Cetaphil Dermacontrol Oil Absorbing Moisturizer SPF 30
69/100 overall score
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About this sunscreen
Cetaphil Dermacontrol Oil Absorbing Moisturizer SPF 30 is a chemical formula on older-generation filters: Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane, ethylhexyl salicylate, and octocrylene. It finishes matte with low white cast and a lightweight feel and is low on the pore-clogging scale, which generally suits oilier skin, though it carries a medium chance of stinging near the eyes. Protection lands in the moderate range. With a score of 68.5, it is a reasonable mattifying daily moisturizer that works okay under makeup.
Ingredient & SPF scores
βοΈ
UV protection
Moderate
50
- +30 Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane at #1, UV filter (UVA1 +16)
- +8 Ethylhexyl Salicylate at #2, UV filter
- +16 Octocrylene at #3, UV filter
- Γ0.9 Limited long-UVA1 coverage
- +1 Label claims (SPF 30)
β’οΈ
Health safety
High
67
- +100 Starting score
- β30 Octocrylene at #3 (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
45
- +100 Starting score
- β24 Avobenzone at #1, migrates into eyes with sweat
- β22 Octocrylene at #3, migrates into eyes with sweat
- β9 Octisalate at #2, migrates into eyes with sweat
π
Fungal acne
Medium
73
- +100 Starting score
- β27 3 long-chain (C12+) esters that feed Malassezia (Sucrose Tristearate, Isopropyl Lauroyl Sarcosinate, Sodium Stearoyl Glutamate)
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 #3, co-stains alongside avobenzone
- β10 Avobenzone + Octocrylene, the classic staining pair
π§
Moisture
Balanced
LightNourishing
- β 8 3 sebum-absorbing powders (Silica, Aluminium Starch Octenylsuccinate, Polymethyl Methacrylate)
- β 4 Glycerin at #12, the anchor humectant
- β 1 1 strong humectants (Panthenol)
- β 6 Ceramide barrier lipids
β¨
Finish
Matte
MatteDewy
- β 8 3 sebum-absorbing powders (Aluminium Starch Octenylsuccinate, Polymethyl Methacrylate, Silica)
- β 1 1 dry-touch emollients reduce greasy shine (Diisopropyl Sebacate)
π
Makeup base
Okay
PillsPrimer
- β 1 Primer-style base, volatile silicones and dimethicone slip
- β 3 1 soft-focus powders in moderation
- β 1 Dry-touch esters, smooth fast-absorbing base
- β 7 Gel polymers prone to pilling under friction (Carbomer)
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¨ Allantoin
- β¨ Ceramides
- β¨ Panthenol (B5)
Full ingredient list (29)
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
-
Legacy UV filter (Octisalate), high in the list, a primary filter
- β 8 UV protection
- β 9 migrates into eyes with sweat
-
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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Soothing, skin-conditioning active
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Mattifying powder, absorbs oil and blurs the finish
- light β 5 sebum-absorbing powder
- matte β 6 sebum-absorbing powder
-
Preservative, keeps the formula from spoiling
-
7 Carbomer
Thickener and texture, structures the gel or cream
-
Emollient, softens and smooths skin
- matte β 1 dry-touch emollient, anti-shine
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Emollient, softens and smooths skin
-
10 Dimethiconol
Emollient, softens and smooths skin
-
Chelator, binds stray metal ions to keep the formula stable
-
12 Glycerin
Humectant, pulls water into the skin
- 4 β nourishing the anchor humectant
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Soothing, skin-conditioning active
-
14 Ceramide NP
Soothing, skin-conditioning active
-
Supporting ingredient
- β 9 feeds malassezia
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16 Panthenol
Soothing, skin-conditioning active
- 1 β nourishing humectant
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Humectant, pulls water into the skin
-
Preservative, keeps the formula from spoiling
-
Mattifying powder, absorbs oil and blurs the finish
- light β 1.5 sebum-absorbing powder
- matte β 1 sebum-absorbing powder
-
Emulsifier, keeps oil and water blended
-
Preservative, keeps the formula from spoiling
-
22 Silica
Mattifying powder, absorbs oil and blurs the finish
- light β 1.5 sebum-absorbing powder
- matte β 1 sebum-absorbing powder
-
Emulsifier, keeps oil and water blended
- β 9 feeds malassezia
-
Emollient, softens and smooths skin
- β 9 feeds malassezia
-
Antioxidant, protects the formula and skin
-
pH adjuster
-
27 Water
Solvent base, the water phase
-
28 Xanthan Gum
Thickener and texture, structures the gel or cream
-
Chelator, binds stray metal ions to keep the formula stable
Is Cetaphil Dermacontrol good for oily or acne-prone skin?
It is generally a good fit. The finish is matte and it is low on the pore-clogging scale, which commonly suits oilier and breakout-prone skin.
Does Cetaphil Dermacontrol SPF 30 sting?
It carries a medium chance of stinging, so apply carefully around the eyes. Elsewhere the profile is gentle with low white cast.
Is Cetaphil Dermacontrol a good sunscreen?
It scores 68.5 out of 100 with moderate protection. It is a reasonable mattifying daily moisturizer that works okay under makeup.