Explore Routine Login

Product Comparison

Here's our complete breakdown comparing the ingredients, attributes, and more of SkinMedica Essential Defense Mineral Shield SPF 35 versus EltaMD, Inc UV Aero Broad-Spectrum SPF 45 .

Published on August 03, 2022

Overview

What they are

These products are both sunscreens. They have a total of 3 ingredients in common

Free From

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

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 Essential Defense Mineral Shield SPF 35

Starts at $40.00
Shop

Buy UV Aero Broad-Spectrum SPF 45

Starts at $32.96

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
35
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
45

At a glance

Click on any of the items below to learn more

Concerns

Drying
May Worsen Oily Skin
Acne Trigger
Rosacea

Notable Ingredients

Chemical UV Filter
Mineral UV Filter
Vitamin E

Benefits

Acne Fighting
Brightening

Concerns

May Worsen Oily Skin (2)
Acne Trigger (3)
Irritating
Join our community

Build your routine, track which ingredients work for you, and much more with your free account.

Join SkinSort

Ingredients Side-by-side

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

Learn more about what what Com. / Irr. ratings are

Loading ingredients...

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

SkinMedica Essential Defense Mineral Shield SPF 35 contains this as ingredient number 1.

EltaMD, Inc UV Aero Broad-Spectrum SPF 45 contains this as ingredient number 3.

2
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.

SkinMedica Essential Defense Mineral Shield SPF 35 contains this as ingredient number 5.

EltaMD, Inc UV Aero Broad-Spectrum SPF 45 contains this as ingredient number 14.

3
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.

SkinMedica Essential Defense Mineral Shield SPF 35 contains this as ingredient number 17.

EltaMD, Inc UV Aero Broad-Spectrum SPF 45 contains this as ingredient number 9.

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

18% are loved or liked
18% have mixed ratings
59% are disliked or very disliked
6% have no rating yet
16% are loved or liked
5% have mixed ratings
63% are disliked or very disliked
16% have no rating yet

Usage

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

When to use

Loading routine usage...
Loading routine usage...

Alternatives

Our Dupe Finder has found 24 potential alternatives that have similar ingredients to SkinMedica Essential Defense Mineral Shield SPF 35.

See 24 alternatives

Our Dupe Finder has found 17 potential alternatives that have similar ingredients to EltaMD, Inc UV Aero Broad-Spectrum SPF 45.

See 17 alternatives
Loading similar comparisons...