Round Lab Birch Moisturizing Sunscreen SPF 50+ PA++++ Versus Colorescience Sunforgettable Total Protection Face Shield Matte SPF 50 PA++++
Updated on July 19, 2024
Overview
What they are
These products are both sunscreens. They have a total of 8 ingredients in common
Cool Features
They both contain niacinamide and SPF
Suited For
They're both likely to be good for fighting acne, brightening skin, sensitive skin, oily skin, reducing pores, scar healing and dark spots
Free From
They both do not contain any 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
Round Lab Birch Moisturizing Sunscreen SPF 50+ PA++++ 40 ingredients
Colorescience Sunforgettable Total Protection Face Shield Matte SPF 50 PA++++ 38 ingredients
At a glance
Click on any of the items below to learn more
Round Lab Birch Moisturizing Sunscreen SPF 50+ PA++++ 40 ingredients
Colorescience Sunforgettable Total Protection Face Shield Matte SPF 50 PA++++ 38 ingredients
Notable Ingredients
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Notable Ingredients
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Ingredients Side-by-side
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.
Dibutyl Adipate is an emollient and solvent. It is created from butyl alcohol and adipic acid.
Propanediol helps absorb ingredients into your skin, boosting their benefits. It can act as an emollient, making your skin softer. Propanediol can help products last longer by boosting the properties of preservatives within the formulation.
Diethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl Benzoate (DHHB) is a chemical UVA absorber. It is formulated for high UVA protection (320-400 nm).
Polymethylsilsesquioxane is a silicone used as a film forming agent.
Ethylhexyl Triazone is a modern chemical sunscreen that protects from UV-B radiation.
6 Benefits
Niacinamide has emerged as an all-star ingredient due to its many benefits.
Mineral UV Filter
Methylene Bis-Benzotriazolyl Tetramethylbutylphenol (Tinosorb M) is a hybrid and broad-spectrum UV ingredient. It is both a UV absorber and filter.
Coco-Caprylate/Caprate is created from fatty coconut alcohol, caprylic acid, and capric acid.
Diethylhexyl Butamido Triazone is a photostable UV absorber. It protects in the UVB and UVA II range. UV absorbers are an agent that absorbs UV rays. They protect your skin by using chemical reactions to convert UV rays into heat and energy.
Glycerin is already naturally found in your skin. It helps moisturize and protect your skin.
1,2-Hexanediol is a multi-tasker ingredient. It acts as a preservative to increase shelf-life and can aid other preservatives in preventing microbe growth. 1,2-Hexanediol also helps the skin retain moisture as a humectant.
Butylene Glycol (or BG) is used within cosmetic products for a few different reasons:
Betula Platyphylla Japonica Juice is the sap of the Asian White Birch tree. Birch juice has antioxidant, hydrating, and soothing properties.
Sodium Hyaluronate is hyaluronic acid's salt form. It is commonly derived from the sodium salt of hyaluronic acid.
4 Benefits May cause irritation
Hyaluronic acid is naturally found in healthy skin. It is a humectant, meaning it draws moisture to your skin.
Allantoin plays a role in soothing and moisturizing the skin. Because of this, it is often added to products with strong active ingredients.
Portulaca Oleracea Extract is an extract of the whole plant of the Purslane, Portulaca oleracea L., Portulacaceae. It has anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and hydrating properties.
Artemisia Annua Extract comes from a plant more commonly known as annual mugwort.
Oil
This oil is the the volatile oil distilled from the dried flower heads of the Roman Chamomile flower.
Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer is a synthetic polymer. It is used to thicken and improve the texture of products.
Sodium Stearoyl Glutamate is an emulsifier and helps condition the skin. It is amino acid-based.
Ethylhexylglycerin (we can't pronounce this either) is commonly used as a preservative and skin softener. It is derived from glyceryl.
Antioxidant 6 Benefits
Ascorbic Acid is is pure Vitamin C. This form makes up the largest amount of vitamin C found naturally in our skin.
Adenosine is in every living organism. It is one of four components in nucleic acids that helps store our DNA.
Pentylene glycol is typically used within a product to thicken it. It also adds a smooth, soft, and moisturizing feel to the product. It is naturally found in plants such as sugar beets.
A type of fatty alcohol. Fatty Alcohols are most often used as an emollient or to thicken a product. They are usually derived from natural fats and oils and therefore do not have the same drying or irritating effect as traditional alcohols.
Polyglyceryl-3 Methylglucose Distearate is created from the diester of stearic acid and the condensation product of methylglucose and Polyglycerin-3.
Decyl Glucoside is a glucose-based surfactant. Surfactants help clean the skin by trapping oil, sebum, and dirt to be washed away.
Tromethamine is an aliphatic compound. An aliphatic compound is an organic compound with open-chained carbon atoms. It is synthetically created. Tromethamine is used to balance pH and improve texture.
Xanthan gum is used as a stabilizer and thickener within cosmetic products. It helps give products a sticky, thick feeling - preventing them from being too runny.
Fragrance
T-Butyl Alcohol it is most commonly used as a solvent.
Antioxidant 4 Benefits May cause irritation
Tocopherol (also known as Vitamin E) is a common antioxidant used to help protect the skin from free-radicals and strengthen the skin barrier. It's also fat soluble - this means our skin is great at absorbing it.
Carbomer is a polymer of acrylic acid. Its main role is to create gel consistency within products.
Water, Dibutyl Adipate, Propanediol, Diethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl Benzoate, Polymethylsilsesquioxane, Ethylhexyl Triazone, Niacinamide, Methylene Bis-Benzotriazolyl Tetramethylbutylphenol, Coco-Caprylate/Caprate, Caprylyl Methicone, Diethylhexyl Butamido Triazone, Glycerin, 1,2-Hexanediol, Butylene Glycol, Betula Platyphylla Japonica Juice, Sodium Hyaluronate, Hyaluronic Acid, Glyceryl Glucoside, Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate, Allantoin, Portulaca Oleracea Extract, Artemisia Annua Extract, Pinus Sylvestris Leaf Oil, Anthemis Nobilis Flower Oil, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Sodium Stearoyl Glutamate, Polyacrylate Crosspolymer-6, Ethylhexylglycerin, Ascorbic Acid, Adenosine, Pentylene Glycol, Behenyl Alcohol, Poly C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate, Polyglyceryl-3 Methylglucose Distearate, Decyl Glucoside, Tromethamine, Xanthan Gum, T-Butyl Alcohol, Tocopherol, Carbomer
Helps fight Acne Non-Reef-Safe
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.
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.
C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate is made up of Benzoic Acid and long chain alcohols. It has a low molecular weight.
Butyloctyl Salicylate is a photostabilizer, emollient and solvent. Its main purpose is to evenly spread out ingredients.
Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer is a silicone used to improve the texture of products and absorb oil. It does not get absorbed into the skin.
Polymethylsilsesquioxane is a silicone used as a film forming agent.
Dimethicone is a silicone used for making products smooth and silky. It also has the added benefit of sealing in hydration. The amount of dimethicone found in beauty products is considered safe and non-comedogenic, meaning it won't clog pores.
Propanediol helps absorb ingredients into your skin, boosting their benefits. It can act as an emollient, making your skin softer. Propanediol can help products last longer by boosting the properties of preservatives within the formulation.
6 Benefits
Niacinamide has emerged as an all-star ingredient due to its many benefits.
Dimethiconol is a silicone that resembles the popular dimethicone. Like other silicones, it is an emollient. Emollients create a thin film on skin to prevent moisture from escaping.
Lauryl Peg-10 Tris(Trimethylsiloxy)Silylethyl Dimethicone is a type of silicone.
Maltodextrin is a polysaccharide. It is derived from starch such as rice, corn, wheat, or potato starch.
Chances are, you eat sodium chloride every day. Sodium Chloride is also known as table salt.
Bisabolol is pimarily used to add fragrance to a product. However, it is also famous for helping soothe skin.
We don't have a description for Disodium Lauriminodipropionate Tocopheryl Phosphates.
Butylene Glycol (or BG) is used within cosmetic products for a few different reasons:
Ethylhexylglycerin (we can't pronounce this either) is commonly used as a preservative and skin softener. It is derived from glyceryl.
Allantoin plays a role in soothing and moisturizing the skin. Because of this, it is often added to products with strong active ingredients.
2 Concerns
Silica is a mineral naturally found in our skin. It helps to thicken and smooth the texture of a product. It also acts as an agent for other ingredients by increasing the absorption of other ingredients into the skin.
Caprylyl Glycol is a humectant and emollient, meaning it attracts and preserves moisture.
Hexylene Glycol is a surfactant. Glycols are a class of alcohols. Hexylene Glycol is a surfactant and emulsifier.
Tetrasodium Glutamate Diacetate is a chelating agent. Chelating agents help prevent metal ions from binding to other ingredients. This helps prevent unwanted effects and reactions from a product. These metal ions may come from water and are found in miniscule amounts.
Decyl Glucoside is a glucose-based surfactant. Surfactants help clean the skin by trapping oil, sebum, and dirt to be washed away.
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.
Sodium Benzoate is a preservative. It's used in both cosmetic and food products to inhibit the growth of mold and bacteria. It is typically produced synthetically.
May worsen Eczema
Benzoic Acid is used to preserve and adjust the pH of products.
Dehydroacetic Acid is fungicide and bactericide. It is used as a preservative in cosmetics. Preservatives help elongate the shelf life of a product.
Sodium Hydroxide is also known as lye or caustic soda. It is used to adjust the pH of products; many ingredients require a specific pH to be effective.
Ci 77492 is also hydrated iron III oxide. It's sole purpose is to give a yellow hue to products.
Zinc Oxide 12%, Water, C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate, Butyloctyl Salicylate, Lauryl Peg-8 Dimethicone, Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Polymethylsilsesquioxane, Dimethicone, Propanediol, Niacinamide, Tridecyl Salicylate, Trilaureth-4 Phosphate, Dimethiconol, Lauryl Peg-10 Tris(Trimethylsiloxy)Silylethyl Dimethicone, Maltodextrin, Sodium Chloride, Bisabolol, Polysilicone-11, Disodium Lauriminodipropionate Tocopheryl Phosphates, Butylene Glycol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Allantoin, Tremella Fuciformis Sporocarp Extract, Silica, Isoceteth-10, Caprylyl Glycol, Hexylene Glycol, Dimethylmethoxy Chromanol, Caesalpinia Spinosa Fruit Pod Extract, Tetrasodium Glutamate Diacetate, Decyl Glucoside, Helianthus Annuus Sprout Extract, Phenoxyethanol, Sodium Benzoate, Benzoic Acid, Dehydroacetic Acid, Sodium Hydroxide, CI 77492
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
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 WaterPropanediol helps absorb ingredients into your skin, boosting their benefits. It can act as an emollient, making your skin softer. Propanediol can help products last longer by boosting the properties of preservatives within the formulation.
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 PropanediolPolymethylsilsesquioxane is a silicone used as a film forming agent.
When applied to the skin, this ingredient creates an invisible film on the surface. This film still allows oxygen to pass through, but prevents moisture from escaping. This can help condition and hydrate the skin. It also leaves a silky feel when applied.
Polymethylsilsesquioxane has not been shown to clog pores. It has been deemed safe to use up to 55%, but most cosmetics use much less.
If you have concerns about using this ingredient, we recommend speaking with a professional.
Learn more about PolymethylsilsesquioxaneNiacinamide has emerged as an all-star ingredient due to its many benefits.
It is known to treat acne by reducing inflammation. It also helps fade dark-spots and strengthen the skin by promoting the growth of the ceramide barrier.
Other benefits include smoothing wrinkles and minimizing redness.
The cherry on top? Niacinamide can also help build keratin, a protein that keeps skin firm.
When incorporating niacinamide into your routine, look out for concentration amounts. Typically, 5% niacinamide provides benefits such as fading dark spots. However, if you have sensitive skin, it is better to begin with a smaller concentration.
Niacinamide can be mixed with other ingredients to boost benefits. For instance, it has shown to be effective when used with copper, folic acid, and zinc to treat acne.
Learn more about NiacinamideButylene 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.
Allantoin plays a role in soothing and moisturizing the skin. Because of this, it is often added to products with strong active ingredients.
Some studies have shown this ingredient can promote wound healing with higher concentrations.
Allantoin is derived from the comfrey plant but produced synthetically for cosmetic products to ensure purity.
Learn more about AllantoinEthylhexylglycerin (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.
Decyl Glucoside is a glucose-based surfactant. Surfactants help clean the skin by trapping oil, sebum, and dirt to be washed away.
It is created by reacting glucose with the fatty acids from plants.
Decyl Glucoside also helps stabilize the ingredients in a product by preventing them from separating.
This ingredient is biodegradable and non-toxic. This ingredient is commonly found in baby shampoos.
Decyl Glucoside is sometimes used to stabilize the UV filter Tinosorb.
Learn more about Decyl GlucosideIngredient Ratings
Here's what our community thinks of the ingredients in these products.
When to use
Round Lab Birch Moisturizing Sunscreen SPF 50+ PA++++ 40 ingredients
Colorescience Sunforgettable Total Protection Face Shield Matte SPF 50 PA++++ 38 ingredients
Reviews
Here's what our community thinks
Round Lab Birch Moisturizing Sunscreen SPF 50+ PA++++ 40 ingredients
Alllisda_idiot
It's not the most hydrating sunscreen I've ever used and its texture is reminiscent of a slightly thick serum or an emulsion. It feels good on my...
It's not the most hydrating sunscreen I've ever used and its texture is reminiscent of a slightly thick serum or an emulsion. It feels good on my skin and did not break me out. No white cast whatsoever, didn't require any blending in, and applied without a tacky finish. One of the sunscreens with the least pilling I've tried, but did very very very slightly pill on the area around the eyes after a long day and some instances of aggressive rubbing. Slightly less glowy and lighter than the BOJ sunscreen.
Lapaki
This reef-safe chemical sunscreen stands out with its naturally glowy and non-greasy finish. It has the texture of a medium moist cream, spreads...
This reef-safe chemical sunscreen stands out with its naturally glowy and non-greasy finish. It has the texture of a medium moist cream, spreads nicely and dries quickly in just a few minutes, making it easy to apply. It leaves no greasy or sticky residue, and there's no white cast or pilling to worry about. Notably, this sunscreen is highly moisturizing and can effectively replace the need for an additional moisturizer. It's my favourite one during the winter moths. However, I find it bit too moisturizing during the summer. Overall, it is an excellent choice for those looking for moisturizing sun protection without the drawbacks of a heavy or greasy sunscreen.
