SkinCeuticals Ultra Facial Uv Defense Sunscreen Spf 50
86/100 overall score
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About this sunscreen
SkinCeuticals Ultra Facial UV Defense SPF 50 is a hybrid sunscreen pairing titanium dioxide with advanced organic filters including Drometrizole Trisiloxane, Terephthalylidene Dicamphor Sulfonic Acid and Bis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine. The finish is balanced with low white cast, the feel is lightweight, and the sting risk is low. Breakout risk is generally low and it layers acceptably under makeup. With excellent protection and a strong score, it is a high-performing daily facial sunscreen.
Ingredient & SPF scores
βοΈ
UV protection
Excellent
100
- +18 Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate at #2, UV filter
- +40 Drometrizole Trisiloxane at #3, UV filter (UVA1 +14)
- +31.4 Titanium Dioxide at #7, UV filter (UVA1 +4.8)
- +22.4 Terephthalylidene Dicamphor Sulfonic Acid at #10, UV filter (UVA1 +8)
- +28.8 Diethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl Benzoate at #11, UV filter (UVA1 +17.6)
- +28.8 Bis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine at #13, UV filter (UVA1 +9.6)
- β24 UVB coverage saturated
- β36.4 UVA2 coverage saturated
- β9 UVA1 coverage saturated
- +2 Label claims (SPF 50)
β’οΈ
Health safety
High
64
- +100 Starting score
- β36 Octinoxate at #2 (regulatory/evidence concern)
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White cast
Low
84
- +100 Starting score
- β17.5 Titanium Dioxide at #7 (nano)
- +1.2 Coated minerals (Aluminum Hydroxide)
π₯
Eye sting
Low
80
- +100 Starting score
- β16 Octinoxate at #2, migrates into eyes with sweat
- β4 Volatile alcohol at #8
π΄
Comedogenic
Low
98
- +100 Starting score
- β1 Myristic Acid at #26, moderate comedogenic signal
- β1 Palmitic Acid at #21, moderate comedogenic signal
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Fungal acne
Medium
66
- +100 Starting score
- β12 1 free fatty acids that feed Malassezia (Myristic Acid)
- β18 2 long-chain (C12+) esters that feed Malassezia (PEG-100 Stearate, Glyceryl Stearate)
- β4 2 ubiquitous fatty ingredients (Stearic Acid, Palmitic Acid), weak Malassezia signal
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Fabric stains
Low
65
- +100 Starting score
- β15 Uvinul A Plus (DHHB) at #11, oil-soluble UVA filter, fabric stains
- β10 Mexoryl XL at #3, oil-soluble UVA filter, fabric stains
- β10 Titanium Dioxide at #7, white marks, worst on dark fabric (washable)
π§
Moisture
Hydrating
LightNourishing
- β 5 Volatile alcohol at #8
- β 10 Glycerin at #4, the anchor humectant
- β 1 Humectant polyols
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Makeup base
Okay
PillsPrimer
- β 3 Primer-style base, volatile silicones and dimethicone slip
- β 2 Quick-setting carrier (alcohol at #8), fast, even canvas
- β 0.5 Gel polymers prone to pilling under friction (Carbomer)
- β 1.5 Humectant syrup tackiness (partly offset by the base)
- β 3 High mineral load at #7 greys under foundation (nano)
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¨ Vitamin E
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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1 Water
Solvent base, the water phase
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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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Modern UV filter, broad-spectrum and photostable (Mexoryl XL), high in the list, a primary filter
- β 40 UV protection, incl. long-UVA (UVA1)
- β 10 oil-soluble UVA filter, fabric stains
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4 Glycerin
Humectant, pulls water into the skin
- 10 β nourishing the anchor humectant
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Humectant, pulls water into the skin
- 1 β nourishing humectant polyol
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Emollient, softens and smooths skin
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Mineral UV filter (Titanium Dioxide)
- β 31.4 UV protection, incl. long-UVA (UVA1)
- β 10 white marks, worst on dark fabric (washable)
- pills β 3 High mineral load greys under foundation (nano)
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Volatile alcohol, a drying solvent that can sting eyes
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Humectant, pulls water into the skin
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Modern UV filter, broad-spectrum and photostable (Mexoryl SX), low in the list, likely a minor contributor
- β 22.4 UV protection, incl. long-UVA (UVA1)
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Modern UV filter, broad-spectrum and photostable (Uvinul A Plus), low in the list, likely a minor contributor
- β 28.8 UV protection, incl. long-UVA (UVA1)
- β 15 oil-soluble UVA filter, fabric stains
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pH adjuster
-
Modern UV filter, broad-spectrum and photostable (Tinosorb S), low in the list, likely a minor contributor
- β 28.8 UV protection, incl. long-UVA (UVA1)
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14 Stearic Acid
Emollient, softens and smooths skin
- β 2 minor malassezia feeder
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Emulsifier, keeps oil and water blended
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16 Tocopherol
Antioxidant, protects the formula and skin
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Supporting ingredient
-
Thickener and texture, structures the gel or cream
-
Preservative, keeps the formula from spoiling
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Emulsifier, keeps oil and water blended
- β 9 feeds malassezia
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Emollient, softens and smooths skin
- β 1 moderate comedogenic signal
- β 2 minor malassezia feeder
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22 Xanthan Gum
Thickener and texture, structures the gel or cream
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23 Tromethamine
pH adjuster
-
Preservative, keeps the formula from spoiling
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25 Carbomer
Thickener and texture, structures the gel or cream
-
Emollient, softens and smooths skin
- β 1 moderate comedogenic signal
- β 12 feeds malassezia
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Chelator, binds stray metal ions to keep the formula stable
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Fatty alcohol, an emollient and thickener, not the drying kind
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Humectant, pulls water into the skin
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30 BHT
Antioxidant, protects the formula and skin
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Botanical extract
-
Supporting ingredient
-
Emulsifier, keeps oil and water blended
- β 9 feeds malassezia
Does SkinCeuticals Ultra Facial UV Defense leave a white cast?
No, its white cast rates as low, so it tends to wear without an obvious white tint. The finish is balanced and it feels lightweight.
Is the SkinCeuticals Ultra Facial Uv Defense Sunscreen Spf 50 mineral or chemical?
It is a hybrid sunscreen. It pairs the mineral filter titanium dioxide with advanced organic filters such as Drometrizole Trisiloxane and Terephthalylidene Dicamphor Sulfonic Acid.
Is it a good sunscreen?
Yes, it earns a strong score and excellent protection. The lightweight, low-sting feel makes it a high-performing daily facial sunscreen.