Based on the ingredient list, we assess that "Paula's choice - Calm Barrier Protect Mineral Sunscreen SPF 30" 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).

It contains good moisturizing ingredients and can double as a hydrating day cream. This product prevents early signs of aging by protecting against sun damage (all broad spectrum sunscreens do that).

Sunscreen filters

This product 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

This sunscreen contains actives 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.

About the brand

According to Cruelty-Free Kitty "Paula's choice" is cruelty free, but its parent company is not.

What can the product work for?

Does not work for

Exfoliation

Sun protection

This product offers a good level of protection against both UVB and UVA rays.

It is a mineral sunscreen. In other words, it contains non-organic UV filters. It will probably not sting your eyes but might leave a white cast.

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.

zinc oxide 4.2% - 5.1%

Irritation risk:

UVA I protection: UVA II protection: UVB protection: Photo stable: Ingredient type Mineral

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

titanium dioxide 4.4% - 5.4%

Irritation risk:

UVA I protection: UVA II protection: UVB protection: Photo stable: Ingredient type Mineral

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

Anti-aging

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.

centella asiatica extract 0.3% - 0.6%

Irritation risk:

Concentration: Insufficient!

A plant extract that has been shown to be able to reduce inflammation in skin, support restoration of skin barrier function, as well as support collagen production. Contains active compounds called centelloids: asiaticoside, madecasosside, asiatic acid and madecassic acid. Might be helpful in preventing stretch marks. It can be itself be irritating though.

tocopherol 0.3% - 0.6%

Irritation risk:

Concentration: Insufficient!

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

ascorbyl palmitate 0.3% - 0.6%

Irritation risk:

Concentration: Insufficient!

Being a lipid soluble form of vitamin C, it is more stable and can penetrate the skin better than L-Ascorbic acid. It is effective in protecting the skin from free radicals, as well as evening the skin tone, but is less effective in stimulating collagen production compared to L-Ascorbic acid.

Evens skin tone

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).

Moisturizing

What does the product description say?

A mineral-based calming moisturiser that soothes & protects the most sensitive skin from UV damage in a gentle, nourishing formula.

Source: N/A

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, trehalose.

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, helianthus annuus seed oil.

caprylic/capric triglyceride 6.4% - 7.8%

Irritation risk:

Concentration: Effectiveness: HIGH

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

glycerin 2.3% - 2.9%

Irritation risk:

Concentration: Effectiveness: HIGH

One of the best moisturizing ingredients. Naturally present in skin. It attracts water to the upper layer of the skin working as a humectant

helianthus annuus seed oil 0.3% - 0.6%

Irritation risk:

Concentration: Effectiveness: HIGH

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

Exfoliation

This product does not contain effective exfoliating ingredients. It might be able to deliver physical exfoliation, that is scrub off some of the dead cells on the surface of the skin. We do not recommend physical exfoliation, because it is not uniform (some bits of skin can get exfoliated too much while others not at all). It can also traumatize the skin and aggrevate acne and other skin conditions.

allantoin 0.3% - 0.5%

Irritation risk:

Concentration: Insufficient!

Helps calm down inflammation in skin and can help reduce itching. Helps to repair the skin barrier and keep skin hydrated

Honesty check

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Can it cause trouble?

User reviews (1)

Ingredients & concentrations

All ingredients

Key Actives

centella asiatica extract 0.3% - 0.6%

Irritation risk:

Works for: Reduces irritation, Reduces redness, Moisturizing, Anti-inflammatory, Anti-aging, Anti-oxidation, Anti-blemish

allantoin 0.3% - 0.5%

Irritation risk:

Works for: Moisturizing, Anti-inflammatory, Anti-blemish, Reduces irritation, Reduces redness, Exfoliation

Helps calm down inflammation in skin and can help reduce itching. Helps to repair the skin barrier and keep skin hydrated

Search top rated products by actives

Potential irritants

glyceryl oleate 0.2% - 0.4%

Irritation risk:

Works for: Cleansing

Helps oil and water mix together. Can be irritating

caprylic/capric triglyceride 6.4% - 7.8%

Irritation risk:

Works for: Moisturizing

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

Comodogenic ingredients

We couldn't find any comodogenic ingredients in this product

All ingredients

water 45% - 55%

Irritation risk:

Plain old water

caprylic/capric triglyceride 6.4% - 7.8%

Irritation risk:

Works for: Moisturizing

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

c12-15 alkyl benzoate 5.4% - 6.6%

Irritation risk:

Works for: Moisturizing

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

Ingredient list view

Water, Caprylic/capric triglyceride, C12-15 alkyl benzoate, Titanium dioxide, Zinc oxide, Ethylhexyl methoxycrylene, Glycerin, Prunus mume extract, Polyester-8, Aluminum stearate, C15-19 alkane, Hydrogenated lecithin, Silica, Trehalose, Prunus mume extract, Inulin, Prunus mume extract, Alpha-glucan oligosaccharide, Ascorbyl palmitate, Tocopherol, Echium plantagineum seed oil, Helianthus annuus seed oil, Simmondsia chinensis seed oil, Centella asiatica extract, Polyhydroxystearic acid, Alumina, Glyceryl caprylate, Hydroxyethyl acrylate/sodium acryloyldimethyl taurate copolymer, Leuconostoc/radish root ferment filtrate, Ammonium acryloyldimethyltaurate/vp copolymer, Caprylhydroxamic acid, Triethoxycaprylylsilane, Diheptyl succinate, Xanthan gum, Allantoin, Sodium polyacrylate, Sodium hydroxide, Acacia senegal gum, Sodium citrate, Capryloyl glycerin/sebacic acid copolymer, Polysorbate 60, Sorbitan isostearate, Glyceryl stearate, Lecithin, Glyceryl oleate, Citric acid, Sodium benzoate

	Paula's choice - Calm Barrier Protect Mineral Sunscreen SPF 30	REVOLUTION SKINCARE - SPF 30 Mineral Protect Sunscreen	iS Clinical - Extreme Protect SPF 40	Laboratoires de Biarritz - Organic Alga Maris Face Sunscreen SPF50	Babyganics - Mineral-Based Sunscreen SPF 50	MALIN + GOETZ - SPF30 Sunscreen High Protection	Dr Sebagh - Sun and City Protection SPF 50+	EltaMD - UV Replenish Broad-Spectrum SPF 44	Obagi - TINTED PHYSICAL DEFENSE SPF 50	CeraVe - Hydrating 100% Mineral Face Sunscreen SPF 50 with Zinc Oxide & Hyaluronic Acid	Dune - The Mineral Melt SPF 30
Price
WIMJ similarity score		36%	36%	36%	35%	35%	35%	35%	35%	35%	34%
SPF	SPF 30	SPF 30	SPF 40	SPF 50	SPF 50	SPF 30	SPF 50	SPF 44	SPF 50	SPF 50	SPF 30
Key ingredients	allantoin alpha-glucan oligosaccharide +12 more	Common: glycerin helianthus annuus seed oil +4 more Other: panthenol	Common: caprylic/capric triglyceride glycerin +3 more Other: madecassic acid asiaticoside +3 more	Common: caprylic/capric triglyceride glycerin +3 more Other: polyglyceryl-2 dipolyhydroxystearate	Common: caprylic/capric triglyceride glycerin +4 more Other: butyloctyl salicylate butyrospermum parkii butter +6 more	Common: caprylic/capric triglyceride glycerin +2 more Other: niacinamide glycogen +3 more	Common: caprylic/capric triglyceride glycerin +2 more Other: diethylamino hydroxybenzoyl hexyl benzoate dimethicone +5 more	Common: caprylic/capric triglyceride glycerin +2 more Other: butyloctyl salicylate cetyl dimethicone +3 more	Common: caprylic/capric triglyceride glycerin +2 more Other: dimethicone dipotassium glycyrrhizate +1 more	Common: titanium dioxide tocopherol +2 more Other: niacinamide panthenol +9 more	Common: caprylic/capric triglyceride glycerin +3 more Other: carnosine dimethicone +1 more
Irritancy	IRRITANCY MEDIUM	IRRITANCY LOW	IRRITANCY LOW	IRRITANCY LOW	IRRITANCY LOW	IRRITANCY LOW	IRRITANCY LOW	IRRITANCY LOW	IRRITANCY LOW	IRRITANCY LOW	IRRITANCY LOW
Potential Irritants	glyceryl oleate Has skin benefit? citric acid Has skin benefit? +15 more	ethylhexylglycerin Has skin benefit? disodium edta Has skin benefit? +5 more	oleyl alcohol Has skin benefit? propylene glycol Has skin benefit? +15 more	potassium sorbate Has skin benefit? aloe barbadensis leaf juice powder Has skin benefit? +4 more	trisodium ethylenediamine disuccinate Has skin benefit? ethylhexylglycerin Has skin benefit? +9 more	benzyl alcohol Has skin benefit? citric acid Has skin benefit? +7 more	ethylhexyl methoxycinnamate Has skin benefit? ethylhexylglycerin Has skin benefit? +13 more	tocopheryl acetate Has skin benefit? ascorbyl palmitate Has skin benefit? +7 more	sodium c14-16 olefin sulfonate Has skin benefit? caprylyl glycol Has skin benefit? +9 more	ethylhexylglycerin Has skin benefit? polysorbate 60 Has skin benefit? +12 more	propylene glycol Has skin benefit? benzyl alcohol Has skin benefit? +9 more
All ingredients	water Has skin benefit? caprylic/capric triglyceride Has skin benefit? +45 more	water Has skin benefit? zinc oxide Has skin benefit? +23 more	zinc oxide Has skin benefit? titanium dioxide Has skin benefit? +35 more	caprylic/capric triglyceride Has skin benefit? coconut alkanes Has skin benefit? +22 more	ethylhexyl salicylate Has skin benefit? titanium dioxide Has skin benefit? +31 more	titanium dioxide Has skin benefit? zinc oxide Has skin benefit? +26 more	water Has skin benefit? zinc oxide Has skin benefit? +40 more	zinc oxide Has skin benefit? titanium dioxide Has skin benefit? +27 more	zinc oxide Has skin benefit? titanium dioxide Has skin benefit? +27 more	titanium dioxide Has skin benefit? zinc oxide Has skin benefit? +44 more	zinc oxide Has skin benefit? titanium dioxide Has skin benefit? +36 more

PRODUCT REVIEW

Paula's choice Calm Barrier Protect Mineral Sunscreen SPF 30

Works for:

Doesn't work for:

Can it cause trouble?

Key actives

Cheaper alternatives

Product summary

Sunscreen filters

Irritation risk

About the brand

What can the product work for?

Works for

Does not work for

Sun protection

Anti-aging

Evens skin tone

Moisturizing

What does the product description say?

Exfoliation

Honesty check

How honest is this product?

Buy now

US Retailers

UK Retailers

N/A Retailers

Can it cause trouble?

Potential irritants

Comodogenic ingredients

User reviews (1)

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Ingredients & concentrations

All ingredients

Key Actives

Potential irritants

Comodogenic ingredients

All ingredients

Ingredient list view

Sources