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Product Comparison

Here's our complete breakdown comparing the ingredients, attributes, and more of SkinCeuticals Physical Fusion UV Defense SPF 50 versus Colorescience Sunforgettable Total Protection Face Shield Classic SPF 50 .

Last updated on February 16, 2024. Published on May 26, 2022

Overview

What they are

These products are both sunscreens. They have a total of 10 ingredients in common

Cool Features

They both contain exfoliants

Suited For

They're both likely to be good for fighting acne, brightening skin and scar healing

Free From

They both do not contain any harsh alcohols, common allergens, oils or parabens

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
Sunscreen American Brand United States

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.

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

Shop

Buy Physical Fusion UV Defense SPF 50

Starts at $42.00
Shop

Buy Sunforgettable Total Protection Face Shield Classic SPF 50

Starts at $35.90

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
spf rating
50
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
50

At a glance

Click on any of the items below to learn more

Notable Ingredients

Mineral UV Filter (2)
Vitamin E
Exfoliators (3)

Benefits

Hydrating
Anti-Aging
Scar Healing
Acne Fighting
Brightening

Concerns

Irritating
Rosacea
Eczema (2)

Notable Ingredients

Exfoliators
Niacinamide

Benefits

Good For Oily Skin
Redness Reducing (2)
Reduces Irritation (2)
Reduces Large Pores
Dark Spots
Scar Healing
Acne Fighting
Brightening

Concerns

Drying
Acne Trigger
Rosacea (2)
Eczema (2)
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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: 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

SkinCeuticals Physical Fusion UV Defense SPF 50 contains this as ingredient number 3.

Colorescience Sunforgettable Total Protection Face Shield Classic SPF 50 contains this as ingredient number 1.

2
What it does: Emollient, Skin Conditioning, Skin Protecting
Community Rating: Very Disliked

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.

Dimethicone has been found increase absorption in skin, boosting the benefits of other ingredients. While there is concern for the safety of dimethicone, the levels used in skincare are safe for use.

SkinCeuticals Physical Fusion UV Defense SPF 50 contains this as ingredient number 4.

Colorescience Sunforgettable Total Protection Face Shield Classic SPF 50 contains this as ingredient number 8.

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

Isododecane is a fragrance, emollient, and solvent.

As an emollient, it helps your skin stay soft and hydrated. Emollients help trap moisture into your skin.

Isododecane's role as a solvent makes it a great texture enhancer. It spreads smoothly on skin and does not leave a sticky feeling behind. Isododecane also helps prevent color transfer in makeup products.

Isododecane is not absorbed into skin.

Learn more about Isododecane

SkinCeuticals Physical Fusion UV Defense SPF 50 contains this as ingredient number 5.

Colorescience Sunforgettable Total Protection Face Shield Classic SPF 50 contains this as ingredient number 4.

4
What it does: Antimicrobial, Emollient, Skin Conditioning
Community Rating: Disliked

C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate is made up of Benzoic Acid and long chain alcohols. It has a low molecular weight.

C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate is an emollient and texture enhancer. Due to its solubility, it is often used in sunscreens to help evenly distribute active ingredients.

As an emollient, C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate helps soften and hydrate your skin. Emollients create a film on your skin that traps moisture within.

This ingredient has been reported to cause eye irritation.

Learn more about C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate

SkinCeuticals Physical Fusion UV Defense SPF 50 contains this as ingredient number 6.

Colorescience Sunforgettable Total Protection Face Shield Classic SPF 50 contains this as ingredient number 2.

5
What it does: Skin Conditioning
Community Rating: Very Disliked

Caprylyl Methicone is a type of silicone.

It helps soften and soothe the skin by creating a thin film on top. This film helps trap moisture, keeping your skin hydrated.

SkinCeuticals Physical Fusion UV Defense SPF 50 contains this as ingredient number 11.

Colorescience Sunforgettable Total Protection Face Shield Classic SPF 50 contains this as ingredient number 9.

6
What it does: Skin Conditioning, Solvent
Community Rating: Very Disliked

Butyloctyl Salicylate is a photostabilizer, 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.

According to EU regulation, this ingredient can cause harmful effects to aquatic life.

Learn more about Butyloctyl Salicylate

SkinCeuticals Physical Fusion UV Defense SPF 50 contains this as ingredient number 12.

Colorescience Sunforgettable Total Protection Face Shield Classic SPF 50 contains this as ingredient number 3.

7
What it does: Abrasive, Absorbent
Community Rating: Disliked

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.

Silica is often used for absorption and can help reduce shine when products are applied. Silica occurs in naturally in materials like clay and sandstone, and it can also be produced synthetically.

Silica is present naturally within the skin during collagen production and when reducing inflammation.

Learn more about Silica

SkinCeuticals Physical Fusion UV Defense SPF 50 contains this as ingredient number 15.

Colorescience Sunforgettable Total Protection Face Shield Classic SPF 50 contains this as ingredient number 29.

8
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.

SkinCeuticals Physical Fusion UV Defense SPF 50 contains this as ingredient number 26.

Colorescience Sunforgettable Total Protection Face Shield Classic SPF 50 contains this as ingredient number 31.

9
What it does: Emollient, Humectant, Skin Conditioning
Community Rating: Liked

Caprylyl Glycol is a humectant and emollient, meaning it attracts and preserves moisture.

It is a common ingredient in many products, especially those designed to hydrate skin. The primary benefits are retaining moisture, skin softening, and promoting a healthy skin barrier.

Though Caprylyl Glycol is an alcohol derived from fatty acids, it is not the kind that can dry out skin.

This ingredient is also used as a preservative to extend the life of products. It has slight antimicrobial properties.

Learn more about Caprylyl Glycol

SkinCeuticals Physical Fusion UV Defense SPF 50 contains this as ingredient number 28.

Colorescience Sunforgettable Total Protection Face Shield Classic SPF 50 contains this as ingredient number 25.

10
What it does: Masking, Preservative
Community Rating: Disliked

Benzoic Acid is used to preserve and adjust the pH of products.

The antimicrobial property of Benzoic Acid helps elongate a product's shelf life. Its main role is to reduce fungi growth and is not found to be effective at fighting bacteria. Therefore Benzoic Acid is always added along with other preservatives.

In its pure form, Benzoic Acid looks like a white crystalline solid. It has slight solubility in water.

The name of Benzoic Acid comes from gum benzoin, which used to be the sole source of deriving this ingredient. Benzoic Acid is the most simple aromatic carboxylic acid.

Benzoic Acid is naturally occuring in strawberries, mustard, cinnamon, and cloves. It has a slight scent but is not considered to be a fragrance.

Learn more about Benzoic Acid

SkinCeuticals Physical Fusion UV Defense SPF 50 contains this as ingredient number 36.

Colorescience Sunforgettable Total Protection Face Shield Classic SPF 50 contains this as ingredient number 33.

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

18% are loved or liked
13% have mixed ratings
45% are disliked or very disliked
24% have no rating yet
26% are loved or liked
9% have mixed ratings
37% are disliked or very disliked
29% have no rating yet

Usage

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

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Alternatives

Our Dupe Finder has found 50 potential alternatives that have similar ingredients to SkinCeuticals Physical Fusion UV Defense SPF 50.

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Our Dupe Finder has found 18 potential alternatives that have similar ingredients to Colorescience Sunforgettable Total Protection Face Shield Classic SPF 50.

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