Clinique City Block Sheer Oil-Free Daily Face Protector SPF25
Works for
1 of 2 advertised claims delivered
Sun protectionSPF 25 · 2 UV filters · Broad spectrumWeak protectionSPF under 30
This product offers broad spectrum sun protection, but it is weak. We recommend to use a broad spectrum sunscreen with at least SPF 30.
This product can be considered "reef safe" because it does not contain the UV filters (oxybenzone and octinoxate) that can be harmful to coral reefs when present in the water in high concentrations.
MoisturizingLinoleic acid, Sodium hyaluronate + 21 moreStrong evidence
This product can help improve hydration of the skin with the two types of ingredients.
The first type is called “humectants”:
these ingredients help attract water.
When humectants are on the surface of the skin, they “pull in” the moisture from the outside environment, or from
within deeper layers of the skin. The following ingredients in this product do the job:
saccharomyces lysate extract, sodium hyaluronate.
This product also contains ingredients called “occlusives”. They help reduce the speed with which our skin loses moisture to the outside environment. These ingredients also help soften the upper layer of the skin, so it feels less tight and nicer to the touch. The following ingredients in this product do the job: dimethicone, linolenic acid.
The following ingredients in this product are especially good for supporting the skin barrier and helping with the hydration level: linoleic acid
Can it cause trouble?
Irritancy1 strong irritant: Rosmarinus officinalis leaf extractMedium risk
Comedogenic2 ingredients rated 2 or more on the 0–5 pore-clogging scale2 flagged
User reviews
Be the first — your take helps the next person decide.
Ingredients
Filter by role to see what each ingredient is doing.
Zinc oxide6.9%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A broad spectrum sunblock (protects from both UVA and UVB rays). Is suitable for most sensitive skins. In small concentrations, can be used as a colorant
More about Zinc oxideWater~45–55%
Trioctyldodecyl citrate~6.6–8%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Butylene glycol~4.9–6%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Used to create a nice product texture and help delivery of other ingredients. Might be somewhat helpful in attracting water to the upper layer of the skin
More about Butylene glycolCyclopentasiloxane~3.4–4.1%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A silicone that helps improve the product texture and spreadability. Can absorb oil creating a short-term mattifying effect on the skin
More about CyclopentasiloxaneDimethicone~2.7–3.3%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A silicone that helps to reduce water loss from the surface of the skin. Can temporarily "fill in" lines and wrinkles, absorb oil, and create a nice product finish
More about DimethiconeC12-15 alkyl benzoate~2.2–2.7%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Enhances the product texture and makes it more spreadable. Helps reduce water loss from the outer layer of skin. Extands the shelf life by preventing bacteria growth
More about C12-15 alkyl benzoateSteareth-2~1.7–2.1%
Stearyl heptanoate~1.6–1.9%
Silica~1.6–2%
Lecithin~1.2–1.5%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Used mostly for creating emulsions - helping oil and water mix together. Helps soften the upper layer of the skin
More about LecithinAmmonium acryloyldimethyltaurate/vp copolymer~1–1.2%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Increases thickness of a product. Texture enhancer for oil-in-water emulsions
More about Ammonium acryloyldimethyltaurate/vp copolymerGentiana lutea root extract~0.75–1.15%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
A plant extract that can help strengthen the skin barrier function and improve skin moisture levels
More about Gentiana lutea root extractRosmarinus officinalis leaf extract~0.75–1.1%
- Irritation risk
- High
Can be helpful in reducing inflammation in skin, including inflamed acne. It can be irritating
More about Rosmarinus officinalis leaf extractHordeum vulgare extract~0.75–1.1%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
A plant extract that might have some anti-oxidant properties. Avoid if you are sensitive to gluten
More about Hordeum vulgare extractBetula alba bark extract~0.65–1%
- Irritation risk
- High
Has astringent properties. Creates a tightening and drying effect on the skin. Can be irritating
More about Betula alba bark extractCucumis sativus fruit extract~0.7–1.05%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Might be somewhat helpful in reducing hyperpigmentation and neutralizing free radicals but its typical concentration in a product is too low for having an effect
More about Cucumis sativus fruit extractLaminaria saccharina extract~0.65–1%
- Irritation risk
- Low
- Comedogenicity
- 3/5
A seaweed extract that contains sugars and can be helpful in attracting water to the upper layers of the skin if used in high enough concentrations
More about Laminaria saccharina extractSaccharomyces lysate extract~0.6–0.9%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps attract water to the upper layer of the skin. Can have some anti-inflammatory effect
More about Saccharomyces lysate extractHelianthus annuus seedcake~0.65–1%
Sodium hyaluronate~0.55–0.85%
- Irritation risk
- Low
One of the best moisturizing ingredients. Attracts water into the upper layer of the skin
More about Sodium hyaluronateSorbitan tristearate~0.55–0.85%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Helps oil and water mix together
More about Sorbitan tristearateLinoleic acid~0.65–0.95%
- Irritation risk
- Low
An excellent emollient. Helps soften the skin, restore its barrier function, and can help to calm down inflammation. It can be helpful to prevent blemishes and clogged pores
More about Linoleic acidPolyquaternium-51~0.55–0.8%
- Irritation risk
- Low
An emollient that helps create a nice silky finish on the skin
More about Polyquaternium-51Caprylyl methicone~0.5–0.75%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A type of silicone that helps to soften the upper layer of the skin and create a nice product finish on the skin
More about Caprylyl methiconeSorbitol~0.5–0.75%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps attract water to the upper layer of the skin and improves the product texture
More about SorbitolSodium rna~0.5–0.75%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Is claimed to have anti-aging properties, but research about its effect in topical application is missing
More about Sodium rnaPeg-40 stearate~0.55–0.8%
Caprylyl glycol~0.55–0.8%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Helps preserve products and creates a nice product texture
More about Caprylyl glycolTocopheryl acetate~0.5–0.8%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
A more stable but less bio-available form of vitamin E compared to Tocopherol. Might help moisturize and protect the skin from free radicals, but mostly used in low concentrations to stabilize other ingredients.
More about Tocopheryl acetatePhytantriol~0.5–0.8%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Stearic acid~0.6–0.9%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps oil and water mix together and works as an emollient
More about Stearic acidHydrogenated lecithin~0.55–0.8%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps to retain moisture by creating a protective barrier on the skin. Rich in fatty acids. Improves product texture and helps with the penetration of other ingredients.
More about Hydrogenated lecithinCellulose~0.5–0.8%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Can be used to help absorb oil as well as add volume and imporve texture of products.
More about CelluloseMagnesium ascorbyl phosphate~0.5–0.75%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
A derivative of vitamin C that is more stable, but less bioavailable than the pure form of vitamin C. It does not penetrate the skin well, but has been shown to convert to pure vitamin C once in skin. It can be helpful in stimulating collagen production and lightening the skin tone, but the required concentration is likely to be very high
More about Magnesium ascorbyl phosphateStearyl dimethicone~0.55–0.8%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps soften the upper layer of the skin
More about Stearyl dimethiconeAscorbyl tocopheryl maleate~0.55–0.8%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Nordihydroguaiaretic acid~0.5–0.75%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Used to stabilize the formula of product formulation. Might be helpful in neutralizing free radicals in skin
More about Nordihydroguaiaretic acidLinolenic acid~0.55–0.85%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
An emollient that helps soften the skin and calm down inflammation
More about Linolenic acidPantethine~0.55–0.8%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps to hydrate the skin by improving its barrier funciton
More about PantethineBisabolol~0.5–0.7%
- Irritation risk
- Low
An active component of chamomile plant that historically has been used to calm down irritated skin. A recent study shows that bisabolol indeed can have some anti-inflammatory effect on skin, even though conclusive data is lacking. Bisabolol has a sweet floral scent and can be added to products for its aromatic properties
More about BisabololCeteth-2~0.55–0.8%
Peg/ppg-18/18 dimethicone~0.5–0.75%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A silicone that mixes with water creating nice light-weight product texture
More about Peg/ppg-18/18 dimethiconePolyglyceryl-6 polyricinoleate~0.5–0.7%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Helps oil and water mix together
More about Polyglyceryl-6 polyricinoleateSteareth-20~0.45–0.7%
Isopropyl titanium triisostearate~0.4–0.65%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Helps water and oil mix together
More about Isopropyl titanium triisostearatePropylene glycol dicaprate~0.4–0.6%
- Irritation risk
- Low
An emollient that helps soften the upper layer of the skin
More about Propylene glycol dicaprateSodium stearate~0.7–1.1%
Nylon-12~0.3–0.55%
Citric acid~0.25–0.5%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Can work as an exfoliant but is typically used to adjust the product pH
More about Citric acidAluminum hydroxide~0.3–0.55%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Is used to add opaque (non-transparent) appearance to formulations. Can be used to coat other ingredients for even dispersion. This is a different ingredient compared to the ones used in antipersperants (aluminium chloride and aluminium chlorohydrate)
More about Aluminum hydroxideNylon-6~0.2–0.4%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Hexylene glycol~0.2–0.35%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Helps create a more spreadable product texture
More about Hexylene glycolXanthan gum~0.2–0.4%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Used to create a thicker product consistency
More about Xanthan gumDisodium edta~0.1–0.25%
Bht~0.1–0.2%
Phenoxyethanol~0.15–0.25%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A preservative. It helps prevent bacterial growth in cosmetic products
More about PhenoxyethanolTitanium dioxide7.3%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Works as a UV filter when used in high concentrations. It is photostable and is effective mostly against the UVB light, with some protection in the UVA range. In small concentrations, used for its ability to improve the color of cosmetic products. Is usually well tolerated by the skin
More about Titanium dioxideCi 77891~0.05–0.1%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Iron oxides~0.05–0.1%
- Irritation risk
- Low
An umbrella term for the following three colorants: CI 77491, CI 77492, CI 77499. They might be able to offer some protection against visible light, but the degree of the protection is not clear
More about Iron oxidesIngredient list view
Zinc oxide, Water, Trioctyldodecyl citrate, Butylene glycol, Cyclopentasiloxane, Dimethicone, C12-15 alkyl benzoate, Steareth-2, Stearyl heptanoate, Silica, Lecithin, Ammonium acryloyldimethyltaurate/vp copolymer, Gentiana lutea root extract, Rosmarinus officinalis leaf extract, Hordeum vulgare extract, Betula alba bark extract, Cucumis sativus fruit extract, Laminaria saccharina extract, Saccharomyces lysate extract, Helianthus annuus seedcake, Sodium hyaluronate, Sorbitan tristearate, Linoleic acid, Polyquaternium-51, Caprylyl methicone, Sorbitol, Sodium rna, Peg-40 stearate, Caprylyl glycol, Tocopheryl acetate, Phytantriol, Stearic acid, Hydrogenated lecithin, Cellulose, Magnesium ascorbyl phosphate, Stearyl dimethicone, Ascorbyl tocopheryl maleate, Nordihydroguaiaretic acid, Linolenic acid, Pantethine, Bisabolol, Ceteth-2, Peg/ppg-18/18 dimethicone, Polyglyceryl-6 polyricinoleate, Steareth-20, Isopropyl titanium triisostearate, Propylene glycol dicaprate, Sodium stearate, Nylon-12, Citric acid, Aluminum hydroxide, Nylon-6, Hexylene glycol, Xanthan gum, Disodium edta, Bht, Phenoxyethanol, Titanium dioxide, Ci 77891, Iron oxides
Compare prices
Retailers ranked by price — lowest first.
Affiliate links · prices updated regularly
Worth comparing, line by line.
Match % combines shared ingredients, the first five ingredients, shared actives and hero ingredients, irritancy (lower counts in the alternative's favour), texture and body area. Only products in the same routine step are compared.
| CliniqueCity Block Sheer Oil-Free Daily Face Protector SPF25YOUR PRODUCT | Face Reality SkincarepowerMineral™ SPF 50 | |
|---|---|---|
| Match | — | 52% |
| Price | $30.00 | $38.00+$8.00 |
| Shared key ingredients | — | 6 of 14 |
| Key difference | — | Madecassic Acid |
| Irritancy | Medium | Low |
| SPF | SPF 25 | SPF 50 |
| Drying alcohol | — | — |
| View product | Shop |
Product summary
"Clinique - City Block Sheer Oil-Free Daily Face Protector SPF25" offers broad spectrum protection. It means that it protects from both UVA and UVB rays (you can remember UVB as "burning" sunlight - they cause sunburn. You can remember UVA rays as "aging" - they do not lead to sunburn, but they cause photodamage and contribute to early signs of skin aging and hyperpigmentation). On the negative side, the SPF of this product is not high enough. We recommend to use a sunscreen with at least SPF 30 daily.
Its formula is also hydrating, so you might not need an additional moistruizer during the day.
Sunscreen filters
This sunscreen is a mineral sunscreen. It uses titanium dioxide and zinc oxide for sun protection. Both titanium dioxide and zinc oxide almost never irritate even the most sensitive skin and eyes, but can leave a white cast.
Irritation risk
There are actives in this product that can be irritating. We assess the overall irritancy of this product to be medium. For a detailed overview of all potential irritants: click here
You can see the detailed formula review with the breakdown of all actives in the product and the full ingredient list with estimated concentrations in the tables below.
Price
The product retails from 30.00$ up to 46.75$ in the United States and from 20.48£ up to 23.00£ in the United Kingdom.
For a detailed price comparison: click here.
Sources cited in this review
Every concentration estimate and effectiveness label is anchored to one of these 32 studies and safety reviews.
- 1A review of inorganic UV filters zinc oxide and titanium dioxideonlinelibrary.wiley.com
- 2
- 3
- 4
- 5
- 6
Affiliate links · As an Amazon Associate, WIMJ earns from qualifying purchases.