Cetaphil Sun Light Gel SPF 50+
87/100 overall score
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Ingredient & SPF scores
βοΈ
UV protection
Excellent
100
- +18 Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate at #2, UV filter
- +34.2 Diethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl Benzoate at #5, UV filter (UVA1 +20.9)
- +45.6 Bis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine at #6, UV filter (UVA1 +15.2)
- +26.4 Titanium Dioxide at #8, UV filter (UVA1 +4)
- +17.6 Ethylhexyl Triazone at #12, UV filter
- +28.8 Methylene Bis-Benzotriazolyl Tetramethylbutylphenol at #13, UV filter (UVA1 +10.8)
- β43.1 UVB coverage saturated
- β21.6 UVA2 coverage saturated
- β5.9 UVA1 coverage saturated
- +2 Label claims (SPF 50)
β’οΈ
Health safety
High
64
- +100 Starting score
- β36 Octinoxate at #2 (regulatory/evidence concern)
π»
White cast
Low
90
- +100 Starting score
- β7.5 Titanium Dioxide at #8 (nano)
- β3 Tinosorb M at #13
π₯
Eye sting
Low
61
- +100 Starting score
- β16 Octinoxate at #2, migrates into eyes with sweat
- β18 Volatile alcohol at #3
- β5 Alcohol high up speeds filter migration
πͺ¨
Heavy feel
Low
96
- +100 Starting score
- β6 Titanium Dioxide at #8
- +2.4 Volatile alcohol at #3, evaporating texture
π
Fungal acne
Low
91
- +100 Starting score
- β9 1 long-chain (C12+) esters that feed Malassezia (Polyglyceryl-2 Dipolyhydroxystearate)
π
Fabric stains
Low
80
- +100 Starting score
- β15 Uvinul A Plus (DHHB) at #5, oil-soluble UVA filter, fabric stains
- β5 Titanium Dioxide at #8, white marks, worst on dark fabric (washable)
π§
Moisture
Light
LightNourishing
- β 22 Volatile alcohol at #3
- β 1.5 1 sebum-absorbing powders (Silica)
β¨
Finish
Balanced
MatteDewy
- β 1 1 sebum-absorbing powders (Silica)
- β 5 Volatile alcohol at #3
- β 2 1 dry-touch emollients reduce greasy shine (Dibutyl Adipate)
- β 6 1 emollient lipids (C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate)
π
Makeup base
Good
PillsPrimer
- β 1 Primer-style base, volatile silicones and dimethicone slip
- β 10 Quick-setting carrier (alcohol at #3), fast, even canvas
- β 4 Dry-touch esters, smooth fast-absorbing base
- β 0.5 Gel polymers prone to pilling under friction (Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer)
π
Water resistance
Not resistant
Non-water-resistantWater-resistant
- +7 1 film-forming polymers that lock the formula on for water resistance
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.
- β¨ Vitamin E
Full ingredient list (24)
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 (Octinoxate), high in the list, a primary filter
- β 18 UV protection
- β 16 migrates into eyes with sweat
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3 Alcohol
Volatile alcohol, a drying solvent that can sting eyes
- β 5 high up speeds filter migration
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Emollient, softens and smooths skin
- 6 β dewy emollient lipid
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Modern UV filter, broad-spectrum and photostable (Uvinul A Plus)
- β 34.2 UV protection, incl. long-UVA (UVA1)
- β 15 oil-soluble UVA filter, fabric stains
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Modern UV filter, broad-spectrum and photostable (Tinosorb S)
- β 45.6 UV protection, incl. long-UVA (UVA1)
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Emollient, softens and smooths skin
- matte β 2 dry-touch emollient, anti-shine
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Mineral UV filter (Titanium Dioxide), low in the list, likely a minor contributor
- β 26.4 UV protection, incl. long-UVA (UVA1)
- β 5 white marks, worst on dark fabric (washable)
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Emollient, softens and smooths skin
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Film former, locks the formula onto skin for water resistance
- β 7 film former
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11 Cyclodextrin
Humectant, pulls water into the skin
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Modern UV filter, broad-spectrum and photostable (Uvinul T 150), low in the list, likely a minor contributor
- β 17.6 UV protection
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Modern UV filter, broad-spectrum and photostable (Tinosorb M), low in the list, likely a minor contributor
- β 28.8 UV protection, incl. long-UVA (UVA1)
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14 Tocopherol
Antioxidant, protects the formula and skin
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Emulsifier, keeps oil and water blended
- β 9 feeds malassezia
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16 Silica
Mattifying powder, absorbs oil and blurs the finish
- light β 1.5 sebum-absorbing powder
- matte β 1 sebum-absorbing powder
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Emulsifier, keeps oil and water blended
-
pH adjuster
-
19 Xanthan Gum
Thickener and texture, structures the gel or cream
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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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Emulsifier, keeps oil and water blended
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23 BHT
Antioxidant, protects the formula and skin
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Humectant, pulls water into the skin