Acwell Solar Defense Licorice Sun Cream SPF 50+ Pa++++
75/100 overall score
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About this sunscreen
Acwell Solar Defense Licorice Sun Cream SPF 50+ PA++++ is a chemical (old-school) sunscreen blending Homosalate and Ethylhexyl Salicylate with zinc oxide and titanium dioxide. It wears matte and is unlikely to sting, with low pore-clogging potential, though it can leave a medium white cast. With good protection and a score of 75.2 out of 100, it is a solid high-SPF cream for daily use.
Ingredient & SPF scores
βοΈ
UV protection
Good
80
- +41 Zinc Oxide at #2, UV filter (UVA1 +18)
- +11.4 Homosalate at #4, UV filter
- +7.6 Ethylhexyl Salicylate at #6, UV filter
- +26.4 Titanium Dioxide at #9, UV filter (UVA1 +4)
- β10.8 UVB coverage saturated
- +4 Label claims (SPF 50, PA rating)
β’οΈ
Health safety
Medium
60
- +100 Starting score
- β40 Homosalate at #4 (regulatory/evidence concern)
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White cast
Medium
39
- +100 Starting score
- β55 Zinc Oxide at #2
- β15 Titanium Dioxide at #9
- β10 Zinc Oxide + Titanium Dioxide together
- +8 PHSA dispersant, fights agglomeration
- +10.8 Coated minerals (Triethoxycaprylylsilane, Aluminum Hydroxide, Hydrogen Dimethicone)
π₯
Eye sting
Low
88
- +100 Starting score
- β6 Homosalate at #4, migrates into eyes with sweat
- β6 Octisalate at #6, migrates into eyes with sweat
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Heavy feel
Low
66
- +100 Starting score
- β40 Zinc Oxide at #2
- β6 Titanium Dioxide at #9
- +11.5 Volatile silicone at #3, flashes off
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Fungal acne
Safe
98
- +100 Starting score
- β2 1 ubiquitous fatty ingredients (Stearic Acid), weak Malassezia signal
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Fabric stains
Low
80
- +100 Starting score
- β15 Zinc Oxide at #2, white marks, worst on dark fabric (washable)
- β5 Both minerals present, heavier deposit
π§
Moisture
Light
LightNourishing
- β 3 2 sebum-absorbing powders (Silica, Polymethylsilsesquioxane)
- β 8 Volatile carriers flash off, leaving a dry finish
- β 5 Zinc Oxide at #2, mild sebum absorbent
- β 2 Sodium Hyaluronate at #20, hyaluronic family
- β 1 Humectant polyols
β¨
Finish
Matte
MatteDewy
- β 2 2 sebum-absorbing powders (Polymethylsilsesquioxane, Silica)
- β 7 Volatile carriers flash off, leaving a dry finish
- β 1 1 dry-touch emollients reduce greasy shine (Caprylyl Methicone)
- β 1 1 emollient lipids (C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate)
π
Makeup base
Okay
PillsPrimer
- β 8 Primer-style base, volatile silicones and dimethicone slip
- β 1 Dry-touch esters, smooth fast-absorbing base
- β 15 High mineral load at #2 greys under foundation
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Water resistance
Not resistant
Non-water-resistantWater-resistant
Nothing flagged in the ingredient list.
How we rate water resistance βSkincare extras
Beneficial actives this formula contains. Informational only, not part of the rating: their effect depends on a concentration the label does not disclose.
- β¨ Niacinamide
Full ingredient list (45)
What each ingredient does and how it moves each rating: green helps, red hurts, β / β give the direction, and β / β shift a slider toward its ends (finish, moisture, makeup base). Auto-derived from our scoring rules and the ingredient's position.
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1 Water
Solvent base, the water phase
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Mineral UV filter (Zinc Oxide), high in the list, a primary filter
- β 41 UV protection, incl. long-UVA (UVA1)
- β 15 white marks, worst on dark fabric (washable)
- light β 5 mild sebum absorbent
- pills β 15 High mineral load greys under foundation
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Volatile silicone, flashes off for a light finish
- light β 8 volatile carrier, flashes off
- matte β 7 volatile carrier, flashes off
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Legacy UV filter (Homosalate)
- β 11.4 UV protection
- β 6 migrates into eyes with sweat
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Humectant, pulls water into the skin
- 1 β nourishing humectant polyol
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Legacy UV filter (Octisalate)
- β 7.6 UV protection
- β 6 migrates into eyes with sweat
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Emollient, softens and smooths skin
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Emulsifier, keeps oil and water blended
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Mineral UV filter (Titanium Dioxide), low in the list, likely a minor contributor
- β 26.4 UV protection, incl. long-UVA (UVA1)
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10 Niacinamide
Soothing, skin-conditioning active
-
Emollient, softens and smooths skin
- matte β 1 dry-touch emollient, anti-shine
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Botanical extract
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Botanical extract
-
Botanical extract
-
Soothing, skin-conditioning active
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Botanical extract
-
Botanical extract
-
Botanical extract
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Plant oil, an emollient
-
Humectant, pulls water into the skin
- 2 β nourishing hyaluronic family
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Soothing, skin-conditioning active
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Colorant or pigment
-
Thickener and texture, structures the gel or cream
-
Thickener and texture, structures the gel or cream
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25 Dimethicone
Emollient, softens and smooths skin
-
Humectant, pulls water into the skin
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Mattifying powder, absorbs oil and blurs the finish
- light β 1.5 sebum-absorbing powder
- matte β 1 sebum-absorbing powder
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Supporting ingredient
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29 Stearic Acid
Emollient, softens and smooths skin
- β 2 minor malassezia feeder
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Supporting ingredient
-
Emulsifier, keeps oil and water blended
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Humectant, pulls water into the skin
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Emollient, softens and smooths skin
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Emollient, softens and smooths skin
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Preservative, keeps the formula from spoiling
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Humectant, pulls water into the skin
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37 Adenosine
Soothing, skin-conditioning active
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Humectant, pulls water into the skin
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pH adjuster
-
40 Tocopherol
Antioxidant, protects the formula and skin
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41 Silica
Mattifying powder, absorbs oil and blurs the finish
- light β 1.5 sebum-absorbing powder
- matte β 1 sebum-absorbing powder
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Emollient, softens and smooths skin
- 1 β dewy emollient lipid
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43 Cerium Oxide
Supporting ingredient
-
Emollient, softens and smooths skin
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Emollient, softens and smooths skin
Is the Acwell Solar Defense Licorice Sun Cream mineral or chemical?
It is a chemical (old-school) sunscreen blending Homosalate and Ethylhexyl Salicylate with zinc oxide and titanium dioxide. It is best described as a chemical-led hybrid.
Does the Acwell Solar Defense Licorice Sun Cream SPF 50+ Pa++++ leave a white cast?
It can leave a medium white cast, partly from its mineral filters. It sets to a matte finish.
Is it good and what SPF?
It is SPF 50+ PA++++ with good protection and a score of 75.2 out of 100, a solid daily high-SPF cream. It is unlikely to sting and has low pore-clogging potential.