PCA SKIN Hydrator Plus Broad Spectrum SPF 30
Works for
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.
Evens skin toneNot advertised by the brand · No ingredient credited for this claimWorks well
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-agingSide benefit the brand mentions · No ingredient credited for this claimWorks well
“Protect your skin from daily free-radical damage and flaunt effortlessly youthful skin.”
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.
MoisturizingSide benefit the brand mentions · Betaine, Coco-caprylate/caprate + 9 moreWorks
“As well as containing Octinoxate and Zinc Oxide to protect the skin against damage from UVA and UVB rays, this nourishing product contains a blend of hydrating ingredients, including Hyaluronic Acid, to keep skin moisturised throughout the day.”
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:
betaine, 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, octyldodecyl neopentanoate.
Can it cause trouble?
Irritancy1 strong irritant: Citrus aurantium dulcis peel extractMedium risk
Comedogenic2 ingredients rated 2 or more on the 0–5 pore-clogging scale2 flagged
User reviews
2 of 2 community members would buy it again.
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 oxide5.4%
- 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 oxideAvena sativa bran extract~23–34%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Betaine~4.8–7.2%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps attract water to the upper layer of the skin and improves the product texture
More about BetaineBisabolol~4.4–6.7%
- 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 BisabololButyloctyl 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 salicylateCaffeine~2.8–4.2%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Might be helpful in neutralizing free radicals. Can have a dehydration effect that might somewhat decrease the look of puffy eyes
More about CaffeineCeteareth-20~2.2–3.3%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
- Comedogenicity
- 2/5
Helps oil and water mix together. Has some emollient properties
More about Ceteareth-20Cetearyl olivate~1.7–2.6%
Citrus aurantium dulcis peel extract~1.4–2.1%
Coco-caprylate/caprate~1.3–1.9%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps to soften the upper layer of the skin without creating a greasy texture
More about Coco-caprylate/caprateCoconut alkanes~1–1.5%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
- Comedogenicity
- 2/5
An emollient that helps soften the skin
More about Coconut alkanesCyclopentasiloxane~0.9–1.3%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A silicone that helps improve the product texture and spreadability. Can absorb oil creating a short-term mattifying effect on the skin
More about CyclopentasiloxaneDimethicone~0.8–1.25%
- 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 DimethiconeEthylhexylglycerin~0.5–1.2%
Glycerin~0.5–1.15%
- 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 GlycerinHydrolyzed jojoba esters~0.45–1.1%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps soften the upper layer of the skin
More about Hydrolyzed jojoba estersHydroxyethyl acrylate/sodium acryloyldimethyl taurate copolymer~0.4–0.9%
- 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 copolymerOctyldodecyl neopentanoate~0.4–1%
- Irritation risk
- Low
An emollient that helps soften the skin. Often used to stabilize other ingredients, for example, sunscreen
More about Octyldodecyl neopentanoatePeg-7 trimethylolpropane coconut ether~0.35–0.8%
Phenoxyethanol~0.35–0.8%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A preservative. It helps prevent bacterial growth in cosmetic products
More about PhenoxyethanolPolyisobutene~0.35–0.8%
Potassium sorbate~0.3–0.6%
Propanediol~0.15–0.65%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Acts as a solvent for other ingredients. Speeds up the absorption of other ingredients into the skin
More about PropanediolSodium hyaluronate~0.15–0.55%
- Irritation risk
- Low
One of the best moisturizing ingredients. Attracts water into the upper layer of the skin
More about Sodium hyaluronateSodium pca~0.1–0.45%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Naturally present in skin and helps to attract water to its upper layer
More about Sodium pcaSorbitan olivate~0.1–0.5%
Tetradecane~0.1–0.35%
Tocopheryl acetate~0.1–0.35%
- 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 acetateTremella fuciformis sporocarp extract~0.1–0.3%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Mushroom extract that helps attract water to the upper layer of the skin
More about Tremella fuciformis sporocarp extractTriethoxycaprylylsilane~0.05–0.25%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A type of silicone that helps oil and water mix well together. Helps to disperse other ingredients, e.g. pigments, evenly in a formulation
More about TriethoxycaprylylsilaneWater~0.05–0.2%
Ingredient list view
Ethylhexyl salicylate, Octocrylene, Zinc oxide, Avena sativa bran extract, Betaine, Bisabolol, Butyloctyl salicylate, Caffeine, Ceteareth-20, Cetearyl olivate, Citrus aurantium dulcis peel extract, Coco-caprylate/caprate, Coconut alkanes, Cyclopentasiloxane, Dimethicone, Ethylhexylglycerin, Glycerin, Hydrolyzed jojoba esters, Hydroxyethyl acrylate/sodium acryloyldimethyl taurate copolymer, Octyldodecyl neopentanoate, Peg-7 trimethylolpropane coconut ether, Phenoxyethanol, Polyisobutene, Potassium sorbate, Propanediol, Sodium hyaluronate, Sodium pca, Sorbitan olivate, Tetradecane, Tocopheryl acetate, Tremella fuciformis sporocarp extract, Triethoxycaprylylsilane, Water
Compare prices
Retailers ranked by price — lowest first.
Worth comparing, line by line.
Match % combines shared ingredients, the first five ingredients, shared actives and hero ingredients, irritancy (lower counts in the alternative's favour), texture and body area. Only products in the same routine step are compared.
| PCA SKINHydrator Plus Broad Spectrum SPF 30YOUR PRODUCT | Cool Gadget GiftPCA Skin • Hydrator Plus Broad Spectrum SPF 30 • • New • AUTHENTIC | Peter Thomas RothMax Matte Shine Control Sunscreen Broad Spectrum SPF 45 | Beauty of JoseonDay Dew Sunscreen Lightweight Water-Resistant SPF 50 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Match | — | 45% | 39% | 38% |
| Price | $52.00 | — | $34.00−$18.00 | $18.00−$34.00 |
| Shared key ingredients | — | 14 of 14 | 6 of 14 | 5 of 14 |
| Key difference | — | — | Ceramide Eos | Niacinamide |
| Irritancy | Medium | Medium | Low | Low |
| SPF | SPF 30 | SPF 30 | SPF 45 | SPF 50 |
| Drying alcohol | — | — | — | — |
| View product | Shop | Shop | Shop |
More alternatives: Clinique UV Solutions Hydrating Sunscreen SPF 50 with Hyaluronic AcidCeraVe Hydrating for Face and Body Sheer Sunscreen SPF 30
Product summary
We believe that "PCA SKIN - Hydrator Plus Broad Spectrum SPF 30" can provide reliable sun protection based on the ingredients listed. It can protect from both UVA and UVB rays. This is great news because not all sunscreens with SPF ratings give UVA protection. (UVA rays do not cause sunburn, but still damage our skin and lead to early aging).
It should also be hydrating enough to use without an additional moisturizer during the day. Like all broad-spectrum sunscreens, this product helps prevent early signs of aging.
Sunscreen filters
This sunscreen uses a mixture of both mineral and organic (so-called "chemical") UV filters. The organic filters in the product are: butyloctyl salicylate, octisalate and octocrylene. As for the mineral filters, this sunscreen uses zinc oxide.
Irritation risk
There are some common irritants in this product, including ingredients that do not have benefits for the skin. We assess the overall irritancy of it to be medium. For a detailed overview of all potential irritants: click here
You can see the detailed formula review with the breakdown of all actives in the product and the full ingredient list with estimated concentrations in the tables below.
Price
The product retails from 30.00$ up to 94.95$ in the United States, for 122.82A$ in Australia and for 42.00£ 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 17 studies and safety reviews.
- 1A review of inorganic UV filters zinc oxide and titanium dioxideonlinelibrary.wiley.com
- 2
- 3
- 4
- 5
- 6
Affiliate links · As an Amazon Associate, WIMJ earns from qualifying purchases.