Paula's Choice Youth-extending Daily Hydrating Fluid SPF 15
67/100 overall score
Sign in to see this product's score for your skin.
About this sunscreen
Paula's Choice Youth-extending Daily Hydrating Fluid SPF 15 is a chemical daily moisturizer-style fluid using an older-school blend of Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate, Ethylhexyl Salicylate, Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane (Avobenzone), Octocrylene and a small amount of Titanium Dioxide. It wears lightweight with a balanced finish and a low white cast, and it is generally pore-friendly with an okay makeup base. The SPF 15 means protection is moderate, better suited to low-exposure indoor days. With a score of 67/100, it is a light hydrating SPF for casual wear.
Ingredient & SPF scores
βοΈ
UV protection
Moderate
55
- +18 Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate at #2, UV filter
- +7.6 Ethylhexyl Salicylate at #4, UV filter
- +28.5 Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane at #6, UV filter (UVA1 +15.2)
- +15.2 Octocrylene at #7, UV filter
- +19.8 Titanium Dioxide at #20, UV filter (UVA1 +3)
- β14.6 UVB coverage saturated
- β1.3 UVA2 coverage saturated
- Γ0.75 Avobenzone + octinoxate degrade each other in sunlight
β’οΈ
Health safety
Medium
50
- +100 Starting score
- β36 Octinoxate at #2 (regulatory/evidence concern)
- β10.5 Octocrylene at #7, stacked (regulatory/evidence concern)
- β3.5 Avobenzone at #6, stacked (regulatory/evidence concern)
π€§
Allergens
Low
96
- +100 Starting score
- β1 1 declared fragrance allergens
- β3 Photoallergen-tail UV filters (Octocrylene)
π₯
Eye sting
Medium
47
- +100 Starting score
- β16 Avobenzone at #6, migrates into eyes with sweat
- β15 Octocrylene at #7, migrates into eyes with sweat
- β16 Octinoxate at #2, migrates into eyes with sweat
- β6 Octisalate at #4, migrates into eyes with sweat
π
Fungal acne
Low
91
- +100 Starting score
- β9 1 oils/butters that feed Malassezia (Hydrogenated Lecithin)
π
Fabric stains
High
28
- +100 Starting score
- β45 Avobenzone at #6, reacts with iron in wash water into rust-yellow stains
- β15 Octocrylene at #7, co-stains alongside avobenzone
- β10 Avobenzone + Octocrylene, the classic staining pair
- β2 Titanium Dioxide at #20, white marks, worst on dark fabric (washable)
π§
Moisture
Hydrating
LightNourishing
- β 5 1 sebum-absorbing powders (Silica)
- β 16 Glycerin at #3, the anchor humectant
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 (Sodium Carbomer, Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer)
- β 3.5 Humectant syrup tackiness (partly offset by the base)
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¨ Vitamin E
- β¨ Green tea
Full ingredient list (29)
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.
-
1 Water
Solvent base, the water phase
-
Legacy UV filter (Octinoxate), high in the list, a primary filter
- β 18 UV protection
- β 16 migrates into eyes with sweat
-
3 Glycerin
Humectant, pulls water into the skin
- 16 β nourishing the anchor humectant
-
Legacy UV filter (Octisalate)
- β 7.6 UV protection
- β 6 migrates into eyes with sweat
-
5 Silica
Mattifying powder, absorbs oil and blurs the finish
- light β 5 sebum-absorbing powder
- matte β 6 sebum-absorbing powder
-
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
-
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
-
Emollient, softens and smooths skin
-
Antioxidant, protects the formula and skin
-
Botanical extract
-
Botanical extract
-
Botanical extract
-
Botanical extract
-
Botanical extract
-
Botanical extract
-
Botanical extract
-
Botanical extract
-
Botanical extract
-
Emulsifier, keeps oil and water blended
- β 9 feeds malassezia
-
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)
-
Emollient, softens and smooths skin
-
Filter booster, photostabilizes the UV filters or lifts their SPF
-
Thickener and texture, structures the gel or cream
-
24 Xanthan Gum
Thickener and texture, structures the gel or cream
-
Thickener and texture, structures the gel or cream
-
Preservative, keeps the formula from spoiling
-
Preservative, keeps the formula from spoiling
-
Preservative, keeps the formula from spoiling
-
Preservative, keeps the formula from spoiling
What SPF is Paula's Choice Youth-extending Daily Hydrating Fluid?
It is SPF 15, so rated protection is moderate. It is generally best for low-exposure indoor days rather than extended time outdoors.
Does the Paula's Choice Youth-extending Daily Hydrating Fluid SPF 15 leave a white cast?
No, it commonly leaves a low white cast. It is a chemical-led fluid with a balanced finish and only a small amount of Titanium Dioxide.
Is it mineral or chemical?
It is mainly a chemical sunscreen using Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate, Ethylhexyl Salicylate, Avobenzone and Octocrylene, with a small amount of Titanium Dioxide.