Close
Know Your Environment. Protect Your Health.
EWG Home EWG’s Skin Deep EWG'S GUIDE TO HEALTHY CLEANING Healthy Living App Open menu

EWG's Guide to Sunscreens®
EWG Research FAQ Info
DONATE








EWG's Top-rated Sunscreens




EWG's Sunscreen Report




EWG Verified®

EWG Verified® SPF products
meet EWG's strict, scientific standards for
transparency and health.


SEE THEM ALL



Advanced Search

Close
Find your sunscreen
Filter your search

Limit Results

Sort results






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 Daily Moisturizing Lotion, SPF 30

WHERE TO BUY

When you make a purchase through retailer links on our site, we may earn commission through affiliate programs. All affiliate fees EWG receives support our nonprofit mission. Learn more here

CATEGORY

daily use SPF

BRAND

Paula's Choice

DATA LAST UPDATED

March 24, 2023

Health Concerns

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

Efficacy Concerns

  • Caution We have flagged this product with 1 concerns
    Expand content Collapse content

    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.

DIMETHICONE
Data Availability: Limited
Expand content Collapse content
CONCERNS Use restrictions (moderate), Persistence and bioaccumulation (high), Non-reproductive organ system toxicity (moderate), Ecotoxicology (low)
LEARN MORE ABOUT THIS INGREDIENT
PHENOXYETHANOL
Data Availability: Limited
Expand content Collapse content
CONCERNS Allergies/immunotoxicity (low), Use restrictions (moderate), Non-reproductive organ system toxicity (moderate), Irritation (skin, eyes, or lungs) (high), Occupational hazards (high)
LEARN MORE ABOUT THIS INGREDIENT
CHLORPHENESIN
Data Availability: Fair
Expand content Collapse content
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
CYCLOPENTASILOXANE
Data Availability: Fair
Expand content Collapse content
CONCERNS Cancer (low), Neurotoxicity (low), Endocrine disruption (low), Persistence and bioaccumulation (high), Non-reproductive organ system toxicity (moderate), Ecotoxicology (low)
LEARN MORE ABOUT THIS INGREDIENT
PEG-100 STEARATE
Data Availability: Limited
Expand content Collapse content
CONCERNS Non-reproductive organ system toxicity (low), Contamination concerns (ETHYLENE OXIDE and 1,4-DIOXANE)
LEARN MORE ABOUT THIS INGREDIENT
TOCOPHERYL ACETATE
Data Availability: Fair
Expand content Collapse content
CONCERNS Cancer (low), Allergies/immunotoxicity (moderate), Contamination concerns (HYDROQUINONE)
LEARN MORE ABOUT THIS INGREDIENT
PEG-10 DIMETHICONE
Data Availability: Limited
Expand content Collapse content
CONCERNS Non-reproductive organ system toxicity (low), Contamination concerns (ETHYLENE OXIDE and 1,4-DIOXANE)
LEARN MORE ABOUT THIS INGREDIENT
PEG-10 PHYTOSTEROL
Data Availability: Limited
Expand content Collapse content
CONCERNS Non-reproductive organ system toxicity (low), Contamination concerns (ETHYLENE OXIDE and 1,4-DIOXANE)
LEARN MORE ABOUT THIS INGREDIENT
ALUMINA
Data Availability: Good
Expand content Collapse content
CONCERNS Cancer (low), Allergies/immunotoxicity (high), Enhanced skin absorption, Persistence and bioaccumulation (moderate), Non-reproductive organ system toxicity (moderate)
LEARN MORE ABOUT THIS INGREDIENT
OLETH-2 POLYSORBATE 20
Data Availability: Limited
Expand content Collapse content
CONCERNS Non-reproductive organ system toxicity (low), Contamination concerns (ETHYLENE OXIDE and 1,4-DIOXANE)
LEARN MORE ABOUT THIS INGREDIENT
TITANIUM DIOXIDE (SUNSCREEN GRADE) active ingredient 3.9%
Data Availability: Good
Expand content Collapse content
CONCERNS Cancer (moderate), Allergies/immunotoxicity (low), Enhanced skin absorption, 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
ZINC OXIDE(SUNSCREEN GRADE) active ingredient 3.1%
Data Availability: Good
Expand content Collapse content
CONCERNS Cancer (low), Allergies/immunotoxicity (moderate), Enhanced skin absorption, 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
GLYCERIN
Data Availability: Good
Expand content Collapse content
CONCERNS Use restrictions (moderate)
LEARN MORE ABOUT THIS INGREDIENT
HYDROGENATED LECITHIN
Data Availability: Limited
Expand content Collapse content
CONCERNS Enhanced skin absorption, Use restrictions (low), Contamination concerns (NITROSAMINES)
LEARN MORE ABOUT THIS INGREDIENT
ETHYLHEXYLGLYCERIN
Data Availability: Limited
Expand content Collapse content
CONCERNS Allergies/immunotoxicity (low), Non-reproductive organ system toxicity (moderate), Ecotoxicology (low), Irritation (skin, eyes, or lungs) (high)
LEARN MORE ABOUT THIS INGREDIENT
WATER
Data Availability: Robust
Expand content Collapse content
CONCERNS
LEARN MORE ABOUT THIS INGREDIENT
C12-15 ALKYL BENZOATE
Data Availability: Limited
Expand content Collapse content
CONCERNS Allergies/immunotoxicity (low), Irritation (skin, eyes, or lungs) (low)
LEARN MORE ABOUT THIS INGREDIENT
ISONONYL ISONONANOATE
Data Availability: Limited
Expand content Collapse content
CONCERNS Use restrictions (low)
LEARN MORE ABOUT THIS INGREDIENT
PRUNUS ARMENIACA (APRICOT) OIL
Data Availability: Limited
Expand content Collapse content
CONCERNS
LEARN MORE ABOUT THIS INGREDIENT
GLYCERYL MONOSTEARATE
Data Availability: Limited
Expand content Collapse content
CONCERNS
LEARN MORE ABOUT THIS INGREDIENT
BUTYLENE GLYCOL
Data Availability: Limited
Expand content Collapse content
CONCERNS Irritation (skin, eyes, or lungs) (moderate)
LEARN MORE ABOUT THIS INGREDIENT
PENTYLENE GLYCOL
Data Availability: Limited
Expand content Collapse content
CONCERNS Allergies/immunotoxicity (low), Enhanced skin absorption, Irritation (skin, eyes, or lungs) (low)
LEARN MORE ABOUT THIS INGREDIENT
CETEARYL ALCOHOL
Data Availability: Limited
Expand content Collapse content
CONCERNS
LEARN MORE ABOUT THIS INGREDIENT
GLYCINE SOJA (SOYBEAN) STEROLS
Data Availability: Limited
Expand content Collapse content
CONCERNS Developmental/reproductive toxicity (low)
LEARN MORE ABOUT THIS INGREDIENT
VP/ EICOSENE COPOLYMER
Data Availability: Limited
Expand content Collapse content
CONCERNS
LEARN MORE ABOUT THIS INGREDIENT
AVENA SATIVA (OAT) KERNEL EXTRACT
Data Availability: Fair
Expand content Collapse content
CONCERNS Allergies/immunotoxicity (low), Use restrictions (low)
LEARN MORE ABOUT THIS INGREDIENT
SODIUM HYALURONATE
Data Availability: Fair
Expand content Collapse content
CONCERNS
LEARN MORE ABOUT THIS INGREDIENT
ALLANTOIN
Data Availability: Fair
Expand content Collapse content
CONCERNS
LEARN MORE ABOUT THIS INGREDIENT
TETRAHEXYLDECYL ASCORBATE
Data Availability: None
Expand content Collapse content
CONCERNS
LEARN MORE ABOUT THIS INGREDIENT
SUPEROXIDE DISMUTASE
Data Availability: Fair
Expand content Collapse content
CONCERNS
LEARN MORE ABOUT THIS INGREDIENT
UBIQUINONE
Data Availability: Fair
Expand content Collapse content
CONCERNS
LEARN MORE ABOUT THIS INGREDIENT
CERAMIDE NG
Data Availability: Limited
Expand content Collapse content
CONCERNS
LEARN MORE ABOUT THIS INGREDIENT
METHICONE
Data Availability: Limited
Expand content Collapse content
CONCERNS
LEARN MORE ABOUT THIS INGREDIENT
PALMITOYL HEXAPEPTIDE 12
Data Availability: None
Expand content Collapse content
CONCERNS
LEARN MORE ABOUT THIS INGREDIENT
CUCUMIS SATIVUS (CUCUMBER) FRUIT EXTRACT
Data Availability: Fair
Expand content Collapse content
CONCERNS
LEARN MORE ABOUT THIS INGREDIENT
CAPRYLIC/CAPRIC TRIGLYCERIDE
Data Availability: Limited
Expand content Collapse content
CONCERNS
LEARN MORE ABOUT THIS INGREDIENT
TRIBEHENIN
Data Availability: Limited
Expand content Collapse content
CONCERNS Enhanced skin absorption
LEARN MORE ABOUT THIS INGREDIENT
SORBITAN STEARATE
Data Availability: Limited
Expand content Collapse content
CONCERNS
LEARN MORE ABOUT THIS INGREDIENT
POLYHYDROXYSTEARIC ACID
Data Availability: None
Expand content Collapse content
CONCERNS
LEARN MORE ABOUT THIS INGREDIENT
ALUMINUM STEARATE
Data Availability: Limited
Expand content Collapse content
CONCERNS Allergies/immunotoxicity (low), Use restrictions (low), Non-reproductive organ system toxicity (low), Multiple, additive exposure sources (low), Irritation (skin, eyes, or lungs) (low)
LEARN MORE ABOUT THIS INGREDIENT
XANTHAN GUM
Data Availability: Fair
Expand content Collapse content
CONCERNS
LEARN MORE ABOUT THIS INGREDIENT
CAPRYLYL GLYCOL
Data Availability: Limited
Expand content Collapse content
CONCERNS
LEARN MORE ABOUT THIS INGREDIENT
DISODIUM EDTA
Data Availability: Fair
Expand content Collapse content
CONCERNS Enhanced skin absorption
LEARN MORE ABOUT THIS INGREDIENT

Ingredients from label

Active Ingredients: Titanium Dioxide 3.85%, Zinc Oxide 3.12% (mineral sunscreens). Other Ingredients: Water (Aqua), C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate (emollient/texture-enhancing), Isononyl Isononanoate (texture-enhancing), Prunus Armeniaca Kernel Oil (apricot oil/non-fragrant oil/emollient), Cyclopentasiloxane (hydration/texture-enhancing), Glyceryl Stearate (emollient/texture-enhancing), PEG-100 Stearate (emollient/texture-enhancing), Butylene Glycol (hydration), Pentylene Glycol (hydration), Cetearyl Alcohol (emollient/texture-enhancing), Dimethicone (hydration), Glycine Soja Sterols (emollient), VP/Eicosene Copolymer (texture-enhancing), Avena Sativa Kernel Extract (oat extract/skin-soothing), Glycerin (hydration/skin replenishing), Sodium Hyaluronate (hydration/skin replenishing), Allantoin (skin-soothing) , Tocopheryl Acetate (antioxidant), Hydrogenated Lecithin (skin-restoring), Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate (vitamin C/antioxidant), Superoxide Dismutase (antioxidant), Ubiquinone (antioxidant), Ceramide NG (hydration/skin replenishing), Methicone (hydration), Palmitoyl Hexapeptide-12 (skin-restoring), PEG-10 Dimethicone (texture-enhancing), Cucumis Sativus Fruit Extract (cucumber extract/skin-soothing), Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride (emollient/texture-enhancing), Tribehenin (skin-restoring), PEG-10 Phytosterol (texture-enhancing), Sorbitan Stearate (texture-enhancing), Polyhydroxystearic Acid (texture-enhancing), Alumina (texture-enhancing), Polysorbate 20 (texture-enhancing), Aluminum Stearate (texture-enhancing), Xanthan Gum (texture-enhancing), Caprylyl Glycol (preservative), Disodium EDTA (stabilizer), Ethylhexylglycerin (preservative), Phenoxyethanol (preservative), Chlorphenesin (preservative).

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.

Score 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.







EWG Research
on the Go

Find personal care, cleaning, and food products on the EWG Healthy Living app.

DOWNLOAD THE APP