Does Clinique sunscreen have PFAS?
PFAS Authority is a scoring system, not a laboratory. We do not test products ourselves. Grades are model-based, built from published ingredients, materials, certifications, brand disclosures and third-party lab results where they exist. See the rubric.
We graded 8 Clinique sunscreen products, averaging Good (61/100). 4 of them grade Good or better. Against the other 29 sunscreen brands we grade, where the middle brand sits at 64/100, Clinique is about typical, scoring above 45% of them.
Clinique sunscreen worth buying Good or better, safest first
Clinique
UV Solutions Hydrating Sunscreen SPF 50
Water-based emulsion, mineral sunscreen filters (zinc oxide/titanium dioxide)
Fragrance allergens / sensitizers
Clinique sunscreens typically contain fragrance compounds; no specific allergen data…
Nanoparticle inhalation risk (zinc oxide / titanium dioxide aerosolization)
Zinc oxide and titanium dioxide in sunscreen are typically micronized, not nano-scale…
Skin irritation or photosensitivity from mineral filter interaction
Rare but documented in individuals with extremely sensitive skin or those using…
Lower PFAS concern; no waterproof coating technology present.
⚠Risky category by default
Clinique
Mineral Sunscreen Fluid for Face
Mineral UV filters (titanium dioxide, zinc oxide), emollients
Fragrance allergens and irritants
Clinique Mineral Sunscreen Fluid does contain fragrance (listed as 'fragrance' without…
Lower concern; mineral base without waterproofing claims present.
⚠Risky category by default
Clinique
SPF 50 Body Cream
Emulsified creams, oils, humectants (typical body lotion base)
Fragrance allergens and sensitizers
Clinique does not publicly disclose fragrance allergens (citral, limonene, linalool…
UV actives photoallergy or photosensitivity
Avobenzone and octinoxate, common in chemical sunscreens, can trigger photoallergic…
Emulsifier or surfactant irritation
Oil-in-water creams rely on surfactants and emulsifiers (e.g., cetyl alcohol, stearic…
Lower concern; no known PFAS triggers in standard base.
⚠Risky category by default
Clinique
City Block Sheer Oil-Free Daily Face Protector SPF 25
aqueous emulsion sunscreen; no Teflon-type coating or known Teflon-family coating
Fragrance sensitization / contact allergens
City Block includes fragrance compounds as standard; while cosmetic fragrances are…
Endocrine disruptors
If the product contains organic (carbon-based) UV absorbers rather than mineral blockers…
Lower concern; standard sunscreen with no known PFAS signals.
⚠Risky category by default
Graded and flagged Poor and Bad, we’d swap these
Clinique
UV Solutions Mattifying Sunscreen SPF 50
Emulsified sunscreen base (oxybenzone/avobenzone active ingredients, water, glycerin, silicones)
Endocrine disruptors
Oxybenzone is absorbed through skin and has shown weak estrogenic activity in some in…
Avobenzone photodegradation
Avobenzone breaks down rapidly under UV exposure, reducing sunscreen efficacy after one…
Fragrance allergens (undisclosed components)
Clinique UV Solutions lists 'fragrance' as a single ingredient without component…
Sunscreen formula unlikely to contain PFAS; no ingredient disclosure.
⚠Risky category by default
Clinique
Superdefense City Block Daily Energy + Face Protector SPF 50
emulsified water + oils, pigments, actives
Fragrance allergens and undisclosed ingredients
Clinique lists 'fragrance' as a single ingredient without itemizing component allergens.…
Chemical UV filter skin penetration
If the formula uses oxybenzone or octinoxate (common in US sunscreens), systemic…
Emulsion stability and ingredient leaching over time
Oil-water emulsions can degrade with heat or age, potentially releasing separated oil…
No public PFAS commitment; typical formula carries uncertain risk.
⚠Risky category by default
Clinique
UV Solutions Brightening + Tinted Sunscreen
sunscreen lotion with unspecified waterproof binders
Fragrance allergens and undisclosed fragrance components
Clinique sunscreens typically contain fragrance, which is listed as a single ingredient…
1,4-dioxane as a trace contaminant in surfactants and emulsifiers
Waterproof lotion formulas rely on ethoxylated emulsifiers and surfactants that can carry…
Formaldehyde / VOCs
Waterproof lotions require robust preservation; some formulas use imidazolidinyl urea or…
Waterproof formula raises concern; Clinique silent on PFAS status.
⚠Waterproof or stain-proof treatment
Clinique
Sun Protection Face Cream
emulsion base with waterproofing additives
PFAS
Waterproof cosmetics formulations commonly use fluorinated polymers or perfluorinated…
Preservative allergens and sensitizers
Emulsion-based cosmetics require preservatives; common ones (parabens, phenoxyethanol…
UV filter skin penetration
Chemical UV absorbers (oxybenzone, avobenzone, octinoxate) have been detected in systemic…
Fragrance/essential oil allergenicity
Clinique Sun Protection Face Cream contains fragrance; the brand does not typically…
Waterproof cosmetics carry PFAS risk; no brand disclosure given.
⚠Waterproof or stain-proof treatment
Better sunscreen from other brands
Graded higher than the Clinique average of 61.
Goddess Garden
Natural Sunscreen SPF 30 6 oz
mineral-based UV filters, plant-derived waxes
Fragrance allergens and undisclosed fragrance components
Limited concern
Skin irritation or photosensitivity from plant oils
Limited concern
Lower-concern mineral sunscreen backed by credible PFAS-exclusion certification.
✓Verified PFAS-free by a third party
Raw Elements
Eco Formula SPF 30 Sunscreen
mineral sunscreen (zinc oxide, titanium dioxide)
Heavy metals
Limited concern
Photocatalytic activity of titanium dioxide in sunlight
Limited concern
Skin irritation or sensitivity to mineral film
Limited concern
Low risk. Mineral sunscreen backed by third-party verification, no fluorochemical history.
✓Verified PFAS-free by a third party
Raw Elements
Face & Body Sunscreen Tin SPF 30
mineral sunscreen (zinc oxide/titanium dioxide), tin packaging
Epoxy resin coating in tin lining
Limited concern
Fragrance allergens
Limited concern
Nano particle inhalation from loose powder form
Limited concern
Low risk. Mineral formula plus explicit PFAS-free stance and certs lower concern.
✓Verified PFAS-free by a third party
See every Clinique product we grade on the Clinique brand page, or the full sunscreen ranking.