
Highlights
WHAT IS IT?
Mineral-based sunscreen with antioxidants
FEATURES
Lightweight, matte finish, tinted formula, broad-spectrum protection
BEST FOR
combination
CHECKS
Does not contain added fragrances, dyes, paraben
Who Is It For?
All Ages All GendersWhat Does It Help With?
Sun Protection Anti-aging Environmental Damage ProtectionBudget
Mid-range ($30-$75)How To Use
Which routine should it be used in?
Instructions:
Key Information
What Paula's Choice Says
Product Description:
A sheer-tinted daytime moisturizer with mineral sunscreen that protects skin from sun damage while providing anti-aging benefits
About the Brand:
Ingredients Overview
Ingredients List
active-zinc-oxide-13%,water,cyclopentasiloxane,peg-12-dimethicone,peg-11-methyl-ether-dimethicone,pvp,sodium-chloride,adenosine
Key Ingredients
zinc-oxide,antioxidants,adenosine
Ingredients Details
Adenosine
Common Name(s): Adenine riboside,9-beta-d-ribofuranosyladenine
CAS Number: 58-61-7
DESCRIPTION
What It Does: Reduces fine lines, stimulates collagen, firms skin, and reduces inflammation.
Why It's Used: Fda-recognized anti-wrinkle active with multi-action collagen stimulation + wrinkle reduction + anti-inflammatory efficacy.
How It Works: Activates adenosine a2a receptors on fibroblasts stimulating collagen type i. also activates pka pathway promoting atp production and reducing inflammatory cytokines.
Typically Found In: Anti-aging serums,wrinkle treatments,korean skincare
TECHNICAL DETAILS
Primary Category: Active ingredient โ purine nucleoside / anti-aging
Secondary Functions: Collagen stimulation,anti-inflammatory,cell energy
Application Areas:
Facial Skincare
Body Care
Hair Care
Beard Care
Color Cosmetics (Makeup)
Dietary/Oral Supplements
Typical Concentration Range: 0.04%โ0.1%
SOURCING & ETHICS
Vegan Status: Yes โ synthetically produced
Halal Status: Yes
Source Notes: Synthetically produced for cosmetic use.
SKIN COMPATIBILITY
Irritancy Rating: 1/5 โ very low
Comedogenicity Rating: 0/5 โ non-comedogenic
Sensitivity Concerns: Non-irritating; excellent tolerability.
Safe for Sensitive Skin: Yes
SAFETY & COMPATIBILITY
Safety Profile: Excellent safety profile. fda-recognized as safe and effective anti-wrinkle ingredient. ewg score: 1.
Works Well With: Other b vitamins,niacinamide,antioxidant complexes
Avoid Combining With: No significant incompatibilities
SCIENTIFIC NOTE
A 2002 clinical study demonstrated 0.04% adenosine cream significantly reduced wrinkle depth and increased skin elasticity after 4 weeks. fda recognition requires controlled clinical trial evidence.
Last Verified: Cosing database,adenosine anti-aging clinical data,fda otc anti-wrinkle monograph
Primary Sources: 2026-03-12
Cyclopentasiloxane
Common Name(s): Cyclopentasiloxane,cyclic volatile silicone,dry-touch carrier solvent
CAS Number: N/a
DESCRIPTION
What It Does: Provides a dry, weightless application vehicle that evaporates cleanly leaving actives and non-volatile silicones deposited on skin โ eliminating the residual heaviness of conventional liquid carrier solvents.
Why It's Used: Cyclosiloxanes are the unique volatile silicone solvents that dissolve non-volatile silicones (dimethicone, cyclomethicone), organic uv filters, and lipophilic actives, providing the sensory-superior dry-touch application experience in premium formulations.
How It Works: Cyclosiloxane vapour pressure (d5 cyclopentasiloxane ~0.3 mmhg at 25ยฐc) provides clean evaporation at body temperature. the cyclic ring structure provides lower boiling point than equivalent linear dimethicone, enabling faster evaporation while the ring conformation maintains the silicone's low surface energy for smooth application.
Typically Found In: Primers,antiperspirants,sunscreens
TECHNICAL DETAILS
Primary Category: Functional ingredient โ emollient
Secondary Functions: Barrier sealing,softening
Application Areas:
Facial Skincare
Body Care
Hair Care
Beard Care
Color Cosmetics (Makeup)
Dietary/Oral Supplements
Typical Concentration Range: 1%โ50%
SOURCING & ETHICS
Vegan Status: Yes
Halal Status: Yes
Source Notes: Plant-derived, synthetic or animal-derived. verify source.
SKIN COMPATIBILITY
Irritancy Rating: 1/5 โ very low
Comedogenicity Rating: 1/5 โ low; formulation-dependent
Sensitivity Concerns: Non-irritating.
Safe for Sensitive Skin: Yes
SAFETY & COMPATIBILITY
Safety Profile: Excellent safety profile. ewg score: 1.
Works Well With: Humectants,ceramides,actives as carrier
Avoid Combining With: No significant incompatibilities
SCIENTIFIC NOTE
Cyclopentasiloxane (d5) and cyclohexasiloxane (d6) are under eu regulatory review for potential environmental persistence (pbt assessment) โ formulators should monitor eu regulation 2018/35 implementation for restrictions in wash-off products.
Last Verified: Cosing database,eu cyclosiloxane regulatory review
Primary Sources: 2026-03-12
Peg-11 Methyl Ether Dimethicone
Common Name(s): Peg-11 methyl ether dimethicone
DESCRIPTION
What It Does: Reduces surface tension at oil-water interfaces, enabling effective cleansing, emulsification, and formulation stability.
Why It's Used: Surface-active agents are essential for emulsification, cleansing, and stabilization of cosmetic formulations containing both aqueous and lipid phases.
How It Works: The amphiphilic molecular structure positions the hydrophilic head in water and the lipophilic tail in oils, creating micelles that solubilize sebum, dirt, and oil-soluble impurities for rinsing in cleansers or stable emulsions in leave-on products.
Typically Found In: Cleansers,shampoos,body washes,foaming treatments
TECHNICAL DETAILS
Primary Category: Surfactants
Secondary Functions: Emulsifying,cleansing
Application Areas:
Facial Skincare
Body Care
Hair Care
Beard Care
Color Cosmetics (Makeup)
Dietary/Oral Supplements
Typical Concentration Range: 0.5โ30%
SOURCING & ETHICS
Vegan Status: Yes
Halal Status: Yes
Source Notes: Synthetic or semi-synthetic surfactant; no animal components.
SKIN COMPATIBILITY
Irritancy Rating: 2
Comedogenicity Rating: 0
Sensitivity Concerns: May cause irritation or stinging in sensitive or barrier-compromised skin at high concentrations; patch test recommended.
Safe for Sensitive Skin: Conditional
SAFETY & COMPATIBILITY
Safety Profile: Well-characterized cosmetic ingredient with established safety profile. mildly irritating to some individuals at typical use concentrations. suitable for leave-on and rinse-off cosmetics.
Works Well With: Other surfactants,thickeners,conditioning agents
Avoid Combining With: High concentrations in sensitive skin formulations
SCIENTIFIC NOTE
Surfactant critical micelle concentration (cmc) determines the threshold for emulsification: above the cmc, amphiphilic molecules self-assemble into micelles with hydrophobic cores that solubilize oils. hlb (hydrophile-lipophile balance) value predicts surfactant function: hlb 3โ6 for w/o emulsifiers, 8โ18 for o/w emulsifiers, >15 for solubilizers.
Last Verified: Cosing eu database; pcpc cosmetic ingredient safety reviews; ingredient-specific safety and efficacy literature
Primary Sources: 2025-01-15
Peg-12 Dimethicone
Common Name(s): Peg-based nonionic emulsifier,ethoxylate surfactant,o/w solubiliser
CAS Number: N/a
DESCRIPTION
What It Does: Stabilises o/w emulsions by reducing interfacial tension, solubilises oils and fragrances in aqueous systems, and wets oil-phase components for improved formulation homogeneity.
Why It's Used: Peg emulsifiers are selected for their precise hlb, broad ph stability (unlike soap emulsifiers that lose function at acidic ph), and compatibility with both anionic and cationic co-ingredients in the formulation system.
How It Works: Peg chain length determines hlb: longer peg = higher hlb = more hydrophilic = better o/w emulsification. at the o/w interface, the peg chain extends into the water phase forming a hydrated steric barrier that prevents droplet coalescence. nonionic character provides ph-independent function across the full cosmetic ph range.
Typically Found In: Emulsions,fragrance solubilisation
TECHNICAL DETAILS
Primary Category: Active ingredient โ cosmetic active
Secondary Functions: Skin conditioning
Application Areas:
Facial Skincare
Body Care
Hair Care
Beard Care
Color Cosmetics (Makeup)
Dietary/Oral Supplements
Typical Concentration Range: 1%โ10%
SOURCING & ETHICS
Vegan Status: Yes
Halal Status: Yes
Source Notes: Commercially produced for cosmetic use. verify vegan/halal status with supplier.
SKIN COMPATIBILITY
Irritancy Rating: 1/5 โ very low
Comedogenicity Rating: 0/5 โ non-comedogenic
Sensitivity Concerns: Well-tolerated by most skin types.
Safe for Sensitive Skin: Yes
SAFETY & COMPATIBILITY
Safety Profile: Good safety profile at recommended concentrations. ewg score: 1โ2.
Works Well With: Standard skincare actives
Avoid Combining With: No known significant incompatibilities
SCIENTIFIC NOTE
Mixed peg emulsifier systems (e.g., peg-100 stearate + glyceryl stearate) form more cohesive interfacial films than single emulsifiers โ the geometric complementarity of the co-emulsifier pair providing better mechanical emulsion stability than either component alone.
Last Verified: Cosing database,peg-12 dimethicone peg emulsifier review
Primary Sources: 2026-03-12