Paula's Choice Lipscreen Broad Spectrum SPF 50

Paula's Choice Lipscreen Broad Spectrum SPF 50
5.0
/ 10
Moisturizing
0.0 Humectancy icon Humectancy
10.0 Occlusivity icon Occlusivity
50
SPF icon
SPF

Review

Does Paula's Choice Lipscreen Broad Spectrum SPF 50 work?

Based on the ingredient list analysis by CreamScan AI, these are the key benefits you can expect from using Paula's Choice Lipscreen Broad Spectrum SPF 50:

  • Strong occlusive moisturizing. This exceptionally occlusive moisturizer, ideal for dry and very dry skin, has a moderate moisturizing rating of 5.0 out of 10, impaired by the absence of humectants.
  • Very high sun protection for prolonged sun exposure, such as spending the day at the beach, hiking, or outdoor sports.

Moisturizer with the right occlusivity for very dry skin, ideally to be paired with a humectant-rich product

According to CreamScan analysis, Paula's Choice Lipscreen Broad Spectrum SPF 50 is quite moisturizing, with a moisturizing rating of 5.0 out of 10.

Is it more humectant or occlusive? It is purely occlusive. It has zero Humectancy (we didn't find any humectant ingredients on the ingredient list) and a maximum Occlusivity of 10 out of 10, primarily due to the high content of Hydrogenated Olive Oil (est. ≈45.0%) and Beeswax (est. ≈11.0%).

This type of product, when used as a standalone moisturizer, can deliver an exceptional level of occlusive hydration that is adequate for dry to very skin. The occlusive profile of Paula's Choice Lipscreen Broad Spectrum SPF 50 suggests a rich, thick texture, making it perfectly suited for dry skin.

However, it contains no humectants, and people with dry skin would definitely benefit from adding water-binding humectants to their moisturizing routine for effective dual-action moisturizing. If this is your only moisturizer, it may be worth including a humectant-rich product, such as a serum, in your skincare routine.

Please refer to the Ratings section below for details of the moisturizing rating calculation.

Very high sun protection for prolonged sun exposure, all skin types, and high-risk conditions

With an SPF of 50, Paula's Choice Lipscreen Broad Spectrum SPF 50 provides very high sun protection, suitable for intense sun exposure in tropical climates, beach vacations, or high-altitude environments.

This level of SPF blocks 98% or more of UVB rays, offering the highest level of defense against sunburn. Broad-spectrum formulations also provide strong protection against UVA rays, which are responsible for skin aging, pigmentation, and DNA damage.

For optimal protection, choose products labeled broad-spectrum to ensure defense against both UVA rays, which contribute to skin aging and pigmentation, and UVB rays that cause sunburn.

This level of SPF is ideal for all skin types, particularly fair, sensitive, or post-treatment skin (e.g., after laser or chemical procedures). It is also highly recommended for individuals at greater risk of skin cancer.

For extended outdoor activities or water exposure, choose a water-resistant formula and reapply every two hours for maximum effectiveness.

Ingredients

Est. % Ingredient Origin Functions
45
22
11
6
4
3
2
1.5
1
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
Est. %
Hydrogenated Olive Oil
Function:
Origin:
Polyglyceryl-3 Diisostearate
Function:
Origin:
Beeswax
Function:
Origin:
Ozokerite
Function:
Origin:
Homosalate
Function:
Origin:
Octisalate
Function:
Origin:
Polyethylene
Function:
Origin:
Avobenzone
Function:
Origin:
Microcrystalline Wax
Function:
Origin:
Octocrylene
Function:
Origin:
Theobroma Cacao (Cocoa) Seed Butter
Function:
Origin:
Silica
Function:
Origin:
Tocopheryl Acetate
Function:
Origin:
Butyrospermum Parkii (Shea) Butter Unsaponifiables
Function:
Origin:
Olea Europaea (Olive) Fruit Oil
Function:
Origin:
Tocopherol
Function:
Origin:
Hydrogenated Vegetable Glycerides Citrate
Function:
Origin:
Copernicia Cerifera (Carnauba) Wax
Function:
Origin:
Water
Function:
Origin:
Phenoxyethanol
Function:
Origin:

Ratings

All humectants
0.0
None
Benchmark
10
All occlusives
58.2
45.0
11.0
1.0
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
Benchmark
20
Moisturizing rating
5.0
Ingredient Est. % Benchmark Raiting
Humectancy All humectants 0.0 10
0.0
None
Occlusivity All occlusives 58.2 20
10.0
45.0
11.0
1.0
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
Moisturizing rating
5.0
Ingredient Est. % Benchmark Humectancy
None
All humectants 0.0 10
0.0
All humectants
0.0
None
Benchmark
10
Ingredient Est. % Benchmark Occlusivity
45
11
1
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
All occlusives 58.2 20
10.0
All occlusives
58.2
45.0
11.0
1.0
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
Benchmark
20
Ingredient
Ingredient anti-wrinkle power
when present at, %
in this formula est. %
Rating
None
Total
0
None
Anti-wrinkle rating
0
Ingredient Est. % Benchmark
Rich in Antioxidants
0.3
0.3
0.3
All antioxidants 0.9 3 No
All antioxidants
0.9
Tocopheryl Acetate
0.3
Olea Europaea (Olive) Fruit Oil
0.3
Tocopherol
0.3
Benchmark
3
Ingredient Est. % Benchmark
Rich in Soothing
None
All soothing 0 5 No
All soothing
0
None
Benchmark
5

Ingredients explained

Hydrogenated Olive Oil
Est. %45
Function
Origin
Hydrogenated Olive OilA transformed olive oil that is rich in occlusive moisturizing oleic and linoleic fatty acids. It also helps to thicken a formula.
Polyglyceryl-3 Diisostearate
Est. %22
Function
Origin
Polyglyceryl-3 DiisostearateA vegetable-based ingredient that stabilizes mixtures of oil and water.
Beeswax
Est. %11
Function
Origin
BeeswaxA waxy substance made by bees while they are building their honeycombs. It is an occlusive moisturizing and emollient ingredient with wound healing and antimicrobial properties similar to those of honey. Its bleached, purified form is called Cera alba.
Ozokerite
Est. %6
Function
Origin
OzokeriteA petroleum based wax that comes in a variety of forms, all with different melting points and therefore different performance and feel. Overall ozokerite is often used for solid products like lipsticks.
Homosalate
Est. %4
Function
Origin
HomosalateA synthetic chemical UV filter that protects against harmful UVB radiation.
Octisalate
Est. %3
Function
Origin
OctisalateA UVB sunscreen also known as ethylhexyl salicylate. It is normally paired with UVA sunscreens to provide broad-spectrum protection. Octisalate also protects other ingredients, like colorants and antioxidants, from deterioration due to exposure to UV light.
Polyethylene
Est. %2
Function
Origin
PolyethyleneCommonly used in dense plastic packaging, its primary function in skincare is as a film-forming agent, which protects the product from being easily rinsed away by water or sweat. It also controls viscosity by increasing the thickness of oily products.
Avobenzone
Est. %1.5
Function
Origin
AvobenzoneA popular sunscreen that protects against UVA rays, which cause premature aging and skin cancer. Avobenzone degrades after about 30 minutes of sun exposure and becomes ineffective. It is therefore often paired with UV-filter stabilizers such as octocrylene.
Microcrystalline Wax
Est. %1
Function
Origin
Microcrystalline WaxA white, highly purified, solid substance consisting of petroleum hydrocarbons. It is used in skincare as a strong occlusive and emollient similar to Petrolatum, and also as a formula helper that thickens and stabilizes the product.
Octocrylene
Est. %0.3
Function
Origin
OctocryleneA synthetic compound that protects skin against harmful ultraviolet light.
Theobroma Cacao (Cocoa) Seed Butter
Est. %0.3
Function
Origin
Theobroma Cacao (Cocoa) Seed ButterAlso known as cocoa seed butter, it is a popular emollient and occlusive moisturizer. Skincare products with cocoa butter as their main ingredient have a sweet, chocolatey scent. Cocoa butter is listed as a common comedogenic ingredient by acne.org.
Silica
Est. %0.3
Function
Origin
SilicaA widely used cosmetic ingredient with the same chemical composition as the sand found on beaches. A common function of silica is its ability to control viscosity. In certain chemical forms, it can effectively thicken cream-style products.
Tocopheryl Acetate
Est. %0.3
Function
Origin
Tocopheryl Acetate

An antioxidant derivative of tocopherol (vitamin E). It helps to protect cells from free radicals and UV damage through the conversion to active vitamin E in the skin. It is more stable than tocopherol.

Butyrospermum Parkii (Shea) Butter Unsaponifiables
Est. %0.3
Function
Origin
Butyrospermum Parkii (Shea) Butter Unsaponifiables
Olea Europaea (Olive) Fruit Oil
Est. %0.3
Function
Origin
Olea Europaea (Olive) Fruit Oil

A famous olive oil widely used in skincare as an emollient and occlusive moisturizer. It contains mainly unsaturated fatty acids, antioxidant flavonoids, and oleuropeins. Olive oil is listed as a common comedogenic ingredient by acne.org.

Tocopherol
Est. %0.3
Function
Origin
Tocopherol

Simply another name for vitamin E. Tocopherol is a fantastic ingredient and especially beneficial for dry and inflamed skin. It has occlusive moisturizing, emollient, antioxidant, and photoprotective properties.

Hydrogenated Vegetable Glycerides Citrate
Est. %0.3
Function
Origin
Hydrogenated Vegetable Glycerides Citrate
Copernicia Cerifera (Carnauba) Wax
Est. %0.3
Function
Origin
Copernicia Cerifera (Carnauba) WaxObtained from the leaves of Carnauba wax palm, this occlusive, emollient, and film-forming wax is commonly used in lip products. It is comprised mainly of various wax esters and is one of the hardest and most resistant plant waxes.
Water
Est. %0.3
Function
Origin
WaterThe most used ingredient in skincare. Its concentration defines the product texture: rich creams may have about 50% of water while a light jelly about 90%. Water doesn’t moisturize the skin by itself and is used in skincare as a solvent for other ingredients.
Phenoxyethanol
Est. %0.3
Function
Origin
PhenoxyethanolThe most frequently used preservative in skincare. It is a clear, oil-like liquid synthetic substance that protects products from harmful bacteria and yeast, whilst still leaving skin microflora unharmed. It is confirmed by research to be harmless.