Paula's Choice Resist Super-Light Wrinkle Defense Spf 30
75/100 overall score
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About this sunscreen
Paula's Choice Resist Super-Light Wrinkle Defense SPF 30 is a pure mineral sunscreen using zinc oxide, with a matte finish. It wears lightweight, shows little to no white cast, does not commonly sting, works well under makeup, and has a low pore-clogging profile, an unusually well-rounded all-zinc formula. With moderate protection and a score of 75.3/100, it is a strong daily mineral pick for those who want a matte, makeup-friendly finish.
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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White cast
Low
83
- +100 Starting score
- β28 Zinc Oxide, 13% declared
- β8 Pure mineral formula (13% total declared)
- +18 Iron-oxide undertone, partial masking
- +1.3 Coated minerals (Triethoxycaprylylsilane)
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Heavy feel
Low
87
- +100 Starting score
- β18 Zinc Oxide, 13% declared
- +4.5 Volatile silicone at #3, flashes off
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Fungal acne
Low
88
- +100 Starting score
- β12 1 polysorbate/sorbitan emulsifiers that feed Malassezia (Polysorbate 80)
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Fabric stains
Medium
45
- +100 Starting score
- β40 Iron-oxide pigments at #29, 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 8 3 sebum-absorbing powders (Hydrated Silica, Hydrolyzed Corn Starch, Lauroyl Lysine)
- β 8 Volatile carriers flash off, leaving a dry finish
- β 5 Zinc Oxide at #1, mild sebum absorbent
β¨
Finish
Matte
MatteDewy
- β 8 3 sebum-absorbing powders (Lauroyl Lysine, Hydrolyzed Corn Starch, Hydrated Silica)
- β 7 Volatile carriers flash off, leaving a dry finish
- β 1 1 emollient lipids (C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate)
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Makeup base
Good
PillsPrimer
- β 8 Primer-style base, volatile silicones and dimethicone slip
- 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¨ Vitamin E
- β¨ Vitamin C
- β¨ Adenosine
- β¨ Bisabolol
Full ingredient list (32)
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 28 13% declared
- β 18 13% 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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2 Water
Solvent base, the water phase
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Volatile silicone, flashes off for a light finish
- light β 8 volatile carrier, flashes off
- matte β 7 volatile carrier, flashes off
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Emulsifier, keeps oil and water blended
-
Emollient, softens and smooths skin
-
Mattifying powder, absorbs oil and blurs the finish
- light β 5 sebum-absorbing powder
- matte β 6 sebum-absorbing powder
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Thickener and texture, structures the gel or cream
-
Thickener and texture, structures the gel or cream
-
Emollient, softens and smooths skin
-
10 Resveratrol
Antioxidant, protects the formula and skin
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11 Quercetin
Supporting ingredient
-
Supporting ingredient
-
Antioxidant, protects the formula and skin
-
Antioxidant, protects the formula and skin
-
15 Adenosine
Soothing, skin-conditioning active
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16 Bisabolol
Soothing, skin-conditioning active
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Botanical extract
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Botanical extract
-
Botanical extract
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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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Emulsifier, keeps oil and water blended
- β 12 feeds malassezia
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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
-
Supporting ingredient
-
Emollient, softens and smooths skin
- 1 β dewy emollient lipid
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Emollient, softens and smooths skin
-
Preservative, keeps the formula from spoiling
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Humectant, pulls water into the skin
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Humectant, pulls water into the skin
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29 Ci 77491
Colorant or pigment
- β 40 makeup-like collar marks (washable)
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30 Ci 77492
Colorant or pigment
-
31 Ci 77499
Colorant or pigment
-
Preservative, keeps the formula from spoiling
Does the Paula's Choice Resist Super-Light Wrinkle Defense Spf 30 work under makeup?
Yes, it works well under makeup. It wears lightweight with a matte finish and little to no white cast, which is unusual for an all-zinc formula.
Is this mineral or chemical?
It is a pure mineral sunscreen, using zinc oxide as its only UV filter.
Is the Paula's Choice Resist Super-Light Wrinkle Defense Spf 30 good for oily skin?
It can suit oily skin. The matte finish, lightweight feel, and low pore-clogging profile make it a good daily mineral option, and it scores 75.3/100.