Paula's Choice Anti-Aging Oil-Free Sunscreen SPF50

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. Water
2. Glycerin
3. Silica
4. Dimethicone
5. Tocopherol
6. Chamomilla Recutita Flower Extract
7. Vitis vinifera Seed Extract
8. Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
9. Camellia Oleifera Leaf Extract
10. Peucedanum Graveolens Extract
11. Sambucus Nigra Fruit Extract
12. Avena Sativa Bran Extract
13. Punica Granatum Extract
14. Lycium Barbarum Fruit Extract
15. Hydrogenated lecithin
16. Titanium Dioxide
17. Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer
18. Diethylhexyl syringylidene malonate
19. Potassium Sorbate
20. Sodium Benzoate
21. Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer
22. Xanthan Gum
23. Sodium carbomer
24. Benzyl Alcohol
25. Phenoxyethanol

Highlights

Free of parabensFree of sulfatesFree of mineral oilFree of formaldehyde releasersContains siliconesContains essential oilsContains fragranceContains animal-derivedContains alcoholContains EU-26 allergens

Key ingredients

ANTIPLAQUE

Water

DENATURANT

Glycerin

ABRASIVE

Silica

ANTIFOAMING

Dimethicone

ANTIOXIDANT

Tocopherol

FRAGRANCE

Chamomilla Recutita Flower Extract

ANTI-SEBORRHEIC

Vitis vinifera Seed Extract

ANTIMICROBIAL

Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract

Other ingredients

Camellia Oleifera Leaf ExtractPeucedanum Graveolens ExtractSambucus Nigra Fruit ExtractAvena Sativa Bran ExtractPunica Granatum ExtractLycium Barbarum Fruit ExtractHydrogenated lecithinTitanium DioxideDimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone CrosspolymerDiethylhexyl syringylidene malonatePotassium SorbateSodium BenzoateHydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate CopolymerXanthan GumSodium carbomerBenzyl AlcoholPhenoxyethanol

Skim through

Ingredients explained

Water

Primary solvent and base; requires preservative system to prevent microbial growth

Glycerin

Workhorse humectant at 3–10%; tacky at high levels, pair with occlusives

Silica

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

Dimethicone

Silicone occlusive at 1–5%; provides smooth feel, non-penetrating, suitable for sensitive skin

Tocopherol

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

Chamomilla Recutita Flower Extract

Plant extract, soothing properties; contains natural allergens, high levels may irritate.

Vitis vinifera Seed Extract

Grape seed extract with OPCs; potent antioxidant; used for skin protection and UV support; needs stabilizers.

Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract

Green tea extract for antioxidant/astringent; contains caffeine, possible irritation in sensitive skin.

Camellia Oleifera Leaf Extract

Camellia oleifera leaf extract containing tea polyphenols; acts as astringent and skin conditioner, monitor raw material consistency.

Peucedanum Graveolens Extract

Peucedanum Graveolens extract containing coumarins; photosensitivity risk, avoid high concentrations with sun exposure.

Sambucus Nigra Fruit Extract

Elderberry extract, astringent <5%; anthocyanins, light-sensitive

Avena Sativa Bran Extract

Oat bran; physical exfoliant, control particle size for safety

Punica Granatum Extract

Pomegranate extract containing polyphenols; offers antioxidant and skin-protecting properties, often used in brightening formulas.

Lycium Barbarum Fruit Extract

Lycium barbarum extract; astringent and conditioner. Use at 1-2%; contains polysaccharides and antioxidants.

Hydrogenated lecithin

Emulsifier from lecithin; stable, used in powder emulsions

Titanium Dioxide

Physical UV filter and colorant up to 25%; nano form requires attention

Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer

Crosslinked silicone thickener at 0.5-2%; silky/matte feel, non-comedogenic, partial oil phase incompatibility, use co-solvent/pre-emulsification.

Diethylhexyl syringylidene malonate

Not decoded yet

Potassium Sorbate

Preservative effective below pH 6; combinable with sodium benzoate

Sodium Benzoate

Preservative booster, effective below pH 4.5; combinable with sorbates

Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer

High-molecular-weight thickener and emulsion stabilizer; requires electrolytes or acid adjustment near isoelectric point for optimal performance.

Xanthan Gum

Natural thickener at 0.1–1%; provides gel texture, pH-stable, requires full hydration

Sodium carbomer

Carbomer sodium, strong gelling agent; requires neutralization, high thickening power, may interact with cationic actives.

Benzyl Alcohol

Mild preservative/solvent at 0.5-1.0%; EU allergen (labeling required), irritation risk if concentrated, avoid in infant/highly sensitive skin.

Phenoxyethanol

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