Paula's choice Clear Ultra-Light Daily Mattifying Fluid SPF 30+
Works for
2 of 2 advertised claims delivered
Sun protectionSPF 30 · 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.
Evens skin tonePunica granatum extract, Camellia sinensis leaf extractStrong evidence
“A blend of vitamin-dense plant extracts – think green tea, pomegranate and goji among others – add their antioxidant properties to the mix, soothing any upsets, fading red marks and defending against environmental stressors.”
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-oxidationNot advertised by the brand · Tocopherol, Vitis vinifera seed extract + 6 moreStrong evidence
This product contains antioxidants (camellia oleifera leaf extract, tocopherol, vitis vinifera seed extract) that can help neutralize free radicals in skin. By doing so, they can lessen the damage the skin gets from the UV light (sun).
The following ingredients - camellia sinensis leaf extract, punica granatum extract also can have an antioxidant effect, but there is less evidence to confirm their effectiveness in skin.
Anti-agingNot advertised by the brand · Vitis vinifera seed extract, Camellia sinensis leaf extract + 2 moreStrong evidence
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.
These ingredients in the product might also be helpful for reducing and preventing fine lines, wrinkles, and skin elasticity, even though there is no conclusive evidence for their effectiveness: vitis vinifera seed extract.
MoisturizingNot advertised by the brand · Glycerin, Dimethicone + 3 moreGood 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:
glycerin.
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.
Can it cause trouble?
Irritancy1 strong irritant: Peucedanum graveolens extractMedium risk
ComedogenicClean of flagged comedogenic ingredientsNone flagged
User reviews
Ingredients
Filter by role to see what each ingredient is doing.
Water~45–55%
Ethylhexyl methoxycinnamate5%
- Irritation risk
- High
Octinoxate. When used in higher concentrations, works as a sunscreen protecting the skin from UVB rays. When used in lower concentration, helps to preserve the product formulation. Is shown to be harmful to coral reefs - consider avoiding bathing in coral reef areas when wearing a product with this ingredient. It can be irritating
More about Ethylhexyl methoxycinnamateGlycerin~4.6–5.7%
- 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 GlycerinEthylhexyl salicylate5%
- 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 salicylateSilica~3.2–3.9%
Octocrylene2%
- 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 OctocryleneButyl methoxydibenzoylmethane~3.2–3.9%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Avobenzone. An organic, or so-called "chemical" UV filter. Protects against both UVA and UVB rays. Needs to be combined with other filters in a formulation to be stable.
More about Butyl methoxydibenzoylmethaneDimethicone~2.1–2.5%
- 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 DimethiconeTocopherol~1.6–2%
- 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 TocopherolChamomilla recutita flower extract~1.4–1.7%
- Irritation risk
- High
Plant extract that can have healing and anti-inflammatory properties. It is a potential allergen and can be irritating
More about Chamomilla recutita flower extractVitis vinifera seed extract~1.3–1.5%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A plant extract that contains resveratrol and other anti-oxidant compounds that can help neutralize free radicals, reduce inflammation in skin and even out its tone. Can be also used to stabilize the product formulation
More about Vitis vinifera seed extractCamellia sinensis leaf extract~0.95–1.15%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Can contain potent anti-oxidant compounds (abbreviated ECG, GCG, EGC, and EGCG) that might help protect the skin from free radicals. Can help calm down inflammation and has some anti-bacterial properties. Unfortunately, these antioxidants are unstable and lose their effectiveness very quickly in products. The concentration of the antioxidant compounds in the extract also tends to be low to be effective in topical formulation
More about Camellia sinensis leaf extractCamellia oleifera leaf extract~0.65–1%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A plant extract that can help neutralize free radicals and reduce inflammation, even though it is not usually used in sufficient concentration in cosmetics
More about Camellia oleifera leaf extractPeucedanum graveolens extract~0.55–0.85%
- Irritation risk
- High
A plant extract. Might have an antioxidant effect. Can be used as a fragrance
More about Peucedanum graveolens extractSambucus nigra fruit extract~0.5–0.75%
- Irritation risk
- High
A plant extract that may contain a small amount of essential oils. Might be helpful in neutralizing free radicals in skin
More about Sambucus nigra fruit extractAvena sativa bran extract~0.6–0.95%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Punica granatum extract~0.4–0.65%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
A plant extract that can help neutralize free radicals in skin and even out the skin tone, but is typically used in products in a concentration that is too low to be effective
More about Punica granatum extractLycium barbarum fruit extract~0.4–0.6%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
A plant extract that can help neutralize free radicals in skin and attract water to its upper layer
More about Lycium barbarum fruit extractHydrogenated lecithin~0.45–0.65%
- 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 lecithinTitanium dioxide~0.5–0.7%
- 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 dioxideDimethicone/vinyl dimethicone crosspolymer~0.3–0.55%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Used to stabilize product formulations and create a nice product texture
More about Dimethicone/vinyl dimethicone crosspolymerDiethylhexyl syringylidenemalonate~0.3–0.55%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Used to stabilize the product formulation
More about Diethylhexyl syringylidenemalonateHydroxyethyl acrylate/sodium acryloyldimethyl taurate copolymer~0.25–0.5%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
A gelling agent that thickens the product consistency and leaves the skin with a velvety finish
More about Hydroxyethyl acrylate/sodium acryloyldimethyl taurate copolymerXanthan gum~0.25–0.5%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Used to create a thicker product consistency
More about Xanthan gumSodium carbomer~0.25–0.4%
Benzyl alcohol~0.15–0.3%
- Irritation risk
- High
A preservative. Can be used to mask unpleasant smell. Can be irritating
More about Benzyl alcoholSodium benzoate~0.15–0.25%
Potassium sorbate~0.15–0.25%
Phenoxyethanol~0.1–0.2%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A preservative. It helps prevent bacterial growth in cosmetic products
More about PhenoxyethanolIngredient list view
Water, Ethylhexyl methoxycinnamate, Glycerin, Ethylhexyl salicylate, Silica, Octocrylene, Butyl methoxydibenzoylmethane, Dimethicone, Tocopherol, Chamomilla recutita flower extract, Vitis vinifera seed extract, Camellia sinensis leaf extract, Camellia oleifera leaf extract, Peucedanum graveolens extract, Sambucus nigra fruit extract, Avena sativa bran extract, Punica granatum extract, Lycium barbarum fruit extract, Hydrogenated lecithin, Titanium dioxide, Dimethicone/vinyl dimethicone crosspolymer, Diethylhexyl syringylidenemalonate, Hydroxyethyl acrylate/sodium acryloyldimethyl taurate copolymer, Xanthan gum, Sodium carbomer, Benzyl alcohol, Sodium benzoate, Potassium sorbate, Phenoxyethanol
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Product summary
The ingredient list suggests that "Paula's choice - Clear Ultra-Light Daily Mattifying Fluid 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 should also be hydrating enough to use without an additional moisturizer during the day. Like all broad-spectrum sunscreens, this product helps prevent early signs of aging.
Sunscreen filters
This sunscreen uses so-called "chemical", or organic UV filters (organic simply means that their molecules contain atoms of carbon). These filters typically give good sun protection and rarely leave a white cast, but they can be irritating for sensitive skin. The UV filters in this sunscreen are: avobenzone 3.20% - 3.90%, octinoxate 5.00% (declared), octisalate 4.70% (declared) and octocrylene 2.00% (declared).
Irritation risk
There are some common irritants in this product, including ingredients that do not have benefits for the skin. 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.
What our users say
Based on 2 reviews 100% recommend this product- When it comes to comedogenicity, two out of two reviewers say that the product does not clog pores.
- As for the white cast, two out of two reviewers say that the product does not leave a white cast.
- When it comes to using this sunscreen under makeup, the user found that it pills under a foundation.
- As for using this sunscreen in the eye area, two out of two reviewers say that it doesn't sting eyes.
Price
The product retails from 35.00£ up to 40.00£ 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 16 studies and safety reviews.
- 1
- 2
- 3Final Report on the Safety Assessment of Dimethicone Copolyoljournals.sagepub.com
- 4Vitamin E in dermatologyncbi.nlm.nih.gov
- 5Vitamin E and Skin Healthlpi.oregonstate.edu
- 6
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