Paula's Choice
Essential Glow Moisturizer SPF 30A moisturizer with spf built around Mineral sunscreen and Vitamin C derivative, for barrier repair and smoothing.
A moisturizer with spf built around Chemical sunscreen and Hyaluronic acid, for barrier repair and smoothing.
Brand price
USD 31.20 · checked 8 Oct 2026 · brand's site
Brand price
USD 58.00 · checked 8 Oct 2026 · brand's site
At a Glance
Every check both products could be assessed on comes out the same. Tap any answer to see why.
Key Ingredients
Mineral sunscreen2
Uses zinc oxide or titanium dioxide to absorb and scatter UV rays.
Fatty alcohol1
Waxy fatty alcohols used as emollients and thickeners; unrelated to drying alcohol.
Chemical sunscreen3
Organic UV filters that absorb UV and release it as heat.
Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane, Ethylhexyl Salicylate, Homosalate
Fatty alcohol2
Waxy fatty alcohols used as emollients and thickeners; unrelated to drying alcohol.
Sunscreen3
Any ingredient acting as a UV filter.
Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane, Ethylhexyl Salicylate, Homosalate
Benefits
Hydrating6
Boosts hydration and relieves dry, tight skin.
Argania Spinosa Kernel Oil, Butylene Glycol, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Dimethicone, Glycerin, Tocopherol
Barrier Repair20
Strengthens and restores the skin's natural barrier.
Actinidia Chinensis Fruit Extract, Argania Spinosa Kernel Oil, C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate, C13-14 Isoparaffin, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Caprylyl Glycol, Cetearyl Alcohol, Dimethicone, Glycerin, Glyceryl Stearate, Glycine Soja Sterols, Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract, Isononyl Isononanoate, Lecithin, Linoleic Acid, Niacinamide, Resveratrol, Tetrapeptide-30, Tocopherol, Zinc Oxide
Reduces Irritation3
Eases discomfort and supports skin resilience.
Redness Reducing3
Soothes visible redness and calms irritation.
Hydrating11
Boosts hydration and relieves dry, tight skin.
Butylene Glycol, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Dimethicone, Glycerin, Lactic Acid, Propanediol, Sodium Hyaluronate, Sodium Lactate, Sodium PCA, Stearyl Alcohol, Tocopherol
Barrier Repair14
Strengthens and restores the skin's natural barrier.
C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate, Camelina Sativa Seed Oil, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Caprylyl Glycol, Cetyl Alcohol, Dimethicone, Glycerin, Glyceryl Stearate, Hydrogenated Vegetable Oil, Lecithin, Olea Europaea Fruit Oil, Olus Oil, Stearyl Alcohol, Tocopherol
Smoothing13
Refines rough or uneven texture.
Alpha-Glucan Oligosaccharide, C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate, Caprylyl Glycol, Cetyl Alcohol, Citric Acid, Dimethicone, Glyceryl Stearate, Hydrogenated Vegetable Oil, Lactic Acid, Lecithin, Olus Oil, Sodium Lactate, Stearyl Alcohol
Concerns
May Worsen Seborrheic Dermatitis12
May feed the yeast involved in seborrheic dermatitis.
Aluminum Stearate, Argania Spinosa Kernel Oil, C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate, Ceteareth-20, Cetearyl Alcohol, Glyceryl Stearate, Laureth-7, Lecithin, Linoleic Acid, Phospholipids, Polyhydroxystearic Acid, Potassium Cetyl Phosphate
May Worsen Keratosis Pilaris3
May clog follicles or strip skin prone to keratosis pilaris.
May Trigger Acne6
Can clog pores or trigger breakouts.
Ascorbyl Palmitate, Cetyl Alcohol, Hydrogenated Vegetable Oil, Olea Europaea Fruit Oil, Stearyl Alcohol, Tocopherol
May Worsen Seborrheic Dermatitis12
May feed the yeast involved in seborrheic dermatitis.
Ascorbyl Palmitate, Butyloctyl Salicylate, C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate, Camelina Sativa Seed Oil, Cetyl Alcohol, Glyceryl Stearate, Hydrogenated Vegetable Oil, Lecithin, Olea Europaea Fruit Oil, Olus Oil, PEG-100 Stearate, Stearyl Alcohol
May Worsen Keratosis Pilaris6
May clog follicles or strip skin prone to keratosis pilaris.
Ascorbyl Palmitate, Cetyl Alcohol, Hydrogenated Vegetable Oil, Olea Europaea Fruit Oil, Stearyl Alcohol, Tocopherol
May Worsen Oily Skin4
May increase shine or excess oil.
Camelina Sativa Seed Oil, Hydrogenated Vegetable Oil, Olea Europaea Fruit Oil, Olus Oil
Ingredients Side-by-side
Skin Conditioning
C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate (in both products)
Emollient
- Fatty alcohols (Malassezia)
- May Worsen Seborrheic Dermatitis
Emollient
Emollient
2 / 1
- Fatty alcohol
- Fatty alcohols (Malassezia)
- May Trigger Acne
- May Worsen Keratosis Pilaris
- May Worsen Seborrheic Dermatitis
C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate (in both products)
Emollient
- Fatty alcohols (Malassezia)
- May Worsen Seborrheic Dermatitis
Emollient
2 / 2
- Fatty alcohol
- Fatty alcohols (Malassezia)
- May Trigger Acne
- May Worsen Irritation
- May Worsen Keratosis Pilaris
- May Worsen Seborrheic Dermatitis
Emollient
3 / 0
- Plant oils and butters (coconut, olive, shea)
- Plant or mineral oil
- May Trigger Acne
- May Worsen Keratosis Pilaris
- May Worsen Oily Skin
- May Worsen Seborrheic Dermatitis
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate
Antimicrobial, Skin Conditioning, Emollient
C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate isn't fungal acne safe.
Learn more about C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate →Glycerin
Denaturant, Fragrance, Hair Conditioning, Humectant, Oral Care, Perfuming, Humectant, Skin Protecting, Solvent, Viscosity Controlling
Glycerin may be plant, synthetic or animal depending on the supplier.
Learn more about Glycerin →Butylene Glycol
Fragrance, Humectant, Skin Conditioning, Solvent, Viscosity Controlling
Butane-1,3-diol (CAS No. 107-88-0/ EC No. 203-529-7) (R)-(-)-butane-1,3-diol” (CAS No. 6290-03-5/ EC No. 228-532-0)
Learn more about Butylene Glycol →Dimethicone
Antifoaming, Skin Conditioning, Emollient, Skin Protecting
Dimethicone is a silicone.
Learn more about Dimethicone →Glyceryl Stearate
Emollient, Emulsifying
Glyceryl Stearate may be plant, synthetic or animal depending on the supplier.
Learn more about Glyceryl Stearate →Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant, Skin Conditioning
Tocopheryl Acetate is vitamin E.
Learn more about Tocopheryl Acetate →Tocopherol
Antioxidant, Fragrance, Skin Conditioning, Occlusive
Tocopherol is vitamin E.
Learn more about Tocopherol →Lecithin
Antistatic, Skin Conditioning, Emollient, Emulsifying
Lecithin isn't fungal acne safe.
Learn more about Lecithin →Xanthan Gum
Binding, Emulsion Stabilising, Gel Forming, Skin Conditioning, Cleansing, Emulsifying, Viscosity Controlling
Xanthan gum
Learn more about Xanthan Gum →Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Fragrance, Perfuming, Occlusive, Solvent
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride is the mixed triester of glycerin and caprylic and capric acids.
Learn more about Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride →
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