Avene Hydrance Optimale Light Hydrating Cream Spf 20
70/100 overall score
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About this sunscreen
Avene Hydrance Optimale Light is a hydrating day cream with SPF 20, using a hybrid mix of chemical filters and one mineral-style UV absorber. It finishes matte with a low white cast and a low pore-clogging profile, though it may feel slightly stinging for sensitive eyes during sweat. It works well under makeup and suits drier skin that wants moisture plus light protection. With good protection at a modest SPF and a score of 70/100, it is a solid low-SPF daily moisturizer.
Ingredient & SPF scores
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UV protection
Good
58
- +18 Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate at #2, UV filter
- +16 Octocrylene at #3, UV filter
- +45.6 Bis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine at #4, UV filter (UVA1 +15.2)
- β15.1 UVB coverage saturated
- Γ0.9 Limited long-UVA1 coverage
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Health safety
Medium
54
- +100 Starting score
- β36 Octinoxate at #2 (regulatory/evidence concern)
- β10.5 Octocrylene at #3, stacked (regulatory/evidence concern)
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Allergens
Low
67
- +100 Starting score
- β18 Fragrance
- β12 Opaque "Fragrance", hidden allergens that can't be checked from the label
- β3 Photoallergen-tail UV filters (Octocrylene)
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Eye sting
Medium
54
- +100 Starting score
- β22 Octocrylene at #3, migrates into eyes with sweat
- β16 Octinoxate at #2, migrates into eyes with sweat
- β8 Fragrance
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Fungal acne
Low
91
- +100 Starting score
- β9 1 oils/butters that feed Malassezia (Lecithin)
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Fabric stains
Low
85
- +100 Starting score
- β15 Octocrylene at #3, co-stains alongside avobenzone
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Moisture
Light
LightNourishing
- β 10 2 sebum-absorbing powders (Aluminium Starch Octenylsuccinate, Polymethyl Methacrylate)
- β 5 Volatile carriers flash off, leaving a dry finish
- β 1 Glycerin at #17, the anchor humectant
- β 1 Light emollient/solvent (Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride)
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Finish
Matte
MatteDewy
- β 12 2 sebum-absorbing powders (Aluminium Starch Octenylsuccinate, Polymethyl Methacrylate)
- β 4 Volatile carriers flash off, leaving a dry finish
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Makeup base
Good
PillsPrimer
- β 5 Primer-style base, volatile silicones and dimethicone slip
- β 6 2 soft-focus powders in moderation
- β 0.5 Gel polymers prone to pilling under friction (Carbomer)
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Water resistance
Not resistant
Non-water-resistantWater-resistant
Nothing flagged in the ingredient list.
How we rate water resistance βFull ingredient list (28)
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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Solvent base, the water phase
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Legacy UV filter (Octinoxate), high in the list, a primary filter
- β 18 UV protection
- β 16 migrates into eyes with sweat
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Legacy UV filter (Octocrylene), high in the list, a primary filter
- β 16 UV protection
- β 10.5 stacked (regulatory/evidence concern)
- β 22 migrates into eyes with sweat
- β 15 co-stains alongside avobenzone
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Modern UV filter, broad-spectrum and photostable (Tinosorb S)
- β 45.6 UV protection, incl. long-UVA (UVA1)
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Volatile silicone, flashes off for a light finish
- light β 5 volatile carrier, flashes off
- matte β 4 volatile carrier, flashes off
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Mattifying powder, absorbs oil and blurs the finish
- light β 5 sebum-absorbing powder
- matte β 6 sebum-absorbing powder
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Mattifying powder, absorbs oil and blurs the finish
- light β 5 sebum-absorbing powder
- matte β 6 sebum-absorbing powder
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Emulsifier, keeps oil and water blended
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Preservative, keeps the formula from spoiling
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Soothing, skin-conditioning active
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11 BHT
Antioxidant, protects the formula and skin
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Emollient, softens and smooths skin
- 1 β nourishing light emollient
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13 Carbomer
Thickener and texture, structures the gel or cream
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Preservative, keeps the formula from spoiling
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Chelator, binds stray metal ions to keep the formula stable
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16 Fragrance
Fragrance
-
17 Glycerin
Humectant, pulls water into the skin
- 1 β nourishing the anchor humectant
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Botanical extract
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Emollient, softens and smooths skin
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20 Lecithin
Emulsifier, keeps oil and water blended
- β 9 feeds malassezia
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21 PEG-32
Emulsifier, keeps oil and water blended
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22 PEG-400
Emulsifier, keeps oil and water blended
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Preservative, keeps the formula from spoiling
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Supporting ingredient
-
Supporting ingredient
-
pH adjuster
-
Antioxidant, protects the formula and skin
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28 Xanthan Gum
Thickener and texture, structures the gel or cream
Is the Avene Hydrance Optimale Light mineral or chemical?
It is a hybrid formula, blending chemical filters with a mineral-style UV absorber. It is primarily a hydrating day cream with SPF rather than a dedicated sunscreen.
What SPF is the Avene Hydrance Optimale Light Hydrating Cream Spf 20 and is it good?
It is SPF 20 with good protection at that modest level, scoring 70 out of 100. It suits drier skin that wants daily moisture plus light protection, and it works well under makeup.
Will it sting my eyes?
It may feel slightly stinging for sensitive eyes when you sweat, so take care around the eye area. On the rest of the face it has a matte finish and a low pore-clogging profile.