KMA UV Watery Protection SPF 50+ Pa++++
67/100 overall score
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About this sunscreen
KMA UV Watery Protection SPF 50+ PA++++ is a hybrid chemical formula that layers Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate, Octocrylene, Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane (avobenzone), and Methylene Bis-Benzotriazolyl Tetramethylbutylphenol. It has a balanced, lightweight, watery finish with low white cast and is low on the pore-clogging scale, though it may sting sensitive eyes somewhat. It sits okay under makeup. With a score of 67.4/100 and good protection, it is a decent everyday option.
Ingredient & SPF scores
☀️
UV protection
Good
70
- +18 Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate at #2, UV filter
- +16 Octocrylene at #3, UV filter
- +45.6 Methylene Bis-Benzotriazolyl Tetramethylbutylphenol at #5, UV filter (UVA1 +17.1)
- +28.5 Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane at #6, UV filter (UVA1 +15.2)
- +11.2 Isoamyl p-Methoxycinnamate at #8, UV filter
- −24.4 UVB coverage saturated
- −7.6 UVA2 coverage saturated
- ×0.75 Avobenzone + octinoxate degrade each other in sunlight
- +4 Label claims (SPF 50, PA rating)
☢️
Health safety
Medium
50
- +100 Starting score
- −36 Octinoxate at #2 (regulatory/evidence concern)
- −10.5 Octocrylene at #3, stacked (regulatory/evidence concern)
- −3.5 Avobenzone at #6, stacked (regulatory/evidence concern)
🤧
Allergens
Low
67
- +100 Starting score
- −18 Fragrance
- −12 Opaque "Fragrance", hidden allergens that can't be checked from the label
- −3 Photoallergen-tail UV filters (Octocrylene)
👻
White cast
Low
88
- +100 Starting score
- −12 Tinosorb M at #5, may look bluish-grey on deeper skin tones
🔥
Eye sting
Medium
38
- +100 Starting score
- −16 Avobenzone at #6, migrates into eyes with sweat
- −22 Octocrylene at #3, migrates into eyes with sweat
- −16 Octinoxate at #2, migrates into eyes with sweat
- −8 Fragrance
🍄
Fungal acne
Low
82
- +100 Starting score
- −18 1 polysorbate/sorbitan emulsifiers that feed Malassezia (Polysorbate 20)
👕
Fabric stains
High
30
- +100 Starting score
- −45 Avobenzone at #6, reacts with iron in wash water into rust-yellow stains
- −15 Octocrylene at #3, co-stains alongside avobenzone
- −10 Avobenzone + Octocrylene, the classic staining pair
💧
Moisture
Balanced
LightNourishing
- → 1 Glycerin at #19, the anchor humectant
- → 2 Humectant polyols
💄
Makeup base
Okay
PillsPrimer
- ← 6.5 Gel polymers prone to pilling under friction (Carbomer, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Xanthan Gum)
🌊
Water resistance
Not resistant
Non-water-resistantWater-resistant
Nothing flagged in the ingredient list.
How we rate water resistance →Full ingredient list (36)
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
-
Legacy UV filter (Octinoxate), high in the list, a primary filter
- ↑ 18 UV protection
- ↑ 16 migrates into eyes with sweat
-
Legacy UV filter (Octocrylene), high in the list, a primary filter
- ↑ 16 UV protection
- ↓ 10.5 stacked (regulatory/evidence concern)
- ↑ 22 migrates into eyes with sweat
- ↑ 15 co-stains alongside avobenzone
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Humectant, pulls water into the skin
- 1 → nourishing humectant polyol
-
Modern UV filter, broad-spectrum and photostable (Tinosorb M)
- ↑ 45.6 UV protection, incl. long-UVA (UVA1)
- ↑ 12 may look bluish-grey on deeper skin tones
-
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
-
Humectant, pulls water into the skin
- 1 → nourishing humectant polyol
-
Modern UV filter, broad-spectrum and photostable (Amiloxate), low in the list, likely a minor contributor
- ↑ 11.2 UV protection
-
Emulsifier, keeps oil and water blended
- ↑ 18 feeds malassezia
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Thickener and texture, structures the gel or cream
-
11 Xanthan Gum
Thickener and texture, structures the gel or cream
-
Emulsifier, keeps oil and water blended
-
pH adjuster
-
Chelator, binds stray metal ions to keep the formula stable
-
Supporting ingredient
-
Supporting ingredient
-
Emollient, softens and smooths skin
-
Botanical extract
-
19 Glycerin
Humectant, pulls water into the skin
- 1 → nourishing the anchor humectant
-
Humectant, pulls water into the skin
-
Humectant, pulls water into the skin
-
Protein, peptide or amino acid, conditions and hydrates skin
-
Botanical extract
-
Antioxidant, protects the formula and skin
-
25 Tocopherol
Antioxidant, protects the formula and skin
-
Thickener and texture, structures the gel or cream
-
Preservative, keeps the formula from spoiling
-
28 Carbomer
Thickener and texture, structures the gel or cream
-
29 Dna
Supporting ingredient
-
Preservative, keeps the formula from spoiling
-
Preservative, keeps the formula from spoiling
-
Preservative, keeps the formula from spoiling
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33 Fragrance
Fragrance
-
34 Ci 19140
Colorant or pigment
-
35 Ci 14700
Colorant or pigment
-
36 Ci 42090
Colorant or pigment
What SPF is KMA UV Watery Protection?
It is labeled SPF 50+ PA++++ and earns good protection in our rating.
Does the KMA UV Watery Protection SPF 50+ Pa++++ leave a white cast?
White cast is generally low, and the watery formula wears with a balanced, lightweight finish, so it should not look chalky.
Will it sting my eyes?
It rates medium on the stinging scale, so it may bother sensitive eyes somewhat. Apply carefully near the eye area.