Paula's choice Advanced Sun Protection Daily Moisturiser SPF 50 | PA++++
Works for
3 of 3 advertised claims delivered
Sun protectionSPF 50 · 5 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.
Evens skin toneNo 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).
Anti-aging1 ingredient credited for this claimStrong support
“An innovative blend of five UV filters for ultimate shielding against damaging UVA & UVB rays to prevent wrinkles, loss of firmness and discolouration – all with zero white cast.”
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.
MoisturizingNot advertised by the brand · 12 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, propylene 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: helianthus annuus seed oil, propylheptyl caprylate.
Anti-oxidationNot advertised by the brand · 2 ingredients credited for this claimModerate support
This product contains antioxidants (naringenin) that might be able to help neutralize free radicals in skin to lessen the damage it gets from the UV light (sun). There is not enough evidence to confirm their effectiveness in skin though.
Can it cause trouble?
Irritancy11 flagged ingredientsLow risk
ComedogenicClean of flagged comedogenic ingredientsNone flagged
User reviews
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Ingredients
Filter by role to see what each ingredient is doing.
Water~45–55%
Dibutyl adipate~5.8–7.1%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps soften the upper layer of the skin and create a nice product consistency
More about Dibutyl adipateDiethylamino hydroxybenzoyl hexyl benzoate~4.7–5.7%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Uvinul A Plus. A new generation broad spectrum sunscreen that offers an effective protection especially in the UVA range. It is stable in formulations. Unfortunately, is not approved by the FDA (US) yet
More about Diethylamino hydroxybenzoyl hexyl benzoatePropylheptyl caprylate~3.2–3.9%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps soften the upper layer of the skin
More about Propylheptyl caprylateDicaprylyl carbonate~2.4–3%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps products spread more easily and works as an emollient to soften skin
More about Dicaprylyl carbonateEthylhexyl salicylate~2.6–3.2%
- 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 salicylateEthylhexyl triazone~2.2–2.7%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Uvinul T. A UV filter. Effective against UVB rays. It is photostable. Can increase water resistance properties of the sunscreen. Unfortunately, not approved by the FDA (US) yet
More about Ethylhexyl triazoneMethylene bis-benzotriazolyl tetramethylbutylphenol~2–2.5%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Tinosorb M. A UV filter. Is effective against both UVA and UVB rays. It also provides some protection against visible light. It is photostable and can also be used to improve photostability of other sunscreen ingredients. Its physical properties help to create lightweight sunscreen formulations. It can leave a slight white cast. Unfortunately, it is not approved by the FDA (US) yet
More about Methylene bis-benzotriazolyl tetramethylbutylphenolUndecane~1.2–1.5%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Helps create a non-greasy finish on the skin
More about UndecaneBis-ethylhexyloxyphenol methoxyphenyl triazine~1.4–1.8%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Tinosorb S. One of the most effective broad spectrum sunscreen ingredients. Protects from both UVA and UVB rays. It is photostable. Unfortunately, not approved by FDA (US) yet.
More about Bis-ethylhexyloxyphenol methoxyphenyl triazineGlycerin~0.7–1.05%
- 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 GlycerinIsononyl isononanoate~0.6–0.9%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Forms a protective film on the surface of the skin to prevent moisture loss. Gives a velvety feel to products while reducing tackiness
More about Isononyl isononanoatePropanediol~0.55–0.8%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Acts as a solvent for other ingredients. Speeds up the absorption of other ingredients into the skin
More about PropanediolTridecane~0.45–0.65%
Potassium cetyl phosphate~0.45–0.7%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Helps oil and water mix together
More about Potassium cetyl phosphateSaccharomyces ferment~0.4–0.65%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A product of yeast fermentation. Helps attract water to the upper layer of the skin
More about Saccharomyces fermentSodium polyacrylate~0.45–0.7%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Used to create a gel-like product texture, as well as to stabilize emulsions
More about Sodium polyacrylateDecyl glucoside~0.45–0.7%
- Irritation risk
- High
Helps oil and water mix together. Can be irritating
More about Decyl glucosideCaprylyl glyceryl ether~0.45–0.65%
Sodium phytate~0.3–0.55%
Caprylhydroxamic acid~0.3–0.5%
Lauroyl lysine~0.25–0.5%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps soften the upper layer of the skin and creates a nice product texture
More about Lauroyl lysinePropylene glycol~0.25–0.45%
- Irritation risk
- High
Helps oil and water mix together and can enhance the penetration of other ingredients into the skin. It can be irritating
More about Propylene glycolPrunus mume extract~0.25–0.45%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Xanthan gum~0.25–0.45%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Used to create a thicker product consistency
More about Xanthan gumTocopherol~0.2–0.35%
- 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 TocopherolNaringenin~0.15–0.25%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
A flavanoid that can be found in high concentrations in grapefruits, oranges, other citrus fruits, and tomato skin. Early studies suggest that it might be able to help reduce inflammation in skin and neutralize free radicals
More about NaringeninHelianthus annuus seed oil~0.1–0.25%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A great emollient due to its high linoleic acid content. One of the most effective plant oils in helping skin hydration and repairing skin barrier function
More about Helianthus annuus seed oilIngredient list view
Water, Dibutyl adipate, Diethylamino hydroxybenzoyl hexyl benzoate, Propylheptyl caprylate, Dicaprylyl carbonate, Ethylhexyl salicylate, Ethylhexyl triazone, Methylene bis-benzotriazolyl tetramethylbutylphenol, Undecane, Bis-ethylhexyloxyphenol methoxyphenyl triazine, Glycerin, Isononyl isononanoate, Propanediol, Tridecane, Potassium cetyl phosphate, Saccharomyces ferment, Sodium polyacrylate, Decyl glucoside, Caprylyl glyceryl ether, Sodium phytate, Caprylhydroxamic acid, Lauroyl lysine, Propylene glycol, Prunus mume extract, Xanthan gum, Tocopherol, Naringenin, Helianthus annuus seed oil, Unknown
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Product summary
The ingredient list suggests that "Paula's choice - Advanced Sun Protection Daily Moisturiser SPF 50 | PA++++" can provide reliable sun protection. 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).
As a plus, this sunscreen uses some of the new generation UV filters (Tinosorb M). These filters are more stable and more gentle on the skin.
Because it includes good moisturizing ingredients, it can also work as a hydrating day cream. Like all broad-spectrum sunscreens, this product helps prevent early signs of aging.
Sunscreen filters
This is a so-called "chemical" sunscreen. It means that it uses organic UV filters. They typically offer good sun protection and rarely leave a white cast, but they can be irritating for some people with sensitive skin. The UV filters in this sunscreen are: tinosorb s 1.40% - 1.80%, uvinul a plus 4.70% - 5.70%, octisalate 2.60% - 3.20%, uvinul t 2.20% - 2.70% and tinosorb m 2.00% - 2.50%.
Irritation risk
This moisturizer contains some common irritants, including those without a benefit for the skin. We assess the overall irritancy of this moisturizer 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 "Paula's choice" is cruelty free, but its parent company is not.
Price
The product retails for 21.00$ in the United States and for 33.15£ 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 13 studies and safety reviews.
- 1
- 2
- 3Surfactants and experimental irritant contact dermatitisncbi.nlm.nih.gov
- 4Propylene Glycolpubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
- 5Skin-sensitizing and irritant properties of propylene glycolonlinelibrary.wiley.com
- 6Vitamin E in dermatologyncbi.nlm.nih.gov
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