PCA SKIN Weightless Protection Broad Spectrum SPF 45
Works for
1 of 1 advertised claim delivered
Sun protectionSPF 45 · 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 · No ingredient credited for this claimStrong 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.
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 · Octyldodecyl neopentanoate, Dimethicone + 9 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:
sodium hyaluronate, butylene 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?
Irritancy4 strong irritants: Citrus aurantium dulcis peel extract, Mentha piperita extract + 2 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 salicylateOctocrylene1.9%
- 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 oxide8.4%
- 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
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 BisabololButylene glycol~4.2–6.3%
- 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 glycolButyloctyl salicylate~3.7–5.6%
- 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~2.8–4.1%
- 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 CaffeineCaprylic/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 methicone~1.8–2.6%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A type of silicone that helps to soften the upper layer of the skin and create a nice product finish on the skin
More about Caprylyl methiconeCitrus aurantium dulcis peel extract~1.4–2.1%
Cucumis melo cantalupensis fruit extract~1.2–1.8%
- 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 melo fruit extract~1–1.45%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
A fruit extract that might have some anti-oxidant properties
More about Cucumis melo fruit extractCucumis sativus fruit extract~0.8–1.2%
- 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 extractCyclopentasiloxane~0.8–1.2%
- 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~0.6–1.4%
- 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~0.5–1.15%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Softens the upper layer of the skin and can support skin barrier function
More about EctoinEthyl ferulate~0.45–1.1%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Ethylhexylglycerin~0.45–1.1%
Hydroxyethyl acrylate/sodium acryloyldimethyl taurate copolymer~0.45–1.05%
- 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 copolymerMentha piperita extract~0.45–1%
Mentha viridis extract~0.4–0.95%
Octyldodecyl neopentanoate~0.4–0.95%
- Irritation risk
- Low
An emollient that helps soften the skin. Often used to stabilize other ingredients, for example, sunscreen
More about Octyldodecyl neopentanoateOleth-3 phosphate~0.35–0.8%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
- Comedogenicity
- 3/5
Helps water and oil mix together
More about Oleth-3 phosphatePassiflora incarnata fruit extract~0.3–0.75%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Peg-7 trimethylolpropane coconut ether~0.15–0.7%
Phenoxyethanol~0.15–0.65%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A preservative. It helps prevent bacterial growth in cosmetic products
More about PhenoxyethanolPolyisobutene~0.2–0.75%
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 PropanediolPyrus malus fruit extract~0.15–0.65%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Can have some moisturizing properties due to its sugar content
More about Pyrus malus fruit extractRubus idaeus fruit extract~0.15–0.65%
- 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 extractRose extract~0.15–0.6%
Santalum album wood extract~0.15–0.55%
Silybum marianum seed extract~0.15–0.6%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Sodium hyaluronate~0.1–0.45%
- Irritation risk
- Low
One of the best moisturizing ingredients. Attracts water into the upper layer of the skin
More about Sodium hyaluronateSodium stearoyl glutamate~0.15–0.65%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Helps oil and water mix together
More about Sodium stearoyl glutamateStyrene/acrylates copolymer~0.15–0.7%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Used to create an even product consistency. Can help boost efficiency of sunscreen filters
More about Styrene/acrylates copolymerTocopheryl acetate~0.1–0.4%
- 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~0.05–0.25%
- 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 TriethoxycaprylylsilaneUndecylcrylene dimethicone~0.1–0.45%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Water~0.05–0.2%
Ingredient list view
Ethylhexyl salicylate, Octocrylene, Zinc oxide, Avena sativa bran extract, Bisabolol, Butylene glycol, Butyloctyl salicylate, Caffeine, Caprylic/capric triglyceride, Caprylyl methicone, Citrus aurantium dulcis peel extract, Cucumis melo cantalupensis fruit extract, Cucumis melo fruit extract, Cucumis sativus fruit extract, Cyclopentasiloxane, Dimethicone, Ectoin, Ethyl ferulate, Ethylhexylglycerin, Hydroxyethyl acrylate/sodium acryloyldimethyl taurate copolymer, Mentha piperita extract, Mentha viridis extract, Octyldodecyl neopentanoate, Oleth-3 phosphate, Passiflora incarnata fruit extract, Peg-7 trimethylolpropane coconut ether, Phenoxyethanol, Polyisobutene, Propanediol, Pyrus malus fruit extract, Rubus idaeus fruit extract, Rose extract, Santalum album wood extract, Silybum marianum seed extract, Sodium hyaluronate, Sodium stearoyl glutamate, Styrene/acrylates copolymer, Tocopheryl acetate, Triethoxycaprylylsilane, Undecylcrylene dimethicone, Water
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Product summary
We assess that "PCA SKIN - Weightless Protection Broad Spectrum SPF 45" 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 has an anti-aging benefit.
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, octisalate and octocrylene. As for the mineral filters, this sunscreen uses zinc oxide.
Irritation risk
This moisturizer contains a bunch of common irritants, including ingredients that do not provide any known benefit for the skin. It might not be the best choice if your skin is sensitive. 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 from 26.95$ up to 84.00$ in the United States and for 40.00£ 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
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