Clinique Superdefense Spf 40
49/100 overall score
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About this sunscreen
Clinique Superdefense SPF 40 is a chemical sunscreen relying on just two older-generation filters: ethylhexyl methoxycinnamate and phenylbenzimidazole sulfonic acid. It is lightweight with a balanced finish, very low white cast, low sting and low breakout risk, and it sits well under makeup. However, this thin, older filter pairing limits its broad-spectrum performance, and protection is rated weak. Its score of 49.0/100 reflects that, so treat it as a light daily moisturizer with sun benefit rather than dedicated UV protection.
Ingredient & SPF scores
βοΈ
UV protection
Weak
32
- +22.8 Disodium Phenyl Dibenzimidazole Tetrasulfonate at #6, UV filter (UVA1 +7.6)
- +17.1 Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate at #7, UV filter
- +11.2 Phenylbenzimidazole Sulfonic Acid at #8, UV filter
- Γ0.6 Almost no UVA1, poor aging protection
- +1 Label claims (SPF 40)
β’οΈ
Health safety
High
64
- +100 Starting score
- β36 Octinoxate at #7 (regulatory/evidence concern)
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White cast
Low
98
- +100 Starting score
- β2 Titanium Dioxide as pigment (CI 77891) at #62
π₯
Eye sting
Low
77
- +100 Starting score
- β11 Octinoxate at #7, migrates into eyes with sweat
- β2 Ensulizole at #8, migrates into eyes with sweat
- β10 Volatile alcohol at #5
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Heavy feel
Low
99
- +100 Starting score
- β2 Polyethylene at #50, wax film
- +0.8 Volatile alcohol at #5, evaporating texture
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Fungal acne
Low
91
- +100 Starting score
- β9 1 oils/butters that feed Malassezia (Lecithin)
- +0 Dimethicone at #2, a safe base that does not feed Malassezia
π§
Moisture
Balanced
LightNourishing
- β 13 Volatile alcohol at #5
- β 10 Glycerin at #4, the anchor humectant
- β 2 Sodium Hyaluronate at #45, hyaluronic family
- β 1 1 strong humectants (Trehalose)
- β 2 Humectant polyols
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Makeup base
Good
PillsPrimer
- β 6 Primer-style base, volatile silicones and dimethicone slip
- β 6 Quick-setting carrier (alcohol at #5), fast, even canvas
- β 1.5 Humectant syrup tackiness (partly offset by the base)
π
Water resistance
Not resistant
Non-water-resistantWater-resistant
- +2 1 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¨ Niacinamide
Full ingredient list (62)
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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Emollient, softens and smooths skin
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Humectant, pulls water into the skin
- 2 β nourishing humectant polyol
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4 Glycerin
Humectant, pulls water into the skin
- 10 β nourishing the anchor humectant
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Volatile alcohol, a drying solvent that can sting eyes
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Modern UV filter, broad-spectrum and photostable (Neo Heliopan AP)
- β 22.8 UV protection, incl. long-UVA (UVA1)
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Legacy UV filter (Octinoxate)
- β 17.1 UV protection
- β 11 migrates into eyes with sweat
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Legacy UV filter (Ensulizole), low in the list, likely a minor contributor
- β 11.2 UV protection
- β 2 migrates into eyes with sweat
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Humectant, pulls water into the skin
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pH adjuster
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11 Trisiloxane
Emollient, softens and smooths skin
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Emollient, softens and smooths skin
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13 Niacinamide
Soothing, skin-conditioning active
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Botanical extract
-
Botanical extract
-
Botanical extract
-
Botanical extract
-
Botanical extract
-
Botanical extract
-
Botanical extract
-
Botanical extract
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Antioxidant, protects the formula and skin
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Supporting ingredient
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Botanical extract
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25 Creatine
Supporting ingredient
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Soothing, skin-conditioning active
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Supporting ingredient
-
Supporting ingredient
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Botanical extract
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Soothing, skin-conditioning active
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Thickener and texture, structures the gel or cream
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Botanical extract
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Botanical extract
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Botanical extract
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Botanical extract
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36 Caffeine
Antioxidant, protects the formula and skin
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37 Sodium Rna
Supporting ingredient
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Humectant, pulls water into the skin
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Botanical extract
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Botanical extract
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Botanical extract
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Botanical extract
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Botanical extract
-
Supporting ingredient
-
Humectant, pulls water into the skin
- 2 β nourishing hyaluronic family
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Antioxidant, protects the formula and skin
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Preservative, keeps the formula from spoiling
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48 Dimethiconol
Emollient, softens and smooths skin
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49 Arginine
pH adjuster
-
50 Polyethylene
Emollient, softens and smooths skin
- β 2 wax film
- β 2 wax water lock
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51 Trehalose
Humectant, pulls water into the skin
- 1 β nourishing humectant
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Humectant, pulls water into the skin
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53 Citric Acid
pH adjuster
-
pH adjuster
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Protein, peptide or amino acid, conditions and hydrates skin
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56 Phytic Acid
Chelator, binds stray metal ions to keep the formula stable
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57 Lecithin
Emulsifier, keeps oil and water blended
- β 9 feeds malassezia
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Antioxidant, protects the formula and skin
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Preservative, keeps the formula from spoiling
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60 BHT
Antioxidant, protects the formula and skin
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61 Mica
Colorant or pigment
-
Colorant or pigment
Is Clinique Superdefense SPF 40 good?
It scores 49.0/100, held back by weak protection. The two older-generation filters limit broad-spectrum coverage, so treat it as a light daily product rather than strong UV defense.
Does the Clinique Superdefense Spf 40 leave a white cast?
No, white cast is rated very low. It is lightweight with a balanced finish and sits well under makeup.
Is it mineral or chemical?
It is a chemical sunscreen, using ethylhexyl methoxycinnamate and phenylbenzimidazole sulfonic acid as its filters.