PCA Skin Sheer Tint Broad Spectrum SPF 45
84/100 overall score
Sign in to see this product's score for your skin.
About this sunscreen
PCA Skin Sheer Tint Broad Spectrum SPF 45 is a tinted mineral sunscreen built on titanium dioxide and zinc oxide. The finish is balanced and the formula stays lightweight, with a low white cast that the tint helps offset, and it commonly wears well under makeup. It does not tend to sting and is generally a low pore-clogging pick for those wary of breakouts. With a score of 83.5 and good protection, it is a strong everyday option for people who prefer mineral filters.
Ingredient & SPF scores
βοΈ
UV protection
Good
74
- +33 Titanium Dioxide at #1, UV filter (UVA1 +5)
- +41 Zinc Oxide at #2, UV filter (UVA1 +18)
- β1 UVA2 coverage saturated
- +1 Label claims (SPF 45)
π»
White cast
Low
86
- +100 Starting score
- β14 Zinc Oxide, 8% declared
- β18 Titanium Dioxide, 7.6% declared
- β10 Zinc Oxide + Titanium Dioxide together
- β15 Pure mineral formula (15.6% total declared)
- +39.9 Tinted formula, pigment masks the cast
- +2.6 Coated minerals (Triethoxycaprylylsilane, Alumina, Hydrogen Dimethicone)
πͺ¨
Heavy feel
Low
62
- +100 Starting score
- β8 Zinc Oxide, 8% declared
- β20 Titanium Dioxide, 7.6% declared
- β10 Both minerals in the top 3, dual mineral paste
π
Fabric stains
Medium
40
- +100 Starting score
- β40 Iron-oxide pigments at #13, makeup-like collar marks (washable)
- β15 Titanium Dioxide at #1, white marks, worst on dark fabric (washable)
- β5 Both minerals present, heavier deposit
π§
Moisture
Light
LightNourishing
- β 3 2 sebum-absorbing powders (Polymethylsilsesquioxane, Methyl Methacrylate/Glycol Dimethacrylate Crosspolymer)
- β 1 Volatile carriers flash off, leaving a dry finish
- β 5 Zinc Oxide at #2, mild sebum absorbent
- β 2 Titanium Dioxide at #1, mild sebum absorbent
β¨
Finish
Balanced
MatteDewy
- β 2 2 sebum-absorbing powders (Methyl Methacrylate/Glycol Dimethacrylate Crosspolymer, Polymethylsilsesquioxane)
- β 1 Volatile carriers flash off, leaving a dry finish
- β 6 1 emollient lipids (C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate)
π
Makeup base
Good
PillsPrimer
- β 3 Primer-style base, volatile silicones and dimethicone slip
- β 12 2 velvet elastomer fillers, blur and grip
- β 2 Dry-touch esters, smooth fast-absorbing base
- β 7.5 High mineral load at #1 greys under foundation (tinted)
π
Water resistance
Not resistant
Non-water-resistantWater-resistant
Nothing flagged in the ingredient list.
How we rate water resistance βFull ingredient list (24)
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.
-
Mineral UV filter (Titanium Dioxide), high in the list, a primary filter
- β 33 UV protection, incl. long-UVA (UVA1)
- β 18 7.6% declared
- β 20 7.6% declared
- β 15 white marks, worst on dark fabric (washable)
- light β 2 mild sebum absorbent
- pills β 7.5 High mineral load greys under foundation (tinted)
-
Mineral UV filter (Zinc Oxide), high in the list, a primary filter
- β 41 UV protection, incl. long-UVA (UVA1)
- β 14 8% declared
- β 8 8% declared
- light β 5 mild sebum absorbent
-
3 Alumina
Supporting ingredient
-
Emollient, softens and smooths skin
-
Emollient, softens and smooths skin
- 6 β dewy emollient lipid
-
Preservative, keeps the formula from spoiling
-
Emollient, softens and smooths skin
-
Emulsifier, keeps oil and water blended
-
Emollient, softens and smooths skin
-
Humectant, pulls water into the skin
-
Humectant, pulls water into the skin
-
Emollient, softens and smooths skin
-
13 Iron Oxides
Colorant or pigment
- β 40 makeup-like collar marks (washable)
-
14 Isododecane
Volatile hydrocarbon, flashes off for a light finish
- light β 1 volatile carrier, flashes off
- matte β 1 volatile carrier, flashes off
-
Emollient, softens and smooths skin
-
Mattifying powder, absorbs oil and blurs the finish
- light β 1.5 sebum-absorbing powder
- matte β 1 sebum-absorbing powder
-
Fatty alcohol, an emollient and thickener, not the drying kind
-
Emulsifier, keeps oil and water blended
-
Preservative, keeps the formula from spoiling
-
Emulsifier, keeps oil and water blended
-
Mattifying powder, absorbs oil and blurs the finish
- light β 1.5 sebum-absorbing powder
- matte β 1 sebum-absorbing powder
-
Thickener and texture, structures the gel or cream
-
Supporting ingredient
-
24 Water
Solvent base, the water phase
Does PCA Skin Sheer Tint SPF 45 leave a white cast?
No, white cast is low. It is a tinted mineral sunscreen, and the tint helps offset the cast that titanium dioxide and zinc oxide can leave, so it generally blends well on the skin.
Is the PCA Skin Sheer Tint Broad Spectrum SPF 45 mineral or chemical?
It is a pure mineral sunscreen, filtered with titanium dioxide and zinc oxide. There are no chemical UV filters in the formula.
Is the PCA Skin Sheer Tint Broad Spectrum SPF 45 good for acne-prone or oily skin?
It is generally a low pore-clogging formula with a balanced finish, so it is a reasonable pick for breakout-prone skin. With a score of 83.5 and good protection, it is one of the stronger options here.