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Product Comparison

Here's our complete breakdown comparing the ingredients, attributes, and more of Victoria Beauty Sun Protection SPF 50 Face Cream versus Paula's Choice Moisture Boost Daily Restoring Complex SPF 30 .

Published on December 15, 2023

Overview

Cool Features

They both contain SPF, Vitamin C and Vitamin E

Suited For

They're both likely to be good for anti aging, brightening skin, sensitive skin, scar healing, dark spots and better texture

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 Bulgarian Brand Bulgaria
General Moisturizer 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.

General Moisturizer

All-purpose moisturizers hydrate the top layer of skin cells.

Price

Shop

Buy Sun Protection SPF 50 Face Cream

Shop

Buy Moisture Boost Daily Restoring Complex SPF 30

Starts at $37.00

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
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
30

At a glance

Click on any of the items below to learn more

Notable Ingredients

Chemical UV Filter (6)
Vitamin C
Vitamin E

Benefits

Redness Reducing (3)
Reduces Irritation (2)
Skin Texture
Anti-Aging
Dark Spots
Scar Healing (2)
Brightening (2)

Concerns

May Worsen Oily Skin (4)
Acne Trigger
Irritating (3)
Rosacea (3)
Eczema (3)

Notable Ingredients

Chemical UV Filter (5)
Mineral UV Filter
Retinoid
Vitamin C
Vitamin E (2)

Benefits

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

Concerns

Drying
May Worsen Oily Skin
Acne Trigger
Irritating (4)
Rosacea (2)
Eczema
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Ingredients Compared

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

Water • Octocrylene • Homosalate • Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate • Benzophenone-3 • Ethylhexyl Salicylate • Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane • C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate • Peg-100 Stearate • Glyceryl Stearate • CI 77346 • Cetearyl Alcohol • CI 77891 • Dimethicone • Ascorbyl Palmitate • Tocopheryl Acetate • Chamomilla Recutita Flower Extract • Lanolin • Allantoin • Ceteareth-20 • Parfum • Phenoxyethanol • Ethylhexylglycerin • Xanthan Gum • Petrolatum • BHT • Disodium EDTA • Citric Acid • Sodium Benzoate • Potassium Sorbate

Ingredients Side-by-side

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

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

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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

Victoria Beauty Sun Protection SPF 50 Face Cream contains this as ingredient number 1.

Paula's Choice Moisture Boost Daily Restoring Complex SPF 30 contains this as ingredient number 6.

2
What it does: UV Absorber, UV Filter
Community Rating: Very Disliked

Octocrylene protects skin from sun damage. It absorbs UV-B with peak absorption of 304 nm. It is a common sunscreen ingredient and often paired with avobenzone, a UVA filter. This is because octocrylene stabilizes other sunscreen ingredients by protecting them from degradation when exposed to sunlight. Octocrylene is a photostable ingredient and loses about 10% of SPF in 95 minutes.

Octocrylene also acts as an emollient, meaning it helps skin retain moisture and softens skin. It is oil-soluble and hydrophobic, enhancing water-resistant properties in a product.

Those who are using ketoprofen, a topical anti-inflammatory drug, may experience an allergic reaction when using octocrylene. It is best to speak with a healthcare professional about using sunscreens with octocrylene.

The EU allows a maximum of these concentrations:

Learn more about Octocrylene

Victoria Beauty Sun Protection SPF 50 Face Cream contains this as ingredient number 2.

Paula's Choice Moisture Boost Daily Restoring Complex SPF 30 contains this as ingredient number 4.

3
What it does: Skin Conditioning, UV Absorber, UV Filter
Community Rating: Very Disliked

Homosalate is a chemical sunscreen filter that provides protection in the UV-B range (280nm - 320 nm), with a peak protection at 306 nm. It is internationally approved for use in sunscreens.

Homosalate is not photo-stable, meaning it's strength as a UV filter degrades over time with exposure to the sun. Because of this, it's often used in combination with other chemical sunscreen filters as avobenzone (which protects from the UV-A range). Homosalate also helps act as a solvent for harder-to-dissolve UV filters.

(Part of the reason that sunscreens need to be frequently re-applied is due to the photo instability of many chemical sunscreen filters)

Currently, homosalate is approved in concentrations up to 10% in the EU and 15% in the US. The FDA is currently doing further research on the effects of homosalate, and it is possible that these approved concentrations will change in the future.

Learn more about Homosalate

Victoria Beauty Sun Protection SPF 50 Face Cream contains this as ingredient number 3.

Paula's Choice Moisture Boost Daily Restoring Complex SPF 30 contains this as ingredient number 2.

4
What it does: UV Absorber, UV Filter

You probably know this ingredient as Oxybenzone, a sunscreen ingredient. It is a broad-spectrum sunscreen ingredient, meaning it can protect the skin against UVB and short UVA rays. The absorption range is 270-350 nm with peak absorption at 288 and 350 nm.

This chemical ingredient protects your skin by using chemical reactions to convert UV rays into heat and energy. UV absorbers may absorb both UVA and UVB rays. It is often combined with other sunscreen ingredients to help with stability.

Ongoing research is looking into whether oxybenzone causes skin irritation and sensitivity. However, it has been shown to trigger contact dermatitis in some studies.

Oxybenzone is allowed in certain concentrations by many countries. It is allowed up to 6% in the US, and Canada, 5% in Japan, and 10% in Australia. Other countries and regions of the US have banned this ingredient to protect coral reefs and marine ecosystems. These places include Hawaii, Key West, US Virgin Islands, marine parks in Thailand, Aruba, and Palau.

The EU currently allows the following maximum concentrations:

Studies show conflicting results about oxybenzone being absorbed into the human body. The Swedish Research Institute has advised careful use of this ingredient by pregnant women and children. We always recommend speaking with a professional if you have concerns about this ingredient and your health.

Learn more about Benzophenone-3

Victoria Beauty Sun Protection SPF 50 Face Cream contains this as ingredient number 5.

Paula's Choice Moisture Boost Daily Restoring Complex SPF 30 contains this as ingredient number 5.

5
What it does: UV Absorber, UV Filter
Community Rating: Disliked

Ethylhexyl Salicylate is an organic compound used to block UV rays. It primarily absorbs UVB rays but offers a small amount of UVA protection as well.

Commonly found in sunscreens, Ethylhexyl Salicylate is created from salicylic acid and 2-ethylhexanol. You might know salicylic acid as the effective acne fighter ingredient and BHA.

The ethylhexanol in this ingredient is a fatty alcohol and helps hydrate your skin, similar to oils. It is an emollient, which means it traps moisture into the skin.

According to manufacturers, Ethylhexyl Salicylate absorbs UV wavelength of 295-315 nm, with a peak absorption at 307-310 nm. UVA rays are linked to long term skin damage, such as hyperpigmentation. UVB rays emit more energy and are capable of damaging our DNA. UVB rays cause sunburn.

Learn more about Ethylhexyl Salicylate

Victoria Beauty Sun Protection SPF 50 Face Cream contains this as ingredient number 6.

Paula's Choice Moisture Boost Daily Restoring Complex SPF 30 contains this as ingredient number 3.

6
What it does: UV Absorber, UV Filter
Community Rating: Very Disliked

Also known as Avobenzone, this ingredient is a chemical sunscreen filter that provides protection in the UV-A range.

Avobenzone is globally approved and is the most commonly used UV-A filter in the world.

Studies have found that avobenzone becomes ineffective when exposed to UV light (it is not photostable; meaning that it breaks down in sunlight). Because of this, formulations that include avobenzone will usually contain stabilizers such as octocrylene.

However, some modern formulations (looking at you, EU!) are able to stabilize avobenzone by coating the molecules.

Avobenzone does not protect against the UV-B range, so it's important to check that the sunscreen you're using contains other UV filters that do!

The highest concentration of avobenzone permitted is 3% in the US, and 5% in the EU.

Learn more about Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane

Victoria Beauty Sun Protection SPF 50 Face Cream contains this as ingredient number 7.

Paula's Choice Moisture Boost Daily Restoring Complex SPF 30 contains this as ingredient number 1.

7
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

Victoria Beauty Sun Protection SPF 50 Face Cream contains this as ingredient number 8.

Paula's Choice Moisture Boost Daily Restoring Complex SPF 30 contains this as ingredient number 7.

8
What it does: Emollient, Emulsifying
Community Rating: Disliked

Glyceryl Stearate is a mix of glycerin and stearic acid.

Glyceryl Stearate is used to stabilize the mixing of water and oil ingredients. By preventing these ingredients from separating, it can help elongate shelf life. It can also help thicken the product's texture.

As an emollient, it helps soften skin and supports barrier-replenishing ingredients.

In cosmetics, Glyceryl Stearate is often made from vegetable oils or synthetically produced. The human body also creates Glyceryl Stearate naturally.

Learn more about Glyceryl Stearate

Victoria Beauty Sun Protection SPF 50 Face Cream contains this as ingredient number 10.

Paula's Choice Moisture Boost Daily Restoring Complex SPF 30 contains this as ingredient number 13.

9
What it does: Emollient, Emulsifying, Emulsion Stabilising
Community Rating: Very Disliked

Cetearyl alcohol is a mixture of two fatty alcohols: cetyl alcohol and stearyl alcohol. It is mainly used as an emulsifier. Emulsifiers help prevent the separation of oils and products. Due to its composition, it can also be used to thicken a product or help create foam.

Cetearyl alcohol is an emollient. Emollients help soothe and hydrate the skin by trapping moisture.

Studies show Cetearyl alcohol is non-toxic and non-irritating. The FDA allows products labeled "alcohol-free" to have fatty alcohols.

This ingredient is usually derived from plant oils such as palm, vegetable, or coconut oils. There is debate on whether this ingredient will cause acne.

Due to the fatty acid base, this ingredient may not be Malassezia folliculitis safe.

Learn more about Cetearyl Alcohol

Victoria Beauty Sun Protection SPF 50 Face Cream contains this as ingredient number 12.

Paula's Choice Moisture Boost Daily Restoring Complex SPF 30 contains this as ingredient number 11.

10
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.

Victoria Beauty Sun Protection SPF 50 Face Cream contains this as ingredient number 14.

Paula's Choice Moisture Boost Daily Restoring Complex SPF 30 contains this as ingredient number 12.

11
What it does: Antioxidant, Skin Conditioning
Community Rating: Liked

Tocopheryl Acetate is AKA Vitamin E. It is an antioxidant and protects your skin from free radicals. Free radicals damage the skin by breaking down collagen.

One study found using Tocopheryl Acetate with Vitamin C decreased the number of sunburned cells.

Tocopheryl Acetate is commonly found in both skincare and dietary supplements.

Learn more about Tocopheryl Acetate

Victoria Beauty Sun Protection SPF 50 Face Cream contains this as ingredient number 16.

Paula's Choice Moisture Boost Daily Restoring Complex SPF 30 contains this as ingredient number 17.

12
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.

Victoria Beauty Sun Protection SPF 50 Face Cream contains this as ingredient number 22.

Paula's Choice Moisture Boost Daily Restoring Complex SPF 30 contains this as ingredient number 28.

13
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.

Victoria Beauty Sun Protection SPF 50 Face Cream contains this as ingredient number 23.

Paula's Choice Moisture Boost Daily Restoring Complex SPF 30 contains this as ingredient number 24.

14
What it does:
Community Rating: Disliked

Disodium EDTA plays a role in making products more stable by aiding other preservatives.

It is a chelating agent, meaning it neutralizes metal ions that may be found in a product.

Disodium EDTA is a salt of edetic acid and is found to be safe in cosmetic ingredients.

Learn more about Disodium EDTA

Victoria Beauty Sun Protection SPF 50 Face Cream contains this as ingredient number 27.

Paula's Choice Moisture Boost Daily Restoring Complex SPF 30 contains this as ingredient number 26.

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

13% are loved or liked
3% have mixed ratings
77% are disliked or very disliked
7% have no rating yet
21% are loved or liked
21% have mixed ratings
48% are disliked or very disliked
10% have no rating yet

Usage

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

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Our Dupe Finder has found 50 potential alternatives that have similar ingredients to Paula's Choice Moisture Boost Daily Restoring Complex SPF 30.

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