Bioderma Photoderm Spot-Age Spf 50+
81/100 overall score
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About this sunscreen
Bioderma Photoderm Spot-Age SPF 50+ is a hybrid chemical sunscreen built on a modern filter set including Tinosorb S, Tinosorb M, avobenzone and octocrylene. It wears matte with a lightweight feel and keeps white cast low, and it sits well under makeup. The sweat-sting risk is moderate, so take care around the eyes. With excellent protection and a strong overall rating, it is generally a solid daily face pick.
Ingredient & SPF scores
βοΈ
UV protection
Excellent
100
- +16 Octocrylene at #3, UV filter
- +45.6 Methylene Bis-Benzotriazolyl Tetramethylbutylphenol at #4, UV filter (UVA1 +17.1)
- +28.5 Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane at #6, UV filter (UVA1 +15.2)
- +38.4 Bis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine at #9, UV filter (UVA1 +12.8)
- β9.6 UVB coverage saturated
- β18.8 UVA2 coverage saturated
- β0.1 UVA1 coverage saturated
- +2 Label claims (SPF 50)
β’οΈ
Health safety
High
67
- +100 Starting score
- β30 Octocrylene at #3 (regulatory/evidence concern)
- β3.5 Avobenzone at #6, stacked (regulatory/evidence concern)
π€§
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)
π»
White cast
Low
88
- +100 Starting score
- β12 Tinosorb M at #4, may look bluish-grey on deeper skin tones
π₯
Eye sting
Medium
54
- +100 Starting score
- β16 Avobenzone at #6, migrates into eyes with sweat
- β22 Octocrylene at #3, migrates into eyes with sweat
- β8 Fragrance
π΄
Comedogenic
Low
99
- +100 Starting score
- β1 Glycine Soja Oil at #28, moderate comedogenic signal
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Fungal acne
Medium
67
- +100 Starting score
- β24 2 polysorbate/sorbitan emulsifiers that feed Malassezia (Polysorbate 60, Sorbitan Isostearate)
- β9 1 oils/butters that feed Malassezia (Glycine Soja Oil)
π
Fabric stains
High
30
- +100 Starting score
- β45 Avobenzone at #6, reacts with iron in wash water into rust-yellow stains
- β15 Octocrylene at #3, co-stains alongside avobenzone
- β10 Avobenzone + Octocrylene, the classic staining pair
π§
Moisture
Hydrating
LightNourishing
- β 4.5 2 sebum-absorbing powders (Silica, Corn Starch Modified)
- β 10 Glycerin at #7, the anchor humectant
- β 1 1 strong humectants (Ectoin)
- β 1 Humectant polyols
- β 2 2 emollient lipids (Squalane, Glycine Soja Oil)
β¨
Finish
Matte
MatteDewy
- β 4 2 sebum-absorbing powders (Corn Starch Modified, Silica)
- β 5 3 dry-touch emollients reduce greasy shine (Dibutyl Adipate, Dicaprylyl Carbonate, Dicaprylyl Ether)
- β 2 2 emollient lipids (Squalane, Glycine Soja Oil)
π
Makeup base
Good
PillsPrimer
- β 3 1 soft-focus powders in moderation
- β 4 Dry-touch esters, smooth fast-absorbing base
- β 0.5 Gel polymers prone to pilling under friction (Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer)
- β 1.5 Humectant syrup tackiness (partly offset by the base)
π
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¨ Vitamin C
- β¨ Vitamin E
Full ingredient list (43)
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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Emollient, softens and smooths skin
- matte β 3 dry-touch emollient, anti-shine
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Legacy UV filter (Octocrylene), high in the list, a primary filter
- β 16 UV protection
- 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 M)
- β 45.6 UV protection, incl. long-UVA (UVA1)
- β 12 may look bluish-grey on deeper skin tones
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Humectant, pulls water into the skin
- 1 β nourishing humectant polyol
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Legacy UV filter (Avobenzone)
- β 28.5 UV protection, incl. long-UVA (UVA1)
- β 3.5 stacked (regulatory/evidence concern)
- β 16 migrates into eyes with sweat
- β 45 reacts with iron in wash water into rust-yellow stains
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7 Glycerin
Humectant, pulls water into the skin
- 10 β nourishing the anchor humectant
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Emollient, softens and smooths skin
- matte β 1 dry-touch emollient, anti-shine
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Modern UV filter, broad-spectrum and photostable (Tinosorb S), low in the list, likely a minor contributor
- β 38.4 UV protection, incl. long-UVA (UVA1)
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Antioxidant, protects the formula and skin
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Mattifying powder, absorbs oil and blurs the finish
- light β 3 sebum-absorbing powder
- matte β 3 sebum-absorbing powder
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Emollient, softens and smooths skin
- matte β 1 dry-touch emollient, anti-shine
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13 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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14 Tocopherol
Antioxidant, protects the formula and skin
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Fatty alcohol, an emollient and thickener, not the drying kind
-
Emulsifier, keeps oil and water blended
-
Emulsifier, keeps oil and water blended
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Fatty alcohol, an emollient and thickener, not the drying kind
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Thickener and texture, structures the gel or cream
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Emulsifier, keeps oil and water blended
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Humectant, pulls water into the skin
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22 Xanthan Gum
Thickener and texture, structures the gel or cream
-
23 Squalane
Emollient, softens and smooths skin
- 1 β nourishing emollient lipid
- 1 β dewy emollient lipid
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pH adjuster
-
pH adjuster
-
Humectant, pulls water into the skin
-
Preservative, keeps the formula from spoiling
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Plant oil, an emollient
- β 1 moderate comedogenic signal
- 1 β nourishing emollient lipid
- 1 β dewy emollient lipid
- β 9 feeds malassezia
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29 Citric Acid
pH adjuster
-
30 Ectoin
Soothing, skin-conditioning active
- 1 β nourishing humectant
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31 Mannitol
Humectant, pulls water into the skin
-
32 Xylitol
Humectant, pulls water into the skin
-
Emulsifier, keeps oil and water blended
- β 12 feeds malassezia
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34 Rhamnose
Humectant, pulls water into the skin
-
Humectant, pulls water into the skin
-
36 Asiaticoside
Soothing, skin-conditioning active
-
Soothing, skin-conditioning active
-
38 Asiatic Acid
Soothing, skin-conditioning active
-
Emulsifier, keeps oil and water blended
- β 12 feeds malassezia
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Humectant, pulls water into the skin
-
Emollient, softens and smooths skin
-
Botanical extract
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43 Fragrance
Fragrance
Does Bioderma Photoderm Spot-Age leave a white cast?
White cast is rated low, so it generally blends in without a visible film. It finishes matte and is reported to sit well under makeup.
Is the Bioderma Photoderm Spot-Age Spf 50+ mineral or chemical?
It is a chemical sunscreen with a modern hybrid filter set, including Tinosorb S, Tinosorb M, avobenzone and octocrylene.
Is it good for oily or acne-prone skin?
It has a matte finish and a low pore-clogging rating, which commonly suits oily and acne-prone skin. The sweat-sting risk is moderate, so keep it clear of the eyes.