Physicians Formula The Healthy Foundation Spf 20
49/100 overall score
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About this sunscreen
Physicians Formula The Healthy Foundation SPF 20 is a chemical-filter foundation built on ethylhexyl methoxycinnamate, an older-generation UV filter. As makeup it shines, with a matte finish, a lightweight feel and an excellent base that layers cleanly with minimal white cast or sting. As sun care it is weak, however: SPF 20 plus a single dated filter earns just 49, so treat the protection as a bonus and pair it with a dedicated sunscreen.
Ingredient & SPF scores
βοΈ
UV protection
Weak
11
- +18 Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate at #1, UV filter
- Γ0.6 Almost no UVA1, poor aging protection
β’οΈ
Health safety
Medium
57
- +100 Starting score
- β36 Octinoxate at #1 (regulatory/evidence concern)
- β7 Retinyl Palmitate at #31, disputed vitamin-A sunlight signal, under review
π»
White cast
Low
99
- +100 Starting score
- β2 Titanium Dioxide as pigment (CI 77891) at #38
- +1.4 Tinted formula, pigment masks the cast
π₯
Eye sting
Low
84
- +100 Starting score
- β16 Octinoxate at #1, migrates into eyes with sweat
π
Fungal acne
Medium
70
- +100 Starting score
- β12 1 polysorbate/sorbitan emulsifiers that feed Malassezia (Sorbitan Sesquioleate)
- β9 1 oils/butters that feed Malassezia (Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil)
- β9 1 long-chain (C12+) esters that feed Malassezia (Disodium Stearoyl Glutamate)
π
Fabric stains
Medium
60
- +100 Starting score
- β40 Iron-oxide pigments at #37, makeup-like collar marks (washable)
π§
Moisture
Light
LightNourishing
- β 4.5 2 sebum-absorbing powders (Silica, Polymethylsilsesquioxane)
- β 12 Volatile carriers flash off, leaving a dry finish
- β 2 Sodium Hyaluronate at #33, hyaluronic family
- β 1 Humectant polyols
- β 1 1 emollient lipids (Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil)
β¨
Finish
Matte
MatteDewy
- β 4 2 sebum-absorbing powders (Polymethylsilsesquioxane, Silica)
- β 12 Volatile carriers flash off, leaving a dry finish
- β 1 1 dry-touch emollients reduce greasy shine (Isodecyl Neopentanoate)
- β 1 1 emollient lipids (Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil)
π
Makeup base
Excellent
PillsPrimer
- β 8 Primer-style base, volatile silicones and dimethicone slip
- β 3 Quick-setting carrier, fast, even canvas
- β 3 1 soft-focus powders in moderation
- β 1 Dry-touch esters, smooth fast-absorbing base
π
Water resistance
Resistant
Non-water-resistantWater-resistant
- +13 1 film-forming polymers that lock the formula on for water resistance
Full ingredient list (38)
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 (Octinoxate), high in the list, a primary filter
- β 18 UV protection
- β 16 migrates into eyes with sweat
-
2 Water
Solvent base, the water phase
-
Volatile silicone, flashes off for a light finish
- light β 8 volatile carrier, flashes off
- matte β 7 volatile carrier, flashes off
-
Emulsifier, keeps oil and water blended
-
Volatile hydrocarbon, flashes off for a light finish
- light β 4 volatile carrier, flashes off
- matte β 4 volatile carrier, flashes off
-
Humectant, pulls water into the skin
- 1 β nourishing humectant polyol
-
Thickener and texture, structures the gel or cream
- β 13 film former
-
Humectant, pulls water into the skin
-
Volatile silicone, flashes off for a light finish
- light β 2 volatile carrier, flashes off
- matte β 2 volatile carrier, flashes off
-
Emollient, softens and smooths skin
-
Emollient, softens and smooths skin
- matte β 1 dry-touch emollient, anti-shine
-
Mattifying powder, absorbs oil and blurs the finish
- light β 3 sebum-absorbing powder
- matte β 3 sebum-absorbing powder
-
Botanical extract
- 1 β nourishing emollient lipid
- 1 β dewy emollient lipid
- β 9 feeds malassezia
-
Thickener and texture, structures the gel or cream
-
Thickener and texture, structures the gel or cream
-
Plant oil, an emollient
-
Preservative, keeps the formula from spoiling
-
Emulsifier, keeps oil and water blended
- β 9 feeds malassezia
-
Preservative, keeps the formula from spoiling
-
Supporting ingredient
-
Emollient, softens and smooths skin
-
22 Silica
Mattifying powder, absorbs oil and blurs the finish
- light β 1.5 sebum-absorbing powder
- matte β 1 sebum-absorbing powder
-
Emulsifier, keeps oil and water blended
- β 12 feeds malassezia
-
Botanical extract
-
Humectant, pulls water into the skin
-
Humectant, pulls water into the skin
-
Thickener and texture, structures the gel or cream
-
Antioxidant, protects the formula and skin
-
Antioxidant, protects the formula and skin
-
Supporting ingredient
-
Emollient, softens and smooths skin
- β 7 disputed vitamin-A sunlight signal, under review
-
Botanical extract
-
Humectant, pulls water into the skin
- 2 β nourishing hyaluronic family
-
34 BHT
Antioxidant, protects the formula and skin
-
Botanical extract
-
36 Tocopherol
Antioxidant, protects the formula and skin
-
37 Iron Oxides
Colorant or pigment
- β 40 makeup-like collar marks (washable)
-
Colorant or pigment
Is The Healthy Foundation SPF 20 good for oily or acne-prone skin?
It may suit oily skin reasonably well. The finish is matte, the feel is lightweight and it rates low for pore-clogging, so breakout risk is on the lower side. As always, patch test first if your skin is reactive.
Is the Physicians Formula The Healthy Foundation Spf 20 mineral or chemical?
It is a chemical formula. The UV filter is ethylhexyl methoxycinnamate, an older-generation chemical filter, with no mineral filters listed.
Is the SPF 20 enough on its own?
Probably not for primary sun protection. The rating calls protection weak, scoring 49 out of 100, because SPF 20 from a single dated filter is limited. Treat it as makeup with a bonus and add a dedicated sunscreen.