physicians-formula Physicians Formula Healthy Foundation SPF20

Ingredients overview

Label order. Colour is our internal rating: green routine, yellow restricted or worth a look, red prohibited or high-risk, grey not yet decoded.

Ingredients are listed in label order; the order reflects the label only, not exact concentrations.

1. Aqua
2. Cyclopentasiloxane
3. PEG-10 Dimethicone
4. Isododecane
5. Butylene Glycol
6. Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate
7. Acrylates/Polytrimethylsiloxymethacrylate Copolymer
8. Propanediol
9. Cyclohexasiloxane
10. Cetyl PEG/PPG-10/1 Dimethicone
11. Isodecyl Neopentanoate
12. Polymethylsilsesquioxane
13. Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil
14. Disteardimonium Hectorite
15. Magnesium Sulfate
16. Schinziophyton Rautanenii Kernel Oil
17. Phenoxyethanol
18. Disodium Stearoyl Glutamate
19. Caprylyl Glycol
20. Ethylene Brassylate
21. Dimethicone/Bis-Isobutyl PPG-20 Crosspolymer
22. Silica
23. Sorbitan Sesquioleate
24. Evodia Rutaecarpa Fruit Extract
25. Ethylhexylglycerin
26. Hexylene Glycol
27. Cellulose Gum
28. Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate
29. Tocopheryl Acetate
30. Aluminum Hydroxide
31. Retinyl Palmitate
32. Rhodiola Rosea Root Extract
33. Sodium Hyaluronate
34. BHT
35. Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract
36. Tocopherol
37. Ci 77491
38. Ci 77492
39. Ci 77499
40. Ci 77891

Highlights

Free of alcoholFree of parabensFree of sulfatesFree of formaldehyde releasersContains siliconesContains PEGContains mineral oilContains essential oilsContains EU-26 allergensContains fragrance

Formulation view Volatile silicones and hydrocarbons as base, with UV filters and silicone polymers. Includes niacinamide, retinyl palmitate, and hyaluronic acid for dual benefits. Lightweight, suitable for daily wear. Factory view: High volatility causes weight loss risks, requiring precise filling; silicone dosage must balance feel and longevity.

Key ingredients

SOLVENT

AquaPropanediol

SKIN CONDITIONING - EMOLLIENT

CyclopentasiloxaneIsododecane

HAIR CONDITIONING

PEG-10 Dimethicone

HUMECTANT

Butylene Glycol

LIGHT STABILIZER

Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate

FILM FORMING

Acrylates/Polytrimethylsiloxymethacrylate Copolymer

Other ingredients

CyclohexasiloxaneCetyl PEG/PPG-10/1 DimethiconeIsodecyl NeopentanoatePolymethylsilsesquioxaneHelianthus Annuus Seed OilDisteardimonium HectoriteMagnesium SulfateSchinziophyton Rautanenii Kernel OilPhenoxyethanolDisodium Stearoyl GlutamateCaprylyl GlycolEthylene BrassylateDimethicone/Bis-Isobutyl PPG-20 CrosspolymerSilicaSorbitan SesquioleateEvodia Rutaecarpa Fruit ExtractEthylhexylglycerinHexylene GlycolCellulose GumTetrahexyldecyl AscorbateTocopheryl AcetateAluminum HydroxideRetinyl PalmitateRhodiola Rosea Root ExtractSodium HyaluronateBHTRosmarinus Officinalis Leaf ExtractTocopherolCi 77491Ci 77492Ci 77499Ci 77891

Skim through

Ingredients explained

Aqua

Solvent, main base; microbial control is critical

Cyclopentasiloxane

Cyclopentasiloxane for emollient/solvent; volatile silicone, smooth feel, check VOC regulations.

PEG-10 Dimethicone

Modified silicone for silky feel and shine; PEG structure aids O/W emulsification, used in hair and skin care.

Isododecane

Synthetic hydrocarbon solvent providing dry, silky skin feel; high volatility, non-comedogenic, common in sunscreens and foundations, usage 5-30%.

Butylene Glycol

Polyol humectant and solvent at 1–5%; aids solubilization, light feel

Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate

UVA absorber used with other filters; poor water stability and photolability, requires light stabilizers, max concentration typically 10%.

Acrylates/Polytrimethylsiloxymethacrylate Copolymer

Crosslinked silicone polymer; film former for matte finish and longevity in makeup.

Propanediol

Polyol solvent at 1–5%; light feel, aids solubilization, propylene glycol alternative

Cyclohexasiloxane

Volatile cyclic silicone evaporating without residue; ensure compliance with EU limits on cyclic polydimethylsiloxanes, use octamer

Cetyl PEG/PPG-10/1 Dimethicone

Silicone surfactant, smooth and mild; regulates rheology and adds antistatic benefits

Isodecyl Neopentanoate

Volatile dry ester for make-up/emulsions; fast-drying, non-greasy, seal to prevent weight loss.

Polymethylsilsesquioxane

Silicone polymer for emolliency, matte effect, and suspension; used in foundations or powder suspensions, typical usage 1-5%, smooth skin feel.

Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil

Sunflower seed oil for emollient/occlusive; high linoleic acid, low comedogenicity.

Disteardimonium Hectorite

Inorganic ionic clay thickener at 0.25-1%; water/oil/solvent systems, rheology control, avoid strong acids, may affect active release.

Magnesium Sulfate

Bulk agent at 0.1–1%; highly water-soluble, avoid high local concentration.

Schinziophyton Rautanenii Kernel Oil

Not decoded yet

Phenoxyethanol

Broad-spectrum preservative at ≤1%; may irritate sensitive eye areas, often paired with ethylhexylglycerin

Disodium Stearoyl Glutamate

Amino acid-based mild cleanser with fine foam; water-soluble.

Caprylyl Glycol

Polyol conditioner and preservative booster at 0.5–3%; emollient feel, often paired with 1,2-hexanediol

Ethylene Brassylate

Ethylene brassylate for fragrance and toning; potential sensitizer

Dimethicone/Bis-Isobutyl PPG-20 Crosspolymer

Synthetic polymer for smooth feel and viscosity control; requires homogenization, compatible with silicones.

Silica

Silica powder at 1–10%; absorbs oil, thickens, provides matte finish, for oil-control products

Sorbitan Sesquioleate

Non-ionic emulsifier for O/W or W/O systems; moderate emulsification power, often used with co-emulsifiers

Evodia Rutaecarpa Fruit Extract

Evodia fruit extract for skin conditioning; bitter, alkaloid-rich, avoid long-term acidic compatibility

Ethylhexylglycerin

Mild conditioner and preservative booster at 0.5–1%; reduces preservative load, smooth feel

Hexylene Glycol

Polyol solvent and humectant with penetration enhancement; limit concentration to avoid irritation, no specific allergen tag

Cellulose Gum

Cellulose gum, water-soluble thickener/stabilizer; may destabilize with cationics, hydrate first.

Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate

Lipophilic Vitamin C derivative, antioxidant and brightening; more stable than VC, oil-soluble, must pair with oil phase

Tocopheryl Acetate

Vitamin E derivative antioxidant at 0.1–1%; more stable than tocopherol, store protected from light

Aluminum Hydroxide

Aluminum hydroxide for emollient/thickening; opacifier, used in antiperspirants, particulate risk.

Retinyl Palmitate

Vitamin A ester for skin conditioning; light-sensitive, requires protection, avoid in pregnancy.

Rhodiola Rosea Root Extract

Not decoded yet

Sodium Hyaluronate

Potent humectant at 0.1–2%; different MW for penetration depth, high levels may draw moisture

BHT

Lipophilic antioxidant at 0.01-0.05%; ineffective with acidic systems, label-sensitive, check regulatory limits as preservative alternative.

Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract

Plant extract containing rosmarinic acid etc., with antioxidant and antimicrobial properties; may contain allergenic fragrances, patch test for sensitive skin, typical concentration <1%.

Tocopherol

Natural antioxidant (vitamin E) at 0.1–1%; prone to oxidation, store protected from light

Ci 77491

Iron oxides red; physical pigment. Coloring and photo-protective, stable and non-irritating.

Ci 77492

Iron oxide red; stable inorganic pigment, non-toxic; ensure dispersion to prevent sedimentation.

Ci 77499

Inorganic colorant manganese dioxide used in cosmetics; restricted use component subject to regulatory limits.

Ci 77891

Titanium dioxide inorganic pigment and UV filter; assess inhalation risk for nano-forms and EU restrictions

Related products in this category

• avon Avon Mark MagiX Setting Spray
• korres Korres Lip Oil
• makeup-revolution Makeup Revolution Conceal & Define Full Coverage Foundation
• elizabeth-arden Elizabeth Arden Beautiful Color Radiance Blush
• elizabeth-arden Elizabeth Arden High Performance Blurring Loose Powder
• elizabeth-arden Elizabeth Arden Flawless Finish Skincaring Concealer