PCA SKIN Protecting Hydrator 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.
Moisturizing10 ingredients credited for this claimStrong support
“Protecting Hydrator Broad Spectrum SPF 30”
This product contains good ingredients to attract water to the upper layer of the skin. These ingredients are called "humectants": allantoin, glycerin.
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. If the air is dry, humectants can speed up the moisture loss from the skin. This is why it is a good idea to use another product on top of this one to help "seal in" the moisture (look for ingredients like dimethicone, squalane, oils and butters).
The following ingredients in this product are especially good for supporting the skin barrier and helping with the hydration level: panthenol
Anti-agingNot advertised by the brand · 1 ingredient credited for this claimStrong support
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 support
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).
Can it cause trouble?
Irritancy1 strong irritant: Iodopropynyl butylcarbamateMedium risk
ComedogenicClean of flagged comedogenic ingredientsNone flagged
User reviews
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Ingredients
Filter by role to see what each ingredient is doing.
Ethylhexyl methoxycinnamate7.5%
- 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 methoxycinnamateEthylhexyl salicylate3.6%
- 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 salicylateZinc oxide4.3%
- 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 oxideAllantoin~23–34%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps calm down inflammation in skin and can help reduce itching. Helps to repair the skin barrier and keep skin hydrated
More about AllantoinAloe barbadensis leaf juice~4.9–7.3%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Traditionally used to treat sunburns, dermatitis and inflammation, but evidence for its effectiveness is lacking. The extract can contain humectants that help attract water into the skin
More about Aloe barbadensis leaf juiceButylene glycol~4.1–6.2%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Used to create a nice product texture and help delivery of other ingredients. Might be somewhat helpful in attracting water to the upper layer of the skin
More about Butylene glycolCaffeine~3.6–5.3%
- 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 CaffeineCetearyl glucoside~2.9–4.3%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Helps water and oil in the product mix well together and improves product texture
More about Cetearyl glucosideCetyl alcohol~2.4–3.5%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A non-drying alcohol that works to soften the skin and stabilize product formulations helping oil and water mix together
More about Cetyl alcoholEthylhexyl isononanoate~1.8–2.8%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps soften the upper layer of the skin and improve the product consistency
More about Ethylhexyl isononanoateGlycerin~1.6–2.4%
- 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 GlycerinGlyceryl stearate~1.1–1.7%
- Irritation risk
- Low
An emollient that softens the skin and forms a protective layer on its surface. Helps water and oil mix together
More about Glyceryl stearateHydroxyethyl acrylate/sodium acryloyldimethyl taurate copolymer~0.85–1.25%
- 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 copolymerIodopropynyl butylcarbamate~0.01–0.02%
Panthenol~0.45–1.1%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps attract water to the upper layer of the skin and can help improve skin barrier function
More about PanthenolPeg-100 stearate~0.5–1.15%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps oil and water mix togehter and creates a nice product texture
More about Peg-100 stearatePeg-7 trimethylolpropane coconut ether~0.4–0.9%
Phenoxyethanol~0.2–0.8%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A preservative. It helps prevent bacterial growth in cosmetic products
More about PhenoxyethanolPolyether-1~0.35–0.75%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Polyisobutene~0.35–0.8%
Silybum marianum extract~0.15–0.6%
- Irritation risk
- High
Might be able to help neutralize free radical, calm down inflammation in skin, and even skin tone
More about Silybum marianum extractStearic acid~0.3–0.7%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps oil and water mix together and works as an emollient
More about Stearic acidTitanium dioxide~0.15–0.65%
- 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 dioxideTocopheryl 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 acetateTriethoxycaprylylsilane~0.05–0.2%
- 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~0.05–0.15%
Ingredient list view
Ethylhexyl methoxycinnamate, Ethylhexyl salicylate, Zinc oxide, Allantoin, Aloe barbadensis leaf juice, Butylene glycol, Caffeine, Cetearyl glucoside, Cetyl alcohol, Ethylhexyl isononanoate, Glycerin, Glyceryl stearate, Hydroxyethyl acrylate/sodium acryloyldimethyl taurate copolymer, Iodopropynyl butylcarbamate, Panthenol, Peg-100 stearate, Peg-7 trimethylolpropane coconut ether, Phenoxyethanol, Polyether-1, Polyisobutene, Silybum marianum extract, Stearic acid, Titanium dioxide, Tocopheryl acetate, Triethoxycaprylylsilane, Water
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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 SKINProtecting Hydrator Broad Spectrum SPF 30YOUR PRODUCT | SkinMedicaTotal Defense and Repair SPF 50 | ReplenixHydrating Oil-Free Face Sunscreen SPF50+ | Glo Skin BeautyGlo Oil Free SPF 40+ | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Match | — | 59% | 58% | 56% |
| Price | $52.00 | $61.20+$9.20 | $32.00−$20.00 | $80.00+$28.00 |
| Shared key ingredients | — | 4 of 8 | 5 of 8 | 4 of 8 |
| Key difference | — | Niacinamide | Niacinamide | Cyclopentasiloxane |
| Irritancy | Medium | Low | Low | Medium |
| SPF | SPF 30 | SPF 50 | SPF 50 | SPF 40 |
| Drying alcohol | — | — | — | — |
| View product | Shop | Shop | Shop |
Product summary
We assess that "PCA SKIN - Protecting Hydrator Broad Spectrum SPF 30" can provide reliable sun protection based on the ingredient list. 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).
Its formula is also hydrating, so you might not need an additional moistruizer 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: octinoxate and octisalate. As for the mineral filters, this sunscreen uses both titanium dioxide and 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 this sunscreen 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.
Sources cited in this review
Every concentration estimate and effectiveness label is anchored to one of these 12 studies and safety reviews.
- 1A review of inorganic UV filters zinc oxide and titanium dioxideonlinelibrary.wiley.com
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