SkinMedica Essential Defense Mineral Shield SPF 35 Versus Dr. Brandt Skincare Liquid Sun Shield SPF 50
This mineral sunscreen covers the full UV range and blocks ~97% of UVB at SPF 35.
This sunscreen offers SPF 50 protection with a matte finish that helps control shine.
What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Titanium Dioxide 5%
Cosmetic Colorant
Zinc Oxide 6%
Cosmetic Colorant
Water
Skin ConditioningCyclopentasiloxane
Emollient
Dimethicone
Emollient
Polyglyceryl-3 Polydimethylsiloxyethyl Dimethicone
Skin Conditioning
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Aluminum Hydroxide
EmollientDimethicone/PEG-10/15 Crosspolymer
PEG-9 Polydimethylsiloxyethyl Dimethicone
Emulsifying
Sodium Chloride
MaskingCaffeine
Skin Conditioning
Camellia Oleifera Leaf Extract
AstringentSodium Citrate
BufferingDimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer
Skin Conditioning
Triethoxysilylethyl Polydimethylsiloxyethyl Hexyl Dimethicone
Skin Conditioning
Stearic Acid
Cleansing
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningPhenoxyethanol
Preservative
Titanium Dioxide 5%, Zinc Oxide 6%, Water, Cyclopentasiloxane, Dimethicone, Polyglyceryl-3 Polydimethylsiloxyethyl Dimethicone, Butylene Glycol, Aluminum Hydroxide, Dimethicone/PEG-10/15 Crosspolymer, PEG-9 Polydimethylsiloxyethyl Dimethicone, Sodium Chloride, Caffeine, Camellia Oleifera Leaf Extract, Sodium Citrate, Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Triethoxysilylethyl Polydimethylsiloxyethyl Hexyl Dimethicone, Stearic Acid, Ethylhexylglycerin, Phenoxyethanol
Water
Skin ConditioningIsododecane
EmollientPolyglyceryl-6 Polyricinoleate
Emulsifying
Propanediol
Solvent
Dimethicone
Emollient
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Trimethylsiloxysilicate
Emollient
Butyloctyl Salicylate
Skin Conditioning
Coco-Caprylate/Caprate
Emollient
Isoamyl Laurate
Emollient
Neopentyl Glycol Diheptanoate
EmollientPolyglyceryl-10 Dioleate
Emulsifying
Lecithin
Emollient
Polyhydroxystearic Acid
Emulsifying
Ectoin
Skin Conditioning
Polymethylsilsesquioxane
Polysilicone-11
Disteardimonium Hectorite
StabilisingButyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin Conditioning
Glycerin
Humectant
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Propylene Carbonate
SolventAminomethyl Propanol
BufferingCitrus Aurantium Dulcis Peel Oil
Masking
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningPolysorbate 20
Emulsifying
Sclareolide
Masking
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer
Skin Conditioning
Dimethiconol
Emollient
Linalool
Perfuming
Linalyl Acetate
Masking
Plankton Extract
Skin ConditioningLavandula Angustifolia Oil
Masking
Lavandula Hybrida Oil
Emollient
Decyl Glucoside
Cleansing
Sodium Ascorbate
Antioxidant
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Hexylene Glycol
EmulsifyingTocopherol
Antioxidant
Water, Isododecane, Polyglyceryl-6 Polyricinoleate, Propanediol, Dimethicone, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Trimethylsiloxysilicate, Butyloctyl Salicylate, Coco-Caprylate/Caprate, Isoamyl Laurate, Neopentyl Glycol Diheptanoate, Polyglyceryl-10 Dioleate, Lecithin, Polyhydroxystearic Acid, Ectoin, Polymethylsilsesquioxane, Polysilicone-11, Disteardimonium Hectorite, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Glycerin, Phenoxyethanol, Propylene Carbonate, Aminomethyl Propanol, Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Peel Oil, Ethylhexylglycerin, Polysorbate 20, Sclareolide, Tocopheryl Acetate, Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Dimethiconol, Linalool, Linalyl Acetate, Plankton Extract, Lavandula Angustifolia Oil, Lavandula Hybrida Oil, Decyl Glucoside, Sodium Ascorbate, Caprylyl Glycol, Hexylene Glycol, Tocopherol
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Dimethicone is a type of synthetic silicone created from natural materials such as quartz. It is also known as polydimethylsiloxane.
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 DimethiconeThis ingredient is a silicone elastomer that works as a texture enhancer, adds a silky slip, and also helps absorb excess oil.
Because it's a large macromolecule that's insoluble in water and chemically inert, it's not expected to penetrate or be absorbed into skin.
Human patch tests with a facial lotion containing 1% of this ingredient found no sensitization.
Learn more about Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone CrosspolymerEthylhexylglycerin is created from glycerin. It is a multitasker ingredient that:
The CIR Expert Panel found minimal skin absorption or sensitization of any kind in a safety assessment. Though this ingredient is considered well-tolerated, a small number of cases of allergic dermatitis have been published since 2002. Just be sure to patch test if you are unsure.
Industry-reported use ranges from 8% in rinse-off products and 2% in leave-on formulations.
Learn more about EthylhexylglycerinPhenoxyethanol is one of the most widely used preservatives in skincare (and for good reason!).
It has a large spectrum of antimicrobial activity and especially effective bacteria, yeast, and mold while only having a weak effect on your skin's natural microbiome.
On a cellular level, it disrupts the cell membranes of microbes by poking holes that make the cell leak. This shuts down the chemical reactions the microbe needs to make energy so it can no longer survive.
Another perk of this ingredient is that it stays functional across a wide pH range (3-10).
You'll often see it paired with boosters like Ethylhexylglycerin; one study showed that a 1:9 ratio of Ethylhexylglycerin to Phenoxyethanol damages bacterial membranes as effectively as doubling the Phenoxyethanol concentration on its own.
Typical use concentrations range from 0.3-1% depending on the formula, and this ingredient is capped at 1% int the EU.
Safety-wise, the fear mongering does not hold up to the evidence. The EU's Scientific Committee on Consumer Safety and FDA consider it safe as a preservative at up to 1%, including for children of all ages.
Adverse systemic effects only showed up in animal studies at exposures roughly 200x higher than what people get from cosmetics. And despite its very widespread use, this ingredient is a rare sensitizer and allergic reactions are uncommon.
Learn more about PhenoxyethanolWater. 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. Remember to stay hydrated!
Learn more about Water
