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CeraVe Invisible Hydrating Fluid Sunscreen SPF 50

CeraVe Invisible Hydrating Fluid Sunscreen SPF 50

92/100 overall score

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About this sunscreen

CeraVe Invisible Hydrating Fluid Sunscreen is a chemical (hybrid filter) sunscreen at SPF 50, built on a modern filter blend including Ethylhexyl Triazone, Bis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine, Methylene Bis-Benzotriazolyl Tetramethylbutylphenol and Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane. As the name suggests, it wears lightweight and invisible with a balanced finish and low white cast, and it does not sting. It is generally low on breakout potential and okay under makeup. With a high score of 91.7 and excellent protection, it is a top hydrating daily pick.

Ingredient & SPF scores

β˜€οΈ

UV protection

Excellent 100
  • +22 Ethylhexyl Triazone at #3, UV filter
  • +45.6 Bis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine at #7, UV filter (UVA1 +15.2)
  • +24 Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane at #9, UV filter (UVA1 +12.8)
  • +11.2 Phenylbenzimidazole Sulfonic Acid at #10, UV filter
  • +38.4 Methylene Bis-Benzotriazolyl Tetramethylbutylphenol at #12, UV filter (UVA1 +14.4)
  • +21.6 Diethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl Benzoate at #15, UV filter (UVA1 +13.2)
  • βˆ’31.1 UVB coverage saturated
  • βˆ’21.1 UVA2 coverage saturated
  • βˆ’10.6 UVA1 coverage saturated
  • +2 Label claims (SPF 50)
How we rate uv protection β†’
☒️

Health safety

High 90
  • +100 Starting score
  • βˆ’10 Avobenzone at #9 (regulatory/evidence concern)
How we rate health safety β†’
🀧

Allergens

Low 100
  • +100 Starting score
How we rate allergens β†’
πŸ‘»

White cast

Low 94
  • +100 Starting score
  • βˆ’6 Tinosorb M at #12
How we rate white cast β†’
πŸ”₯

Eye sting

Low 90
  • +100 Starting score
  • βˆ’8 Avobenzone at #9, migrates into eyes with sweat
  • βˆ’2 Ensulizole at #10, migrates into eyes with sweat
How we rate eye sting β†’
πŸͺ¨

Heavy feel

Low 100
  • +100 Starting score
How we rate heavy feel β†’
πŸ”΄

Comedogenic

Low 100
  • +100 Starting score
How we rate comedogenic β†’
πŸ„

Fungal acne

Medium 47
  • +100 Starting score
  • βˆ’24 2 polysorbate/sorbitan emulsifiers that feed Malassezia (Polysorbate 60, Sorbitan Isostearate)
  • βˆ’27 3 long-chain (C12+) esters that feed Malassezia (Polyglyceryl-10 Laurate, Sodium Stearoyl Glutamate, Sodium Lauroyl Lactylate)
  • βˆ’2 1 ubiquitous fatty ingredients (Cetearyl Glucoside), weak Malassezia signal
How we rate fungal acne β†’
πŸ‘•

Fabric stains

Medium 47
  • +100 Starting score
  • βˆ’38 Avobenzone at #9, reacts with iron in wash water into rust-yellow stains
  • βˆ’15 Uvinul A Plus (DHHB) at #15, oil-soluble UVA filter, fabric stains
How we rate fabric stains β†’
πŸ’§

Moisture

Hydrating
LightNourishing
  • ← 3 2 sebum-absorbing powders (Silica, Lauroyl Lysine)
  • β†’ 10 Glycerin at #5, the anchor humectant
  • β†’ 1 Humectant polyols
  • β†’ 8 Ceramide barrier lipids with cholesterol/phytosphingosine partners
How we rate moisture β†’
✨

Finish

Balanced
MatteDewy
  • ← 2 2 sebum-absorbing powders (Silica, Lauroyl Lysine)
  • ← 3 1 dry-touch emollients reduce greasy shine (Dicaprylyl Carbonate)
How we rate finish β†’
πŸ’„

Makeup base

Okay
PillsPrimer
  • β†’ 3 Primer-style base, volatile silicones and dimethicone slip
  • β†’ 3 Dry-touch esters, smooth fast-absorbing base
  • ← 1 Gel polymers prone to pilling under friction (Carbomer, Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer)
  • ← 3 Humectant syrup tackiness
How we rate makeup base β†’
🌊

Water resistance

Not resistant
Non-water-resistantWater-resistant

Nothing flagged in the ingredient list.

How we rate water resistance β†’

Skincare extras

Beneficial actives this formula contains. Informational only, not part of the rating: their effect depends on a concentration the label does not disclose.

  • ✨ Niacinamide

Full ingredient list (43)

What each ingredient does and how it moves each rating: green helps, red hurts, ↑ / ↓ give the direction, and ← / β†’ shift a slider toward its ends (finish, moisture, makeup base). Auto-derived from our scoring rules and the ingredient's position.

  1. 1 Water

    Solvent base, the water phase

  2. Emollient, softens and smooths skin

    • matte ← 3 dry-touch emollient, anti-shine
  3. 3 Ethylhexyl Triazone

    Modern UV filter, broad-spectrum and photostable (Uvinul T 150), high in the list, a primary filter

    • ↑ 22 UV protection
  4. 4 Dimethicone

    Emollient, softens and smooths skin

  5. 5 Glycerin

    Humectant, pulls water into the skin

    • 10 β†’ nourishing the anchor humectant
  6. 6 Propanediol

    Humectant, pulls water into the skin

    • 1 β†’ nourishing humectant polyol
  7. Modern UV filter, broad-spectrum and photostable (Tinosorb S)

    • ↑ 45.6 UV protection, incl. long-UVA (UVA1)
  8. 8 Pentylene Glycol

    Humectant, pulls water into the skin

  9. Legacy UV filter (Avobenzone), low in the list, likely a minor contributor

    • ↑ 24 UV protection, incl. long-UVA (UVA1)
    • ↑ 8 migrates into eyes with sweat
    • ↑ 38 reacts with iron in wash water into rust-yellow stains
  10. Legacy UV filter (Ensulizole), low in the list, likely a minor contributor

    • ↑ 11.2 UV protection
    • ↑ 2 migrates into eyes with sweat
  11. 11 Niacinamide

    Soothing, skin-conditioning active

  12. Modern UV filter, broad-spectrum and photostable (Tinosorb M), low in the list, likely a minor contributor

    • ↑ 38.4 UV protection, incl. long-UVA (UVA1)
  13. Modern UV filter, broad-spectrum and photostable (Tinosorb M), low in the list, likely a minor contributor

  14. 14 Silica

    Mattifying powder, absorbs oil and blurs the finish

    • light ← 1.5 sebum-absorbing powder
    • matte ← 1 sebum-absorbing powder
  15. Modern UV filter, broad-spectrum and photostable (Uvinul A Plus), low in the list, likely a minor contributor

    • ↑ 21.6 UV protection, incl. long-UVA (UVA1)
    • ↑ 15 oil-soluble UVA filter, fabric stains
  16. 16 Cetearyl Alcohol

    Fatty alcohol, an emollient and thickener, not the drying kind

  17. Thickener and texture, structures the gel or cream

  18. 18 Tocopherol

    Antioxidant, protects the formula and skin

  19. 19 Ceramide NP

    Soothing, skin-conditioning active

  20. 20 Ceramide AP

    Soothing, skin-conditioning active

  21. 21 Ceramide EOP

    Soothing, skin-conditioning active

  22. 22 Sorbitan Isostearate

    Emulsifier, keeps oil and water blended

    • ↑ 12 feeds malassezia
  23. 23 Carbomer

    Thickener and texture, structures the gel or cream

  24. 24 Cetearyl Glucoside

    Emulsifier, keeps oil and water blended

    • ↑ 2 minor malassezia feeder
  25. Supporting ingredient

  26. 26 Triethyl Citrate

    Emollient, softens and smooths skin

  27. 27 Sodium Hydroxide

    pH adjuster

  28. Emulsifier, keeps oil and water blended

    • ↑ 9 feeds malassezia
  29. Emulsifier, keeps oil and water blended

    • ↑ 9 feeds malassezia
  30. 30 Cellulose

    Thickener and texture, structures the gel or cream

  31. Humectant, pulls water into the skin

  32. 32 Cholesterol

    Soothing, skin-conditioning active

  33. 33 Phenoxyethanol

    Preservative, keeps the formula from spoiling

  34. 34 Lauroyl Lysine

    Mattifying powder, absorbs oil and blurs the finish

    • light ← 1.5 sebum-absorbing powder
    • matte ← 1 sebum-absorbing powder
  35. Antioxidant, protects the formula and skin

  36. 36 Caprylyl Glycol

    Preservative, keeps the formula from spoiling

  37. Chelator, binds stray metal ions to keep the formula stable

  38. 38 Xanthan Gum

    Thickener and texture, structures the gel or cream

  39. 39 Phytosphingosine

    Soothing, skin-conditioning active

  40. 40 Butylene Glycol

    Humectant, pulls water into the skin

  41. Emulsifier, keeps oil and water blended

    • ↑ 9 feeds malassezia
  42. 42 Polysorbate 60

    Emulsifier, keeps oil and water blended

    • ↑ 12 feeds malassezia
  43. 43 Benzoic Acid

    Preservative, keeps the formula from spoiling

Does CeraVe Invisible Hydrating Fluid leave a white cast?

No, white cast is generally low, in line with its invisible branding. It wears lightweight with a balanced finish and does not sting.

Is the CeraVe Invisible Hydrating Fluid Sunscreen SPF 50 mineral or chemical?

It is a chemical sunscreen using a modern hybrid filter blend, including Ethylhexyl Triazone, Bis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine and Methylene Bis-Benzotriazolyl Tetramethylbutylphenol.

Is it good?

Yes, it scores 91.7 out of 100 with excellent protection at SPF 50, making it a top hydrating daily pick.

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