Paula's Choice Extra Care Non-greasy Sunscreen SPF 50
63/100 overall score
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Ingredient & SPF scores
βοΈ
UV protection
Good
75
- +12 Homosalate at #1, UV filter
- +22 Benzophenone-3 at #2, UV filter
- +8 Ethylhexyl Salicylate at #3, UV filter
- +28.5 Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane at #4, UV filter (UVA1 +15.2)
- +15.2 Octocrylene at #5, UV filter
- +19.8 Titanium Dioxide at #17, UV filter (UVA1 +3)
- β19 UVB coverage saturated
- β13.3 UVA2 coverage saturated
- +2 Label claims (SPF 50)
β’οΈ
Health safety
Low
0
- +100 Starting score
- β70 Oxybenzone at #2 (regulatory/evidence concern)
- β14 Homosalate at #1, stacked (regulatory/evidence concern)
- β10.5 Octocrylene at #5, stacked (regulatory/evidence concern)
- β3.5 Avobenzone at #4, stacked (regulatory/evidence concern)
- +0 2 endocrine-scrutinized filters together
- β7 Retinyl Palmitate at #14, disputed vitamin-A sunlight signal, under review
- +5 Penalties exceed the scale, floored at 0
π€§
Allergens
Low
91
- +100 Starting score
- β9 Photoallergen-tail UV filters (Benzophenone-3, Octocrylene)
π₯
Eye sting
Medium
35
- +100 Starting score
- β16 Avobenzone at #4, migrates into eyes with sweat
- β15 Octocrylene at #5, migrates into eyes with sweat
- β16 Oxybenzone at #2, migrates into eyes with sweat
- β9 Homosalate at #1, migrates into eyes with sweat
- β9 Octisalate at #3, migrates into eyes with sweat
πͺ¨
Heavy feel
Low
92
- +100 Starting score
- β2 Titanium Dioxide at #17
- β6 Polyethylene at #9, wax film
π
Fungal acne
Low
91
- +100 Starting score
- β9 1 long-chain (C12+) esters that feed Malassezia (Methyl Glucose Sesquistearate)
π
Fabric stains
High
8
- +100 Starting score
- β45 Avobenzone at #4, reacts with iron in wash water into rust-yellow stains
- β20 Oxybenzone at #2, yellow stains on white cotton
- β15 Octocrylene at #5, co-stains alongside avobenzone
- β10 Avobenzone + Octocrylene, the classic staining pair
- β2 Titanium Dioxide at #17, white marks, worst on dark fabric (washable)
π§
Moisture
Balanced
LightNourishing
- β 6 3 sebum-absorbing powders (Silica, Kaolin, Bentonite)
- β 1 Humectant polyols
β¨
Finish
Balanced
MatteDewy
- β 5 3 sebum-absorbing powders (Silica, Bentonite, Kaolin)
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 (Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Sodium Polyacrylate)
- β 2 Occlusives/waxes float the foundation
π
Water resistance
Not resistant
Non-water-resistantWater-resistant
- +4 1 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 C
- β¨ Vitamin E
Full ingredient list (28)
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 (Homosalate), high in the list, a primary filter
- β 12 UV protection
- β 14 stacked (regulatory/evidence concern)
- β 9 migrates into eyes with sweat
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Legacy UV filter (Oxybenzone), high in the list, a primary filter
- β 22 UV protection
- β 16 migrates into eyes with sweat
- β 20 yellow stains on white cotton
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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
-
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
-
6 Water
Solvent base, the water phase
-
Humectant, pulls water into the skin
- 1 β nourishing humectant polyol
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8 PEG-8
Emulsifier, keeps oil and water blended
-
Emollient, softens and smooths skin
- β 6 wax film
- β 4 wax water lock
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10 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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11 Dimethicone
Emollient, softens and smooths skin
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Botanical extract
-
Antioxidant, protects the formula and skin
-
Emollient, softens and smooths skin
- β 7 disputed vitamin-A sunlight signal, under review
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15 Tocopherol
Antioxidant, protects the formula and skin
-
Antioxidant, protects the formula and skin
-
Mineral UV filter (Titanium Dioxide), low in the list, likely a minor contributor
- β 19.8 UV protection, incl. long-UVA (UVA1)
- β 2 white marks, worst on dark fabric (washable)
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Soothing, skin-conditioning active
-
19 Bentonite
Mattifying powder, absorbs oil and blurs the finish
- light β 1.5 sebum-absorbing powder
- matte β 1 sebum-absorbing powder
-
Humectant, pulls water into the skin
- β 9 feeds malassezia
-
Thickener and texture, structures the gel or cream
-
Thickener and texture, structures the gel or cream
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23 Kaolin
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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Humectant, pulls water into the skin
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Chelator, binds stray metal ions to keep the formula stable
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pH adjuster
-
Preservative, keeps the formula from spoiling
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Preservative, keeps the formula from spoiling