1 / 8Cetaphil SPF 30 Sunscreen SPF 30
Leaves no visible white cast
Skin Type Match
Matte · Lightweight · Non-comedogenic
- Matte dry finish
- Won't clog pores
- No white cast
- High alcohol content
- May sting eyes
- Endocrine disruptor risk
Performance Scores
SPF Level
Fair
SPF Level
Label claims SPF 30, corroborated by Octinoxate (peak absorption 311 nm) being positioned highly in the ingredient list.
Broad Spectrum
Excellent
Broad Spectrum
Diethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl Benzoate (peak 354 nm) and Bemotrizinol (peak 345 nm) together provide overlapping, strong attenuation throughout the UVA II and UVA I ranges.
Sweat Resistance
Poor
Sweat Resistance
The inclusion of VP/Eicosene Copolymer high in the inactive ingredients indicates the presence of a dedicated hydrophobic film-former.
Photo Stability
Excellent
Photo Stability
Photobiology literature confirms that Bemotrizinol acts as a highly effective broad-spectrum filter and a stabilizer for photolabile filters like Octinoxate.
Visible Light
Poor
Visible Light
Total absence of iron oxide color indices (e.g., CI 77491, CI 77492, CI 77499) and physical mineral filters in the provided ingredient list.
Irritation Risk
High Risk
Irritation Risk
Dermatological literature establishes that high concentrations of volatile alcohols deplete skin lipids and lower the irritation threshold for chemical UV filters.
Pore Clogging
Low Risk
Pore Clogging
Established comedogenicity scales rate the primary vehicle components (water, alcohol, C12-15 alkyl benzoate) and the UV filters at 0-1/5, indicating an inherently low pore-clogging potential for the base emulsion.
White Cast
Low Risk
White Cast
Formulations relying exclusively on organic (chemical) UV filters like octinoxate and bemotrizinol do not leave a visible white particulate residue on the skin.
Ingredients Analysis
Active Filters
Octinoxate UVB
Studies indicate potential estrogenic and thyroid disrupting activity in animal models and human cell lines.
Bemotrizinol Broad Spectrum UV
Identified in recent dermatological literature as a rare but emerging cause of allergic contact dermatitis.
Key Inactive Ingredients
Alcohol Solvent
High concentrations can strip the skin of natural lipids, potentially compromising the moisture barrier and causing dryness or irritation, especially in sensitive skin [2.3].
VP/Eicosene Copolymer Film Former
Although generally considered safe by regulatory bodies there are rare but documented case reports of allergic contact dermatitis following the use of sunscreens containing this copolymer [1.3]
Triethanolamine pH Adjuster
May react with nitrosating agents in formulations to form nitrosamines which are potential carcinogens.
Butylated Hydroxytoluene Antioxidant
Suspected by some agencies of potential endocrine disrupting activity based on high dose animal studies though regulatory bodies currently consider it safe at low cosmetic concentrations [1.10].