Clinique UV Solutions Mattifying Sunscreen SPF 50
Sunscreen formula unlikely to contain PFAS; no ingredient disclosure.
Clinique doesn't disclose PFAS status for this formula. Standard UV sunscreen recipes rarely need PFAS, though silicone polymers are included.
The safe swap
Goddess Garden
Goddess Garden Natural Sunscreen SPF 30 6 oz
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 sunscreen base (oxybenzone/avobenzone active ingredients, water, glycerin, silicones)
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.
Endocrine disruptors
Oxybenzone is absorbed through skin and has shown weak estrogenic activity in some in vitro and animal studies. Regulatory agencies (FDA, EU) have not restricted use, but systemic absorption is documented; risk is primarily with chronic daily use over extended periods.
Source: NIEHS ↗Avobenzone photodegradation
Avobenzone breaks down rapidly under UV exposure, reducing sunscreen efficacy after one to two hours unless stabilizers are present. Clinique formulations typically include photostabilizers, but incomplete photostability remains a known limitation of this UV filter.
Fragrance allergens (undisclosed components)
Clinique UV Solutions lists 'fragrance' as a single ingredient without component breakdown. Fragrance mixtures may contain undisclosed allergens (e.g., limonene, linalool); sensitive individuals may experience contact dermatitis or photosensitivity.
What’s reassuring
Silicone accumulation on skin
Silicones in this emulsion base do not penetrate skin or systemic absorption is documented; no established hazard from topical accumulation. Some users report occlusive feel or clogged pores with repeated use, but this is a tolerance issue, not a chemical safety concern.
Heavy metals
This mattifying sunscreen likely contains no intentional colorants or pigments; standard emulsion bases do not pose heavy metal risk. Clinique operates under cosmetic safety regulations requiring contaminant testing.
Source: FDA ↗The full breakdown
What it's made of and why it matters
This sunscreen uses oxybenzone and avobenzone as chemical UV absorbers, suspended in an emulsified base of water, glycerin, and silicones. Oxybenzone has raised endocrine-disruption concerns in some studies, but regulatory agencies (FDA, EU) maintain approved-use status at current concentrations. The silicone and glycerin base are inert humectants with minimal absorption hazard; the emulsion formula allows even application and water resistance without high volatile organic compound (VOC) load typical of spray formulations.
The brand's record and disclosure
Clinique is a subsidiary of Estee Lauder and maintains basic ingredient disclosure on product labels and online; full supplier transparency is limited. The brand has not faced major safety recalls or public ingredient controversies specific to this sunscreen line. Clinique does not publish independent safety or PFAS testing; reliance on regulatory approval rather than third-party certification is standard for the mass-market cosmetics tier.
How it compares in its category
Chemical sunscreens like this occupy the middle ground: they absorb UV across broad spectra, are lightweight, and blend invisibly into skin. Mineral (zinc/titanium) alternatives offer lower bioabsorption risk but leave visible cast and are grittier. This product is more convenient than mineral options but carries slightly higher endocrine-concern data; both types are FDA-approved and widely used.
If you buy it
Apply generously (quarter-teaspoon face, full teaspoon body) and reapply every two hours or after water exposure. Store in a cool, dry place away from direct heat; sunscreen efficacy degrades in high temperatures and prolonged sunlight. Discard unused portions after one year or if separation, discoloration, or odor changes occur. Do not ingest; discontinue use if skin irritation or rash develops within 24 hours.
What we don’t know
- Basis
- Model estimate, 45% 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.