Bioderma Photoderm Ultra-fluid Ar+ SPF 50
88/100 overall score
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About this sunscreen
Bioderma Photoderm Ultra-fluid Ar+ SPF 50 is a hybrid chemical fluid built on Tinosorb S, avobenzone and Uvinul A Plus. It has a balanced finish, stays lightweight, keeps white cast low and carries a low sting risk, with okay makeup compatibility. Protection is rated excellent. With a high overall score, it is generally an excellent lightweight daily fluid.
Ingredient & SPF scores
βοΈ
UV protection
Excellent
87
- +45.6 Bis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine at #5, UV filter (UVA1 +15.2)
- +28.5 Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane at #6, UV filter (UVA1 +15.2)
- +28.8 Diethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl Benzoate at #8, UV filter (UVA1 +17.6)
- β14.8 UVA2 coverage saturated
- β3 UVA1 coverage saturated
- +2 Label claims (SPF 50)
β’οΈ
Health safety
High
90
- +100 Starting score
- β10 Avobenzone at #6 (regulatory/evidence concern)
π₯
Eye sting
Low
84
- +100 Starting score
- β16 Avobenzone at #6, migrates into eyes with sweat
π
Fungal acne
Low
88
- +100 Starting score
- β12 1 polysorbate/sorbitan emulsifiers that feed Malassezia (Polysorbate 60)
π
Fabric stains
Medium
40
- +100 Starting score
- β45 Avobenzone at #6, reacts with iron in wash water into rust-yellow stains
- β15 Uvinul A Plus (DHHB) at #8, oil-soluble UVA filter, fabric stains
π§
Moisture
Balanced
LightNourishing
- β 11 2 sebum-absorbing powders (Silica, Lauroyl Lysine)
- β 10 Glycerin at #4, the anchor humectant
- β 2 Sodium Hyaluronate at #30, hyaluronic family
- β 1 1 strong humectants (Ectoin)
β¨
Finish
Balanced
MatteDewy
- β 13 2 sebum-absorbing powders (Silica, Lauroyl Lysine)
- β 2 2 dry-touch emollients reduce greasy shine (Diisopropyl Sebacate, Dicaprylyl Carbonate)
- β 9 1 emollient lipids (C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate)
π
Makeup base
Okay
PillsPrimer
- β 5 Dry-touch esters, smooth fast-absorbing base
- β 3 Humectant syrup tackiness
π
Water resistance
Not resistant
Non-water-resistantWater-resistant
Nothing flagged in the ingredient list.
How we rate water resistance βFull ingredient list (31)
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
- 9 β dewy emollient lipid
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3 Silica
Mattifying powder, absorbs oil and blurs the finish
- light β 8 sebum-absorbing powder
- matte β 10 sebum-absorbing powder
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4 Glycerin
Humectant, pulls water into the skin
- 10 β nourishing the anchor humectant
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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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Legacy UV filter (Avobenzone)
- β 28.5 UV protection, incl. long-UVA (UVA1)
- β 16 migrates into eyes with sweat
- β 45 reacts with iron in wash water into rust-yellow stains
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Filter booster, photostabilizes the UV filters or lifts their SPF
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Modern UV filter, broad-spectrum and photostable (Uvinul A Plus), low in the list, likely a minor contributor
- β 28.8 UV protection, incl. long-UVA (UVA1)
- β 15 oil-soluble UVA filter, fabric stains
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Emollient, softens and smooths skin
- matte β 1 dry-touch emollient, anti-shine
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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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11 Propanediol
Humectant, pulls water into the skin
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Emollient, softens and smooths skin
- matte β 1 dry-touch emollient, anti-shine
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Humectant, pulls water into the skin
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Emulsifier, keeps oil and water blended
- β 12 feeds malassezia
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Emulsifier, keeps oil and water blended
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Emulsifier, keeps oil and water blended
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Soothing, skin-conditioning active
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18 Arginine
pH adjuster
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Humectant, pulls water into the skin
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Preservative, keeps the formula from spoiling
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Antioxidant, protects the formula and skin
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22 Citric Acid
pH adjuster
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23 Ectoin
Soothing, skin-conditioning active
- 1 β nourishing humectant
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24 Mannitol
Humectant, pulls water into the skin
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Chelator, binds stray metal ions to keep the formula stable
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26 Xanthan Gum
Thickener and texture, structures the gel or cream
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27 Xylitol
Humectant, pulls water into the skin
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28 Rhamnose
Humectant, pulls water into the skin
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29 O-Cymen-5-Ol
Preservative, keeps the formula from spoiling
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Humectant, pulls water into the skin
- 2 β nourishing hyaluronic family
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31 Tocopherol
Antioxidant, protects the formula and skin
Is Bioderma Photoderm Ultra-fluid Ar+ a good sunscreen?
Protection is rated excellent and the overall score is high, making it generally an excellent daily fluid. It carries a low sting risk.
Is the Bioderma Photoderm Ultra-fluid Ar+ SPF 50 mineral or chemical?
It is a chemical fluid with a hybrid filter set, built on Tinosorb S, avobenzone and Uvinul A Plus.
Does it leave a white cast?
White cast is rated low, so it generally blends in without a visible film. The finish is balanced and lightweight.