Tower 28 Beauty SunnyDays Tinted SPF 30 - 05 Fairfax Versus EltaMD, Inc UV Glow Tinted Broad-Spectrum Facial Sunscreen SPF 36
Updated on June 19, 2025
Overview
Cool Features
They both contain SPF
Suited For
They're both likely to be good for fighting acne, anti aging, dry skin, brightening skin, sensitive skin and scar healing
Free From
They both do not contain any harsh alcohols, common allergens, oils or parabens
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
Tower 28 Beauty SunnyDays Tinted SPF 30 30 ingredients
EltaMD, Inc UV Glow Tinted Broad-Spectrum Facial Sunscreen SPF 36 33 ingredients
What's inside (and what isn't)
What's inside (and what isn't)
At a glance
Click on any of the items below to learn more
Tower 28 Beauty SunnyDays Tinted SPF 30 30 ingredients
EltaMD, Inc UV Glow Tinted Broad-Spectrum Facial Sunscreen SPF 36 33 ingredients
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Zinc Oxide 12.6%
Cosmetic Colorant
Water
Skin ConditioningIsononyl Isononanoate
EmollientC9-12 Alkane
SolventButyloctyl Salicylate
Skin Conditioning
Polyglyceryl-6 Polyricinoleate
Emulsifying
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Glycerin
Humectant
Ethylhexyl Methoxycrylene
Skin ConditioningTrimethylsiloxysilicate
Emollient
Mica
Cosmetic Colorant
Polyglyceryl-2 Isostearate
Emulsifying
Sodium Chloride
Masking
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Disteardimonium Hectorite
StabilisingPolyglyceryl-3 Polyricinoleate
Emulsifying
Polyhydroxystearic Acid
Emulsifying
Coco-Caprylate/Caprate
Emollient
Isostearic Acid
Cleansing
Lecithin
Emollient
Polyglyceryl-6 Polyhydroxystearate
Emulsifying
Jojoba Esters
Emollient
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningSodium Phytate
Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Water
MaskingCentella Asiatica Extract
Cleansing
Opuntia Tuna Fruit
Skin ConditioningSalvia Officinalis Extract
Antimicrobial
Iron Oxides
CI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantZinc Oxide 12.6%, Water, Isononyl Isononanoate, C9-12 Alkane, Butyloctyl Salicylate, Polyglyceryl-6 Polyricinoleate, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Glycerin, Ethylhexyl Methoxycrylene, Trimethylsiloxysilicate, Mica, Polyglyceryl-2 Isostearate, Sodium Chloride, Phenoxyethanol, Disteardimonium Hectorite, Polyglyceryl-3 Polyricinoleate, Polyhydroxystearic Acid, Coco-Caprylate/Caprate, Isostearic Acid, Lecithin, Polyglyceryl-6 Polyhydroxystearate, Jojoba Esters, Ethylhexylglycerin, Sodium Phytate, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Water, Centella Asiatica Extract, Opuntia Tuna Fruit, Salvia Officinalis Extract, Iron Oxides, CI 77891
Zinc Oxide 20.15%
Cosmetic Colorant
Water
Skin ConditioningCoco-Caprylate/Caprate
Emollient
Niacinamide
Smoothing
Isopropyl Myristate
Emollient
Polyglyceryl-3 Diisostearate
Emulsifying
Ethyl Macadamiate
Skin Conditioning
Mica
Cosmetic Colorant
Glycerin
Humectant
Propanediol
Solvent
Cetearyl Nonanoate
EmollientCapryloyl Glycerin/Sebacic Acid Copolymer
Skin ConditioningUndecane
EmollientCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Tridecane
Perfuming
Polyglyceryl-3 Polyricinoleate
Emulsifying
Disteardimonium Hectorite
StabilisingPhenoxyethanol
Preservative
Octyldodecyl Oleate
Emollient
Sodium Chloride
Masking
Magnesium Sulfate
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Isostearic Acid
Cleansing
Cocos Nucifera Fruit Extract
EmollientXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingBisabolol
Masking
Silica
Abrasive
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice
Skin Conditioning
Lactic Acid
Buffering
Zingiber Officinale Root Extract
Masking
Ergothioneine
Antioxidant
Iron Oxides
Zinc Oxide 20.15%, Water, Coco-Caprylate/Caprate, Niacinamide, Isopropyl Myristate, Polyglyceryl-3 Diisostearate, Ethyl Macadamiate, Mica, Glycerin, Propanediol, Cetearyl Nonanoate, Capryloyl Glycerin/Sebacic Acid Copolymer, Undecane, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Tridecane, Polyglyceryl-3 Polyricinoleate, Disteardimonium Hectorite, Phenoxyethanol, Octyldodecyl Oleate, Sodium Chloride, Magnesium Sulfate, Tocopheryl Acetate, Isostearic Acid, Cocos Nucifera Fruit Extract, Xanthan Gum, Bisabolol, Silica, Sodium Hyaluronate, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Lactic Acid, Zingiber Officinale Root Extract, Ergothioneine, Iron Oxides
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
This ingredient is an emollient, solvent, and texture enhancer. It is considered a skin-softener by helping the skin prevent moisture loss.
It helps thicken a product's formula and makes it easier to spread by dissolving clumping compounds.
Caprylic Triglyceride is made by combining glycerin with coconut oil, forming a clear liquid.
While there is an assumption Caprylic Triglyceride can clog pores due to it being derived from coconut oil, there is no research supporting this.
Learn more about Caprylic/Capric TriglycerideCoco-Caprylate/Caprate is created from fatty coconut alcohol, caprylic acid, and capric acid.
It is a lightweight emollient. Emollients create a thin barrier on the skin to trap moisture in. This helps keep your skin hydrated and soft.
Once applied, Coco-Caprylate/Caprate is absorbed quickly and leaves a silky feel.
Coco-Caprylate/Caprate may not be fungal acne safe.
Learn more about Coco-Caprylate/CaprateDisteardimonium Hectorite comes from the clay mineral named hectorite. It is used to add thickness to a product.
It can also help stabilize a product by helping to disperse other ingredients.
Hectorite is a rare, white clay mineral.
Learn more about Disteardimonium HectoriteGlycerin is already naturally found in your skin. It helps moisturize and protect your skin.
A study from 2016 found glycerin to be more effective as a humectant than AHAs and hyaluronic acid.
As a humectant, it helps the skin stay hydrated by pulling moisture to your skin. The low molecular weight of glycerin allows it to pull moisture into the deeper layers of your skin.
Hydrated skin improves your skin barrier; Your skin barrier helps protect against irritants and bacteria.
Glycerin has also been found to have antimicrobial and antiviral properties. Due to these properties, glycerin is often used in wound and burn treatments.
In cosmetics, glycerin is usually derived from plants such as soybean or palm. However, it can also be sourced from animals, such as tallow or animal fat.
This ingredient is organic, colorless, odorless, and non-toxic.
Glycerin is the name for this ingredient in American English. British English uses Glycerol/Glycerine.
Learn more about GlycerinIsostearic acid is a saturated fatty acid. Its structure makes it a great surfactant.
Surfactants help decrease the surface tension between two liquids. This property also makes it an effective emulsifier. Emulsifiers help prevent waters and oils from separating in a product.
Isostearic Acid is created from oleic acid.
This ingredient may not be Malassezia folliculitis, or fungal-acne safe.
Learn more about Isostearic AcidMica refers to a group of silicate minerals. Mica crystals are easily split to give products a shimmer. These crystals are able to reflect light to temporarily give your skin a glowy look.
Mica is found to be safe. Trace amounts of heavy metals may be found in mica, but these metals are not harmful in our personal products.
Mica has been used since prehistoric times throughout the world. Ancient Egyptian, Indian, Greek, Roman, Aztec, and Chinese civilizations have used mica.
Mica can be naturally found throughout the world. However, some sources of mica may be controversial. In 2016, mica mined in the Jharkhand state in India was found to be using child labor. However, companies are able to source ethical mica affiliated with international organizations that monitor the mica supply chain.
Learn more about MicaPhenoxyethanol 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.
It's often used in formulations along with Caprylyl Glycol to preserve the shelf life of products.
This ingredient is an emulsifier. It is created from Polyglycerin-3 and Ricinoleic Acid.
As an emulsifier, it prevents waters and oils from separating. According to a manufacturer this ingredient is fully biodegradable.
This ingredient may not be safe for Malassezia folliculitis due to its Ricinoleic Acid base. Ricinoleic Acid is a fatty acid derived from castor oil.
Learn more about Polyglyceryl-3 PolyricinoleateChances are, you eat sodium chloride every day. Sodium Chloride is also known as table salt.
This ingredient has many purposes in skincare: thickener, emulsifier, and exfoliator.
You'll most likely find this ingredient in cleansers where it is used to create a gel-like texture. As an emulsifier, it also prevents ingredients from separating.
There is much debate on whether this ingredient is comedogenic. The short answer - comedogenic ratings don't tell the whole story. Learn more about comegodenic ratings here.
The concensus about this ingredient causing acne seems to be divided. Research is needed to understand if this ingredient does cause acne.
Scrubs may use salt as the primary exfoliating ingredient.
Learn more about Sodium ChlorideWater. 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 WaterZinc 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.
Today, traditional and nano-sized zinc oxide can be found in beauty products. Nano-sized zinc oxide can enhance a product's UV protection. While it is not believed to have a negative effect on skin, nano-zinc oxide may be harmful to coral reefs - though the verdict is not entirely out on this one.
Zinc Oxide also has antibacterial and calming properties. It is not water soluble.
Zinc has been used throughout history as an ingredient in paint and medicine. An Indian text from 500BC is believed to list zinc oxide as a salve for open wound. The Ancient Greek physician Dioscorides has also mentioned the use of zinc as an ointment in 1AD.
Learn more about Zinc OxideThis ingredient is a combination of red, black, and yellow iron oxide pigments. This combination of colors is usually found in foundation, because it results in a "skin" color.
Ingredient Ratings
Here's what our community thinks of the ingredients in these products.
When to use
Tower 28 Beauty SunnyDays Tinted SPF 30 30 ingredients
EltaMD, Inc UV Glow Tinted Broad-Spectrum Facial Sunscreen SPF 36 33 ingredients
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Tower 28 Beauty SunnyDays Tinted SPF 30 30 ingredients
EltaMD, Inc UV Glow Tinted Broad-Spectrum Facial Sunscreen SPF 36 33 ingredients
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