Clinique Spf 35 Targeted Protection Stick
66/100 overall score
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About this sunscreen
Clinique SPF 35 Targeted Protection Stick is a chemical sunscreen stick built on older-generation filters: avobenzone, Ethylhexyl Salicylate, and octocrylene. It has a balanced finish with low white cast but is medium in weight, as stick formats tend to feel. It does not commonly sting and is generally low risk for clogging pores, with an okay makeup base. With moderate protection and a score of 66.4, it is handy for targeted touch-ups rather than full-face primary use.
Ingredient & SPF scores
βοΈ
UV protection
Moderate
45
- +28.5 Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane at #5, UV filter (UVA1 +15.2)
- +7.6 Ethylhexyl Salicylate at #6, UV filter
- +12.8 Octocrylene at #10, UV filter
- Γ0.9 Limited long-UVA1 coverage
- +1 Label claims (SPF 35)
β’οΈ
Health safety
High
67
- +100 Starting score
- β30 Octocrylene at #10 (regulatory/evidence concern)
- β3.5 Avobenzone at #5, stacked (regulatory/evidence concern)
π€§
Allergens
Low
97
- +100 Starting score
- β3 Photoallergen-tail UV filters (Octocrylene)
π₯
Eye sting
Low
71
- +100 Starting score
- β16 Avobenzone at #5, migrates into eyes with sweat
- β7 Octocrylene at #10, migrates into eyes with sweat
- β6 Octisalate at #6, migrates into eyes with sweat
πͺ¨
Heavy feel
Medium
56
- +100 Starting score
- β6 Cera Alba at #11, wax film
- β6 Polyethylene at #12, wax film
- β20 Microcrystalline Wax at #1, wax film
- β12 Stick/balm format with a wax skeleton
π
Fungal acne
Low
76
- +100 Starting score
- β24 1 long-chain (C12+) esters that feed Malassezia (Cetyl Ricinoleate)
π
Fabric stains
High
30
- +100 Starting score
- β45 Avobenzone at #5, reacts with iron in wash water into rust-yellow stains
- β15 Octocrylene at #10, co-stains alongside avobenzone
- β10 Avobenzone + Octocrylene, the classic staining pair
π§
Moisture
Balanced
LightNourishing
Nothing flagged in the ingredient list.
How we rate moisture β
β¨
Finish
Balanced
MatteDewy
- β 3 1 dry-touch emollients reduce greasy shine (Isononyl Isononanoate)
π
Makeup base
Okay
PillsPrimer
- β 3 Dry-touch esters, smooth fast-absorbing base
- β 11 Occlusives/waxes float the foundation
π
Water resistance
Very resistant
Non-water-resistantWater-resistant
- +10 2 film-forming polymers that lock the formula on for water resistance
- +18 3 water-locking waxes
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 (15)
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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Occlusive, seals moisture into the skin
- β 20 wax film
- β 10 wax water lock
-
Emollient, softens and smooths skin
-
Emollient, softens and smooths skin
- matte β 3 dry-touch emollient, anti-shine
-
Plant oil, an emollient
-
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
-
Legacy UV filter (Octisalate)
- β 7.6 UV protection
- β 6 migrates into eyes with sweat
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Supporting ingredient
- β 24 feeds malassezia
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Emollient, softens and smooths skin
-
Film former, locks the formula onto skin for water resistance
- β 7 film former
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10 Octocrylene
Legacy UV filter (Octocrylene), low in the list, likely a minor contributor
- β 12.8 UV protection
- β 7 migrates into eyes with sweat
- β 15 co-stains alongside avobenzone
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11 Cera Alba
Occlusive, seals moisture into the skin
- β 6 wax film
- β 4 wax water lock
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12 Polyethylene
Emollient, softens and smooths skin
- β 6 wax film
- β 4 wax water lock
-
Antioxidant, protects the formula and skin
-
Film former, locks the formula onto skin for water resistance
- β 3 film former
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15 Tocopherol
Antioxidant, protects the formula and skin
Is the Clinique SPF 35 Targeted Protection Stick mineral or chemical?
It is a chemical sunscreen. It uses avobenzone, Ethylhexyl Salicylate, and octocrylene, which are older-generation organic filters, with no minerals.
Does the Clinique Spf 35 Targeted Protection Stick work for oily or acne-prone skin?
It can. The finish is balanced and it rates low on pore-clogging risk. As a stick it feels a bit heavier, so it is handy for targeted touch-ups.
Is the Clinique SPF 35 stick good?
It scores 66.4 out of 100 with moderate protection. It is best for targeted areas and reapplication rather than as your only full-face sunscreen.