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Ivatherm SPF 15 Metrocreme

Ivatherm SPF 15 Metrocreme

64/100 overall score

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About this sunscreen

Ivatherm SPF 15 Metrocreme is a chemical sunscreen and treatment cream using an older-school filter set of Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate, Phenylbenzimidazole Sulfonic Acid and Avobenzone (Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane). It wears matte and lightweight with low white cast and is generally low on pore-clogging, though it may sting slightly near the eyes. The SPF 15 means protection is moderate, best for light daily exposure. At 64.1/100 it is a modest everyday option.

Ingredient & SPF scores

β˜€οΈ

UV protection

Moderate 43
  • +18 Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate at #3, UV filter
  • +13.3 Phenylbenzimidazole Sulfonic Acid at #5, UV filter
  • +28.5 Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane at #6, UV filter (UVA1 +15.2)
  • +9.6 Octocrylene at #18, UV filter
  • βˆ’6.5 UVB coverage saturated
  • Γ—0.9 Limited long-UVA1 coverage
  • Γ—0.75 Avobenzone + octinoxate degrade each other in sunlight
How we rate uv protection β†’
☒️

Health safety

Medium 40
  • +100 Starting score
  • βˆ’36 Octinoxate at #3 (regulatory/evidence concern)
  • βˆ’10.5 Octocrylene at #18, stacked (regulatory/evidence concern)
  • βˆ’3.5 Avobenzone at #6, stacked (regulatory/evidence concern)
  • βˆ’10 Propylparaben at #34, endocrine-scrutinized preservative
How we rate health safety β†’
🀧

Allergens

Low 97
  • +100 Starting score
  • βˆ’3 Photoallergen-tail UV filters (Octocrylene)
How we rate allergens β†’
πŸ‘»

White cast

Low 98
  • +100 Starting score
  • βˆ’2 Titanium Dioxide as pigment (CI 77891) at #15
How we rate white cast β†’
πŸ”₯

Eye sting

Low 62
  • +100 Starting score
  • βˆ’16 Avobenzone at #6, migrates into eyes with sweat
  • βˆ’2 Octocrylene at #18, migrates into eyes with sweat
  • βˆ’16 Octinoxate at #3, migrates into eyes with sweat
  • βˆ’4 Ensulizole at #5, migrates into eyes with sweat
How we rate eye sting β†’
πŸͺ¨

Heavy feel

Low 99
  • +100 Starting score
  • βˆ’1 Paraffinum Liquidum at #28, heavy oil
  • +0.3 Volatile silicone at #7, flashes off
How we rate heavy feel β†’
πŸ”΄

Comedogenic

Low 100
  • +100 Starting score
How we rate comedogenic β†’
πŸ„

Fungal acne

Medium 67
  • +100 Starting score
  • βˆ’24 2 polysorbate/sorbitan emulsifiers that feed Malassezia (Polysorbate 80, Sorbitan Oleate)
  • βˆ’9 1 long-chain (C12+) esters that feed Malassezia (PEG-8 Laurate)
How we rate fungal acne β†’
πŸ‘•

Fabric stains

High 30
  • +100 Starting score
  • βˆ’45 Avobenzone at #6, reacts with iron in wash water into rust-yellow stains
  • βˆ’15 Octocrylene at #18, co-stains alongside avobenzone
  • βˆ’10 Avobenzone + Octocrylene, the classic staining pair
How we rate fabric stains β†’
πŸ’§

Moisture

Balanced
LightNourishing
  • ← 4.5 2 sebum-absorbing powders (Silica, Methyl Methacrylate Crosspolymer)
  • ← 7 Volatile carriers flash off, leaving a dry finish
  • β†’ 10 Glycerin at #4, the anchor humectant
  • β†’ 2 Humectant polyols
How we rate moisture β†’
✨

Finish

Matte
MatteDewy
  • ← 4 2 sebum-absorbing powders (Methyl Methacrylate Crosspolymer, Silica)
  • ← 6 Volatile carriers flash off, leaving a dry finish
  • β†’ 1 Occlusives seal moisture in (Paraffinum Liquidum)
How we rate finish β†’
πŸ’„

Makeup base

Okay
PillsPrimer
  • β†’ 5 Primer-style base, volatile silicones and dimethicone slip
  • β†’ 3 1 soft-focus powders in moderation
  • ← 2.5 Gel polymers prone to pilling under friction (Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/VP Copolymer, Acrylamide/Sodium Acryloyldimethyltaurate Copolymer)
  • ← 1 Occlusives/waxes float the foundation
  • ← 1.5 Humectant syrup tackiness (partly offset by the base)
How we rate makeup base β†’
🌊

Water resistance

Not resistant
Non-water-resistantWater-resistant
  • +7 1 film-forming polymers that lock the formula on for water resistance
How we rate water resistance β†’

Full ingredient list (39)

What each ingredient does and how it moves each rating: green helps, red hurts, ↑ / ↓ give the direction, and ← / β†’ shift a slider toward its ends (finish, moisture, makeup base). Auto-derived from our scoring rules and the ingredient's position.

  1. 1 Water

    Solvent base, the water phase

  2. 2 Butylene Glycol

    Humectant, pulls water into the skin

    • 2 β†’ nourishing humectant polyol
  3. Legacy UV filter (Octinoxate), high in the list, a primary filter

    • ↑ 18 UV protection
    • ↑ 16 migrates into eyes with sweat
  4. 4 Glycerin

    Humectant, pulls water into the skin

    • 10 β†’ nourishing the anchor humectant
  5. Legacy UV filter (Ensulizole)

    • ↑ 13.3 UV protection
    • ↑ 4 migrates into eyes with sweat
  6. Legacy UV filter (Avobenzone)

    • ↑ 28.5 UV protection, incl. long-UVA (UVA1)
    • ↓ 3.5 stacked (regulatory/evidence concern)
    • ↑ 16 migrates into eyes with sweat
    • ↑ 45 reacts with iron in wash water into rust-yellow stains
  7. 7 Cyclopentasiloxane

    Volatile silicone, flashes off for a light finish

    • light ← 5 volatile carrier, flashes off
    • matte ← 4 volatile carrier, flashes off
  8. Thickener and texture, structures the gel or cream

    • ↑ 7 film former
  9. Thickener and texture, structures the gel or cream

  10. Mattifying powder, absorbs oil and blurs the finish

    • light ← 3 sebum-absorbing powder
    • matte ← 3 sebum-absorbing powder
  11. 11 Xylitylglucoside

    Emulsifier, keeps oil and water blended

  12. 12 Lauryl Lactate

    Emollient, softens and smooths skin

  13. 13 Diisopropyl Sebacate

    Emollient, softens and smooths skin

  14. Emollient, softens and smooths skin

  15. Colorant or pigment

  16. 16 Cyclohexasiloxane

    Volatile silicone, flashes off for a light finish

    • light ← 1 volatile carrier, flashes off
    • matte ← 1 volatile carrier, flashes off
  17. 17 Dimethicone

    Emollient, softens and smooths skin

  18. 18 Octocrylene

    Legacy UV filter (Octocrylene), low in the list, likely a minor contributor

    • ↑ 9.6 UV protection
    • ↓ 10.5 stacked (regulatory/evidence concern)
    • ↑ 2 migrates into eyes with sweat
    • ↑ 15 co-stains alongside avobenzone
  19. 19 Propylene Glycol

    Humectant, pulls water into the skin

  20. Thickener and texture, structures the gel or cream

  21. 21 Mica

    Colorant or pigment

  22. 22 Anhydroxylitol

    Humectant, pulls water into the skin

  23. 23 Metronidazol

    Supporting ingredient

  24. 24 Phenoxyethanol

    Preservative, keeps the formula from spoiling

  25. 25 Isohexadecane

    Volatile hydrocarbon, flashes off for a light finish

    • light ← 1 volatile carrier, flashes off
    • matte ← 1 volatile carrier, flashes off
  26. 26 Xylitol

    Humectant, pulls water into the skin

  27. 27 Sodium Hydroxide

    pH adjuster

  28. 28 Paraffinum Liquidum

    Occlusive, seals moisture into the skin

    • ↑ 1 heavy oil
    • 1 β†’ dewy occlusive
  29. 29 Chlorphenesin

    Preservative, keeps the formula from spoiling

  30. 30 PEG-8 Laurate

    Emulsifier, keeps oil and water blended

    • ↑ 9 feeds malassezia
  31. 31 Polysorbate 80

    Emulsifier, keeps oil and water blended

    • ↑ 12 feeds malassezia
  32. 32 Methylparaben

    Preservative, keeps the formula from spoiling

  33. 33 Bisabolol

    Soothing, skin-conditioning active

  34. 34 Propylparaben

    Preservative, keeps the formula from spoiling

    • ↓ 10 endocrine-scrutinized preservative
  35. 35 Sorbitan Oleate

    Emulsifier, keeps oil and water blended

    • ↑ 12 feeds malassezia
  36. Botanical extract

  37. 37 Ethylparaben

    Preservative, keeps the formula from spoiling

  38. 38 Silica

    Mattifying powder, absorbs oil and blurs the finish

    • light ← 1.5 sebum-absorbing powder
    • matte ← 1 sebum-absorbing powder
  39. 39 BHT

    Antioxidant, protects the formula and skin

What SPF is Ivatherm Metrocreme?

It is SPF 15, so protection is rated moderate, best for light daily exposure. It is a treatment cream with built-in sun protection.

Is the Ivatherm SPF 15 Metrocreme mineral or chemical?

It is a chemical sunscreen with an older-school filter set including Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate and Avobenzone. It contains no mineral filters.

Does it work for oily skin?

It wears matte and lightweight with low white cast and a low pore-clogging tendency, so it generally suits oily skin. It may sting slightly near the eyes.

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