PCA Skin Weightless Protection Spf 45
74/100 overall score
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About this sunscreen
PCA Skin Weightless Protection SPF 45 is a sunscreen pairing Zinc Oxide with the older Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate, so it blends a mineral and a chemical filter. It is lightweight with a balanced finish, low white cast and generally no sting, and breakout risk is low. It sits okay under makeup. With a score of 74.2/100 and good protection, it is a comfortable everyday choice, though the chemical filter is an older one.
Ingredient & SPF scores
βοΈ
UV protection
Good
60
- +41 Zinc Oxide at #1, UV filter (UVA1 +18)
- +18 Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate at #2, UV filter
- +1 Label claims (SPF 45)
β’οΈ
Health safety
High
64
- +100 Starting score
- β36 Octinoxate at #2 (regulatory/evidence concern)
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Allergens
Low
94
- +100 Starting score
- β6 Sensitizing preservatives (Iodopropynyl Butylcarbamate)
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White cast
Low
87
- +100 Starting score
- β14 Zinc Oxide, 9% declared
- +1 Coated minerals (Triethoxycaprylylsilane)
π₯
Eye sting
Low
84
- +100 Starting score
- β16 Octinoxate at #2, migrates into eyes with sweat
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Heavy feel
Low
94
- +100 Starting score
- β8 Zinc Oxide, 9% declared
- +2 Volatile silicone at #5, flashes off
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Fungal acne
Low
86
- +100 Starting score
- β14 1 long-chain (C12+) esters that feed Malassezia (Oleth-3 Phosphate)
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Fabric stains
Low
85
- +100 Starting score
- β15 Zinc Oxide at #1, white marks, worst on dark fabric (washable)
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Moisture
Balanced
LightNourishing
- β 5 Volatile carriers flash off, leaving a dry finish
- β 5 Zinc Oxide at #1, mild sebum absorbent
- β 2 Sodium Hyaluronate at #15, hyaluronic family
- β 2 Humectant polyols
β¨
Finish
Balanced
MatteDewy
- β 4 Volatile carriers flash off, leaving a dry finish
- β 1 1 dry-touch emollients reduce greasy shine (Octyldodecyl Neopentanoate)
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Makeup base
Okay
PillsPrimer
- β 5 Primer-style base, volatile silicones and dimethicone slip
- β 4 Gel polymers prone to pilling under friction (Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer)
- β 15 High mineral load at #1 greys under foundation
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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
Full ingredient list (18)
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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Mineral UV filter (Zinc Oxide), high in the list, a primary filter
- β 41 UV protection, incl. long-UVA (UVA1)
- β 14 9% declared
- β 8 9% 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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Legacy UV filter (Octinoxate), high in the list, a primary filter
- β 18 UV protection
- β 16 migrates into eyes with sweat
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Humectant, pulls water into the skin
- 2 β nourishing humectant polyol
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4 Caffeine
Antioxidant, protects the formula and skin
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Volatile silicone, flashes off for a light finish
- light β 5 volatile carrier, flashes off
- matte β 4 volatile carrier, flashes off
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Thickener and texture, structures the gel or cream
-
Preservative, keeps the formula from spoiling
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pH adjuster
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Emollient, softens and smooths skin
- matte β 1 dry-touch emollient, anti-shine
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Emulsifier, keeps oil and water blended
- β 14 feeds malassezia
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Emulsifier, keeps oil and water blended
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Preservative, keeps the formula from spoiling
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Emollient, softens and smooths skin
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Botanical extract
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Humectant, pulls water into the skin
- 2 β nourishing hyaluronic family
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Antioxidant, protects the formula and skin
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Supporting ingredient
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18 Water
Solvent base, the water phase
Is the PCA Skin Weightless Protection Spf 45 mineral or chemical?
It is a blend, pairing the mineral Zinc Oxide with the older chemical filter Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate.
Does the PCA Skin Weightless Protection Spf 45 leave a white cast?
White cast is low and the texture is lightweight with a balanced finish, so it should sit comfortably and blend well.
Is it good?
It scores 74.2/100 with good protection, making it a comfortable everyday choice, though the chemical filter it uses is an older one.