Vichy Liftactiv B3 Anti-dark Spots SPF 50
83/100 overall score
Sign in to see this product's score for your skin.
About this sunscreen
Vichy Liftactiv B3 Anti-dark Spots SPF 50 is a hybrid chemical sunscreen and treatment using octisalate, Uvinul T 150, Tinosorb S, and avobenzone for excellent protection against dark spots and UV. It has a matte finish, low white cast, and a lightweight feel, does not commonly sting, and has a low pore-clogging profile, so it suits oily and blemish-prone skin. The good makeup-base rating makes it a tidy primer step. At 82.6/100 with excellent protection, it is a strong daily pick for tone-conscious users.
Ingredient & SPF scores
βοΈ
UV protection
Excellent
85
- +8 Ethylhexyl Salicylate at #3, UV filter
- +20.9 Ethylhexyl Triazone at #4, UV filter
- +45.6 Bis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine at #6, UV filter (UVA1 +15.2)
- +24 Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane at #9, UV filter (UVA1 +12.8)
- β14 UVB coverage saturated
- β1.5 UVA2 coverage saturated
- +2 Label claims (SPF 50)
β’οΈ
Health safety
High
90
- +100 Starting score
- β10 Avobenzone at #9 (regulatory/evidence concern)
π€§
Allergens
Low
70
- +100 Starting score
- β18 Fragrance
- β12 Opaque "Fragrance", hidden allergens that can't be checked from the label
π₯
Eye sting
Low
65
- +100 Starting score
- β8 Avobenzone at #9, migrates into eyes with sweat
- β9 Octisalate at #3, migrates into eyes with sweat
- β10 Volatile alcohol at #5
- β8 Fragrance
π΄
Comedogenic
Low
91
- +100 Starting score
- β7 Isopropyl Isostearate at #12, heavy comedogenic ester
- β1 Myristic Acid at #34, moderate comedogenic signal
- β1 Palmitic Acid at #35, moderate comedogenic signal
π
Fungal acne
High
37
- +100 Starting score
- β12 1 free fatty acids that feed Malassezia (Myristic Acid)
- β36 3 polysorbate/sorbitan emulsifiers that feed Malassezia (Polysorbate 20, Polysorbate 80, Sorbitan Oleate)
- β9 1 long-chain (C12+) esters that feed Malassezia (Sodium Stearoyl Glutamate)
- β6 3 ubiquitous fatty ingredients (Stearic Acid, Palmitic Acid, Cetearyl Glucoside), weak Malassezia signal
π
Fabric stains
Low
62
- +100 Starting score
- β38 Avobenzone at #9, reacts with iron in wash water into rust-yellow stains
π§
Moisture
Balanced
LightNourishing
- β 13 Volatile alcohol at #5
- β 6 3 sebum-absorbing powders (Aluminium Starch Octenylsuccinate, Lauroyl Lysine, Perlite)
- β 1 Volatile carriers flash off, leaving a dry finish
- β 16 Glycerin at #2, the anchor humectant
- β 2 Sodium Acetylated Hyaluronate at #23, hyaluronic family
- β 1 1 strong humectants (Sodium Lactate)
- β 0.5 1 fatty-alcohol emollients (Behenyl Alcohol)
β¨
Finish
Matte
MatteDewy
- β 5 3 sebum-absorbing powders (Lauroyl Lysine, Perlite, Aluminium Starch Octenylsuccinate)
- β 1 Volatile carriers flash off, leaving a dry finish
- β 3 Volatile alcohol at #5
- β 2 1 slippy emollient esters (Isopropyl Isostearate)
π
Makeup base
Good
PillsPrimer
- β 3 Primer-style base, volatile silicones and dimethicone slip
- β 6 Quick-setting carrier (alcohol at #5), fast, even canvas
- β 3 1 soft-focus powders in moderation
- β 2 Gel polymers prone to pilling under friction (Carbomer, Poly C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate, Ammonium Polyacryloyldimethyl Taurate, β¦)
- β 3.5 Humectant syrup tackiness (partly offset by the base)
π
Water resistance
Not resistant
Non-water-resistantWater-resistant
Nothing flagged in the ingredient list.
How we rate water resistance βFull ingredient list (50)
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.
-
1 Water
Solvent base, the water phase
-
2 Glycerin
Humectant, pulls water into the skin
- 16 β nourishing the anchor humectant
-
Legacy UV filter (Octisalate), high in the list, a primary filter
- β 8 UV protection
- β 9 migrates into eyes with sweat
-
Modern UV filter, broad-spectrum and photostable (Uvinul T 150)
- β 20.9 UV protection
-
Volatile alcohol, a drying solvent that can sting eyes
-
Modern UV filter, broad-spectrum and photostable (Tinosorb S)
- β 45.6 UV protection, incl. long-UVA (UVA1)
-
Emollient, softens and smooths skin
-
Mattifying powder, absorbs oil and blurs the finish
- light β 3 sebum-absorbing powder
- matte β 3 sebum-absorbing powder
-
Legacy UV filter (Avobenzone), low in the list, likely a minor contributor
- β 24 UV protection, incl. long-UVA (UVA1)
- β 8 migrates into eyes with sweat
- β 38 reacts with iron in wash water into rust-yellow stains
-
Fatty alcohol, an emollient and thickener, not the drying kind
-
Fatty alcohol, an emollient and thickener, not the drying kind
- 0.5 β nourishing fatty-alcohol emollient
-
Emollient, softens and smooths skin
- β 7 heavy comedogenic ester
- 2 β dewy slippy emollient ester
-
13 Perlite
Mattifying powder, absorbs oil and blurs the finish
- light β 1.5 sebum-absorbing powder
- matte β 1 sebum-absorbing powder
-
Mattifying powder, absorbs oil and blurs the finish
- light β 1.5 sebum-absorbing powder
- matte β 1 sebum-absorbing powder
-
Fatty alcohol, an emollient and thickener, not the drying kind
-
Protein, peptide or amino acid, conditions and hydrates skin
-
17 Adenosine
Soothing, skin-conditioning active
-
Supporting ingredient
-
Chelator, binds stray metal ions to keep the formula stable
-
Antioxidant, protects the formula and skin
-
Protein, peptide or amino acid, conditions and hydrates skin
-
Protein, peptide or amino acid, conditions and hydrates skin
-
Humectant, pulls water into the skin
- 2 β nourishing hyaluronic family
-
Humectant, pulls water into the skin
-
25 Niacinamide
Soothing, skin-conditioning active
-
26 Tocopherol
Antioxidant, protects the formula and skin
-
Thickener and texture, structures the gel or cream
-
Thickener and texture, structures the gel or cream
-
Humectant, pulls water into the skin
-
30 Carbomer
Thickener and texture, structures the gel or cream
-
Fatty alcohol, an emollient and thickener, not the drying kind
-
Emulsifier, keeps oil and water blended
- β 2 minor malassezia feeder
-
Volatile hydrocarbon, flashes off for a light finish
- light β 1 volatile carrier, flashes off
- matte β 1 volatile carrier, flashes off
-
Emollient, softens and smooths skin
- β 1 moderate comedogenic signal
- β 12 feeds malassezia
-
Emollient, softens and smooths skin
- β 1 moderate comedogenic signal
- β 2 minor malassezia feeder
-
36 PEG-100
Emulsifier, keeps oil and water blended
-
37 Mg Stearate+
Emollient, softens and smooths skin
-
Humectant, pulls water into the skin
-
Thickener and texture, structures the gel or cream
-
Emulsifier, keeps oil and water blended
- β 12 feeds malassezia
-
Emulsifier, keeps oil and water blended
- β 12 feeds malassezia
-
Humectant, pulls water into the skin
- 1 β nourishing humectant
-
Thickener and texture, structures the gel or cream
-
Emulsifier, keeps oil and water blended
- β 9 feeds malassezia
-
Emulsifier, keeps oil and water blended
- β 12 feeds malassezia
-
46 Stearic Acid
Emollient, softens and smooths skin
- β 2 minor malassezia feeder
-
47 Yellow 6
Colorant or pigment
-
48 FD&C Red 40
Colorant or pigment
-
Preservative, keeps the formula from spoiling
-
50 Fragrance
Fragrance
Does Vichy Liftactiv B3 leave a white cast?
No, white cast is rated low and the finish is matte, so it generally wears clear. The lightweight formula absorbs cleanly.
Is the Vichy Liftactiv B3 Anti-dark Spots SPF 50 good for oily or blemish-prone skin?
Yes, the matte finish, lightweight feel, and low pore-clogging risk suit oily and blemish-prone skin. It does not commonly sting, so it tends to be comfortable.
Is Vichy Liftactiv B3 a good sunscreen?
Yes, it scores 82.6/100 with excellent protection at SPF 50. It doubles as a dark-spot treatment and works well under makeup, making it a strong daily pick.