PCA Skin Daily Defense Broad Spectrum Spf 50+
76/100 overall score
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Ingredient & SPF scores
βοΈ
UV protection
Good
67
- +8 Ethylhexyl Salicylate at #1, UV filter
- +16 Octocrylene at #2, UV filter
- +41 Zinc Oxide at #3, UV filter (UVA1 +18)
- +2 Label claims (SPF 50)
β’οΈ
Health safety
High
70
- +100 Starting score
- β30 Octocrylene at #2 (regulatory/evidence concern)
π€§
Allergens
Low
97
- +100 Starting score
- β3 Photoallergen-tail UV filters (Octocrylene)
π»
White cast
Low
87
- +100 Starting score
- β14 Zinc Oxide, 9.1% declared
- +1 Coated minerals (Triethoxycaprylylsilane)
π₯
Eye sting
Low
69
- +100 Starting score
- β22 Octocrylene at #2, migrates into eyes with sweat
- β9 Octisalate at #1, migrates into eyes with sweat
πͺ¨
Heavy feel
Low
92
- +100 Starting score
- β8 Zinc Oxide, 9.1% declared
π
Fungal acne
Low
82
- +100 Starting score
- β18 2 long-chain (C12+) esters that feed Malassezia (Oleth-3 Phosphate, Sodium Stearoyl Glutamate)
π
Fabric stains
Low
70
- +100 Starting score
- β15 Octocrylene at #2, co-stains alongside avobenzone
- β15 Zinc Oxide at #3, white marks, worst on dark fabric (washable)
π§
Moisture
Balanced
LightNourishing
- β 2 Volatile carriers flash off, leaving a dry finish
- β 5 Zinc Oxide at #3, mild sebum absorbent
- β 2 Sodium Hyaluronate at #23, hyaluronic family
- β 2 1 strong humectants (Ectoin)
- β 1 Humectant polyols
β¨
Finish
Balanced
MatteDewy
- β 2 Volatile carriers flash off, leaving a dry finish
- β 1 1 dry-touch emollients reduce greasy shine (Caprylyl Methicone)
π
Makeup base
Okay
PillsPrimer
- β 2 Primer-style base, volatile silicones and dimethicone slip
- β 1 Dry-touch esters, smooth fast-absorbing base
- β 0.5 Gel polymers prone to pilling under friction (Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer)
- β 15 High mineral load at #3 greys under foundation
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
Full ingredient list (27)
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 (Octisalate), high in the list, a primary filter
- β 8 UV protection
- β 9 migrates into eyes with sweat
-
Legacy UV filter (Octocrylene), high in the list, a primary filter
- β 16 UV protection
- β 22 migrates into eyes with sweat
- β 15 co-stains alongside avobenzone
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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 14 9.1% declared
- β 8 9.1% declared
- β 15 white marks, worst on dark fabric (washable)
- light β 5 mild sebum absorbent
- pills β 15 High mineral load greys under foundation
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Soothing, skin-conditioning active
-
Soothing, skin-conditioning active
-
Humectant, pulls water into the skin
- 1 β nourishing humectant polyol
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Emollient, softens and smooths skin
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8 Caffeine
Antioxidant, protects the formula and skin
-
Emollient, softens and smooths skin
- matte β 1 dry-touch emollient, anti-shine
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Botanical extract
-
Volatile silicone, flashes off for a light finish
- light β 2 volatile carrier, flashes off
- matte β 2 volatile carrier, flashes off
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12 Ectoin
Soothing, skin-conditioning active
- 2 β nourishing humectant
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Antioxidant, protects the formula and skin
-
Humectant, pulls water into the skin
-
Thickener and texture, structures the gel or cream
-
Emollient, softens and smooths skin
-
Emulsifier, keeps oil and water blended
- β 9 feeds malassezia
-
Emulsifier, keeps oil and water blended
-
Preservative, keeps the formula from spoiling
-
Emollient, softens and smooths skin
-
21 Propanediol
Humectant, pulls water into the skin
-
Botanical extract
-
Humectant, pulls water into the skin
- 2 β nourishing hyaluronic family
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Emulsifier, keeps oil and water blended
- β 9 feeds malassezia
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Antioxidant, protects the formula and skin
-
Supporting ingredient
-
27 Water
Solvent base, the water phase