PCA SKIN Active Body Protection Broad Spectrum SPF 30
Works for
2 of 2 advertised claims 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-agingTocopherolStrong evidence
“Advanced ingredients help prevent premature skin 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.
Evens skin toneNot advertised by the brand · No ingredient credited for this claimStrong evidence
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 · Glycerin, Jojoba esters + 11 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, 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, dimethicone.
Can it cause trouble?
Irritancy3 strong irritants: Mentha piperita extract, Mentha viridis extract + 1 more — patch-test recommendedHigh risk
Comedogenic1 ingredient rated 2 or more on the 0–5 pore-clogging scale1 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 salicylateOctocrylene9.5%
- 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 oxide10.6%
- 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 oxideBentonite~23–34%
Bisabolol~4.6–6.9%
- Irritation risk
- Low
An active component of chamomile plant that historically has been used to calm down irritated skin. A recent study shows that bisabolol indeed can have some anti-inflammatory effect on skin, even though conclusive data is lacking. Bisabolol has a sweet floral scent and can be added to products for its aromatic properties
More about BisabololBrassica campestris/aleurites fordi oil copolymer~4.6–6.9%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Butyloctyl salicylate~3.8–5.6%
- 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 salicylateCaprylhydroxamic acid~2.9–4.3%
Caprylic/capric triglyceride~2.5–3.7%
- 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 triglycerideCaprylyl glycol~1.8–2.7%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Helps preserve products and creates a nice product texture
More about Caprylyl glycolCellulose gum~1.5–2.2%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Used to create thicker product consistency and stabilize emulsions
More about Cellulose gumCetearyl alcohol~1.3–2%
- 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 alcoholCitric acid~0.95–1.45%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Can work as an exfoliant but is typically used to adjust the product pH
More about Citric acidCoco-glucoside~0.85–1.25%
- 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-glucosideCucumis melo fruit extract~0.55–1.3%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
A fruit extract that might have some anti-oxidant properties
More about Cucumis melo fruit extractCucumis melo cantalupensis fruit extract~0.5–1.2%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
A fruit extract that might help attract water to the upper layer of the skin and might have some antioxidant properties but evidence of effectiveness in skin is missing
More about Cucumis melo cantalupensis fruit extractCucumis sativus fruit extract~0.5–1.15%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Might be somewhat helpful in reducing hyperpigmentation and neutralizing free radicals but its typical concentration in a product is too low for having an effect
More about Cucumis sativus fruit extractDimethicone~0.55–1.25%
- 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 DimethiconeEctoin~0.45–1.05%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Softens the upper layer of the skin and can support skin barrier function
More about EctoinEthyl ferulate~0.45–1%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Ethyl macadamiate~0.4–1%
Glycerin~0.4–0.95%
- 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 GlycerinJojoba esters~0.35–0.8%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
An emollient made of jojoba oil. Helps soften the skin and support its barrier function
More about Jojoba estersMentha piperita extract~0.2–0.75%
Mentha viridis extract~0.2–0.75%
Methyl dihydroabietate~0.15–0.6%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps soften the upper layer of the skin
More about Methyl dihydroabietateMicrocrystalline cellulose~0.15–0.7%
Passiflora incarnata fruit extract~0.15–0.65%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Polyhydroxystearic acid~0.15–0.65%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Used to create a thicker product consistency and stabilize the formulation
More about Polyhydroxystearic acidPotassium cetyl phosphate~0.15–0.6%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Helps oil and water mix together
More about Potassium cetyl phosphatePropanediol~0.15–0.6%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Acts as a solvent for other ingredients. Speeds up the absorption of other ingredients into the skin
More about PropanediolPyrus malus fruit extract~0.15–0.55%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Can have some moisturizing properties due to its sugar content
More about Pyrus malus fruit extractRose extract~0.1–0.5%
Rubus idaeus fruit extract~0.1–0.45%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
A fruit extract that might have some anti-oxidant properties but evidence of effectiveness in skin is lacking
More about Rubus idaeus fruit extractSantalum album wood extract~0.1–0.4%
Simmondsia chinensis seed oil~0.15–0.55%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Softens the upper layer of skin and helps restore the healthy skin barrier. Has shown to help calm down inflammation in skin. It is a stable oil, meaning that it retains its properties even when exposed to air.
More about Simmondsia chinensis seed oilTocopherol~0.05–0.25%
- 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 TocopherolWater~0.05–0.2%
Ingredient list view
Ethylhexyl salicylate, Octocrylene, Zinc oxide, Bentonite, Bisabolol, Brassica campestris/aleurites fordi oil copolymer, Butyloctyl salicylate, Caprylhydroxamic acid, Caprylic/capric triglyceride, Caprylyl glycol, Cellulose gum, Cetearyl alcohol, Citric acid, Coco-glucoside, Cucumis melo fruit extract, Cucumis melo cantalupensis fruit extract, Cucumis sativus fruit extract, Dimethicone, Ectoin, Ethyl ferulate, Ethyl macadamiate, Glycerin, Jojoba esters, Mentha piperita extract, Mentha viridis extract, Methyl dihydroabietate, Microcrystalline cellulose, Passiflora incarnata fruit extract, Polyhydroxystearic acid, Potassium cetyl phosphate, Propanediol, Pyrus malus fruit extract, Rose extract, Rubus idaeus fruit extract, Santalum album wood extract, Simmondsia chinensis seed oil, Tocopherol, Water
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Product summary
Based on the ingredient list, we assess that "PCA SKIN - Active Body Protection Broad Spectrum 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).
Because it includes good moisturizing ingredients, it can also work 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 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
We assess the overall irritancy of this moisturizer to be high. 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 at around 43.98$ 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 16 studies and safety reviews.
- 1A review of inorganic UV filters zinc oxide and titanium dioxideonlinelibrary.wiley.com
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