PCA Skin Weightless Protection Broad Spectrum SPF 45
75/100 overall score
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About this sunscreen
PCA Skin Weightless Protection is a Broad Spectrum SPF 45 sunscreen pairing the older chemical filters Ethylhexyl Salicylate and Octocrylene with mineral Zinc Oxide. It commonly wears lightweight with a balanced finish and low white cast, and is generally gentle without stinging. It tends to be acne-friendly, though it is only okay under makeup. With a score of 75.3 and good protection, it is a comfortable 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 45)
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, 8.4% 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
πͺ¨
Heavy feel
Low
92
- +100 Starting score
- β8 Zinc Oxide, 8.4% 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 1 Volatile carriers flash off, leaving a dry finish
- β 5 Zinc Oxide at #3, mild sebum absorbent
- β 2 Sodium Hyaluronate at #35, hyaluronic family
- β 1 1 strong humectants (Ectoin)
- β 1 Humectant polyols
- β 1 Light emollient/solvent (Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride)
β¨
Finish
Balanced
MatteDewy
- β 1 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 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
- +3 1 film-forming polymers that lock the formula on for water resistance
Skincare 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 (41)
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
-
Mineral UV filter (Zinc Oxide), high in the list, a primary filter
- β 41 UV protection, incl. long-UVA (UVA1)
- β 14 8.4% declared
- β 8 8.4% 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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Soothing, skin-conditioning active
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Humectant, pulls water into the skin
- 1 β nourishing humectant polyol
-
Emollient, softens and smooths skin
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8 Caffeine
Antioxidant, protects the formula and skin
-
Emollient, softens and smooths skin
- 1 β nourishing light emollient
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Emollient, softens and smooths skin
- matte β 1 dry-touch emollient, anti-shine
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Botanical extract
-
Botanical extract
-
Botanical extract
-
Botanical extract
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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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16 Dimethicone
Emollient, softens and smooths skin
-
17 Ectoin
Soothing, skin-conditioning active
- 1 β nourishing humectant
-
Antioxidant, protects the formula and skin
-
Humectant, pulls water into the skin
-
Thickener and texture, structures the gel or cream
-
Botanical extract
-
Botanical extract
-
Emollient, softens and smooths skin
-
Emulsifier, keeps oil and water blended
- β 9 feeds malassezia
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Botanical extract
-
Emulsifier, keeps oil and water blended
-
Preservative, keeps the formula from spoiling
-
Emollient, softens and smooths skin
-
29 Propanediol
Humectant, pulls water into the skin
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Botanical extract
-
Botanical extract
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32 Rose Extract
Botanical extract
-
Botanical extract
-
Botanical extract
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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
-
Thickener and texture, structures the gel or cream
- β 3 film former
-
Antioxidant, protects the formula and skin
-
Supporting ingredient
-
Emollient, softens and smooths skin
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41 Water
Solvent base, the water phase
Does PCA Skin Weightless Protection leave a white cast?
No, it commonly applies with a low white cast and a balanced finish, despite including some Zinc Oxide.
Is the PCA Skin Weightless Protection Broad Spectrum SPF 45 good for oily or acne-prone skin?
It is generally suitable. The balanced finish and low pore-clogging rating tend to suit most skin types, including breakout-prone skin.
Is the PCA Skin Weightless Protection Broad Spectrum SPF 45 mineral or chemical?
It is a hybrid sunscreen, pairing the older chemical filters Ethylhexyl Salicylate and Octocrylene with mineral Zinc Oxide.
Is PCA Skin Weightless Protection good?
Yes. It scores 75.3 out of 100 with good SPF 45 protection and a comfortable, lightweight everyday feel.