SPF Scout · Product record

CVS Health SPF 55 Ultra Sheer

SPF 55 as labeled

U.S. formulation · record last retrieved 22 September 2026

What is listed

The ingredient declaration stored for this formulation, reproduced exactly as it was recorded from the source below.

Octocrylene, Octisalate, Homosalate, Avobenzone, water, butyloctyl salicylate, tridecyl salicylate, styrene/acrylates copolymer, silica, VP/hexadecene copolymer, behenyl alcohol, glyceryl stearate, PEG-100 stearate, phenoxyethanol, dimethicone, tocopheryl acetate, ethylhexylglycerin, caprylyl methicone, ethylhexyl stearate, trideceth-6, trimethylsiloxysilicate, sodium polyacrylate, xanthan gum, disodium EDTA, fragrance

25 entries · the stored declaration is recorded as complete.

What each ingredient generally does

Each entry that matched a canonical ingredient, with the function recorded for it. These notes describe the role an ingredient plays in a formulation. They do not assess an ingredient.

  • Octocrylene

    Light stabiliser (protects the formula from light)UV absorber (protects the formula from light, not a sunscreen filter)UV filter (filters UV rays)

    An organic UV filter that absorbs ultraviolet light. It also serves as a light stabilizer, helping keep other filters and the formula intact under sunlight.

  • Octisalate

    Light stabiliser (protects the formula from light)UV absorber (protects the formula from light, not a sunscreen filter)UV filter (filters UV rays)

    An organic UV filter that absorbs ultraviolet light, and doubles as a light stabilizer to keep the formula steady in sun. It also appears on labels as Ethylhexyl Salicylate.

  • Homosalate

    Fragrance ingredient (scent)UV absorber (protects the formula from light, not a sunscreen filter)UV filter (filters UV rays)

    An organic UV filter that absorbs ultraviolet light. It also adds scent to the product.

  • Avobenzone

    Light stabiliser (protects the formula from light)UV absorber (protects the formula from light, not a sunscreen filter)UV filter (filters UV rays)

    An organic UV filter that absorbs ultraviolet light. It also acts as a light stabilizer, helping the formula hold up under sun exposure. On labels it also appears as Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane.

  • Water

    Antiplaque (CosIng functional class)otherSkin conditioning (CosIng functional class)Solvent (dissolves other ingredients)

    The base liquid that most of the other ingredients dissolve or spread into. It carries the formula and helps condition the skin surface.

  • Butyloctyl Salicylate

    Emollient (softens and smooths skin)Hair conditioning (CosIng functional class)Skin conditioning (CosIng functional class)Solvent (dissolves other ingredients)

    A liquid that conditions skin and hair and acts as a solvent. It softens skin feel and helps dissolve and spread other ingredients in the mix.

  • Tridecyl Salicylate

    Antistatic (reduces static)Skin conditioning (CosIng functional class)

    A skin-conditioning ingredient that leaves skin feeling smooth. It also has antistatic properties, cutting down static cling.

  • Styrene/Acrylates Copolymer

    Film forming (leaves a thin coating)Opacifier (makes the formula less see-through)

    Styrene/Acrylates Copolymer forms a film and makes the product look opaque. In practice it leaves a thin layer on the skin and gives the formula a non-transparent appearance.

  • Silica

    Abrasive (physically scrubs)Absorbent (takes up oil or water)Anticaking (keeps powder free-flowing)Bulking agent (adds volume)Opacifier (makes the formula less see-through)otherViscosity control (thickens or thins the formula)

    Silica is a fine mineral powder that soaks up excess moisture and oil, and adjusts how thick the product feels. It keeps powders from clumping, adds bulk, and can make a formula look more opaque. Its chemical name is silicon dioxide.

  • VP/Hexadecene Copolymer

    Binder (holds the formula together)Dispersing, non-surfactant (spreads solids without acting as a surfactant)Film forming (leaves a thin coating)Hair fixing (holds hair in place)otherViscosity control (thickens or thins the formula)

    A film-forming polymer that leaves a thin, even layer as the product dries. This helps the formula stay put on skin, keeps ingredients spread evenly, and adjusts how thick the product is. It also helps bind the mix together.

  • Behenyl Alcohol

    Binder (holds the formula together)Emollient (softens and smooths skin)Emulsion stabiliser (keeps oil and water mixed)Skin conditioning (CosIng functional class)Viscosity control (thickens or thins the formula)

    A multitasker that softens and smooths skin while adjusting the product's thickness. It also helps hold the mix together and keeps the oil and water parts from separating.

  • Glyceryl Stearate

    Emollient (softens and smooths skin)Skin conditioning (CosIng functional class)Surfactant (cleanses or mixes oil and water)

    Glyceryl Stearate is an emollient that softens and smooths skin feel. It also acts as an emulsifier, keeping the oil and water parts blended together.

  • PEG-100 Stearate

    Surfactant (cleanses or mixes oil and water)

    A cleansing surfactant, meaning it helps lift away oil and dirt. It's often paired with other emulsifiers in creams.

  • Phenoxyethanol

    Preservative (inhibits microbial growth)

    This is a preservative that fights microbes. It helps keep the product from spoiling over time.

  • Dimethicone

    Antifoaming (stops the formula foaming)Emollient (softens and smooths skin)Skin conditioning (CosIng functional class)Skin protecting (CosIng functional class)

    A silicone that softens and smooths skin feel and forms a protective layer on the surface. It also cuts down foam during production, keeping the formula settled.

  • Tocopheryl Acetate

    Antioxidant (slows the formula oxidising)otherSkin conditioning (CosIng functional class)

    Tocopheryl Acetate is a form of vitamin E that acts as an antioxidant, helping keep the formula from going off. It also conditions the skin, softening its feel.

  • Ethylhexylglycerin

    Deodorant (masks or reduces odour)Preservative (inhibits microbial growth)Skin conditioning (CosIng functional class)

    A multi-tasker that conditions the skin and works as a deodorant agent. It helps improve skin feel while cutting odor.

  • Caprylyl Methicone

    Skin conditioning (CosIng functional class)

    A silicone-type skin-conditioning ingredient. It helps leave skin feeling smooth and conditioned.

  • Ethylhexyl Stearate

    Emollient (softens and smooths skin)Skin conditioning (CosIng functional class)

    An oil-like ingredient that softens and smooths the skin feel. It leaves a light, spreadable finish on the skin.

  • Trideceth-6

    Surfactant (cleanses or mixes oil and water)

    A surfactant that works as both a cleanser and an emulsifier. It helps oil and water mix and lifts away dirt and oil, keeping the formula blended.

  • Trimethylsiloxysilicate

    Antifoaming (stops the formula foaming)Emollient (softens and smooths skin)Skin conditioning (CosIng functional class)

    A silicone-based ingredient that conditions and softens skin. It also cuts down foaming during mixing, keeping the formula from getting bubbly.

  • Sodium Polyacrylate

    Absorbent (takes up oil or water)Binder (holds the formula together)Emollient (softens and smooths skin)Emulsion stabiliser (keeps oil and water mixed)Film forming (leaves a thin coating)Hair fixing (holds hair in place)Skin conditioning (CosIng functional class)Viscosity control (thickens or thins the formula)

    Sodium Polyacrylate is a multi-tasking ingredient that adjusts a product's thickness, helps hold ingredients together, and stabilises oil-and-water blends. It forms a thin film on the surface, softens and conditions skin, and can absorb liquid. In hair products it also helps hold a style in place.

  • Xanthan Gum

    Binder (holds the formula together)Emulsion stabiliser (keeps oil and water mixed)Gel forming (sets the formula into a gel)otherSkin conditioning (CosIng functional class)Surfactant (cleanses or mixes oil and water)Viscosity control (thickens or thins the formula)

    A thickener that adjusts how thick the product is and forms a gel-like texture. It keeps oil and water mixed and stops the blend from separating, giving a stable, even feel.

  • Disodium EDTA

    Chelating (binds metal ions in the formula)otherViscosity control (thickens or thins the formula)

    An ingredient that binds trace metals that would otherwise spoil the formula, and helps adjust its thickness. This keeps the product stable over time.

  • Parfum

    Fragrance ingredient (scent)

    This is the fragrance, a blend of scent ingredients added to give the product an odour or mask other smells. It's also listed as "aroma" on some labels.

    listed as “fragrance”

Checking this against your own list

SPF Scout's Personal Ingredient Check runs in the app, on your device. This page cannot see a personal avoidance list. Your selections are stored on your phone and are never sent to this website. There is nowhere on our side for them to go.

In the app you choose the ingredients you already avoid, and every entry in this declaration that matches one of them is shown to you with the alias path that produced the match.

This comparison does not predict whether your skin will react.

Source quality

Source
DailyMed drug label
Source record
https://dailymed.nlm.nih.gov/dailymed/drugInfo.cfm?setid=c617cdec-b489-22d2-e053-2995a90a1ec6
Retrieved
22 September 2026
Market
United States
Version
v1 of this U.S. formulation
Source tier
Official label document (not independently verified by us)
Entries recorded
25
Record checksum
sha256:4f8e7142319a3b520a46f28c4fa27a5644e231777a0915a542a271ac2efc41e4

Always compare this record with your current package.

Report an incorrect formulation