Chantecaille Ultra Sun Protection SPF 45
65/100 overall score
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About this sunscreen
Chantecaille Ultra Sun Protection SPF 45 is a chemical sunscreen on older filters such as Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate and Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane. It is lightweight with a matte finish and low white cast, though it may sting somewhat. Breakout risk is low and it performs excellently under makeup, making a strong makeup base. With a score of 65.2/100 and moderate protection, it is a refined cosmetic-leaning option held back by its dated filters.
Ingredient & SPF scores
☀️
UV protection
Moderate
39
- +18 Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate at #1, UV filter
- +8 Ethylhexyl Salicylate at #2, UV filter
- +30 Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane at #3, UV filter (UVA1 +16)
- ×0.9 Limited long-UVA1 coverage
- ×0.75 Avobenzone + octinoxate degrade each other in sunlight
- +1 Label claims (SPF 45)
☢️
Health safety
High
61
- +100 Starting score
- −36 Octinoxate at #1 (regulatory/evidence concern)
- −3.5 Avobenzone at #3, stacked (regulatory/evidence concern)
🔥
Eye sting
Medium
43
- +100 Starting score
- −24 Avobenzone at #3, migrates into eyes with sweat
- −16 Octinoxate at #1, migrates into eyes with sweat
- −9 Octisalate at #2, migrates into eyes with sweat
- −8 5 declared fragrance allergens
🍄
Fungal acne
Low
82
- +100 Starting score
- −9 1 oils/butters that feed Malassezia (Lecithin)
- −9 1 long-chain (C12+) esters that feed Malassezia (Polyglyceryl-6 Polyricinoleate)
👕
Fabric stains
Medium
50
- +100 Starting score
- −50 Avobenzone at #3, reacts with iron in wash water into rust-yellow stains
💧
Moisture
Light
LightNourishing
- ← 12.5 4 sebum-absorbing powders (Polymethylsilsesquioxane, Polymethyl Methacrylate, Methyl Methacrylate Crosspolymer, …)
- → 4 Glycerin at #12, the anchor humectant
- → 1 Humectant polyols
✨
Finish
Matte
MatteDewy
- ← 13 4 sebum-absorbing powders (Polymethylsilsesquioxane, Polymethyl Methacrylate, Methyl Methacrylate Crosspolymer, …)
- ← 1 1 dry-touch emollients reduce greasy shine (Isononyl Isononanoate)
- → 6 1 emollient lipids (C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate)
💄
Makeup base
Excellent
PillsPrimer
- → 8 1 velvet elastomer fillers, blur and grip
- → 6 3 soft-focus powders in moderation
- → 3 Dry-touch esters, smooth fast-absorbing base
🌊
Water resistance
Not resistant
Non-water-resistantWater-resistant
Nothing flagged in the ingredient list.
How we rate water resistance →Full ingredient list (31)
What each ingredient does and how it moves each rating: green helps, red hurts, ↑ / ↓ give the direction, and ← / → 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 (Octinoxate), high in the list, a primary filter
- ↑ 18 UV protection
- ↑ 16 migrates into eyes with sweat
-
Legacy UV filter (Octisalate), high in the list, a primary filter
- ↑ 8 UV protection
- ↑ 9 migrates into eyes with sweat
-
Legacy UV filter (Avobenzone), high in the list, a primary filter
- ↑ 30 UV protection, incl. long-UVA (UVA1)
- ↓ 3.5 stacked (regulatory/evidence concern)
- ↑ 24 migrates into eyes with sweat
- ↑ 50 reacts with iron in wash water into rust-yellow stains
-
Emollient, softens and smooths skin
- 6 → dewy emollient lipid
-
Botanical extract
-
Humectant, pulls water into the skin
- 1 → nourishing humectant polyol
-
Mattifying powder, absorbs oil and blurs the finish
- light ← 5 sebum-absorbing powder
- matte ← 6 sebum-absorbing powder
-
Mattifying powder, absorbs oil and blurs the finish
- light ← 3 sebum-absorbing powder
- matte ← 3 sebum-absorbing powder
-
Emollient, softens and smooths skin
- matte ← 1 dry-touch emollient, anti-shine
-
Mattifying powder, absorbs oil and blurs the finish
- light ← 3 sebum-absorbing powder
- matte ← 3 sebum-absorbing powder
-
Legacy UV filter (Octisalate), low in the list, likely a minor contributor
-
12 Glycerin
Humectant, pulls water into the skin
- 4 → nourishing the anchor humectant
-
Legacy UV filter (Avobenzone), low in the list, likely a minor contributor
-
Mattifying powder, absorbs oil and blurs the finish
- light ← 1.5 sebum-absorbing powder
- matte ← 1 sebum-absorbing powder
-
Emollient, softens and smooths skin
-
Humectant, pulls water into the skin
-
Emulsifier, keeps oil and water blended
- ↑ 9 feeds malassezia
-
Chelator, binds stray metal ions to keep the formula stable
-
19 Tocopherol
Antioxidant, protects the formula and skin
-
Botanical extract
-
Soothing, skin-conditioning active
-
22 Carnosine
Antioxidant, protects the formula and skin
-
23 Lecithin
Emulsifier, keeps oil and water blended
- ↑ 9 feeds malassezia
-
Botanical extract
-
25 Cyclodextrin
Humectant, pulls water into the skin
-
26 Citronellol
Fragrance component, a declared allergen
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27 Geraniol
Fragrance component, a declared allergen
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28 Eugenol
Fragrance component, a declared allergen
-
29 Citral
Fragrance component, a declared allergen
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30 Farnesol
Fragrance component, a declared allergen
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31 Linalool
Fragrance component, a declared allergen
Does the Chantecaille Ultra Sun Protection SPF 45 work under makeup?
Yes, it is rated excellent as a makeup base, making it a strong primer under foundation. The matte finish helps makeup grip.
Does the Chantecaille Ultra Sun Protection SPF 45 leave a white cast?
White cast is low, since it uses chemical filters, and the matte finish keeps it from looking shiny.
Is it good?
It scores 65.2/100 with moderate measured protection. It is a refined, cosmetic-leaning option, but older filters hold its rating back.