Paula's Choice 5% Vitamin C Sheer Moisturizer SPF 50
65/100 overall score
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About this sunscreen
Paula's Choice 5% Vitamin C Sheer Moisturizer is an SPF 50 chemical sunscreen using older-generation filters such as Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate, Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane, and Octocrylene with a touch of titanium dioxide. It keeps white cast low, wears lightweight with a balanced finish, and works well as a makeup base, though it can produce medium sting. The low breakout-trigger profile is generally agreeable for blemish-prone skin. With a score of 64.9 and moderate protection, it is a sheer daily moisturizer with added vitamin C.
Ingredient & SPF scores
βοΈ
UV protection
Moderate
49
- +18 Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate at #2, UV filter
- +8 Ethylhexyl Salicylate at #3, UV filter
- +28.5 Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane at #6, UV filter (UVA1 +15.2)
- +15.2 Octocrylene at #7, UV filter
- +9.9 Titanium Dioxide at #29, UV filter (UVA1 +1.5)
- β10.2 UVB coverage saturated
- Γ0.9 Limited long-UVA1 coverage
- Γ0.75 Avobenzone + octinoxate degrade each other in sunlight
- +2 Label claims (SPF 50)
β’οΈ
Health safety
Medium
50
- +100 Starting score
- β36 Octinoxate at #2 (regulatory/evidence concern)
- β10.5 Octocrylene at #7, stacked (regulatory/evidence concern)
- β3.5 Avobenzone at #6, stacked (regulatory/evidence concern)
π€§
Allergens
Low
97
- +100 Starting score
- β3 Photoallergen-tail UV filters (Octocrylene)
π»
White cast
Low
97
- +100 Starting score
- β6 Titanium Dioxide at #29
- +3 Iron-oxide undertone, partial masking
π₯
Eye sting
Medium
44
- +100 Starting score
- β16 Avobenzone at #6, migrates into eyes with sweat
- β15 Octocrylene at #7, migrates into eyes with sweat
- β16 Octinoxate at #2, migrates into eyes with sweat
- β9 Octisalate at #3, migrates into eyes with sweat
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Heavy feel
Low
97
- +100 Starting score
- β2 Titanium Dioxide at #29
- β1 Ricinus Communis Seed Oil at #20, heavy oil
π΄
Comedogenic
Low
98
- +100 Starting score
- β2 Laureth-4 at #25, comedogenic oil/butter
π
Fungal acne
Medium
73
- +100 Starting score
- β18 2 oils/butters that feed Malassezia (Hydrogenated Lecithin, Ricinus Communis Seed Oil)
- β9 1 long-chain (C12+) esters that feed Malassezia (Laureth-4)
π
Fabric stains
High
0
- +100 Starting score
- β45 Avobenzone at #6, reacts with iron in wash water into rust-yellow stains
- β15 Octocrylene at #7, co-stains alongside avobenzone
- β10 Avobenzone + Octocrylene, the classic staining pair
- β40 Iron-oxide pigments at #30, makeup-like collar marks (washable)
- β2 Titanium Dioxide at #29, white marks, worst on dark fabric (washable)
- +12 Penalties exceed the scale, floored at 0
π§
Moisture
Balanced
LightNourishing
- β 5 1 sebum-absorbing powders (Silica)
- β 10 Glycerin at #4, the anchor humectant
β¨
Finish
Balanced
MatteDewy
- β 6 1 sebum-absorbing powders (Silica)
- β 1 Occlusives seal moisture in (Ricinus Communis Seed Oil)
π
Makeup base
Good
PillsPrimer
- β 1 Primer-style base, volatile silicones and dimethicone slip
- β 8 1 velvet elastomer fillers, blur and grip
- β 3 1 soft-focus powders in moderation
- β 0.5 Gel polymers prone to pilling under friction (Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer)
- β 1.5 Humectant syrup tackiness (partly offset by the base)
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 (31)
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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1 Water
Solvent base, the water phase
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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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Legacy UV filter (Octisalate), high in the list, a primary filter
- β 8 UV protection
- β 9 migrates into eyes with sweat
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4 Glycerin
Humectant, pulls water into the skin
- 10 β nourishing the anchor humectant
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5 Silica
Mattifying powder, absorbs oil and blurs the finish
- light β 5 sebum-absorbing powder
- matte β 6 sebum-absorbing powder
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Legacy UV filter (Avobenzone)
- β 28.5 UV protection, incl. long-UVA (UVA1)
- β 3.5 stacked (regulatory/evidence concern)
- β 16 migrates into eyes with sweat
- β 45 reacts with iron in wash water into rust-yellow stains
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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
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Antioxidant, protects the formula and skin
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Antioxidant, protects the formula and skin
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10 Dimethicone
Emollient, softens and smooths skin
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11 Propanediol
Humectant, pulls water into the skin
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Antioxidant, protects the formula and skin
-
Supporting ingredient
-
Thickener and texture, structures the gel or cream
-
Filter booster, photostabilizes the UV filters or lifts their SPF
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Emollient, softens and smooths skin
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Botanical extract
-
Botanical extract
-
Emulsifier, keeps oil and water blended
- β 9 feeds malassezia
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Botanical extract
- β 1 heavy oil
- 1 β dewy occlusive
- β 9 feeds malassezia
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pH adjuster
-
22 Tocopherol
Antioxidant, protects the formula and skin
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23 Xanthan Gum
Thickener and texture, structures the gel or cream
-
Humectant, pulls water into the skin
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25 Laureth-4
Emulsifier, keeps oil and water blended
- β 2 comedogenic oil/butter
- β 9 feeds malassezia
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Preservative, keeps the formula from spoiling
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Preservative, keeps the formula from spoiling
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Preservative, keeps the formula from spoiling
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Mineral UV filter (Titanium Dioxide), low in the list, likely a minor contributor
- β 9.9 UV protection, incl. long-UVA (UVA1)
- β 2 white marks, worst on dark fabric (washable)
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30 Iron Oxides
Colorant or pigment
- β 40 makeup-like collar marks (washable)
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Supporting ingredient
Is Paula's Choice Vitamin C Sheer Moisturizer good under makeup?
Yes, it is rated as a good makeup base, wearing lightweight with a balanced, sheer finish and low white cast. It layers cleanly under foundation. The added vitamin C is a bonus for daytime use.
Is the Paula's Choice 5% Vitamin C Sheer Moisturizer SPF 50 mineral or chemical?
It is mostly a chemical sunscreen using older-generation filters such as Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate and Octocrylene, with a touch of titanium dioxide. That keeps the formula sheer with low white cast. It is rated SPF 50.
Is it good and how is the protection?
Protection is rated moderate and it scores 64.9 out of 100, making it a decent sheer daily moisturizer rather than a top performer. Sting potential is medium, so avoid the eyes. It suits those who want sun care plus skincare in one step.