PCA Skin Hydrator Plus Broad Spectrum Spf 30
75/100 overall score
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About this sunscreen
PCA Skin Hydrator Plus Broad Spectrum SPF 30 is a sunscreen that combines chemical filters Ethylhexyl Salicylate and Octocrylene with mineral Zinc Oxide, an older-generation blend. It wears lightweight with a balanced finish and low white cast, is generally non-stinging, and has a low pore-clogging profile that commonly suits acne-prone skin. It sits okay under makeup. With good protection and a score of 75.3, it is a solid hydrating everyday option.
Ingredient & SPF scores
βοΈ
UV protection
Good
66
- +8 Ethylhexyl Salicylate at #1, UV filter
- +16 Octocrylene at #2, UV filter
- +41 Zinc Oxide at #3, UV filter (UVA1 +18)
- +1 Label claims (SPF 30)
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, 5.4% 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
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Heavy feel
Low
92
- +100 Starting score
- β8 Zinc Oxide, 5.4% declared
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Fungal acne
Medium
60
- +100 Starting score
- β12 1 polysorbate/sorbitan emulsifiers that feed Malassezia (Sorbitan Olivate)
- β28 2 long-chain (C12+) esters that feed Malassezia (Cetearyl Olivate, Ceteareth-20)
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)
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Moisture
Balanced
LightNourishing
- β 2 Volatile carriers flash off, leaving a dry finish
- β 5 Zinc Oxide at #3, mild sebum absorbent
- β 1 Glycerin at #17, the anchor humectant
- β 2 Sodium Hyaluronate at #26, hyaluronic family
- β 5 2 strong humectants (Betaine, Sodium PCA)
β¨
Finish
Balanced
MatteDewy
- β 2 Volatile carriers flash off, leaving a dry finish
- β 1 1 dry-touch emollients reduce greasy shine (Coco-Caprylate/Caprate)
π
Makeup base
Okay
PillsPrimer
- 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 (33)
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
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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 5.4% declared
- β 8 5.4% 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
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5 Betaine
Humectant, pulls water into the skin
- 4 β nourishing humectant
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Soothing, skin-conditioning active
-
Emollient, softens and smooths skin
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8 Caffeine
Antioxidant, protects the formula and skin
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Emulsifier, keeps oil and water blended
- β 14 feeds malassezia
-
Emollient, softens and smooths skin
- β 14 feeds malassezia
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Botanical extract
-
Emollient, softens and smooths skin
- matte β 1 dry-touch emollient, anti-shine
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Volatile hydrocarbon, flashes off for a light finish
- light β 1 volatile carrier, flashes off
- matte β 1 volatile carrier, flashes off
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Volatile silicone, flashes off for a light finish
- light β 1 volatile carrier, flashes off
- matte β 1 volatile carrier, flashes off
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15 Dimethicone
Emollient, softens and smooths skin
-
Humectant, pulls water into the skin
-
17 Glycerin
Humectant, pulls water into the skin
- 1 β nourishing the anchor humectant
-
Emollient, softens and smooths skin
-
Thickener and texture, structures the gel or cream
-
Emollient, softens and smooths skin
-
Emulsifier, keeps oil and water blended
-
Preservative, keeps the formula from spoiling
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Emollient, softens and smooths skin
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Preservative, keeps the formula from spoiling
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25 Propanediol
Humectant, pulls water into the skin
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Humectant, pulls water into the skin
- 2 β nourishing hyaluronic family
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27 Sodium PCA
Humectant, pulls water into the skin
- 1 β nourishing humectant
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Emulsifier, keeps oil and water blended
- β 12 feeds malassezia
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29 Tetradecane
Supporting ingredient
-
Antioxidant, protects the formula and skin
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Botanical extract
-
Supporting ingredient
-
33 Water
Solvent base, the water phase
Is PCA Skin Hydrator Plus good?
Yes, it scores 75.3 out of 100 with good protection at SPF 30. It is a hydrating daily sunscreen that wears lightweight with a balanced finish.
Does the PCA Skin Hydrator Plus Broad Spectrum Spf 30 leave a white cast?
No, white cast is rated low. Although it contains some Zinc Oxide, the chemical filters keep it from leaving a noticeable white film.
Is the PCA Skin Hydrator Plus Broad Spectrum Spf 30 good for acne-prone skin?
It has a low pore-clogging profile, so it commonly suits acne-prone skin, and it is generally non-stinging.