WOW skin science Sunscreen Gel SPF 55 Pa++++
76/100 overall score
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About this sunscreen
The WOW skin science Sunscreen Gel SPF 55 PA++++ is a hybrid chemical sunscreen blending ethylhexyl methoxycinnamate and avobenzone with modern filters bis-ethylhexyloxyphenol methoxyphenyl triazine and diethylhexyl butamido triazone. The gel format gives a dewy finish with low white cast and a lightweight feel, and it is generally non-stinging with low pore-clogging risk. Protection is rated good and backed by a high PA++++ UVA claim. With a score of 75.9/100, it is a comfortable, lightweight everyday gel.
Ingredient & SPF scores
☀️
UV protection
Good
68
- +18 Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate at #2, UV filter
- +28.5 Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane at #4, UV filter (UVA1 +15.2)
- +45.6 Bis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine at #5, UV filter (UVA1 +15.2)
- +19.2 Diethylhexyl Butamido Triazone at #11, UV filter
- −17.5 UVB coverage saturated
- −8.4 UVA2 coverage saturated
- ×0.75 Avobenzone + octinoxate degrade each other in sunlight
- +4 Label claims (SPF 55, PA rating)
☢️
Health safety
High
61
- +100 Starting score
- −36 Octinoxate at #2 (regulatory/evidence concern)
- −3.5 Avobenzone at #4, stacked (regulatory/evidence concern)
🤧
Allergens
Low
96
- +100 Starting score
- −4 Essential oils (Pelargonium Graveolens Flower Oil, Salvia Officinalis Oil)
🔥
Eye sting
Low
67
- +100 Starting score
- −16 Avobenzone at #4, migrates into eyes with sweat
- −16 Octinoxate at #2, migrates into eyes with sweat
- −1 Volatile alcohol at #29
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Fungal acne
Low
91
- +100 Starting score
- −9 1 oils/butters that feed Malassezia (Lecithin)
👕
Fabric stains
Medium
55
- +100 Starting score
- −45 Avobenzone at #4, reacts with iron in wash water into rust-yellow stains
💧
Moisture
Balanced
LightNourishing
- ← 2 Volatile alcohol at #29
- → 1 Glycerin at #28, the anchor humectant
- → 1 1 strong humectants (Sodium PCA)
- → 1 Humectant polyols
✨
Finish
Dewy
MatteDewy
- ← 0.5 Volatile alcohol at #29
- → 9 1 emollient lipids (C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate)
💄
Makeup base
Okay
PillsPrimer
- → 3 Dry-touch esters, smooth fast-absorbing base
- ← 7 Gel polymers prone to pilling under friction (Sodium Acrylates Copolymer)
🌊
Water resistance
Not resistant
Non-water-resistantWater-resistant
Nothing flagged in the ingredient list.
How we rate water resistance →Full ingredient list (34)
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
-
Emollient, softens and smooths skin
- 9 → dewy emollient lipid
-
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
-
Modern UV filter, broad-spectrum and photostable (Tinosorb S)
- ↑ 45.6 UV protection, incl. long-UVA (UVA1)
-
Humectant, pulls water into the skin
- 1 → nourishing humectant polyol
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Thickener and texture, structures the gel or cream
-
8 Undecane
Emollient, softens and smooths skin
-
Humectant, pulls water into the skin
-
Preservative, keeps the formula from spoiling
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Modern UV filter, broad-spectrum and photostable (Iscotrizinol), low in the list, likely a minor contributor
- ↑ 19.2 UV protection
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12 Tridecane
Emollient, softens and smooths skin
-
13 Lecithin
Emulsifier, keeps oil and water blended
- ↑ 9 feeds malassezia
-
Supporting ingredient
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15 Xylitol
Humectant, pulls water into the skin
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16 Glucose
Humectant, pulls water into the skin
-
Emulsifier, keeps oil and water blended
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18 Niacinamide
Soothing, skin-conditioning active
-
Humectant, pulls water into the skin
-
Humectant, pulls water into the skin
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21 Grapefruit
Supporting ingredient
-
Soothing, skin-conditioning active
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Chelator, binds stray metal ions to keep the formula stable
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Botanical extract
-
Plant oil, an emollient
-
Botanical extract
-
27 Glutathione
Antioxidant, protects the formula and skin
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28 Glycerin
Humectant, pulls water into the skin
- 1 → nourishing the anchor humectant
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29 Alcohol
Volatile alcohol, a drying solvent that can sting eyes
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Botanical extract
-
Botanical extract
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32 Sodium PCA
Humectant, pulls water into the skin
- 1 → nourishing humectant
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Botanical extract
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Botanical extract
What SPF is the WOW skin science Sunscreen Gel?
It is labeled SPF 55 with a PA++++ UVA rating, and its protection is rated good.
Is the WOW skin science Sunscreen Gel SPF 55 Pa++++ mineral or chemical?
It is a hybrid chemical formula, blending ethylhexyl methoxycinnamate and avobenzone with modern filters such as bis-ethylhexyloxyphenol methoxyphenyl triazine.
Does it leave a white cast?
No, the gel has a low white-cast rating with a dewy, lightweight finish.