Clinique Superdefense™ SPF 40 Fatigue + 1st Signs Of Age Multi-correcting Gel
70/100 overall score
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About this sunscreen
Clinique Superdefense SPF 40 is a multi-correcting gel using an older chemical filter set of ethylhexyl methoxycinnamate and phenylbenzimidazole sulfonic acid alongside titanium dioxide. It wears lightweight with a balanced finish and low white cast, does not sting, and generally works well under makeup. Protection is rated moderate. With an overall score of 70, it is a comfortable daily option positioned as much for skincare as for sun defense.
Ingredient & SPF scores
☀️
UV protection
Moderate
36
- +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
- +9.9 Titanium Dioxide at #62, UV filter (UVA1 +1.5)
- −3 UVB coverage saturated
- ×0.6 Almost no UVA1, poor aging protection
- +1 Label claims (SPF 40)
☢️
Health safety
High
64
- +100 Starting score
- −36 Octinoxate at #7 (regulatory/evidence concern)
🔥
Eye sting
Low
77
- +100 Starting score
- −11 Octinoxate at #7, migrates into eyes with sweat
- −2 Ensulizole at #8, migrates into eyes with sweat
- −10 Volatile alcohol at #5
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Heavy feel
Low
98
- +100 Starting score
- −2 Titanium Dioxide at #62
- −2 Polyethylene at #50, wax film
- +1.6 Volatile alcohol at #5, evaporating texture
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Fungal acne
Low
91
- +100 Starting score
- −9 1 oils/butters that feed Malassezia (Lecithin)
- +0 Dimethicone at #2, a safe base that does not feed Malassezia
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Fabric stains
Low
98
- +100 Starting score
- −2 Titanium Dioxide at #62, white marks, worst on dark fabric (washable)
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Moisture
Balanced
LightNourishing
- ← 13 Volatile alcohol at #5
- → 10 Glycerin at #4, the anchor humectant
- → 2 Sodium Hyaluronate at #45, hyaluronic family
- → 1 1 strong humectants (Trehalose)
- → 2 Humectant polyols
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Makeup base
Good
PillsPrimer
- → 6 Primer-style base, volatile silicones and dimethicone slip
- → 6 Quick-setting carrier (alcohol at #5), fast, even canvas
- ← 1.5 Humectant syrup tackiness (partly offset by the base)
🌊
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.
- ✨ Niacinamide
Full ingredient list (62)
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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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 → nourishing humectant polyol
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4 Glycerin
Humectant, pulls water into the skin
- 10 → 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)
- ↑ 22.8 UV protection, incl. long-UVA (UVA1)
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Legacy UV filter (Octinoxate)
- ↑ 17.1 UV protection
- ↑ 11 migrates into eyes with sweat
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Legacy UV filter (Ensulizole), low in the list, likely a minor contributor
- ↑ 11.2 UV protection
- ↑ 2 migrates into eyes with sweat
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Humectant, pulls water into the skin
-
pH adjuster
-
11 Trisiloxane
Emollient, softens and smooths skin
-
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
-
Botanical extract
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25 Creatine
Supporting ingredient
-
Soothing, skin-conditioning active
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Supporting ingredient
-
Supporting ingredient
-
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
-
Humectant, pulls water into the skin
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Botanical extract
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Botanical extract
-
Botanical extract
-
Botanical extract
-
Botanical extract
-
Supporting ingredient
-
Humectant, pulls water into the skin
- 2 → nourishing hyaluronic family
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Antioxidant, protects the formula and skin
-
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
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50 Polyethylene
Emollient, softens and smooths skin
- ↑ 2 wax film
- ↑ 2 wax water lock
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51 Trehalose
Humectant, pulls water into the skin
- 1 → nourishing humectant
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Humectant, pulls water into the skin
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53 Citric Acid
pH adjuster
-
pH adjuster
-
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
- ↑ 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
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Mineral UV filter (Titanium Dioxide), low in the list, likely a minor contributor
- ↑ 9.9 UV protection, incl. long-UVA (UVA1)
- ↑ 2 white marks, worst on dark fabric (washable)
Is Clinique Superdefense SPF 40 good?
It scores 70 out of 100, a mid-pack result. Protection is rated moderate, and it is positioned as a multi-correcting skincare gel with added SPF.
Does the Clinique Superdefense™ SPF 40 Fatigue + 1st Signs Of Age Multi-correcting Gel leave a white cast?
No, white cast is rated low. It wears lightweight with a balanced finish.
Can I wear it under makeup?
Yes, it is rated good as a makeup base. It does not sting and generally layers well under foundation.