Paula's Choice Skin Balancing Moisturiser SPF 30
65/100 overall score
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About this sunscreen
Paula's Choice Skin Balancing Moisturiser SPF 30 is a chemical moisturizer-sunscreen using older-generation filters, homosalate, oxybenzone, avobenzone and octocrylene, alongside a touch of titanium dioxide. It finishes matte, stays lightweight and keeps white cast low, which suits combination and oilier skin. It is generally low on breakout risk and works well under makeup, though it may sting slightly near the eyes. With good protection and a mid 65.2/100 score, the dated filter mix holds it back from the top tier.
Ingredient & SPF scores
βοΈ
UV protection
Good
74
- +12 Homosalate at #2, UV filter
- +20.9 Benzophenone-3 at #4, UV filter
- +28.5 Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane at #5, UV filter (UVA1 +15.2)
- +15.2 Octocrylene at #7, UV filter
- +19.8 Titanium Dioxide at #18, UV filter (UVA1 +3)
- β10.5 UVB coverage saturated
- β12.7 UVA2 coverage saturated
- +1 Label claims (SPF 30)
β’οΈ
Health safety
Low
2
- +100 Starting score
- β70 Oxybenzone at #4 (regulatory/evidence concern)
- β14 Homosalate at #2, stacked (regulatory/evidence concern)
- β10.5 Octocrylene at #7, stacked (regulatory/evidence concern)
- β3.5 Avobenzone at #5, stacked (regulatory/evidence concern)
- +0 2 endocrine-scrutinized filters together
π€§
Allergens
Low
91
- +100 Starting score
- β9 Photoallergen-tail UV filters (Benzophenone-3, Octocrylene)
π₯
Eye sting
Medium
49
- +100 Starting score
- β16 Avobenzone at #5, migrates into eyes with sweat
- β15 Octocrylene at #7, migrates into eyes with sweat
- β11 Oxybenzone at #4, migrates into eyes with sweat
- β9 Homosalate at #2, migrates into eyes with sweat
π
Fungal acne
Medium
70
- +100 Starting score
- β12 1 polysorbate/sorbitan emulsifiers that feed Malassezia (Polysorbate 20)
- β18 2 long-chain (C12+) esters that feed Malassezia (Steareth-21, Steareth-2)
π
Fabric stains
High
8
- +100 Starting score
- β45 Avobenzone at #5, reacts with iron in wash water into rust-yellow stains
- β20 Oxybenzone at #4, yellow stains on white cotton
- β15 Octocrylene at #7, co-stains alongside avobenzone
- β10 Avobenzone + Octocrylene, the classic staining pair
- β2 Titanium Dioxide at #18, white marks, worst on dark fabric (washable)
π§
Moisture
Balanced
LightNourishing
- β 8 2 sebum-absorbing powders (Silica, Aluminium Starch Octenylsuccinate)
- β 2 Humectant polyols
β¨
Finish
Matte
MatteDewy
- β 9 2 sebum-absorbing powders (Silica, Aluminium Starch Octenylsuccinate)
π
Makeup base
Good
PillsPrimer
- β 6 2 soft-focus powders in moderation
- β 0.5 Gel polymers prone to pilling under friction (Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer)
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¨ Green tea
- β¨ Aloe vera
- β¨ Vitamin C
- β¨ Adenosine
Full ingredient list (25)
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 (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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Humectant, pulls water into the skin
- 2 β nourishing humectant polyol
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Legacy UV filter (Oxybenzone)
- β 20.9 UV protection
- β 11 migrates into eyes with sweat
- β 20 yellow stains on white cotton
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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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6 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 (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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Mattifying powder, absorbs oil and blurs the finish
- light β 3 sebum-absorbing powder
- matte β 3 sebum-absorbing powder
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Emollient, softens and smooths skin
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Botanical extract
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Soothing, skin-conditioning active
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Antioxidant, protects the formula and skin
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Emulsifier, keeps oil and water blended
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Antioxidant, protects the formula and skin
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15 Adenosine
Soothing, skin-conditioning active
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Botanical extract
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Thickener and texture, structures the gel or cream
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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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pH adjuster
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20 Steareth-21
Emulsifier, keeps oil and water blended
- β 9 feeds malassezia
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21 Steareth-2
Emulsifier, keeps oil and water blended
- β 9 feeds malassezia
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Emulsifier, keeps oil and water blended
- β 12 feeds malassezia
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Chelator, binds stray metal ions to keep the formula stable
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Preservative, keeps the formula from spoiling
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25 Sorbic Acid
Preservative, keeps the formula from spoiling
Is Paula's Choice Skin Balancing Moisturiser SPF 30 good for oily skin?
Yes, it is a good fit. It finishes matte, stays lightweight and is low on pore-clogging risk, which suits combination and oilier skin.
Is the Paula's Choice Skin Balancing Moisturiser SPF 30 mineral or chemical?
It is mostly chemical, using older filters homosalate, oxybenzone, avobenzone and octocrylene, with a small amount of titanium dioxide.
Is it any good?
It earns a mid 65.2/100 score with good protection. It wears well and layers under makeup, but the dated filter mix keeps it out of the top tier.