Neova Active Optimal Defense | Broad Spectrum SPF 43
75/100 overall score
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Ingredient & SPF scores
βοΈ
UV protection
Good
60
- +18 Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate at #1, UV filter
- +41 Zinc Oxide at #2, UV filter (UVA1 +18)
- +1 Label claims (SPF 43)
β’οΈ
Health safety
Medium
57
- +100 Starting score
- β36 Octinoxate at #1 (regulatory/evidence concern)
- β7 Retinyl Palmitate at #19, disputed vitamin-A sunlight signal, under review
π€§
Allergens
Low
94
- +100 Starting score
- β6 Sensitizing preservatives (Iodopropynyl Butylcarbamate)
π»
White cast
Low
87
- +100 Starting score
- β14 Zinc Oxide, 9% declared
- +1 Coated minerals (Triethoxycaprylylsilane)
π₯
Eye sting
Low
84
- +100 Starting score
- β16 Octinoxate at #1, migrates into eyes with sweat
πͺ¨
Heavy feel
Low
94
- +100 Starting score
- β8 Zinc Oxide, 9% declared
- +2 Volatile silicone at #6, flashes off
π
Fungal acne
Low
91
- +100 Starting score
- β9 1 oils/butters that feed Malassezia (Lecithin)
π
Fabric stains
Low
85
- +100 Starting score
- β15 Zinc Oxide at #2, white marks, worst on dark fabric (washable)
π§
Moisture
Light
LightNourishing
- β 5 Volatile carriers flash off, leaving a dry finish
- β 5 Zinc Oxide at #2, mild sebum absorbent
- β 1 Humectant polyols
β¨
Finish
Balanced
MatteDewy
- β 4 Volatile carriers flash off, leaving a dry finish
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Makeup base
Good
PillsPrimer
- β 8 Primer-style base, volatile silicones and dimethicone slip
- β 12 2 velvet elastomer fillers, blur and grip
- β 15 High mineral load at #2 greys under foundation
π
Water resistance
Not resistant
Non-water-resistantWater-resistant
Nothing flagged in the ingredient list.
How we rate water resistance βSkincare 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 C
Full ingredient list (22)
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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Legacy UV filter (Octinoxate), high in the list, a primary filter
- β 18 UV protection
- β 16 migrates into eyes with sweat
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Mineral UV filter (Zinc Oxide), high in the list, a primary filter
- β 41 UV protection, incl. long-UVA (UVA1)
- β 14 9% declared
- β 8 9% declared
- β 15 white marks, worst on dark fabric (washable)
- light β 5 mild sebum absorbent
- pills β 15 High mineral load greys under foundation
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Antioxidant, protects the formula and skin
-
Humectant, pulls water into the skin
- 1 β nourishing humectant polyol
-
pH adjuster
-
Volatile silicone, flashes off for a light finish
- light β 5 volatile carrier, flashes off
- matte β 4 volatile carrier, flashes off
-
Emollient, softens and smooths skin
-
Emulsifier, keeps oil and water blended
-
Emollient, softens and smooths skin
-
Antioxidant, protects the formula and skin
-
Emollient, softens and smooths skin
-
Preservative, keeps the formula from spoiling
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Emulsifier, keeps oil and water blended
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14 Lecithin
Emulsifier, keeps oil and water blended
- β 9 feeds malassezia
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Supporting ingredient
-
Preservative, keeps the formula from spoiling
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Botanical extract
-
18 Water
Solvent base, the water phase
-
Emollient, softens and smooths skin
- β 7 disputed vitamin-A sunlight signal, under review
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Thickener and texture, structures the gel or cream
-
pH adjuster
-
Supporting ingredient