Pacifica Sea & C Sheer Sunscreen Spray SPF30
Works for
1 of 1 advertised claim delivered
Sun protectionSPF 30 · 4 UV filtersBroad spectrum
This product offers a good level of protection against both UVB and UVA rays.
This sunscreen uses organic (so-called "chemical") sunscreen filters. Organic, or "chemical" filters usually provide reliable sun protection and rarely leave a white cast. Sunscreens with organic filters can sting eyes.
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.
Anti-agingNot advertised by the brand · 3 ingredients credited for this claimStrong support
This product can help prevent early signs of skin aging because it offers a good level of broad spectrum sun protection. Sun damage is the main cause of premature skin aging, and protecting your skin from the sun is the best anti-aging strategy.
Evens skin toneNot advertised by the brand · 1 ingredient credited for this claimStrong support
This product offers broad spectrum sun protection. It means that it can prevent hyperpigmentation and help keep the skin tone even (sun damage is the main factor causing age spots, darkening of post-acne marks and other discolorations).
MoisturizingNot advertised by the brand · 10 ingredients credited for this claimGood support
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:
glycerin, caprylyl glycol.
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: caprylic/capric triglyceride, jojoba esters.
Can it cause trouble?
Irritancy1 strong irritant: ParfumMedium risk
Comedogenic2 ingredients rated 2 or more on the 0–5 pore-clogging scale2 flagged
User reviews
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Ingredients
Filter by role to see what each ingredient is doing.
Ethylhexyl salicylate4.9%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Octisalate. A UV filter. It offers some protection against the sun rays that cause sunburn (UVB), but does not protect against the most aging sun rays (UVA). It loses its effectiveness quickly when exposed to sunlight. It is an organic, or so called "chemical" sunscreen
More about Ethylhexyl salicylateOctocrylene7.6%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
A weak sunscreen that protects against the sun rays that cause sunburn (UVB) and is somewhat effective against the UVA rays. It is quite stable and can help stabilize other, more vulnerable, sunscreen ingredients like Avobenzone. It is an organic, or so called "chemical" sunscreen
More about OctocryleneZinc oxide7%
- 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%
Butyloctyl salicylate~6.1–7.4%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
A synthetic ester of salicylic acid that is used to help disperse pigments and boost effectiveness of sunscreen ingredients. It is able to absorb UV light (working as an organic, or chemical filter), but is not approved as a sunscreen ingredient on its own
More about Butyloctyl salicylateCaprylic/capric triglyceride~5.1–6.2%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
A good mix of fatty acids that forms a protective layer on the skin. Improves the shelf life of products. Derived from coconut and glycerin
More about Caprylic/capric triglycerideAcrylates copolymer~4–4.9%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Used to stabilize product formulation, help create an even product layer over skin (for example, in sunscreen) and create a thicker product consistency
More about Acrylates copolymerCetearyl alcohol~3.1–3.8%
- Irritation risk
- Low
- Comedogenicity
- 2/5
A non-drying alcohol. Works as an emollient. Helps water and oil mix together and creates a nice product texture
More about Cetearyl alcoholSodium stearoyl glutamate~2.2–2.7%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Helps oil and water mix together
More about Sodium stearoyl glutamatePropanediol~1.6–1.9%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Acts as a solvent for other ingredients. Speeds up the absorption of other ingredients into the skin
More about PropanediolParfum~1.2–1.5%
- Irritation risk
- High
An aromatic blend of unspecified and possibly irritating ingredients
More about ParfumTetrahexyldecyl ascorbate~0.9–1.1%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Being a lipid soluble form of vitamin C, it is more stable than ascorbic acid, but still degrades quickly and needs to be stabilized in a formulation with another ingredient. It is claimed to penetrate skin better than pure vitamin C and have the the similar benefits, but solid studies of its effectiveness are lacking. Is likely to require a higher concentration in a product than pure vitamin C to be effective. It might be able to help reduce pore clogging.
More about Tetrahexyldecyl ascorbateTocopherol~0.65–0.95%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Pure form of vitamin E. Can help moisturise and protect the skin from free radicals. Often used to help stabilise other ingredients or the formula itself
More about TocopherolAscophyllum nodosum extract~0.6–0.9%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Brown seaweed extract. Can help attract water to the upper layer of the skin and might have some antioxidant effect
More about Ascophyllum nodosum extractLaminaria digitata extract~0.5–0.75%
- Irritation risk
- Low
- Comedogenicity
- 3/5
Seaweed extract that helps the skin to attract water and make it more smooth for touch. Also shows promise of anti-aging properties, but good research is lacking at the moment
More about Laminaria digitata extractJojoba esters~0.55–0.8%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
An emollient made of jojoba oil. Helps soften the skin and support its barrier function
More about Jojoba estersCaprylhydroxamic acid~0.45–0.7%
Caprylyl glycol~0.55–0.8%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Helps preserve products and creates a nice product texture
More about Caprylyl glycolCellulose gum~0.35–0.65%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Used to create thicker product consistency and stabilize emulsions
More about Cellulose gumCitric 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 acidCoco-glucoside~0.3–0.55%
- Irritation risk
- High
Used as a cleansing agent (surfactant) in cleansers. Helps water and oil mix together in lotions. Can be irritating
More about Coco-glucosideEthyl ferulate~0.2–0.35%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Glycerin~0.2–0.35%
- Irritation risk
- Low
One of the best moisturizing ingredients. Naturally present in skin. It attracts water to the upper layer of the skin working as a humectant
More about GlycerinGlyceryl stearate~0.25–0.45%
- Irritation risk
- Low
An emollient that softens the skin and forms a protective layer on its surface. Helps water and oil mix together
More about Glyceryl stearateMethyl dihydroabietate~0.15–0.25%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps soften the upper layer of the skin
More about Methyl dihydroabietateMicrocrystalline cellulose~0.1–0.15%
Sodium gluconate~0.1–0.15%
Xanthan gum~0.05%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Used to create a thicker product consistency
More about Xanthan gumIngredient list view
Ethylhexyl salicylate, Octocrylene, Zinc oxide, Water, Butyloctyl salicylate, Caprylic/capric triglyceride, Acrylates copolymer, Cetearyl alcohol, Sodium stearoyl glutamate, Propanediol, Parfum, Tetrahexyldecyl ascorbate, Tocopherol, Ascophyllum nodosum extract, Laminaria digitata extract, Jojoba esters, Caprylhydroxamic acid, Caprylyl glycol, Cellulose gum, Citric acid, Coco-glucoside, Ethyl ferulate, Glycerin, Glyceryl stearate, Methyl dihydroabietate, Microcrystalline cellulose, Sodium gluconate, Xanthan gum
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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.
| PacificaSea & C Sheer Sunscreen Spray SPF30YOUR PRODUCT | Good MoleculesSheer Mineral Sunscreen SPF 30 | |
|---|---|---|
| Match | — | 52% |
| Price | $16.00 | $11.99−$4.01 |
| Shared key ingredients | — | 6 of 9 |
| Key difference | — | Acetyl Glucosamine |
| Irritancy | Medium | Low |
| SPF | SPF 30 | SPF 30 |
| Drying alcohol | — | — |
| View product | Shop |
Product summary
We assess that "Pacifica - Sea & C Sheer Sunscreen Spray SPF30" can provide reliable sun protection based on the ingredient list. It can protect from both UVA and UVB rays. This is great news because not all sunscreens with SPF ratings give UVA protection. (UVA rays do not cause sunburn, but still damage our skin and lead to early aging).
It should also be hydrating enough to use without an additional moisturizer during the day. Like all broad-spectrum sunscreens, this product has an anti-aging benefit.
Sunscreen filters
This sunscreen uses a mixture of both mineral and organic (so-called "chemical") UV filters. Here are the organic filters this product uses: butyloctyl salicylate, octisalate and octocrylene. As for the mineral filters, this sunscreen uses zinc oxide.
Irritation risk
It contains some common irritants, including those without a benefit for the skin. We assess the overall irritancy of it to be medium. For a detailed overview of all potential irritants: click here
You can see the detailed formula review with the breakdown of all actives in the product and the full ingredient list with estimated concentrations in the tables below.
About the brand
According to Cruelty-Free Kitty "Pacifica" is cruelty free and so is its parent company.
Price
The product retails for 16.00$ in the United States.
For a detailed price comparison: click here.
Sources cited in this review
Every concentration estimate and effectiveness label is anchored to one of these 15 studies and safety reviews.
- 1A review of inorganic UV filters zinc oxide and titanium dioxideonlinelibrary.wiley.com
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