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Product Comparison

Here's our complete breakdown comparing the ingredients, attributes, and more of Physician's Formula Super BB All-in-1 Beauty Balm Cream Light versus EltaMD, Inc UV Clear Tinted SPF 46 .

Last updated on March 31, 2024. Published on July 26, 2022

Overview

Cool Features

They both contain SPF and Vitamin E

Suited For

They're both likely to be good for fighting acne, anti aging, brightening skin, oily skin, dark spots and better texture

Free From

They both do not contain any harsh alcohols, common allergens, fragrances, 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 need an update? Let us know.

Sunscreen American Brand United States

BB, CC, Tinted Moisturizer

A liquid, cream, or powder to help give light coverage in creating an even complexion.

Sunscreen

Sunscreens help absorb or reflect UV radiation and protect skin against skin damage. Sunscreens may come in the form of lotion, gel, foam, spray, or solid-stick.

Price

Ingredient Info

Click any item below to learn more and view relevant ingredients.
alcohol-free
silicon-free
fragrance-free
sulfate-free
paraben-free
oil-free
fungal-acne safe
reef-safe
eu-allergen-free
vegan
cruelty-free
alcohol-free
silicon-free
fragrance-free
sulfate-free
paraben-free
oil-free
fungal-acne safe
reef-safe
eu-allergen-free
vegan
cruelty-free
spf rating
46

At a glance

Click on any of the items below to learn more

Notable Ingredients

Mineral UV Filter (2)
Vitamin C
Vitamin E
Exfoliators

Benefits

Hydrating (2)
Good For Oily Skin (2)
Redness Reducing
Skin Texture
Anti-Aging
Dark Spots
Acne Fighting (2)
Brightening (3)

Concerns

Drying
May Worsen Oily Skin (2)
Acne Trigger (2)
Rosacea
Eczema

Notable Ingredients

Chemical UV Filter
Mineral UV Filter
AHA
Vitamin E
Niacinamide
Hyaluronic Acid

Benefits

Good For Oily Skin
Redness Reducing
Skin Texture
Reduces Large Pores (2)
Anti-Aging
Dark Spots (2)
Scar Healing
Acne Fighting (2)
Brightening (3)

Concerns

May Worsen Oily Skin
Acne Trigger (2)
Irritating (2)
Rosacea
Eczema
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Ingredients Compared

Ingredients that are highlighted in purple are present in both products.

Ingredients Side-by-side

Ingredients that are highlighted in purple are present in both products.

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Ingredients Explained

These ingredients are found in both products.

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

1
What it does: Cosmetic Colorant, Skin Protecting, UV Absorber, UV Filter
Community Rating: Liked

Zinc 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 can be harmful to coral reefs.

More about harmful reef ingredients here.

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 Oxide

Physician's Formula Super BB All-in-1 Beauty Balm Cream Light contains this as ingredient number 2.

EltaMD, Inc UV Clear Tinted SPF 46 contains this as ingredient number 1.

2
What it does: Skin Conditioning, Solvent
Community Rating: Loved

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. Talk about multi-purpose! If you see this, drink a glass of water. Stay hydrated!

Learn more about Water

Physician's Formula Super BB All-in-1 Beauty Balm Cream Light contains this as ingredient number 3.

EltaMD, Inc UV Clear Tinted SPF 46 contains this as ingredient number 3.

3
What it does: Emollient, Skin Conditioning, Solvent
Community Rating: Disliked

Cyclopentasiloxane is a silicone used to improve texture and trap moisture. An easier name for this is D5.

D5 is considered lightweight and volatile. Volatile means it evaporates quickly after application. Once evaporated, D5 leaves a thin barrier that helps keep skin hydrated.

D5 is an emollient. Emollients help soften the skin and prevent water loss. Silicones create a silky texture in products. D5 helps other ingredients become more spreadable.

Studies show D5 is safe to use in skincare products. We recommend speaking with a skincare professional if you have concerns.

Learn more about Cyclopentasiloxane

Physician's Formula Super BB All-in-1 Beauty Balm Cream Light contains this as ingredient number 4.

EltaMD, Inc UV Clear Tinted SPF 46 contains this as ingredient number 4.

4
What it does: Humectant, Masking, Skin Conditioning, Solvent
Community Rating: Mixed

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

  • It is a solvent, meaning that it helps to dissolve other ingredients. This also enhances the absorption of the product into one's skin.
  • It is a humectant, which means that it helps attract moisture into the skin.
  • It helps improve product application.

Overall, Butylene Glycol is a safe and well-rounded ingredient. It is unlikely to irritate skin, and works well with pretty much all other ingredients.

Physician's Formula Super BB All-in-1 Beauty Balm Cream Light contains this as ingredient number 8.

EltaMD, Inc UV Clear Tinted SPF 46 contains this as ingredient number 7.

5
What it does: Antioxidant, Skin Conditioning
Community Rating: Liked

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

Physician's Formula Super BB All-in-1 Beauty Balm Cream Light contains this as ingredient number 21.

EltaMD, Inc UV Clear Tinted SPF 46 contains this as ingredient number 12.

6
What it does:
Community Rating: Disliked

Triethoxycaprylylsilane 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 Triethoxycaprylylsilane

Physician's Formula Super BB All-in-1 Beauty Balm Cream Light contains this as ingredient number 33.

EltaMD, Inc UV Clear Tinted SPF 46 contains this as ingredient number 20.

7
What it does: Preservative
Community Rating: Very Disliked

Phenoxyethanol is a preservative that has germicide, antimicrobial, and aromatic properties. Studies show that phenoxyethanol can prevent germ and 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.

Physician's Formula Super BB All-in-1 Beauty Balm Cream Light contains this as ingredient number 38.

EltaMD, Inc UV Clear Tinted SPF 46 contains this as ingredient number 15.

Here's what our community thinks of the ingredients in these two products.

24% are loved or liked
13% have mixed ratings
47% are disliked or very disliked
16% have no rating yet
30% are loved or liked
10% have mixed ratings
45% are disliked or very disliked
15% have no rating yet

Usage

Here's some more info on how this product is used by our community.

When to use

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Reviews

Here's what our community thinks

Physician's Formula Super BB All-in-1 Beauty Balm Cream 38 ingredients

Super BB All-in-1 Beauty Balm Cream hasn't been rated yet.
Rate it now

EltaMD, Inc UV Clear Tinted SPF 46 20 ingredients

3.8 /5
from 4 ratings
Broke Me Out (1)
MichelleR's avatar

MichelleR

6 months ago · Dry Skin
Review

Forever on my Empties List
It is viral for a REASON. The application is so smooth and luxurious. It literally melts into my skin. I love that it...

Forever on my Empties List
It is viral for a REASON. The application is so smooth and luxurious. It literally melts into my skin. I love that it has Lactic Acid and Niacinamide. It is much more than a sunscreen, it is an additional step in your skincare routine. I hate spending more than $25 on a product, and only do so for masks or when I reeealllyyyy love a product. This is the ONE. I love to get it on sale, but regardless - this is permanent staple.

Beepbop3's avatar

Beepbop3

2 months ago · Combination Skin
Review

Not sure if I love it but I dont hate it...
The product itself is not bad, it gives a very nice finish with a sheer tint that doesnt feel cakey or...

Not sure if I love it but I dont hate it...
The product itself is not bad, it gives a very nice finish with a sheer tint that doesnt feel cakey or pill on your skin. In the winter though this irritated my neck greatly, im not sure if its because of the skin already being dry from where I live but I had to stop using it because of this.

Alternatives

Our Dupe Finder has found 35 potential alternatives that have similar ingredients to Physician's Formula Super BB All-in-1 Beauty Balm Cream Light.

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Our Dupe Finder has found 37 potential alternatives that have similar ingredients to EltaMD, Inc UV Clear Tinted SPF 46.

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