Physicians Formula Youthful Wear Cosmeceutical Youth-Boosting Spotless Powder SPF 15, Translucent
Works for
Sun protectionSPF 15 · 1 UV filter · Partial spectrumWeak protectionSPF under 30
This product does not offer good protection against UVA rays.
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-agingLaminaria digitata extract, TocopherolNot delivered
“Youthful Wear™ Cosmeceutical Youth-Boosting Spotless Powder SPF 15, Translucent”
This product does not contain ingredients that are able to reduce fine lines and wrinkles or help with skin elasticity, but it can improve the look of the skin temporarily through moisturization. Well-moisturized skin might also be able to repair the sun damage better.
The biggest anti-aging effect in this product comes from sun protection. Sun damage is the main factor causing early signs of skin aging. We, however, do not recommend using this product as a sunscreen because the protection it offers is not strong enough).
MoisturizingSide benefit · Ceramide 3, Dimethicone + 8 moreWorks well
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, 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: dimethicone, dimethiconol.
The following ingredients in this product are especially good for supporting the skin barrier and helping with the hydration level: ceramide 3
Can it cause trouble?
Irritancy3 strong irritants: Alcohol, Parfum + 1 more — patch-test recommendedHigh risk
Comedogenic2 ingredients rated 2 or more on the 0–5 pore-clogging scale2 flagged
User reviews
Be the first — your take helps the next person decide.
Ingredients
Filter by role to see what each ingredient is doing.
Titanium dioxide~29–35%
- 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 dioxideTalc~7.9–9.7%
Zea mays starch~5.6–6.9%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
- Comedogenicity
- 3/5
Used to thicken the product's consistency
More about Zea mays starchMica~4.2–5.2%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Creates an illusion of smoother and more radiant skin tone. Adds shimmer to the skin by reflecting light
More about MicaOctyldodecyl stearoyl stearate~3.4–4.1%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Dimethicone~3–3.6%
- 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 DimethiconeRibes nigrum seed oil~2.3–2.9%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
An emollient. Can be helpful for restoring skin barrier function.
More about Ribes nigrum seed oilPaeonia suffruticosa root extract~1.8–2.2%
Laminaria digitata extract~1.6–2%
- Irritation risk
- Low
- Comedogenicity
- 3/5
Seaweed extract that helps the skin to attract water and make it more smooth for touch. Also shows promise of anti-aging properties, but good research is lacking at the moment
More about Laminaria digitata extractCeramide 3~1.4–1.8%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A type of lipid similar to ceramides naturally present in skin. Helps to soften the upper layer of the skin and supports the skin barrier function to keep it hydrated. Can help to prevent inflammation in skin
More about Ceramide 3Olive glycerides~1.1–1.4%
Sodium hyaluronate~1.1–1.3%
- Irritation risk
- Low
One of the best moisturizing ingredients. Attracts water into the upper layer of the skin
More about Sodium hyaluronateNylon-12~1.2–1.4%
Alcohol~1–1.2%
- Irritation risk
- High
Can be drying and contribute to skin irritation. Used in formulars to dissolve other ingredients, create a thinner product consistency or for its antibacterial properties
More about AlcoholDimethiconol~1–1.3%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A silicone that makes products more spreadable and keeps skin smooth. Helps to add gloss to skin and may visually fill in fine lines/wrinkles for short time
More about DimethiconolParfum~0.9–1.1%
- Irritation risk
- High
An aromatic blend of unspecified and possibly irritating ingredients
More about ParfumHelianthus annuus seed oil~1–1.2%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A great emollient due to its high linoleic acid content. One of the most effective plant oils in helping skin hydration and repairing skin barrier function
More about Helianthus annuus seed oilMagnesium silicate~0.9–1.1%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Nylon-6/12~0.75–1.1%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Octyldodecanol~0.65–1%
- Irritation risk
- Low
An emollient that helps to soften the skin and create a pleasant product texture and stabilize the formulation
More about OctyldodecanolOctyldodecyl oleate~0.7–1%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Rosmarinus officinalis leaf extract~0.55–0.85%
- Irritation risk
- High
Can be helpful in reducing inflammation in skin, including inflamed acne. It can be irritating
More about Rosmarinus officinalis leaf extractSilica~0.65–1%
Solidago virgaurea extract~0.55–0.8%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Tin oxide~0.65–0.95%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A colorant that can add a pearl-like appearance to the formulation
More about Tin oxideTocopherol~0.5–0.75%
- 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~0.45–0.7%
Zinc stearate~0.45–0.65%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Benzyl alcohol~0.25–0.5%
- Irritation risk
- High
A preservative. Can be used to mask unpleasant smell. Can be irritating
More about Benzyl alcoholCaprylyl glycol~0.35–0.65%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Helps preserve products and creates a nice product texture
More about Caprylyl glycolDehydroacetic acid~0.2–0.4%
Hexylene glycol~0.2–0.4%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Helps create a more spreadable product texture
More about Hexylene glycolPhenoxyethanol~0.2–0.35%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A preservative. It helps prevent bacterial growth in cosmetic products
More about PhenoxyethanolIron oxides~0.15–0.25%
- 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 oxidesTitanium dioxide~0.2–0.35%
- 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 dioxideIngredient list view
Titanium dioxide, Talc, Zea mays starch, Mica, Octyldodecyl stearoyl stearate, Dimethicone, Ribes nigrum seed oil, Paeonia suffruticosa root extract, Laminaria digitata extract, Ceramide 3, Olive glycerides, Sodium hyaluronate, Nylon-12, Alcohol, Dimethiconol, Parfum, Helianthus annuus seed oil, Magnesium silicate, Nylon-6/12, Octyldodecanol, Octyldodecyl oleate, Rosmarinus officinalis leaf extract, Silica, Solidago virgaurea extract, Tin oxide, Tocopherol, Water, Zinc stearate, Benzyl alcohol, Caprylyl glycol, Dehydroacetic acid, Hexylene glycol, Phenoxyethanol, Iron oxides, Titanium dioxide
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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.
| Physicians FormulaYouthful Wear Cosmeceutical Youth-Boosting Spotless Powder SPF 15, TranslucentYOUR PRODUCT | KosePredia Mineral Sun Protector SPF 50+ PA++++ | Larkly30 SPF Mineral Powder Sunscreen | CeraVeSunscreen Stick with SPF 50 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Match | — | 54% | 53% | 50% |
| Price | — | — | — | $8.97 |
| Shared key ingredients | — | 3 of 9 | 3 of 9 | 4 of 9 |
| Key difference | — | Methicone | Ceramide 1 | Phytosphingosine |
| Irritancy | High | Low | Low | Low |
| SPF | SPF 15 | SPF 50 | SPF 30 | SPF 50 |
| Drying alcohol | Contains drying alcohol | — | — | — |
| View product | Shop | Shop | Shop |
More alternatives: Obagi Sun Shield Mineral Broad Spectrum SPF 50Etude House Secret Beam Powder Pact SPF36 PA+++
Product summary
We do not recommend "Physicians Formula - Youthful Wear™ Cosmeceutical Youth-Boosting Spotless Powder SPF 15, Translucent" because it does not provide good UVA protection. UVA sun rays don't burn the skin, but they still lead to photoaging and hyperpigmentation.
This sunscreen should also be hydrating enough to use without an additional moisturizer during the day.
Sunscreen filters
This product is a mineral sunscreen. It uses titanium dioxide for sun protection. Titanium dioxide almost never irritates the skin or stings eyes, but it can leave a white cast.
Irritation risk
It contains some common irritants, including those without a benefit for the skin. We assess the overall irritancy of this sunscreen 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.
Sources cited in this review
Every concentration estimate and effectiveness label is anchored to one of these 16 studies and safety reviews.
- 1
- 2Final Report on the Safety Assessment of Dimethicone Copolyoljournals.sagepub.com
- 3
- 4Hyaluronic acid: A key molecule in skin agingncbi.nlm.nih.gov
- 5
- 6
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