Clinique Superdefense City Block Daily Energy + Face Protector SPF 50
No public PFAS commitment; typical formula carries uncertain risk.
Clinique offers no PFAS disclosure for this sunscreen. Cosmetic UV products occasionally use fluorinated ingredients, but no lab data confirms PFAS presence here.
The safe swap
Raw Elements
Raw Elements Plastic Free Sunscreen Pack SPF 30
100/100 safety
Same rubric that flunked this product. The swap earned Excellent.
Still want this one anyway? Check the price on Amazon. We’d swap it.
Material
emulsified water + oils, pigments, actives
Brand disclosure
Brand is silent on PFAS
Lab data
No public lab test
What’s concerning
No PFAS disclosure
The company has not publicly discussed PFAS in this product.
Category baseline
cosmetics is a category where PFAS exposure is more common.
Fragrance allergens and undisclosed ingredients
Clinique lists 'fragrance' as a single ingredient without itemizing component allergens. Contact dermatitis from fragrance is common in facial sunscreens; individuals with sensitive skin or eczema may react. No specific recalls for this product exist.
Chemical UV filter skin penetration
If the formula uses oxybenzone or octinoxate (common in US sunscreens), systemic absorption via skin is documented in safety literature, though clinical significance remains debated. Clinique does not publicly specify which UV filters are used; ingredient lists should confirm presence of these agents.
Emulsion stability and ingredient leaching over time
Oil-water emulsions can degrade with heat or age, potentially releasing separated oil phases that may carry lipophilic actives or preservatives at higher concentrations. Proper storage (cool, dark, sealed) mitigates this risk.
What’s reassuring
Preservative contamination (1,4-dioxane)
1,4-dioxane, a common byproduct in ethoxylated cosmetic ingredients, is not specifically reported in Clinique sunscreens. However, emulsified creams often contain polysorbate or ceteareth compounds that may carry trace dioxane; regulatory limits exist but are not zero.
Heavy metals
No public recalls or testing reports document lead, cadmium, or arsenic in Clinique Superdefense formulations. Pigments and plant extracts are the typical vectors; Estée Lauder's manufacturing standards generally align with FDA and EU cosmetic regulations.
Source: FDA ↗The full breakdown
What it's made of and why it matters
Clinique Superdefense City Block is an emulsified lotion combining water, mineral and organic UV filters (likely titanium dioxide and/or chemical absorbers), oils, and botanical extracts. The 'city block' formula includes antioxidants and peptides marketed for urban pollution defense. As a leave-on facial product, ingredient purity and photostability of UV actives matter more than cookware or textiles; repeated skin contact and potential ingestion via hand-to-mouth transfer are the relevant exposure routes.
The brand's record and disclosure
Clinique (Estée Lauder subsidiary) does not publish a public PFAS elimination commitment or third-party safety certifications (e.g., EWG Verified). The brand is not known for major contamination recalls, but maintains typical cosmetics industry transparency: full ingredient listings are available, though proprietary fragrance and extract blends are not itemized. No credible reports of formaldehyde releasers, talc contamination, or heavy metal pigment concerns specific to this line exist in public databases.
How it compares in its category
Daily facial sunscreens vary widely in chemical complexity. Clinique's offering sits mid-market: more ingredient-dense than mineral-only alternatives (zinc oxide, titanium dioxide), less minimalist than clinical brands. Many competitors at this price point use similar UV filter + antioxidant + fragrance combinations. No reliable category-wide data suggests this formula is safer or riskier than other department-store broad-spectrum SPF 50 options.
If you buy it
Apply generously to face and neck daily before sun exposure; do not heat or store above 25°C (77°F) to preserve UV filter stability. Discontinue use if skin irritation develops, particularly if you have sensitive skin or a history of cosmetic fragrance reactions. Replace after 12 months of opening or if the emulsion separates (oil-water split), which signals degradation. Patch test on inner arm first if allergy-prone.
What we don’t know
- Basis
- Model estimate, 42% confidence, not a lab result
- Lab test
- None on record for this exact product
- Brand statement
- Clinique has made none
Formulations change between production runs, so check the current label. How we grade.
Safer alternatives in Sunscreen
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
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.