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HAZARD SCORE RANGE
Scoring legend
HOW WE DETERMINE SCORES LEARN MORE ABOUT EWG VERIFIED®

HOME / daily use SPF / moisturizer with SPF


Score

Paula's Choice Skincare Hydralight Shine-Free Mineral Complex Cream, SPF 30

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CATEGORY

daily use SPF

BRAND

Paula's Choice

DATA LAST UPDATED

July 09, 2024

Health Concerns

  • LOW
    Cancer
  • HIGH
    Allergies & Immunotoxicity
  • MODERATE
    Developmental and Reproductive Toxicity
  • HIGH
    Use Restrictions

Efficacy Concerns

  • Caution We have flagged this product with 1 concerns
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    Find better scoring products

    Sunscreens can break down while still in the bottle. To be safe dispose of products when the mixture clumps or separates.
  • moderate
    UVA/UVB Balance

Ingredient Scores

Ingredients are scored based on their formulation and concentration in this product. Click on an ingredient for more information.

Zinc Oxide(Sunscreen Grade) active ingredient 6%
Data Availability: Good
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CONCERNS Cancer (low), Developmental/reproductive toxicity (low), Allergies/immunotoxicity (moderate), Use restrictions (moderate), Persistence and bioaccumulation (low), Non-reproductive organ system toxicity (low), Ecotoxicology (low), Occupational hazards (moderate), Biochemical or cellular level changes (high)
LEARN MORE ABOUT THIS INGREDIENT
TITANIUM DIOXIDE (sunscreen grade) active ingredient 2.3%
Data Availability: Good
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CONCERNS Cancer (moderate), Developmental/reproductive toxicity (low), Allergies/immunotoxicity (low), Use restrictions (moderate), Non-reproductive organ system toxicity (moderate), Irritation (skin, eyes, or lungs) (low), Occupational hazards (high), Biochemical or cellular level changes (high)
LEARN MORE ABOUT THIS INGREDIENT
WATER
Data Availability: Robust
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CONCERNS
LEARN MORE ABOUT THIS INGREDIENT
ETHYLHEXYL PALMITATE
Data Availability: Fair
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CONCERNS Irritation (skin, eyes, or lungs) (moderate)
LEARN MORE ABOUT THIS INGREDIENT
DECAMETHYLCYCLOPENTASILOXANE
Data Availability: Limited
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CONCERNS Enhanced skin absorption, Endocrine disruption (moderate), Persistence and bioaccumulation (high), Non-reproductive organ system toxicity (moderate), Ecotoxicology (low)
LEARN MORE ABOUT THIS INGREDIENT
DIMETHICONE
Data Availability: Fair
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CONCERNS Use restrictions (moderate), Persistence and bioaccumulation (high), Non-reproductive organ system toxicity (moderate), Ecotoxicology (low), Irritation (skin, eyes, or lungs) (low), Contamination concerns (CYCLOPENTASILOXANE and CYCLOTETRASILOXANE)
LEARN MORE ABOUT THIS INGREDIENT
POLYSORBATE-80
Data Availability: Fair
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CONCERNS Use restrictions (low), Irritation (skin, eyes, or lungs) (low), Contamination concerns (ETHYLENE OXIDE and 1,4-DIOXANE)
LEARN MORE ABOUT THIS INGREDIENT
CAPRYLYL METHICONE
Data Availability: Limited
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CONCERNS Allergies/immunotoxicity (low), Endocrine disruption (low), Non-reproductive organ system toxicity (low), Irritation (skin, eyes, or lungs) (low), Contamination concerns (CYCLOPENTASILOXANE and CYCLOTETRASILOXANE)
LEARN MORE ABOUT THIS INGREDIENT
GLYCERYL MONOSTEARATE
Data Availability: Fair
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CONCERNS
LEARN MORE ABOUT THIS INGREDIENT
PEG-100 STEARATE
Data Availability: Fair
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CONCERNS Contamination concerns (ETHYLENE OXIDE and 1,4-DIOXANE)
LEARN MORE ABOUT THIS INGREDIENT
C12-15 ALKYL BENZOATE
Data Availability: Limited
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CONCERNS Allergies/immunotoxicity (low), Irritation (skin, eyes, or lungs) (low)
LEARN MORE ABOUT THIS INGREDIENT
SODIUM ACRYLATE/SODIUM ACRYLOYLDIMETHYL TAURATE COPOLYMER
Data Availability: None
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CONCERNS
LEARN MORE ABOUT THIS INGREDIENT
ISOHEXADECANE
Data Availability: Limited
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CONCERNS Use restrictions (low), Non-reproductive organ system toxicity (moderate), Ecotoxicology (low), Irritation (skin, eyes, or lungs) (low)
LEARN MORE ABOUT THIS INGREDIENT
CETYL ALCOHOL
Data Availability: Fair
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CONCERNS Non-reproductive organ system toxicity (moderate)
LEARN MORE ABOUT THIS INGREDIENT
PROPYLENE GLYCOL
Data Availability: Fair
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CONCERNS Allergies/immunotoxicity (moderate), Enhanced skin absorption, Use restrictions (low), Non-reproductive organ system toxicity (moderate), Irritation (skin, eyes, or lungs) (high)
LEARN MORE ABOUT THIS INGREDIENT
POLYGLYCERYL-6 ISOSTEARATE
Data Availability: Limited
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CONCERNS Irritation (skin, eyes, or lungs) (low)
LEARN MORE ABOUT THIS INGREDIENT
CAMELLIA SINENSIS (GREEN TEA) LEAF EXTRACT
Data Availability: Good
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CONCERNS Allergies/immunotoxicity (moderate), Use restrictions (low)
LEARN MORE ABOUT THIS INGREDIENT
CHAMOMILLA RECUTITA (MATRICARIA) FLOWER EXTRACT
Data Availability: Fair
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CONCERNS Allergies/immunotoxicity (low), Use restrictions (low), Neurotoxicity (low)
LEARN MORE ABOUT THIS INGREDIENT
GLYCYRRHIZA GLABRA (LICORICE) ROOT EXTRACT
Data Availability: Good
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CONCERNS Allergies/immunotoxicity (low), Neurotoxicity (low), Endocrine disruption (moderate), Non-reproductive organ system toxicity (moderate), Irritation (skin, eyes, or lungs) (low)
LEARN MORE ABOUT THIS INGREDIENT
ALGAE/SEAWEED/KELP EXTRACT (species unspecified)
Data Availability: Limited
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CONCERNS Contamination concerns (IODINE, ARSENIC, and LEAD)
LEARN MORE ABOUT THIS INGREDIENT
ALOE BARBADENSIS (ALOE VERA) LEAF JUICE
Data Availability: Good
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CONCERNS Use restrictions (low)
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ALLANTOIN
Data Availability: Limited
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CONCERNS
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GLYCERIN
Data Availability: Fair
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CONCERNS Use restrictions (moderate)
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PANTHENOL
Data Availability: Limited
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CONCERNS Multiple, additive exposure sources (low)
LEARN MORE ABOUT THIS INGREDIENT
BUTYLENE GLYCOL
Data Availability: Fair
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CONCERNS Irritation (skin, eyes, or lungs) (moderate)
LEARN MORE ABOUT THIS INGREDIENT
CAPRYLYL GLYCOL
Data Availability: Limited
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CONCERNS
LEARN MORE ABOUT THIS INGREDIENT
ALUMINA
Data Availability: Robust
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CONCERNS Cancer (low), Developmental/reproductive toxicity (low), Allergies/immunotoxicity (high), Enhanced skin absorption, Persistence and bioaccumulation (moderate), Non-reproductive organ system toxicity (moderate)
LEARN MORE ABOUT THIS INGREDIENT
LAURYL PEG-9 POLYDIMETHYLSILOXYETHYL DIMETHICONE
Data Availability: None
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CONCERNS Contamination concerns (CYCLOPENTASILOXANE, CYCLOTETRASILOXANE, ETHYLENE OXIDE, and 1,4-DIOXANE)
LEARN MORE ABOUT THIS INGREDIENT
POLYHYDROXYSTEARIC ACID
Data Availability: Fair
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CONCERNS Irritation (skin, eyes, or lungs) (low)
LEARN MORE ABOUT THIS INGREDIENT
TRIETHOXYSILYLETHYL POLYDIMETHYLSILOXYETHYL HEXYL DIMETHICONE
Data Availability: None
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CONCERNS Contamination concerns (CYCLOPENTASILOXANE and CYCLOTETRASILOXANE)
LEARN MORE ABOUT THIS INGREDIENT
DIETHYLHEXYL CARBONATE
Data Availability: Limited
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CONCERNS Use restrictions (low), Irritation (skin, eyes, or lungs) (low)
LEARN MORE ABOUT THIS INGREDIENT
TRIETHOXYCAPRYLYLSILANE
Data Availability: Fair
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CONCERNS Endocrine disruption (low), Irritation (skin, eyes, or lungs) (low)
LEARN MORE ABOUT THIS INGREDIENT
DISODIUM EDTA
Data Availability: Limited
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CONCERNS Enhanced skin absorption, Non-reproductive organ system toxicity (moderate), Irritation (skin, eyes, or lungs) (high)
LEARN MORE ABOUT THIS INGREDIENT
CHLORPHENESIN
Data Availability: Limited
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CONCERNS Allergies/immunotoxicity (moderate), Use restrictions (moderate), Persistence and bioaccumulation (moderate), Non-reproductive organ system toxicity (low), Irritation (skin, eyes, or lungs) (moderate)
LEARN MORE ABOUT THIS INGREDIENT
PHENOXYETHANOL
Data Availability: Good
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CONCERNS Allergies/immunotoxicity (low), Use restrictions (moderate), Non-reproductive organ system toxicity (moderate), Ecotoxicology (low), Irritation (skin, eyes, or lungs) (high), Occupational hazards (high)
LEARN MORE ABOUT THIS INGREDIENT

Ingredients from label

Active Ingredients: Zinc Oxide 6%; Titanium Dioxide 2.32% (sunscreens). Other Ingredients: Water, Ethylhexyl Palmitate, Cyclomethicone, Dimethicone, Polysorbate 80 (texture enhancers), Caprylyl Methicone, Glyceryl Stearate, PEG-100 Stearate, C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate (emollients), Sodium Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer (texture enhancesr), Isohexadecane (dry-finish solvent), Cetyl Alcohol (emollient), Propylene Glycol (moisture-binding agent), Polyglyceryl-6 Isostearate (emollient), Camellia Sinensis (Green Tea) Leaf Extract (antioxidant), Glycyrrhiza Glabra (Licorice) Root Extract (soothing agent),Chamomilla Recutita (Matricaria) Flower Extract (antioxidant), Algae Extract, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice (water-binding agents), Allantoin (soothing agent), Glycerin, Panthenol (skin-replenishing ingredients), Butylene Glycol (texture enhancer), Caprylyl Glycol (emollient), Alumina, Lauryl PEG-9 Polydimethylsiloxyethyl Dimethicone, Polyhydroxystearic Acid (texture enhancers), Triethoxysilylethyl Polydimethylsiloxyethyl Hexyl Dimethicone (skin-conditioning agent), Diethylhexyl Carbonate (emollient), Triethoxycaprylylsilane (texture enhancer), Disodium EDTA (chelating agent), Chlorphenesin, Phenoxyethanol (preservatives).

Leaping Bunny

Products bearing the Leaping Bunny mark are certified cruelty-free under the Humane Household Products Standard, managed in the U.S. and Canada by the Coalition for Consumer Information on Cosmetics, a coalition of eight national animal protection groups. Participating companies must open their processes to independent audits throughout the supply chain.

LEARN MORE ON LEAPINGBUNNY.ORG

PETA Cruelty-free Companies

Companies that join the "Caring Consumer" program of People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals, a leading international animal rights advocacy organization, attest that "neither they nor their ingredient suppliers conduct or commission any animal tests on ingredients, formulations or finished products, and that they pledge not to do so in the future."

LEARN MORE ON PETA.ORG


Understanding scores

Not all sunscreen products are the same when it comes to sun protection and ingredient health hazards. The scoring system for EWG’s Guide to Sunscreens is designed to help the public find products that are safer, avoid ingredients of concern, and are more effective in reducing potential health harms from ultraviolet A and B exposure.

Every product in the guide gets a hazard and efficacy rating. The top scoring products have both a low hazard rating and an excellent UVA/UVB balance rating.

HOW WE DETERMINE SCORES

Hazard score

The hazard score, from 1 to 10, reflects known and suspected hazards linked to the ingredients. Beyond this 1 to 10 ranking, the EWG VERIFIED® mark on a sunscreen means a product meets EWG’s strictest criteria for transparency and health.

Scoring legend
WEIGHT-OF-EVIDENCE APPROACH

A product’s hazard score is not an average of the ingredients’ hazard scores. It is calculated using a weight-of-evidence approach that factors in all of the hazards or health impacts associated with the ingredients.

EWG Verified Process

EWG Verified logo
EWG VERIFIED

Beyond the hazard score, the EWG VERIFIED® mark on a sunscreen indicates that a sunscreen company’s ingredient disclosures show the product has met our full criteria to ensure it adheres to our strictest standards for efficacy, ingredient safety and transparency.

A SUNSCREEN CAN BECOME EWG VERIFIED IF IT:
  • Meets EWG's criteria for overall product hazard score
  • Is formulated to provide balanced UVA/ UVB protection
  • Does not contain any ingredients on EWG's "Unacceptable" list
  • Discloses all ingredients, including those in fragrance.

You can review EWG’s full criteria for the EWG VERIFIED mark here.


TIPS

Sunscreen alone
is not enough

VIEW THE LIST

Wear clothes

Shirts, hats, shorts and pants shield your skin from the sun’s UV rays, reducing burn risk.

Plan around the sun

Go outdoors in early morning or late afternoon when the sun is lower in the sky.

Find shade - or make it

Picnic under a tree or take a canopy to the beach. Keep infants in the shade, reducing the risk of multiple burns by 30%.


Don’t get burned

Red, sore, blistered skin means you’ve gotten far too much sun.

Sunglasses are essential

Not just a fashion accessory, sunglasses protect your eyes from UV radiation.

Check UV index

The UV Index provides important information to help you plan your outdoor activities in ways that prevent sun overexposure.







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