True to Skin Sunfriends Soothing Sunscreen Gel SPF 50 Pa ++++
66/100 overall score
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About this sunscreen
True to Skin Sunfriends Soothing Sunscreen Gel is a chemical sunscreen at SPF 50 PA++++, using an older-school blend of Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane, Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate, Phenylbenzimidazole Sulfonic Acid and Octocrylene. The gel wears lightweight with a balanced finish and low white cast, but it may sting, so take care around the eyes. It is generally low on pore-clogging potential and okay under makeup. With a score of 66.0 and moderate protection, it is a light everyday gel best for lower-exposure days.
Ingredient & SPF scores
☀️
UV protection
Moderate
48
- +30 Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane at #3, UV filter (UVA1 +16)
- +17.1 Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate at #4, UV filter
- +13.3 Phenylbenzimidazole Sulfonic Acid at #6, UV filter
- +15.2 Octocrylene at #7, UV filter
- −9.8 UVB coverage saturated
- ×0.9 Limited long-UVA1 coverage
- ×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 #4 (regulatory/evidence concern)
- −10.5 Octocrylene at #7, stacked (regulatory/evidence concern)
- −3.5 Avobenzone at #3, stacked (regulatory/evidence concern)
🤧
Allergens
Low
97
- +100 Starting score
- −3 Photoallergen-tail UV filters (Octocrylene)
🔥
Eye sting
Medium
46
- +100 Starting score
- −24 Avobenzone at #3, migrates into eyes with sweat
- −15 Octocrylene at #7, migrates into eyes with sweat
- −11 Octinoxate at #4, migrates into eyes with sweat
- −4 Ensulizole at #6, migrates into eyes with sweat
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Fungal acne
Low
91
- +100 Starting score
- −9 1 oils/butters that feed Malassezia (Lecithin)
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Fabric stains
High
25
- +100 Starting score
- −50 Avobenzone at #3, reacts with iron in wash water into rust-yellow stains
- −15 Octocrylene at #7, co-stains alongside avobenzone
- −10 Avobenzone + Octocrylene, the classic staining pair
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Moisture
Hydrating
LightNourishing
- ← 3 1 sebum-absorbing powders (Silica)
- → 10 Glycerin at #5, the anchor humectant
- → 2 1 strong humectants (Betaine)
- → 2 Humectant polyols
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Makeup base
Okay
PillsPrimer
- → 3 1 soft-focus powders in moderation
- ← 1.5 Humectant syrup tackiness (partly offset by the base)
🌊
Water resistance
Not resistant
Non-water-resistantWater-resistant
Nothing flagged in the ingredient list.
How we rate water resistance →Skincare extras
Beneficial actives this formula contains. Informational only, not part of the rating: their effect depends on a concentration the label does not disclose.
- ✨ Centella asiatica
- ✨ Green tea
Full ingredient list (18)
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
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Humectant, pulls water into the skin
- 2 → nourishing humectant polyol
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Legacy UV filter (Avobenzone), high in the list, a primary filter
- ↑ 30 UV protection, incl. long-UVA (UVA1)
- ↓ 3.5 stacked (regulatory/evidence concern)
- ↑ 24 migrates into eyes with sweat
- ↑ 50 reacts with iron in wash water into rust-yellow stains
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Legacy UV filter (Octinoxate)
- ↑ 17.1 UV protection
- ↑ 11 migrates into eyes with sweat
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5 Glycerin
Humectant, pulls water into the skin
- 10 → nourishing the anchor humectant
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Legacy UV filter (Ensulizole)
- ↑ 13.3 UV protection
- ↑ 4 migrates into eyes with sweat
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Legacy UV filter (Octocrylene)
- ↑ 15.2 UV protection
- ↓ 10.5 stacked (regulatory/evidence concern)
- ↑ 15 migrates into eyes with sweat
- ↑ 15 co-stains alongside avobenzone
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Thickener and texture, structures the gel or cream
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9 Betaine
Humectant, pulls water into the skin
- 2 → nourishing humectant
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Soothing, skin-conditioning active
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pH adjuster
-
12 Silica
Mattifying powder, absorbs oil and blurs the finish
- light ← 3 sebum-absorbing powder
- matte ← 3 sebum-absorbing powder
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Preservative, keeps the formula from spoiling
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Botanical extract
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15 Lecithin
Emulsifier, keeps oil and water blended
- ↑ 9 feeds malassezia
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Preservative, keeps the formula from spoiling
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Supporting ingredient
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18 Methicone
Emollient, softens and smooths skin
Does True to Skin Sunfriends Gel sting?
It may sting despite the soothing name, so take care around the eyes and patch test on sensitive skin.
Is the True to Skin Sunfriends Soothing Sunscreen Gel SPF 50 Pa ++++ mineral or chemical?
It is a chemical sunscreen, using an older-school blend of Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane, Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate, Phenylbenzimidazole Sulfonic Acid and Octocrylene.
Is it good?
It scores 66.0 out of 100 with moderate protection at SPF 50 PA++++. The lightweight gel with low white cast is a light everyday option, best for lower-exposure days.