Paula's Choice On-The-Go Shielding Powder Spf 30
72/100 overall score
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About this sunscreen
Paula's Choice On-The-Go Shielding Powder is an SPF 30 mineral sun powder using only Zinc Oxide. The powder format feels lightweight and matte, leaves little to no white cast in use and is generally non-stinging, with a low pore-clogging tendency. It works okay over makeup for touch-ups and its protection is rated moderate, as powders are best for topping up rather than primary coverage. With a score of 72.0/100, it is a convenient mineral option for reapplication through the day.
Ingredient & SPF scores
βοΈ
UV protection
Moderate
42
- +41 Zinc Oxide at #1, UV filter (UVA1 +18)
- +1 Label claims (SPF 30)
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Health safety
High
93
- +100 Starting score
- β7 Retinyl Palmitate at #19, disputed vitamin-A sunlight signal, under review
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White cast
Low
74
- +100 Starting score
- β42 Zinc Oxide, 19.2% declared
- β15 Pure mineral formula (19.2% total declared)
- +28.5 Iron-oxide undertone, partial masking
- +2 Coated minerals (Triethoxycaprylylsilane)
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Heavy feel
Low
70
- +100 Starting score
- β30 Zinc Oxide, 19.2% declared
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Fungal acne
Low
95
- +100 Starting score
- β5 1 ubiquitous fatty ingredients (Stearic Acid), weak Malassezia signal
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Fabric stains
Medium
45
- +100 Starting score
- β40 Iron-oxide pigments at #22, makeup-like collar marks (washable)
- β15 Zinc Oxide at #1, white marks, worst on dark fabric (washable)
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Moisture
Light
LightNourishing
- β 24 5 sebum-absorbing powders (Silica, Oryza Sativa Starch, Polymethylsilsesquioxane, β¦)
- β 5 Zinc Oxide at #1, mild sebum absorbent
- β 1 Humectant polyols
- β 6 Ceramide barrier lipids
β¨
Finish
Matte
MatteDewy
- β 18 5 sebum-absorbing powders (Boron Nitride, Vinyl Dimethicone/Methicone Silsesquioxane Crosspolymer, Silica, β¦)
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Makeup base
Okay
PillsPrimer
- β 8 1 velvet elastomer fillers, blur and grip
- β 7.5 High mineral load at #1 greys under foundation (tinted)
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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¨ Ceramides
- β¨ Vitamin E
- 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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Mineral UV filter (Zinc Oxide), high in the list, a primary filter
- β 41 UV protection, incl. long-UVA (UVA1)
- β 42 19.2% declared
- β 30 19.2% declared
- β 15 white marks, worst on dark fabric (washable)
- light β 5 mild sebum absorbent
- pills β 7.5 High mineral load greys under foundation (tinted)
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Colorant or pigment
-
Mattifying powder, absorbs oil and blurs the finish
- light β 8 sebum-absorbing powder
- matte β 10 sebum-absorbing powder
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Mattifying powder, absorbs oil and blurs the finish
- light β 5 sebum-absorbing powder
- matte β 6 sebum-absorbing powder
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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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Mattifying powder, absorbs oil and blurs the finish
- light β 5 sebum-absorbing powder
- matte β 6 sebum-absorbing powder
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Humectant, pulls water into the skin
- 1 β nourishing humectant polyol
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Emollient, softens and smooths skin
- β 5 minor malassezia feeder
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Soothing, skin-conditioning active
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10 Tocopherol
Antioxidant, protects the formula and skin
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Emollient, softens and smooths skin
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Antioxidant, protects the formula and skin
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Botanical extract
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14 Water
Solvent base, the water phase
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Supporting ingredient
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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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17 Nylon 6/12
Supporting ingredient
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18 EDTA
Chelator, binds stray metal ions to keep the formula stable
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Emollient, softens and smooths skin
- β 7 disputed vitamin-A sunlight signal, under review
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Preservative, keeps the formula from spoiling
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Preservative, keeps the formula from spoiling
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22 Iron Oxides
Colorant or pigment
- β 40 makeup-like collar marks (washable)
Is Paula's Choice Shielding Powder mineral or chemical?
It is a fully mineral sun powder using only Zinc Oxide. The powder format makes it convenient for reapplication over makeup through the day, and it is rated SPF 30.
Does the Paula's Choice On-The-Go Shielding Powder Spf 30 leave a white cast?
In use it generally leaves little to no white cast, applying as a sheer matte layer. It is non-stinging and has a low pore-clogging tendency.
Is Paula's Choice Shielding Powder good?
It scores 72.0/100 with protection rated moderate, so it is best for topping up coverage rather than as your only sunscreen. It is a convenient mineral option for touch-ups during the day.