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Product Comparison

Here's our complete breakdown comparing the ingredients, attributes, and more of SkinMedica Total Defense Repair SPF 34 Tinted versus SkinMedica Essential Defense Mineral Shield SPF 35 .

Published on November 04, 2022

Overview

What they are

These products are both sunscreens. They have a total of 5 ingredients in common

Free From

They both do not contain any harsh alcohols, common allergens, fragrances, oils, 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
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 Total Defense Repair SPF 34 Tinted

Starts at $57.97
Shop

Buy Essential Defense Mineral Shield SPF 35

Starts at $40.00

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
34
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

At a glance

Click on any of the items below to learn more

Notable Ingredients

Chemical UV Filter (2)
Mineral UV Filter (2)
Vitamin E (2)
Exfoliators
Niacinamide

Benefits

Hydrating (5)
Good For Oily Skin
Redness Reducing (3)
Reduces Irritation (3)
Reduces Large Pores (2)
Anti-Aging (3)
Dark Spots
Scar Healing
Acne Fighting (3)
Brightening (4)

Concerns

May Worsen Oily Skin (3)
Acne Trigger (2)
Irritating (2)
Rosacea (2)
Eczema (2)

Concerns

Drying
May Worsen Oily Skin
Acne Trigger
Rosacea
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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

SkinMedica Total Defense Repair SPF 34 Tinted contains this as ingredient number 5.

SkinMedica Essential Defense Mineral Shield SPF 35 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.

SkinMedica Total Defense Repair SPF 34 Tinted contains this as ingredient number 11.

SkinMedica Essential Defense Mineral Shield SPF 35 contains this as ingredient number 3.

3
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 Total Defense Repair SPF 34 Tinted contains this as ingredient number 31.

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

4
What it does: Skin Conditioning
Community Rating: Mixed

Ethylhexylglycerin (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.

SkinMedica Total Defense Repair SPF 34 Tinted contains this as ingredient number 36.

SkinMedica Essential Defense Mineral Shield SPF 35 contains this as ingredient number 16.

5
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 Total Defense Repair SPF 34 Tinted contains this as ingredient number 42.

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

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

35% are loved or liked
12% have mixed ratings
44% are disliked or very disliked
9% have no rating yet
18% are loved or liked
18% have mixed ratings
59% are disliked or very disliked
6% 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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Alternatives

Our Dupe Finder has found 50 potential alternatives that have similar ingredients to SkinMedica Total Defense Repair SPF 34 Tinted.

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

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