CeraVe Ultra-light Moisturizing Lotion SPF 30
68/100 overall score
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About this sunscreen
CeraVe Ultra-Light Moisturizing Lotion SPF 30 uses an older-school chemical filter set (Avobenzone, Homosalate, Ethylhexyl Salicylate, Octocrylene). It is lightweight with a balanced finish and low white cast, and pore-clogging risk is low, though it can sting moderately near the eyes. It layers okay under makeup. With good protection it scores 67.7/100, a serviceable everyday moisturizer-sunscreen rather than a standout.
Ingredient & SPF scores
βοΈ
UV protection
Good
60
- +30 Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane at #1, UV filter (UVA1 +16)
- +12 Homosalate at #2, UV filter
- +8 Ethylhexyl Salicylate at #3, UV filter
- +15.2 Octocrylene at #4, UV filter
- Γ0.9 Limited long-UVA1 coverage
- +1 Label claims (SPF 30)
β’οΈ
Health safety
Medium
46
- +100 Starting score
- β40 Homosalate at #2 (regulatory/evidence concern)
- β10.5 Octocrylene at #4, stacked (regulatory/evidence concern)
- β3.5 Avobenzone at #1, stacked (regulatory/evidence concern)
π€§
Allergens
Low
97
- +100 Starting score
- β3 Photoallergen-tail UV filters (Octocrylene)
π₯
Eye sting
Medium
43
- +100 Starting score
- β24 Avobenzone at #1, migrates into eyes with sweat
- β15 Octocrylene at #4, migrates into eyes with sweat
- β9 Homosalate at #2, migrates into eyes with sweat
- β9 Octisalate at #3, migrates into eyes with sweat
π΄
Comedogenic
Low
91
- +100 Starting score
- β9 Glyceryl Stearate SE at #7, moderate comedogenic signal
π
Fungal acne
Medium
67
- +100 Starting score
- β33 2 long-chain (C12+) esters that feed Malassezia (Glyceryl Stearate SE, Sodium Lauroyl Lactylate)
π
Fabric stains
High
25
- +100 Starting score
- β50 Avobenzone at #1, reacts with iron in wash water into rust-yellow stains
- β15 Octocrylene at #4, co-stains alongside avobenzone
- β10 Avobenzone + Octocrylene, the classic staining pair
π§
Moisture
Hydrating
LightNourishing
- β 3 1 sebum-absorbing powders (Methyl Methacrylate Crosspolymer)
- β 4 Glycerin at #9, the anchor humectant
- β 2 Sodium Hyaluronate at #23, hyaluronic family
- β 8 Ceramide barrier lipids with cholesterol/phytosphingosine partners
β¨
Finish
Balanced
MatteDewy
- β 3 1 sebum-absorbing powders (Methyl Methacrylate Crosspolymer)
- β 6 1 emollient lipids (C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate)
π
Makeup base
Okay
PillsPrimer
- β 3 1 soft-focus powders in moderation
- β 2 Dry-touch esters, smooth fast-absorbing base
- β 1 Gel polymers prone to pilling under friction (Carbomer, Sodium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Crosspolymer)
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¨ Ceramides
Full ingredient list (23)
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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Legacy UV filter (Avobenzone), high in the list, a primary filter
- β 30 UV protection, incl. long-UVA (UVA1)
- β 3.5 stacked (regulatory/evidence concern)
- β 24 migrates into eyes with sweat
- β 50 reacts with iron in wash water into rust-yellow stains
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Legacy UV filter (Homosalate), high in the list, a primary filter
- β 12 UV protection
- β 9 migrates into eyes with sweat
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Legacy UV filter (Octisalate), high in the list, a primary filter
- β 8 UV protection
- β 9 migrates into eyes with sweat
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Legacy UV filter (Octocrylene)
- β 15.2 UV protection
- β 10.5 stacked (regulatory/evidence concern)
- β 15 migrates into eyes with sweat
- β 15 co-stains alongside avobenzone
-
5 Water
Solvent base, the water phase
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Emollient, softens and smooths skin
- 6 β dewy emollient lipid
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Emulsifier, keeps oil and water blended
- β 9 moderate comedogenic signal
- β 24 feeds malassezia
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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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9 Glycerin
Humectant, pulls water into the skin
- 4 β nourishing the anchor humectant
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Humectant, pulls water into the skin
-
11 Ceramide NP
Soothing, skin-conditioning active
-
12 Ceramide AP
Soothing, skin-conditioning active
-
13 Ceramide EOP
Soothing, skin-conditioning active
-
Soothing, skin-conditioning active
-
Thickener and texture, structures the gel or cream
-
Emulsifier, keeps oil and water blended
- β 9 feeds malassezia
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17 Cholesterol
Soothing, skin-conditioning active
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18 Xanthan Gum
Thickener and texture, structures the gel or cream
-
19 Carbomer
Thickener and texture, structures the gel or cream
-
Antioxidant, protects the formula and skin
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Chelator, binds stray metal ions to keep the formula stable
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22 Citric Acid
pH adjuster
-
Humectant, pulls water into the skin
- 2 β nourishing hyaluronic family
Is the CeraVe Ultra-light Moisturizing Lotion SPF 30 mineral or chemical?
It is a chemical sunscreen, using Avobenzone, Homosalate, Ethylhexyl Salicylate, and Octocrylene. These are older-school organic filters.
Does the CeraVe Ultra-light Moisturizing Lotion SPF 30 leave a white cast?
White cast is rated low, so it should blend into most skin tones without a noticeable chalky finish.
Is it good for acne-prone skin?
Pore-clogging risk is rated low, which is favorable for breakout-prone skin. The finish is balanced rather than matte, and it can sting moderately near the eyes.