PCA SKIN Sheer Tint Broad Spectrum SPF 45
Works for
1 of 1 advertised claim delivered
Sun protectionSPF 45 · 3 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-oxidationNot advertised by the brand · 1 ingredient credited for this claimStrong support
This product contains antioxidants (ubiquinone) that can help neutralize free radicals in skin. By doing so, they can lessen the damage the skin gets from the UV light (sun).
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).
MoisturizingNot advertised by the brand · 8 ingredients credited for this claimGood support
This product can help soften the skin and reduce its moisture loss with emollients and occlusives: dimethicone, isododecane.
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
ComedogenicClean of flagged comedogenic ingredientsNone flagged
User reviews
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Ingredients
Filter by role to see what each ingredient is doing.
Titanium dioxide6%
- 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 dioxideZinc oxide8%
- 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 oxideAluminum hydroxide~23–35%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Is used to add opaque (non-transparent) appearance to formulations. Can be used to coat other ingredients for even dispersion. This is a different ingredient compared to the ones used in antipersperants (aluminium chloride and aluminium chlorohydrate)
More about Aluminum hydroxideButyloctyl salicylate~8.6–12.9%
- 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 salicylateC12-15 alkyl benzoate~5.9–8.9%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Enhances the product texture and makes it more spreadable. Helps reduce water loss from the outer layer of skin. Extands the shelf life by preventing bacteria growth
More about C12-15 alkyl benzoateCaprylyl glycol~3.7–5.6%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Helps preserve products and creates a nice product texture
More about Caprylyl glycolCyclopentasiloxane~3–4.5%
- 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~2.8–4.2%
- 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 DimethiconeDimethicone/peg-10/15 crosspolymer~2.1–3.1%
Dimethicone/vinyl dimethicone crosspolymer~1.8–2.7%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Used to stabilize product formulations and create a nice product texture
More about Dimethicone/vinyl dimethicone crosspolymerEthylhexylglycerin~1.3–2%
Hexylene glycol~1–1.5%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Helps create a more spreadable product texture
More about Hexylene glycolIron oxides~0.95–1.4%
- Irritation risk
- Low
An umbrella term for the following three colorants: CI 77491, CI 77492, CI 77499. They might be able to offer some protection against visible light, but the degree of the protection is not clear
More about Iron oxidesIsododecane~0.8–1.2%
- Irritation risk
- Low
An emollient that helps soften the skin and can decrease moisture loss. Helps create a nice product texture
More about IsododecaneMethyl methacrylate/glycol dimethacrylate crosspolymer~0.55–1.25%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Peg-9 polydimethylsiloxyethyl dimethicone~0.5–1.15%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
A type of silicone that helps water and oil mix together
More about Peg-9 polydimethylsiloxyethyl dimethiconePhenoxyethanol~0.3–0.75%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A preservative. It helps prevent bacterial growth in cosmetic products
More about PhenoxyethanolPolyglyceryl-3 polydimethylsiloxyethyl dimethicone~0.35–0.8%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Polymethylsilsesquioxane~0.3–0.75%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A silicone that improves product texture and helps dissolve other ingredients. Can form a non-greasy film on the skin to prevent moisture loss
More about PolymethylsilsesquioxaneSodium chloride~0.15–0.65%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Used to stabilize mixtures of oil and water, and create thicker, gel-like product textures
More about Sodium chlorideStearic acid~0.35–0.85%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps oil and water mix together and works as an emollient
More about Stearic acidTriethoxysilylethyl polydimethylsiloxyethyl hexyl dimethicone~0.1–0.4%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Ubiquinone~0.1–0.35%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Coenzyme Q10. It helps neutralize free radicals in skin, improves skin hydration and might be helpful agains fine lines and wrinkles. It can be an allergen
More about UbiquinoneWater~0.05–0.25%
Ingredient list view
Titanium dioxide, Zinc oxide, Aluminum hydroxide, Butyloctyl salicylate, C12-15 alkyl benzoate, Caprylyl glycol, Cyclopentasiloxane, Dimethicone, Dimethicone/peg-10/15 crosspolymer, Dimethicone/vinyl dimethicone crosspolymer, Ethylhexylglycerin, Hexylene glycol, Iron oxides, Isododecane, Methyl methacrylate/glycol dimethacrylate crosspolymer, Peg-9 polydimethylsiloxyethyl dimethicone, Phenoxyethanol, Polyglyceryl-3 polydimethylsiloxyethyl dimethicone, Polymethylsilsesquioxane, Sodium chloride, Stearic acid, Triethoxysilylethyl polydimethylsiloxyethyl hexyl dimethicone, Ubiquinone, Water
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Product summary
We believe that "PCA SKIN - Sheer Tint Broad Spectrum SPF 45" can provide reliable sun protection based on the ingredients listed. We love that it can protect from both UVA and UVB rays (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.
Sunscreen filters
This is a "mixed" sunscreen in the sense that it uses both mineral and organic (so-called "chemical") sun filters. The organic filters in the product are: butyloctyl salicylate. As for the mineral filters, this sunscreen uses both titanium dioxide and zinc oxide.
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 from 33.50$ up to 50.00$ 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 9 studies and safety reviews.
- 1A review of inorganic UV filters zinc oxide and titanium dioxideonlinelibrary.wiley.com
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