Paula's Choice Clear Ultra-Light Daily Hydrating Fluid Spf 30+
65/100 overall score
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About this sunscreen
Paula's Choice Clear Ultra-Light Daily Hydrating Fluid SPF 30+ is a chemical-led fluid that uses older filters such as Avobenzone, Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate and Octocrylene alongside a touch of Titanium Dioxide. It wears balanced and lightweight with low white cast, and may sting at a medium level. Breakout risk is low and it performs acceptably under makeup. Protection is rated moderate, and with a score of 64.6 it is a serviceable everyday fluid for lower-exposure days.
Ingredient & SPF scores
βοΈ
UV protection
Moderate
49
- +30 Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane at #1, UV filter (UVA1 +16)
- +18 Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate at #2, UV filter
- +8 Ethylhexyl Salicylate at #3, UV filter
- +15.2 Octocrylene at #4, UV filter
- +9.9 Titanium Dioxide at #21, 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
- +1 Label claims (SPF 30)
β’οΈ
Health safety
Medium
50
- +100 Starting score
- β36 Octinoxate at #2 (regulatory/evidence concern)
- β10.5 Octocrylene at #4, stacked (regulatory/evidence concern)
- β3.5 Avobenzone at #1, stacked (regulatory/evidence concern)
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Allergens
Low
96
- +100 Starting score
- β1 1 declared fragrance allergens
- β3 Photoallergen-tail UV filters (Octocrylene)
π₯
Eye sting
Medium
36
- +100 Starting score
- β24 Avobenzone at #1, migrates into eyes with sweat
- β15 Octocrylene at #4, migrates into eyes with sweat
- β16 Octinoxate at #2, migrates into eyes with sweat
- β9 Octisalate at #3, migrates into eyes with sweat
π
Fungal acne
Low
91
- +100 Starting score
- β9 1 oils/butters that feed Malassezia (Hydrogenated Lecithin)
π
Fabric stains
High
23
- +100 Starting score
- β50 Avobenzone at #1, 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
- β2 Titanium Dioxide at #21, white marks, worst on dark fabric (washable)
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Moisture
Balanced
LightNourishing
- β 5 1 sebum-absorbing powders (Silica)
- β 10 Glycerin at #6, the anchor humectant
π
Makeup base
Okay
PillsPrimer
- β 1 Primer-style base, volatile silicones and dimethicone slip
- β 3 1 soft-focus powders in moderation
- β 1 Gel polymers prone to pilling under friction (Sodium Carbomer, Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer)
- 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 E
- β¨ Green tea
Full ingredient list (29)
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 (Avobenzone), high in the list, a primary filter
- β 30 UV protection, incl. long-UVA (UVA1)
- β 3.5 stacked (regulatory/evidence concern)
- β 24 migrates into eyes with sweat
- β 50 reacts with iron in wash water into rust-yellow stains
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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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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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5 Water
Solvent base, the water phase
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6 Glycerin
Humectant, pulls water into the skin
- 10 β nourishing the anchor humectant
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7 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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Emollient, softens and smooths skin
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Preservative, keeps the formula from spoiling
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10 Tocopherol
Antioxidant, protects the formula and skin
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Botanical extract
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Botanical extract
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Botanical extract
-
Botanical extract
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Botanical extract
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Botanical extract
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Soothing, skin-conditioning active
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Botanical extract
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Botanical extract
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Emulsifier, keeps oil and water blended
- β 9 feeds malassezia
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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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Emollient, softens and smooths skin
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Filter booster, photostabilizes the UV filters or lifts their SPF
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Thickener and texture, structures the gel or cream
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25 Xanthan Gum
Thickener and texture, structures the gel or cream
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Thickener and texture, structures the gel or cream
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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
Does Paula's Choice Clear SPF 30+ leave a white cast?
No, white cast is rated low and the fluid wears balanced and lightweight, so it should stay invisible on most skin.
Is the Paula's Choice Clear Ultra-Light Daily Hydrating Fluid Spf 30+ mineral or chemical?
It is mainly chemical, using filters like Avobenzone, Octocrylene and Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate, with a small amount of Titanium Dioxide.
What SPF is it?
It is rated SPF 30+, with protection rated moderate, suited to everyday and lower-exposure use.