SPF Scout · Product record

CVS Health CVS Health Ultra Sheer Broad Spectrum SPF 45 Sunscreen

SPF 45 as labeled

U.S. formulation · record last retrieved 5 August 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, Propylene Glycol, Caprylyl Trisiloxane, Edetate Disodium, Methylparaben, Trideceth-6, Trimethylsiloxysilicate (M/Q 0.8-1.0), Hexadecyl Povidone, Tridecyl Salicylate, Xanthan Gum, Ethylhexyl Stearate, Chlorphenesin, Ethylhexylglycerin, Dimethicone, Water, Butyloctyl Salicylate, Butyl Methacrylate/Methyl Methacrylate/Methacrylic Acid/Styrene Crosspolymer, Silicon Dioxide, Docosanol, Glyceryl Stearate/Peg-100 Stearate, Sodium Polyacrylate (8000 Mw), Propylparaben

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.

  • Propylene Glycol

    Fragrance ingredient (scent)Humectant (holds moisture)Skin conditioning (CosIng functional class)Solvent (dissolves other ingredients)Viscosity control (thickens or thins the formula)

    A multi-tasker that draws in and holds moisture, dissolves other ingredients as a solvent, and adjusts thickness. It also plays a role in fragrance and general skin conditioning. In practice it helps keep the product from drying out and keeps the texture consistent.

  • Caprylyl Trisiloxane

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

    A lightweight silicone that conditions skin. It helps leave a smooth, conditioned 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.

    listed as “Edetate Disodium”

  • Methylparaben

    Fragrance ingredient (scent)Preservative (inhibits microbial growth)

    This is a preservative that also adds fragrance. It keeps the product from spoiling and contributes to its scent. It belongs to the paraben family of preservatives.

  • 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.

    listed as “Trimethylsiloxysilicate (M/Q 0.8-1.0)”

  • 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.

    listed as “Hexadecyl Povidone”

  • 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.

  • 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.

  • 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.

  • Chlorphenesin

    Preservative (inhibits microbial growth)

    This is a preservative that fights microbes. It helps keep the product from spoiling as bacteria and other organisms try to grow in it.

  • 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.

  • 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.

  • 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.

  • Butyl Methacrylate/Methyl Methacrylate/Methacrylic Acid/Styrene Crosspolymer

    other

    No reviewed note yet.

  • 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.

    listed as “Silicon Dioxide”

  • 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.

    listed as “Docosanol”

  • Glyceryl Stearate/Peg-100 Stearate

    other

    No reviewed note yet.

  • 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.

    listed as “Sodium Polyacrylate (8000 Mw)”

  • Propylparaben

    Fragrance ingredient (scent)Preservative (inhibits microbial growth)

    A preservative that keeps the product from spoiling, and it also plays a role in the scent. In practice it helps the formula stay stable over time.

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=c5e8fcc9-db5c-9ee7-e053-2a95a90ac940
Retrieved
5 August 2026
Market
United States
Formulation date
Not recorded
Version
v1 of this U.S. formulation
Verification confidence
High
Entries recorded
25
Record checksum
sha256:6e2b2d62353155705ba13d8ad206a5088a9c053c0c20c496d2bacffd630b71e2

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