Clinique City Block Sheer Oil-Free Daily Face Protector SPF 25
Lower concern; standard sunscreen with no known PFAS signals.
This oil-free sunscreen lacks documented waterproofing treatments or Teflon-family coating coatings. No public PFAS claims or warning signs exist.
We flunk more products than we pass. This one earned its grade. How we grade
Material
aqueous emulsion sunscreen; no Teflon-type coating or known Teflon-family coating
Lab data
No public lab test
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What Clinique City Block Sheer Protector SPF is made of, ingredients and materials
City Block is an oil-free aqueous emulsion sunscreen, meaning it's a water-based formula with UV-filtering minerals or organic compounds suspended in emulsifier and water. The 'sheer' formulation suggests light polymers or silicones to reduce residue, which is typical for face products and poses no documented toxicity risk at use levels. No Teflon-type coating, heavy metal pigments, or known synthetic hormone disruptors are flagged in available product disclosures or third-party monitoring for this specific product.
What’s concerning
Category baseline
The starting point for this type of product, before anything specific to this product is counted.
No PFAS disclosure
No public statement from the brand about PFAS in this product.
Fragrance sensitization / contact allergens
City Block includes fragrance compounds as standard; while cosmetic fragrances are regulated, individual sensitivity varies. No specific allergen incidents are on record for this product, but fragrance is the most common cosmetic irritant across all users.
Endocrine disruptors
If the product contains organic (carbon-based) UV absorbers rather than mineral blockers, some evidence suggests systemic absorption is possible with frequent use. FDA and EU differ on safety thresholds; at typical facial application rates, risk is low, but absorption potential exists and is not eliminated by brand disclosure.
Source, NIEHS ↗What’s reassuring
Base material not linked to PFAS
The main material recorded for this product is not one associated with PFAS.
Heavy metals
No cadmium, lead, or antimony pigmentation issues are reported for this product or comparable Clinique formulations. Standard cosmetic pigments used in face products are tested for heavy metal content under cosmetic regulations.
Source, FDA ↗Formaldehyde / VOCs
Modern cosmetics, especially from major brands, have phased out DMDM hydantoin and imidazolidinyl urea. Clinique products are not flagged in preservative safety audits as problematic on this front.
Source, ATSDR ↗Talc contamination (asbestos risk)
This product is a liquid aqueous emulsion, not a powder; talc use is not applicable. Talc-based powders carry residual asbestos risk, but City Block does not fall into that category.
How is this PFAS grade calculated?
The brand's record and disclosure
Clinique (Estee Lauder subsidiary) maintains standard cosmetic disclosure and operates under FDA oversight. The brand does not publicly disclose PFAS testing or mitigation, consistent with most mainstream cosmetics manufacturers. No recalls or substantiated safety controversies specific to this product line are on record. The brand's general practice is reformulation for safety when regulatory or market pressure arises, rather than pre-emptive transparency.
How it compares in its category
Daily facial sunscreens vary widely in concern level; oil-free aqueous formulas like this are lower-risk than those with talc fillers or heavy fragrance loads. Mineral-only alternatives (zinc oxide/titanium dioxide) eliminate organic UV filter concerns entirely but may leave visible residue. City Block sits in the middle-ground, standard synthetic UV filters with established safety at cosmetic doses, standard emulsifier systems, and no additives flagged for accumulation risk.
If you buy it
Apply as directed (usually quarter-teaspoon for face) and reapply every 2 hours if in direct sun or swimming. Store in cool, dry conditions away from direct sunlight to prevent emulsion breakdown. Discontinue immediately if rash, stinging, or irritation develops; fragrance sensitivity is rare but possible in any cosmetic. Replace when separation occurs or after 12 months of opening, as emulsifier stability can degrade.
What is not known about PFAS in this product?
- Basis
- Model estimate, 72% confidence, not a lab result
- Lab test
- None on record for this exact product
- Brand statement
- Clinique has made a specific claim
Formulations change between production runs, so check the current label. How we grade.
What are the PFAS-free alternatives to Clinique City Block Sheer Oil-Free Daily Face Protector SPF 25?
- Mineral sunscreen, zinc oxide base
- A third party reports verifying it as PFAS-free
- 1,4-dioxane (non-intentional contaminant from surfactants/emulsifiers)
2 hazards checked on this product, all on its full breakdown.
- mineral sunscreen (zinc oxide or titanium dioxide base)
- The brand calls it PFAS-free, which we have not verified
- Synthetic fragrance allergens
More sunscreen grades
How we score, every product runs through the same public 0-100 rubric based on materials, coatings, brand disclosure, lab findings, and recalls. See the full methodology → Spotted a mistake? Report an error.