyceryl.
You might see Ethylhexylglycerin often paired with other preservatives such as phenoxyethanol. Ethylhexylglycerin has been found to increase the effectiveness of these other preservatives.
We don't have a description for Octyldodecyl Neopentanoate yet.
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.
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 AcetateTriethoxycaprylylsilane is a silicone used to bind and stabilize ingredients.
As an emulsifier, it helps prevent ingredients from separating. This can help elongate the shelf life of products.
Triethoxycaprylylsilane is often used to coat mineral sunscreens ingredients to help give a better feel. It also helps reduce oxidative stress in sunscreens.
Learn more about TriethoxycaprylylsilaneWater. 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
SkinBetter Science Sunbetter Tone Smart SPF 68 Sunscreen Compact 43 ingredients
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PCA Skin Weightless Protection Broad Spectrum SPF 45 41 ingredients
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