Cetaphil Daily Facial Moisturizer SPF 15/PA ++
68/100 overall score
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About this sunscreen
Cetaphil Daily Facial Moisturizer SPF 15/PA++ is a chemical moisturizer using two older filters, octocrylene and avobenzone. It wears matte with low white cast and a lightweight feel, does not commonly sting, and generally layers well under makeup. The low pore-clogging profile suits most skin types for daily use. With moderate protection and a score of 67.9/100, it is a sensible low-SPF daily moisturizer rather than dedicated high-protection sunscreen.
Ingredient & SPF scores
βοΈ
UV protection
Moderate
40
- +16 Octocrylene at #2, UV filter
- +28.5 Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane at #6, UV filter (UVA1 +15.2)
- Γ0.9 Limited long-UVA1 coverage
β’οΈ
Health safety
High
67
- +100 Starting score
- β30 Octocrylene at #2 (regulatory/evidence concern)
- β3.5 Avobenzone at #6, stacked (regulatory/evidence concern)
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Allergens
Low
96
- +100 Starting score
- β1 1 declared fragrance allergens
- β3 Photoallergen-tail UV filters (Octocrylene)
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Eye sting
Low
62
- +100 Starting score
- β16 Avobenzone at #6, migrates into eyes with sweat
- β22 Octocrylene at #2, migrates into eyes with sweat
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Fungal acne
Medium
62
- +100 Starting score
- β38 2 long-chain (C12+) esters that feed Malassezia (Glyceryl Stearate, PEG-100 Stearate)
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 #2, co-stains alongside avobenzone
- β10 Avobenzone + Octocrylene, the classic staining pair
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Moisture
Balanced
LightNourishing
- β 3 1 sebum-absorbing powders (Polymethyl Methacrylate)
- β 5 Volatile carriers flash off, leaving a dry finish
- β 10 Glycerin at #5, the anchor humectant
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Finish
Matte
MatteDewy
- β 3 1 sebum-absorbing powders (Polymethyl Methacrylate)
- β 4 Volatile carriers flash off, leaving a dry finish
- β 3 1 dry-touch emollients reduce greasy shine (Diisopropyl Adipate)
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Makeup base
Good
PillsPrimer
- β 5 Primer-style base, volatile silicones and dimethicone slip
- β 3 1 soft-focus powders in moderation
- β 3 Dry-touch esters, smooth fast-absorbing base
- β 1 Gel polymers prone to pilling under friction (Carbomer, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer)
- β 1.5 Humectant syrup tackiness (partly offset by the base)
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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 E
Full ingredient list (17)
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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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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Emollient, softens and smooths skin
- matte β 3 dry-touch emollient, anti-shine
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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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5 Glycerin
Humectant, pulls water into the skin
- 10 β nourishing the anchor humectant
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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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Emulsifier, keeps oil and water blended
- β 24 feeds malassezia
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Emulsifier, keeps oil and water blended
- β 14 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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Preservative, keeps the formula from spoiling
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Preservative, keeps the formula from spoiling
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pH adjuster
-
Thickener and texture, structures the gel or cream
-
Antioxidant, protects the formula and skin
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15 Carbomer
Thickener and texture, structures the gel or cream
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Chelator, binds stray metal ions to keep the formula stable
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Emollient, softens and smooths skin
Does this Cetaphil moisturizer leave a white cast?
No, white cast is low. The chemical filters absorb clear, leaving a matte, lightweight finish with no whiteness.
Is the Cetaphil Daily Facial Moisturizer SPF 15/PA ++ good for oily or acne-prone skin?
Yes, it is a sensible fit. The matte finish suits oily skin and the breakout-trigger risk is low, so it is generally acne-friendly.
Is it mineral or chemical?
It is chemical, using two older filters, octocrylene and avobenzone, with no mineral content.
What SPF is it, and is it good?
It is SPF 15. It scores 67.9/100 with moderate protection, a sensible daily moisturizer rather than a high-protection sunscreen.