Cetaphil Pro Spotcontrol SPF 30
70/100 overall score
Sign in to see this product's score for your skin.
About this sunscreen
Cetaphil Pro Spotcontrol SPF 30 is a chemical sunscreen using octocrylene, ethylhexyl salicylate, and avobenzone, an older-school filter set. It delivers a matte finish with low white cast and low pore-clogging potential, and it sits well under makeup, making it a reasonable pick for combination or oilier skin. Sun protection is moderate, and it may sting slightly around the eyes for some users. At 69.8/100 it is a competent matte daily option, with protection that is generally adequate rather than standout.
Ingredient & SPF scores
βοΈ
UV protection
Moderate
48
- +16 Octocrylene at #2, UV filter
- +7.6 Ethylhexyl Salicylate at #5, UV filter
- +28.5 Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane at #7, UV filter (UVA1 +15.2)
- Γ0.9 Limited long-UVA1 coverage
- +1 Label claims (SPF 30)
β’οΈ
Health safety
High
67
- +100 Starting score
- β30 Octocrylene at #2 (regulatory/evidence concern)
- β3.5 Avobenzone at #7, stacked (regulatory/evidence concern)
π€§
Allergens
Low
97
- +100 Starting score
- β3 Photoallergen-tail UV filters (Octocrylene)
π₯
Eye sting
Medium
56
- +100 Starting score
- β16 Avobenzone at #7, migrates into eyes with sweat
- β22 Octocrylene at #2, migrates into eyes with sweat
- β6 Octisalate at #5, migrates into eyes with sweat
π
Fungal acne
Medium
50
- +100 Starting score
- β50 3 long-chain (C12+) esters that feed Malassezia (Sucrose Tristearate, Isopropyl Lauroyl Sarcosinate, Sodium Stearoyl Glutamate)
π
Fabric stains
High
30
- +100 Starting score
- β45 Avobenzone at #7, 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
π§
Moisture
Hydrating
LightNourishing
- β 9 3 sebum-absorbing powders (Silica, Aluminium Starch Octenylsuccinate, Polymethyl Methacrylate)
- β 10 Glycerin at #4, the anchor humectant
- β 1 1 strong humectants (Panthenol)
- β 6 Ceramide barrier lipids
β¨
Finish
Matte
MatteDewy
- β 9 3 sebum-absorbing powders (Polymethyl Methacrylate, Silica, Aluminium Starch Octenylsuccinate)
- β 1 1 dry-touch emollients reduce greasy shine (Diisopropyl Sebacate)
π
Makeup base
Good
PillsPrimer
- β 3 Primer-style base, volatile silicones and dimethicone slip
- β 6 3 soft-focus powders in moderation
- β 1 Dry-touch esters, smooth fast-absorbing base
- β 0.5 Gel polymers prone to pilling under friction (Carbomer)
- β 1.5 Humectant syrup tackiness (partly offset by the base)
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.
-
1 Water
Solvent base, the water phase
-
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
-
Supporting ingredient
- β 36 feeds malassezia
-
4 Glycerin
Humectant, pulls water into the skin
- 10 β nourishing the anchor humectant
-
Legacy UV filter (Octisalate)
- β 7.6 UV protection
- β 6 migrates into eyes with sweat
-
Emollient, softens and smooths skin
-
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
-
Emollient, softens and smooths skin
- matte β 1 dry-touch emollient, anti-shine
-
Mattifying powder, absorbs oil and blurs the finish
- light β 3 sebum-absorbing powder
- matte β 3 sebum-absorbing powder
-
10 Silica
Mattifying powder, absorbs oil and blurs the finish
- light β 3 sebum-absorbing powder
- matte β 3 sebum-absorbing powder
-
Emollient, softens and smooths skin
- β 14 feeds malassezia
-
Mattifying powder, absorbs oil and blurs the finish
- light β 3 sebum-absorbing powder
- matte β 3 sebum-absorbing powder
-
Humectant, pulls water into the skin
-
Emulsifier, keeps oil and water blended
-
Emulsifier, keeps oil and water blended
- β 9 feeds malassezia
-
Preservative, keeps the formula from spoiling
-
Antioxidant, protects the formula and skin
-
Preservative, keeps the formula from spoiling
-
Soothing, skin-conditioning active
-
20 Dimethiconol
Emollient, softens and smooths skin
-
21 Panthenol
Soothing, skin-conditioning active
- 1 β nourishing humectant
-
22 Allantoin
Soothing, skin-conditioning active
-
23 Carbomer
Thickener and texture, structures the gel or cream
-
Chelator, binds stray metal ions to keep the formula stable
-
Chelator, binds stray metal ions to keep the formula stable
-
Preservative, keeps the formula from spoiling
-
pH adjuster
-
28 Xanthan Gum
Thickener and texture, structures the gel or cream
-
29 Ceramide NP
Soothing, skin-conditioning active
-
30 Pantolactone
Supporting ingredient
-
31 Citric Acid
pH adjuster
Is Cetaphil Pro Spotcontrol SPF 30 good for oily or acne-prone skin?
It wears matte with low pore-clogging potential, so it is generally a good fit for oily and breakout-prone skin. It also sits well under makeup.
Does the Cetaphil Pro Spotcontrol SPF 30 leave a white cast?
White cast is low, so it should not leave a noticeable white film. The matte finish keeps it looking clean on most skin tones.
Is this sunscreen any good?
With a score of 69.8/100 it is a competent matte daily option. Protection is moderate and the older filter set still performs adequately for everyday wear, though it may sting slightly for sensitive eyes.