Paula's Choice Smoothing Primer Serum Spf 30
65/100 overall score
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About this sunscreen
Paula's Choice Smoothing Primer Serum SPF 30 is a chemical sunscreen using an older-generation filter blend of avobenzone, homosalate, octinoxate and ethylhexyl salicylate. It commonly wears lightweight with a balanced finish and a low white-cast risk, and it is generally low in pore-clogging concern. Its standout trait is performance as a makeup base, where it is rated excellent. It can sting somewhat around the eyes. Scoring around 65 with moderate protection, it is a strong primer-sunscreen hybrid best for light daily exposure.
Ingredient & SPF scores
βοΈ
UV protection
Moderate
43
- +30 Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane at #1, UV filter (UVA1 +16)
- +12 Homosalate at #2, UV filter
- +18 Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate at #3, UV filter
- +7.6 Ethylhexyl Salicylate at #4, UV filter
- β5.6 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
37
- +100 Starting score
- β40 Homosalate at #2 (regulatory/evidence concern)
- β12.6 Octinoxate at #3, stacked (regulatory/evidence concern)
- β3.5 Avobenzone at #1, stacked (regulatory/evidence concern)
- +0 2 endocrine-scrutinized filters together
- β7 Retinyl Palmitate at #13, disputed vitamin-A sunlight signal, under review
π₯
Eye sting
Medium
45
- +100 Starting score
- β24 Avobenzone at #1, migrates into eyes with sweat
- β16 Octinoxate at #3, migrates into eyes with sweat
- β9 Homosalate at #2, migrates into eyes with sweat
- β6 Octisalate at #4, migrates into eyes with sweat
π
Fabric stains
Medium
50
- +100 Starting score
- β50 Avobenzone at #1, reacts with iron in wash water into rust-yellow stains
π§
Moisture
Balanced
LightNourishing
- β 4 Volatile carriers flash off, leaving a dry finish
β¨
Finish
Balanced
MatteDewy
- β 4 Volatile carriers flash off, leaving a dry finish
π
Makeup base
Excellent
PillsPrimer
- β 12 2 velvet elastomer fillers, blur and grip
- β 3 Quick-setting carrier, fast, even canvas
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¨ Bisabolol
- β¨ Aloe vera
- β¨ Green tea
Full ingredient list (21)
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 (Homosalate), high in the list, a primary filter
- β 12 UV protection
- β 9 migrates into eyes with sweat
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Legacy UV filter (Octinoxate), high in the list, a primary filter
- β 18 UV protection
- β 12.6 stacked (regulatory/evidence concern)
- β 16 migrates into eyes with sweat
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Legacy UV filter (Octisalate)
- β 7.6 UV protection
- β 6 migrates into eyes with sweat
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Volatile hydrocarbon, flashes off for a light finish
- light β 4 volatile carrier, flashes off
- matte β 4 volatile carrier, flashes off
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Emollient, softens and smooths skin
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Emollient, softens and smooths skin
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Emollient, softens and smooths skin
-
Soothing, skin-conditioning active
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Botanical extract
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Botanical extract
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Botanical extract
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Emollient, softens and smooths skin
- β 7 disputed vitamin-A sunlight signal, under review
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Soothing, skin-conditioning active
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Botanical extract
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Botanical extract
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Botanical extract
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Emollient, softens and smooths skin
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Botanical extract
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Botanical extract
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Filter booster, photostabilizes the UV filters or lifts their SPF
Does the Paula's Choice Smoothing Primer Serum work under makeup?
Yes. It is rated excellent as a makeup base and is designed as a primer, so it commonly sits smoothly under foundation.
Is the Paula's Choice Smoothing Primer Serum Spf 30 mineral or chemical?
It is chemical. It uses an older-generation filter blend of avobenzone, homosalate, octinoxate and ethylhexyl salicylate.
Is it good for oily or acne-prone skin?
It is generally suitable. It commonly wears lightweight with a balanced finish and is low in pore-clogging concern, though it can sting around the eyes.