Nature Republic California Aloe Fresh Powdery Sun Stick SPF 50+ PA++++
49/100 overall score
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About this sunscreen
Nature Republic California Aloe Fresh Powdery Sun Stick SPF 50+ PA++++ is a chemical stick using an older-generation filter set of octocrylene, homosalate, ethylhexyl salicylate, and avobenzone. It has a matte finish, stays lightweight, and is rated low for white cast, with good makeup-base performance. Despite the high SPF label, protection is rated weak and the overall score is low in our system, so it is best as a touch-up rather than primary defence.
Ingredient & SPF scores
βοΈ
UV protection
Weak
34
- +15.2 Octocrylene at #4, UV filter
- +9.6 Homosalate at #9, UV filter
- +6.4 Ethylhexyl Salicylate at #12, UV filter
- +18 Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane at #14, UV filter (UVA1 +9.6)
- Γ0.6 Almost no UVA1, poor aging protection
- +4 Label claims (SPF 50, PA rating)
β’οΈ
Health safety
Medium
46
- +100 Starting score
- β40 Homosalate at #9 (regulatory/evidence concern)
- β10.5 Octocrylene at #4, stacked (regulatory/evidence concern)
- β3.5 Avobenzone at #14, stacked (regulatory/evidence concern)
π€§
Allergens
Low
67
- +100 Starting score
- β18 Fragrance
- β2 2 declared fragrance allergens
- β10 Opaque "Fragrance", hidden allergens that can't be checked from the label
- β3 Photoallergen-tail UV filters (Octocrylene)
π₯
Eye sting
Low
64
- +100 Starting score
- β3 Avobenzone at #14, migrates into eyes with sweat
- β15 Octocrylene at #4, migrates into eyes with sweat
- β3 Homosalate at #9, migrates into eyes with sweat
- β3 Octisalate at #12, migrates into eyes with sweat
- β8 Fragrance
- β4 2 declared fragrance allergens
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Heavy feel
Low
66
- +100 Starting score
- β2 Ozokerite at #15, wax film
- β20 Synthetic Wax at #1, wax film
- β12 Stick/balm format with a wax skeleton
π΄
Comedogenic
Low
83
- +100 Starting score
- β17 Isopropyl Palmitate at #6, heavy comedogenic ester
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Fungal acne
Medium
67
- +100 Starting score
- β33 2 long-chain (C12+) esters that feed Malassezia (Isopropyl Palmitate, Polyglyceryl-2 Triisostearate)
π
Fabric stains
Medium
47
- +100 Starting score
- β28 Avobenzone at #14, reacts with iron in wash water into rust-yellow stains
- β15 Octocrylene at #4, co-stains alongside avobenzone
- β10 Avobenzone + Octocrylene, the classic staining pair
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Moisture
Light
LightNourishing
- β 9.5 3 sebum-absorbing powders (Silica, Methyl Methacrylate Crosspolymer, Vinyl Dimethicone/Methicone Silsesquioxane Crosspolymer)
β¨
Finish
Matte
MatteDewy
- β 10 3 sebum-absorbing powders (Vinyl Dimethicone/Methicone Silsesquioxane Crosspolymer, Silica, Methyl Methacrylate Crosspolymer)
- β 4 2 dry-touch emollients reduce greasy shine (Propylheptyl Caprylate, Dicaprylyl Carbonate)
- β 4 1 slippy emollient esters (Isopropyl Palmitate)
π
Makeup base
Good
PillsPrimer
- β 3 Primer-style base, volatile silicones and dimethicone slip
- β 8 1 velvet elastomer fillers, blur and grip
- β 6 2 soft-focus powders in moderation
- β 4 Dry-touch esters, smooth fast-absorbing base
- β 9 Occlusives/waxes float the foundation
π
Water resistance
Resistant
Non-water-resistantWater-resistant
- +3 1 film-forming polymers that lock the formula on for water resistance
- +12 2 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¨ Vitamin E
Full ingredient list (32)
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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Occlusive, seals moisture into the skin
- β 20 wax film
- β 10 wax water lock
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Emollient, softens and smooths skin
- matte β 3 dry-touch emollient, anti-shine
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Antioxidant, protects the formula and skin
-
Legacy UV filter (Octocrylene)
- β 15.2 UV protection
- β 10.5 stacked (regulatory/evidence concern)
- β 15 migrates into eyes with sweat
- β 15 co-stains alongside avobenzone
-
Emollient, softens and smooths skin
-
Emollient, softens and smooths skin
- β 17 heavy comedogenic ester
- 4 β dewy slippy emollient ester
- β 24 feeds malassezia
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Mattifying powder, absorbs oil and blurs the finish
- light β 5 sebum-absorbing powder
- matte β 6 sebum-absorbing powder
-
8 Silica
Mattifying powder, absorbs oil and blurs the finish
- light β 3 sebum-absorbing powder
- matte β 3 sebum-absorbing powder
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Legacy UV filter (Homosalate), low in the list, likely a minor contributor
- β 9.6 UV protection
- β 3 migrates into eyes with sweat
-
Emollient, softens and smooths skin
-
Emollient, softens and smooths skin
- matte β 1 dry-touch emollient, anti-shine
-
Legacy UV filter (Octisalate), low in the list, likely a minor contributor
- β 6.4 UV protection
- β 3 migrates into eyes with sweat
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Mattifying powder, absorbs oil and blurs the finish
- light β 1.5 sebum-absorbing powder
- matte β 1 sebum-absorbing powder
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Legacy UV filter (Avobenzone), low in the list, likely a minor contributor
- β 18 UV protection, incl. long-UVA (UVA1)
- β 3.5 stacked (regulatory/evidence concern)
- β 3 migrates into eyes with sweat
- β 28 reacts with iron in wash water into rust-yellow stains
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15 Ozokerite
Occlusive, seals moisture into the skin
- β 2 wax film
- β 2 wax water lock
-
Thickener and texture, structures the gel or cream
- β 3 film former
-
17 Fragrance
Fragrance
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Emulsifier, keeps oil and water blended
-
Preservative, keeps the formula from spoiling
-
Emulsifier, keeps oil and water blended
- β 9 feeds malassezia
-
21 Ci 19140
Colorant or pigment
-
22 Water
Solvent base, the water phase
-
Humectant, pulls water into the skin
-
Botanical extract
-
25 Maris Aqua
Solvent base, the water phase
-
Humectant, pulls water into the skin
-
Preservative, keeps the formula from spoiling
-
Humectant, pulls water into the skin
-
Soothing, skin-conditioning active
-
Botanical extract
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31 Linalool
Fragrance component, a declared allergen
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32 Limonene
Fragrance component, a declared allergen
Does the Nature Republic Powdery Sun Stick SPF 50+ leave a white cast?
White cast is rated low, with a matte, lightweight finish. It is a chemical stick using an older-generation filter set.
Does the Nature Republic California Aloe Fresh Powdery Sun Stick SPF 50+ PA++++ work under makeup?
It is rated good as a makeup base, so it generally layers well, but as a stick it is often better suited to touch-ups.
Is it good despite the SPF 50+ label?
Despite the high SPF label, protection is rated weak and the overall score is low in our system, so it is best as a touch-up rather than primary defence.