ELFormula Mugwort Soothing Sun Gel SPF 40 Pa+++
49/100 overall score
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About this sunscreen
ELFormula Mugwort Soothing Sun Gel SPF 40 PA+++ is a chemical sunscreen using modern water-friendly filters, Phenylbenzimidazole Sulfonic Acid and Terephthalylidene Dicamphor Sulfonic Acid (Mexoryl SX). It feels light with a matte finish, keeps white cast low and is generally gentle, making it an excellent base under makeup. Its filter pair, however, leans toward UVB and shorter UVA, so measured protection comes out weak. The score of 49.0/100 reflects that, so it is best as a cosmetically pleasant layer rather than primary sun defense.
Ingredient & SPF scores
☀️
UV protection
Weak
24
- +14 Phenylbenzimidazole Sulfonic Acid at #3, UV filter
- +22.4 Terephthalylidene Dicamphor Sulfonic Acid at #9, UV filter (UVA1 +8)
- ×0.6 Almost no UVA1, poor aging protection
- +2 Label claims (SPF 40, PA rating)
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Eye sting
Low
93
- +100 Starting score
- −7 Ensulizole at #3, migrates into eyes with sweat
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Moisture
Balanced
LightNourishing
- ← 3 1 sebum-absorbing powders (Polyphenylsilsesquioxane)
- ← 8 Volatile carriers flash off, leaving a dry finish
- → 10 Glycerin at #4, the anchor humectant
- → 3 2 strong humectants (Panthenol, Glyceryl Glucoside)
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Finish
Matte
MatteDewy
- ← 3 1 sebum-absorbing powders (Polyphenylsilsesquioxane)
- ← 7 Volatile carriers flash off, leaving a dry finish
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Makeup base
Excellent
PillsPrimer
- → 11 Primer-style base, volatile silicones and dimethicone slip
- → 12 2 velvet elastomer fillers, blur and grip
- → 3 1 soft-focus powders in moderation
- ← 1.5 Humectant syrup tackiness (partly offset by the base)
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Water resistance
Not resistant
Non-water-resistantWater-resistant
Nothing flagged in the ingredient list.
How we rate 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.
- ✨ Centella asiatica
- ✨ Panthenol (B5)
Full ingredient list (24)
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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Volatile silicone, flashes off for a light finish
- light ← 8 volatile carrier, flashes off
- matte ← 7 volatile carrier, flashes off
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Legacy UV filter (Ensulizole), high in the list, a primary filter
- ↑ 14 UV protection
- ↑ 7 migrates into eyes with sweat
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4 Glycerin
Humectant, pulls water into the skin
- 10 → nourishing the anchor humectant
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Soothing, skin-conditioning active
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Emollient, softens and smooths skin
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pH adjuster
-
Mattifying powder, absorbs oil and blurs the finish
- light ← 3 sebum-absorbing powder
- matte ← 3 sebum-absorbing powder
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Modern UV filter, broad-spectrum and photostable (Mexoryl SX), low in the list, likely a minor contributor
- ↑ 22.4 UV protection, incl. long-UVA (UVA1)
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Emollient, softens and smooths skin
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11 Panthenol
Soothing, skin-conditioning active
- 2 → nourishing humectant
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Supporting ingredient
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Emollient, softens and smooths skin
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Emulsifier, keeps oil and water blended
- 1 → nourishing humectant
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Emulsifier, keeps oil and water blended
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Emulsifier, keeps oil and water blended
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Humectant, pulls water into the skin
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Antioxidant, protects the formula and skin
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Soothing, skin-conditioning active
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Humectant, pulls water into the skin
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pH adjuster
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22 Tocopherol
Antioxidant, protects the formula and skin
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Botanical extract
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Humectant, pulls water into the skin
Is the ELFormula Mugwort Sun Gel a good sunscreen?
Its cosmetic feel is pleasant, but the score is 49.0/100. The two filters lean toward UVB and shorter UVA, so measured protection is weak. It is best as a comfortable layer rather than primary sun defense.
Is the ELFormula Mugwort Soothing Sun Gel SPF 40 Pa+++ mineral or chemical?
It is chemical. It uses Phenylbenzimidazole Sulfonic Acid and Terephthalylidene Dicamphor Sulfonic Acid (Mexoryl SX), with no mineral filters.
Is it good for oily or acne-prone skin?
Cosmetically, yes. The gel is matte, lightweight and low in pore-clogging risk, and it makes an excellent makeup base. Just pair it with adequate overall sun protection.