The orchid skin ORCHID UV Sun Cream (Yellow) SPF 50 + Pa +++
70/100 overall score
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About this sunscreen
The orchid skin ORCHID UV Sun Cream (Yellow) is an SPF 50+ PA+++ sunscreen with an older-generation filter blend of octocrylene, ethylhexyl methoxycinnamate and ethylhexyl salicylate alongside mineral titanium dioxide and zinc oxide. It gives a matte, lightweight finish with low white cast and works well under makeup. It is low on breakout risk, though some may notice mild sting around the eyes. With good protection and a score of 69.6/100, it is a reasonable matte daily choice for those who layer makeup over sunscreen.
Ingredient & SPF scores
☀️
UV protection
Good
77
- +16 Octocrylene at #2, UV filter
- +18 Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate at #3, UV filter
- +7.6 Ethylhexyl Salicylate at #5, UV filter
- +31.4 Titanium Dioxide at #6, UV filter (UVA1 +4.8)
- +32.8 Zinc Oxide at #11, UV filter (UVA1 +14.4)
- −29.6 UVB coverage saturated
- −2 UVA2 coverage saturated
- +3 Label claims (SPF 50, PA rating)
☢️
Health safety
Medium
54
- +100 Starting score
- −36 Octinoxate at #3 (regulatory/evidence concern)
- −10.5 Octocrylene at #2, stacked (regulatory/evidence concern)
🤧
Allergens
Low
67
- +100 Starting score
- −18 Fragrance
- −12 Opaque "Fragrance", hidden allergens that can't be checked from the label
- −3 Photoallergen-tail UV filters (Octocrylene)
👻
White cast
Low
76
- +100 Starting score
- −12 Zinc Oxide at #11
- −35 Titanium Dioxide at #6
- −10 Zinc Oxide + Titanium Dioxide together
- +28.5 Iron-oxide undertone, partial masking
- +4.3 Coated minerals (Triethoxycaprylylsilane, Aluminum Hydroxide)
🔥
Eye sting
Medium
48
- +100 Starting score
- −22 Octocrylene at #2, migrates into eyes with sweat
- −16 Octinoxate at #3, migrates into eyes with sweat
- −6 Octisalate at #5, migrates into eyes with sweat
- −8 Fragrance
🪨
Heavy feel
Low
78
- +100 Starting score
- −8 Zinc Oxide at #11
- −16 Titanium Dioxide at #6
- −6 Cera Alba at #8, wax film
- +7.5 Volatile silicone at #4, flashes off
🍄
Fungal acne
Low
77
- +100 Starting score
- −12 1 polysorbate/sorbitan emulsifiers that feed Malassezia (Sorbitan Sesquioleate)
- −9 1 long-chain (C12+) esters that feed Malassezia (PEG-30 Dipolyhydroxystearate)
- −2 1 ubiquitous fatty ingredients (Stearic Acid), weak Malassezia signal
- +0 Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil at #35, jojoba wax ester, fungal-acne exception (not penalized)
👕
Fabric stains
High
30
- +100 Starting score
- −15 Octocrylene at #2, co-stains alongside avobenzone
- −40 Iron-oxide pigments at #27, makeup-like collar marks (washable)
- −10 Titanium Dioxide at #6, white marks, worst on dark fabric (washable)
- −5 Both minerals present, heavier deposit
💧
Moisture
Light
LightNourishing
- ← 6 2 sebum-absorbing powders (Silica, Polymethylsilsesquioxane)
- ← 10 Volatile carriers flash off, leaving a dry finish
- → 1 Glycerin at #22, the anchor humectant
- → 2 2 emollient lipids (Squalane, Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil)
✨
Finish
Matte
MatteDewy
- ← 6 2 sebum-absorbing powders (Polymethylsilsesquioxane, Silica)
- ← 8 Volatile carriers flash off, leaving a dry finish
- → 2 2 emollient lipids (Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil, Squalane)
💄
Makeup base
Good
PillsPrimer
- → 5 Primer-style base, volatile silicones and dimethicone slip
- → 6 2 soft-focus powders in moderation
- ← 2 Occlusives/waxes float the foundation
- ← 3 High mineral load at #6 greys under foundation (tinted)
🌊
Water resistance
Not resistant
Non-water-resistantWater-resistant
- +3 1 film-forming polymers that lock the formula on for water resistance
- +4 1 water-locking waxes
Full ingredient list (45)
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 (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
-
Legacy UV filter (Octinoxate), high in the list, a primary filter
- ↑ 18 UV protection
- ↑ 16 migrates into eyes with sweat
-
Volatile silicone, flashes off for a light finish
- light ← 5 volatile carrier, flashes off
- matte ← 4 volatile carrier, flashes off
-
Legacy UV filter (Octisalate)
- ↑ 7.6 UV protection
- ↑ 6 migrates into eyes with sweat
-
Mineral UV filter (Titanium Dioxide)
- ↑ 31.4 UV protection, incl. long-UVA (UVA1)
- ↑ 10 white marks, worst on dark fabric (washable)
- pills ← 3 High mineral load greys under foundation (tinted)
-
Volatile silicone, flashes off for a light finish
- light ← 5 volatile carrier, flashes off
- matte ← 4 volatile carrier, flashes off
-
Occlusive, seals moisture into the skin
- ↑ 6 wax film
- ↑ 4 wax water lock
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Mattifying powder, absorbs oil and blurs the finish
- light ← 3 sebum-absorbing powder
- matte ← 3 sebum-absorbing powder
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10 Silica
Mattifying powder, absorbs oil and blurs the finish
- light ← 3 sebum-absorbing powder
- matte ← 3 sebum-absorbing powder
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11 Zinc Oxide
Mineral UV filter (Zinc Oxide), low in the list, likely a minor contributor
- ↑ 32.8 UV protection, incl. long-UVA (UVA1)
-
Thickener and texture, structures the gel or cream
-
Emulsifier, keeps oil and water blended
-
Emulsifier, keeps oil and water blended
- ↑ 9 feeds malassezia
-
Emollient, softens and smooths skin
-
Emulsifier, keeps oil and water blended
- ↑ 12 feeds malassezia
-
Supporting ingredient
-
18 Stearic Acid
Emollient, softens and smooths skin
- ↑ 2 minor malassezia feeder
-
Humectant, pulls water into the skin
-
Preservative, keeps the formula from spoiling
-
21 Fragrance
Fragrance
-
22 Glycerin
Humectant, pulls water into the skin
- 1 → nourishing the anchor humectant
-
Thickener and texture, structures the gel or cream
-
Film former, locks the formula onto skin for water resistance
- ↑ 3 film former
-
Supporting ingredient
-
Chelator, binds stray metal ions to keep the formula stable
-
27 Iron Oxides
Colorant or pigment
- ↑ 40 makeup-like collar marks (washable)
-
Humectant, pulls water into the skin
-
Humectant, pulls water into the skin
-
Botanical extract
-
Botanical extract
-
Botanical extract
-
33 Milk Protein
Supporting ingredient
-
Botanical extract
-
Botanical extract
- 1 → nourishing emollient lipid
- 1 → dewy emollient lipid
-
36 Squalane
Emollient, softens and smooths skin
- 1 → nourishing emollient lipid
- 1 → dewy emollient lipid
-
Botanical extract
-
Botanical extract
-
Botanical extract
-
Botanical extract
-
Botanical extract
-
Preservative, keeps the formula from spoiling
-
Botanical extract
-
Botanical extract
-
Botanical extract
Does the The orchid skin ORCHID UV Sun Cream (Yellow) SPF 50 + Pa +++ leave a white cast?
No, white cast is rated low despite the mineral titanium dioxide and zinc oxide content, so it tends to stay invisible on most skin tones.
Can I wear it under makeup?
Yes, it is rated good as a makeup base and has a matte finish, so it should layer well under foundation.
What SPF is the The orchid skin ORCHID UV Sun Cream (Yellow) SPF 50 + Pa +++?
It is SPF 50+ PA+++, offering high UVB and UVA protection. Overall protection is rated good and it scores 69.6/100.