Paula's choice Lipscreen SPF 50
Works for
1 of 1 advertised claim delivered
Sun protectionSPF 50 · 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 · Butyrospermum parkii butter, TocopherolStrong 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.
MoisturizingNot advertised by the brand · Copernicia cerifera wax, Hydrogenated jojoba oil + 6 moreGood evidence
This product can help soften the skin and reduce its moisture loss with emollients and occlusives: beeswax, butyrospermum parkii butter.
Keep in mind that this product does not contain effective ingredients to attract water to the upper layer of the skin. This is why an additional product with humectants like glycerin or hyaluronic acid can be helpful (apply it before this product for the best results).
Can it cause trouble?
Irritancy6 flagged ingredientsLow risk
Comedogenic6 ingredients rated 2 or more on the 0–5 pore-clogging scale6 flagged
User reviews
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Ingredients
Filter by role to see what each ingredient is doing.
Hydrogenated soybean oil~22–33%
- Irritation risk
- Low
- Comedogenicity
- 2/5
Butyrospermum parkii butter~5.3–7.9%
- Irritation risk
- Low
- Comedogenicity
- 3/5
A great moisturising ingredient that softens the skin and reduces water loss from its upper layer. It also can be helpful in protecting skin from free radicals
More about Butyrospermum parkii butterOlea europaea fruit oil~4.7–7.1%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
An emollient that helps soften the skin but is not effective for restoring its barrier function. Might be helpful to calm down inflammation
More about Olea europaea fruit oilHydrogenated jojoba oil~3.9–5.9%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps soften the upper layer of the skin
More about Hydrogenated jojoba oilHomosalate~3.5–5.3%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
A weak sunscreen that offers some protection against the sun rays that cause sunburn (UVB), but does not offer meaningful protection against 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. When used in low concentrations, helps to stabilize the product formulation
More about HomosalateTheobroma cacao seed butter~2.2–3.3%
- Irritation risk
- Low
- Comedogenicity
- 3/5
Helps soften the upper layer of the skin and can be helpful in restoring the skin barrier function. Might have some anti-oxidant effect
More about Theobroma cacao seed butterEthylhexyl salicylate~2–3%
- 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 salicylateButyl methoxydibenzoylmethane~1.8–2.7%
- 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 methoxydibenzoylmethaneOctocrylene~1.5–2.3%
- 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 OctocryleneHydrogenated olive oil~0.95–1.4%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Hydrogenated olive oil~0.55–1.35%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Polyglyceryl-3 diisostearate~0.5–1.15%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
- Comedogenicity
- 3/5
Helps oil and water mix together
More about Polyglyceryl-3 diisostearateBeeswax~0.5–1.2%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Forms a protective barrier that holds water and keeps dry skin hydrated. Keeps an emulsion from separating into its oil and liquid components, and increases the thickness of a product. Can be an allergen
More about BeeswaxOzokerite~0.45–1.1%
Homosalate~0.5–1.2%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
A weak sunscreen that offers some protection against the sun rays that cause sunburn (UVB), but does not offer meaningful protection against 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. When used in low concentrations, helps to stabilize the product formulation
More about HomosalateEthylhexyl salicylate~0.5–1.15%
- 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 salicylatePolyethylene~0.6–1.4%
Butyl methoxydibenzoylmethane~0.45–1.1%
- 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 methoxydibenzoylmethaneMicrocrystalline wax~0.35–0.85%
Octocrylene~0.45–1.05%
- 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 OctocryleneTheobroma cacao seed butter~0.35–0.85%
- Irritation risk
- Low
- Comedogenicity
- 3/5
Helps soften the upper layer of the skin and can be helpful in restoring the skin barrier function. Might have some anti-oxidant effect
More about Theobroma cacao seed butterSilica~0.4–0.95%
Tocopheryl acetate~0.2–0.75%
- 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 acetateButyrospermum parkii butter unsaponifiables~0.2–0.75%
- Irritation risk
- Low
- Comedogenicity
- 2/5
A great moisturizing ingredient that softens the skin and reduces water loss from its upper layer. It also can be helpful in protecting skin from free radicals
More about Butyrospermum parkii butter unsaponifiablesOlea europaea fruit oil~0.2–0.75%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
An emollient that helps soften the skin but is not effective for restoring its barrier function. Might be helpful to calm down inflammation
More about Olea europaea fruit oilTocopherol~0.15–0.6%
- 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 TocopherolHydrogenated vegetable glycerides citrate~0.2–0.8%
Copernicia cerifera wax~0.3–0.7%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps to soften the upper layer of the skin and create a nice product consistency
More about Copernicia cerifera waxWater~0.1–0.45%
Phenoxyethanol~0.1–0.5%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A preservative. It helps prevent bacterial growth in cosmetic products
More about PhenoxyethanolIngredient list view
Hydrogenated soybean oil, Butyrospermum parkii butter, Olea europaea fruit oil, Hydrogenated jojoba oil, Homosalate, Theobroma cacao seed butter, Ethylhexyl salicylate, Butyl methoxydibenzoylmethane, Octocrylene, Hydrogenated olive oil, Hydrogenated olive oil, Polyglyceryl-3 diisostearate, Beeswax, Ozokerite, Homosalate, Ethylhexyl salicylate, Polyethylene, Butyl methoxydibenzoylmethane, Microcrystalline wax, Octocrylene, Theobroma cacao seed butter, Silica, Tocopheryl acetate, Butyrospermum parkii butter unsaponifiables, Olea europaea fruit oil, Tocopherol, Hydrogenated vegetable glycerides citrate, Copernicia cerifera wax, Water, Phenoxyethanol
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Product summary
The ingredient list suggests that "Paula's choice - Lipscreen SPF 50" 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. Like all broad-spectrum sunscreens, this product has an anti-aging benefit.
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. These are the sun protection ingredients in this sunscreen: avobenzone 3.00% (declared), octisalate 5.00% (declared), homosalate 5.00% (declared) and octocrylene 2.50% (declared).
Irritation risk
This product does not contain known common irritants and is suitable for sensitive skin. We assess the overall irritancy of it to be low. 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 for 18.00A$ in Australia and for 12.00$ 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 5 studies and safety reviews.
- 1Use of “natural” oils for moisturization: Review of olive, coconut, and sunflower seed oilonlinelibrary.wiley.com
- 2
- 3
- 4Vitamin E in dermatologyncbi.nlm.nih.gov
- 5Vitamin E and Skin Healthlpi.oregonstate.edu
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