SoS Ultra Protect X3 UV Essence SPF 50+ Pa++++
69/100 overall score
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About this sunscreen
SoS Ultra Protect X3 UV Essence SPF 50+ is a hybrid sunscreen blending Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate, Octocrylene, Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane and Diethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl Benzoate with Titanium Dioxide. It has a balanced, lightweight essence-style finish with low white cast and low pore-clogging risk, though it may sting slightly for sensitive eyes. With a score of 69 out of 100 and good protection, it is a comfortable everyday option for general sun exposure.
Ingredient & SPF scores
☀️
UV protection
Good
73
- +18 Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate at #2, UV filter
- +16 Octocrylene at #3, UV filter
- +28.5 Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane at #7, UV filter (UVA1 +15.2)
- +28.8 Diethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl Benzoate at #8, UV filter (UVA1 +17.6)
- +26.4 Titanium Dioxide at #11, UV filter (UVA1 +4)
- −10.8 UVB coverage saturated
- −15.1 UVA2 coverage saturated
- ×0.75 Avobenzone + octinoxate degrade each other in sunlight
- +4 Label claims (SPF 50, PA rating)
☢️
Health safety
Medium
50
- +100 Starting score
- −36 Octinoxate at #2 (regulatory/evidence concern)
- −10.5 Octocrylene at #3, stacked (regulatory/evidence concern)
- −3.5 Avobenzone at #7, stacked (regulatory/evidence concern)
🤧
Allergens
Low
97
- +100 Starting score
- −3 Photoallergen-tail UV filters (Octocrylene)
🔥
Eye sting
Medium
46
- +100 Starting score
- −16 Avobenzone at #7, migrates into eyes with sweat
- −22 Octocrylene at #3, migrates into eyes with sweat
- −16 Octinoxate at #2, migrates into eyes with sweat
🔴
Comedogenic
Low
83
- +100 Starting score
- −17 Isopropyl Palmitate at #5, heavy comedogenic ester
🍄
Fungal acne
High
31
- +100 Starting score
- −36 2 polysorbate/sorbitan emulsifiers that feed Malassezia (Polysorbate 60, Sorbitan Stearate)
- −9 1 oils/butters that feed Malassezia (Lecithin)
- −24 1 long-chain (C12+) esters that feed Malassezia (Isopropyl Palmitate)
👕
Fabric stains
High
10
- +100 Starting score
- −45 Avobenzone at #7, reacts with iron in wash water into rust-yellow stains
- −15 Octocrylene at #3, co-stains alongside avobenzone
- −15 Uvinul A Plus (DHHB) at #8, oil-soluble UVA filter, fabric stains
- −10 Avobenzone + Octocrylene, the classic staining pair
- −5 Titanium Dioxide at #11, white marks, worst on dark fabric (washable)
💧
Moisture
Balanced
LightNourishing
- ← 5 1 sebum-absorbing powders (Nylon-12)
- → 1 Glycerin at #19, the anchor humectant
- → 2 Sodium Hyaluronate at #23, hyaluronic family
- → 1 1 strong humectants (Sorbitol)
- → 1 Humectant polyols
✨
Finish
Balanced
MatteDewy
- ← 6 1 sebum-absorbing powders (Nylon-12)
- → 4 1 slippy emollient esters (Isopropyl Palmitate)
💄
Makeup base
Okay
PillsPrimer
- → 3 1 soft-focus powders in moderation
- ← 1 Gel polymers prone to pilling under friction (Carbomer, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer)
- ← 2 Occlusives/waxes float the foundation
🌊
Water resistance
Not resistant
Non-water-resistantWater-resistant
Nothing flagged in the ingredient list.
How we rate water resistance →Full ingredient list (29)
What each ingredient does and how it moves each rating: green helps, red hurts, ↑ / ↓ give the direction, and ← / → 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
-
Legacy UV filter (Octinoxate), high in the list, a primary filter
- ↑ 18 UV protection
- ↑ 16 migrates into eyes with sweat
-
Legacy UV filter (Octocrylene), high in the list, a primary filter
- ↑ 16 UV protection
- ↓ 10.5 stacked (regulatory/evidence concern)
- ↑ 22 migrates into eyes with sweat
- ↑ 15 co-stains alongside avobenzone
-
Humectant, pulls water into the skin
- 1 → nourishing humectant polyol
-
Emollient, softens and smooths skin
- ↑ 17 heavy comedogenic ester
- 4 → dewy slippy emollient ester
- ↑ 24 feeds malassezia
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6 Nylon-12
Mattifying powder, absorbs oil and blurs the finish
- light ← 5 sebum-absorbing powder
- matte ← 6 sebum-absorbing powder
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Legacy UV filter (Avobenzone)
- ↑ 28.5 UV protection, incl. long-UVA (UVA1)
- ↓ 3.5 stacked (regulatory/evidence concern)
- ↑ 16 migrates into eyes with sweat
- ↑ 45 reacts with iron in wash water into rust-yellow stains
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Modern UV filter, broad-spectrum and photostable (Uvinul A Plus), low in the list, likely a minor contributor
- ↑ 28.8 UV protection, incl. long-UVA (UVA1)
- ↑ 15 oil-soluble UVA filter, fabric stains
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Emulsifier, keeps oil and water blended
- ↑ 18 feeds malassezia
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Emulsifier, keeps oil and water blended
- ↑ 18 feeds malassezia
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Mineral UV filter (Titanium Dioxide), low in the list, likely a minor contributor
- ↑ 26.4 UV protection, incl. long-UVA (UVA1)
- ↑ 5 white marks, worst on dark fabric (washable)
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Preservative, keeps the formula from spoiling
-
Thickener and texture, structures the gel or cream
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14 Carbomer
Thickener and texture, structures the gel or cream
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15 Hydroxide K
pH adjuster
-
Emollient, softens and smooths skin
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Chelator, binds stray metal ions to keep the formula stable
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18 Ci 77002
Colorant or pigment
-
19 Glycerin
Humectant, pulls water into the skin
- 1 → nourishing the anchor humectant
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20 Xanthan Gum
Thickener and texture, structures the gel or cream
-
21 Tocopherol
Antioxidant, protects the formula and skin
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22 BHT
Antioxidant, protects the formula and skin
-
Humectant, pulls water into the skin
- 2 → nourishing hyaluronic family
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24 Sorbitol
Humectant, pulls water into the skin
- 1 → nourishing humectant
-
Thickener and texture, structures the gel or cream
-
26 Lecithin
Emulsifier, keeps oil and water blended
- ↑ 9 feeds malassezia
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Supporting ingredient
-
Supporting ingredient
-
Botanical extract
What SPF is SoS Ultra Protect X3 UV Essence?
It is SPF 50+ with PA++++. Its protection is rated good, suiting everyday sun and general outdoor use.
Does the SoS Ultra Protect X3 UV Essence SPF 50+ Pa++++ leave a white cast?
No, it is rated low for white cast and has a balanced, lightweight essence finish, so it should wear clear on most skin tones.
Is it good for acne-prone skin?
It is generally low risk for clogging pores, which can suit acne-prone skin. Note it is rated medium for stinging, so be careful around the eyes.