SPF Scout · Product record
Dermalogica, LLC. CLEARING DEFENSE SPF30
SPF 30 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.
44 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 stabilizer (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.
Homosalate
Fragrance ingredient (scent)UV absorber (protects the formula from light, not a sunscreen filter)UV filter (filters UV rays)Restricted in the EUAn organic UV filter that absorbs ultraviolet light. It also adds scent to the product.
Octisalate
Light stabilizer (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.
Avobenzone
Light stabilizer (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.
listed as “Water/Aqua/Eau”
Butylene Glycol
Fragrance ingredient (scent)Humectant (holds moisture)Skin conditioning (CosIng functional class)Solvent (dissolves other ingredients)Viscosity control (thickens or thins the formula)A multitasking liquid that acts as a humectant, solvent, and thickness adjuster, and carries a scent role. It draws in and holds moisture, dissolves other ingredients, and helps set the product's texture.
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.
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.
C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate
Emollient (softens and smooths skin)Preservative (inhibits microbial growth)Skin conditioning (CosIng functional class)This is a lightweight oily ingredient that softens and smooths the skin. It also helps keep the product fresh by limiting microbe growth.
VP/Eicosene Copolymer
Binder (holds the formula together)Film forming (leaves a thin coating)Viscosity control (thickens or thins the formula)VP/Eicosene Copolymer forms a thin film on the skin and helps hold the formula together. It also adjusts the product's thickness, so it stays put and has the right texture.
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.
Saccharide Isomerate
Humectant (holds moisture)This is a sugar-based ingredient that works as a humectant, meaning it draws in and holds moisture. That helps keep the skin from drying out.
A conditioning ingredient that also draws in and holds moisture. It helps skin feel hydrated and smooth.
Sodium Ascorbyl Phosphate
Antioxidant (slows the formula oxidizing)A form of vitamin C that acts as an antioxidant, helping protect the formula from going off. It's a stable vitamin C derivative you'll see on labels.
Citrus Aurantium Dulcis (Orange) Peel Oil
Fragrance ingredient (scent)This is an orange peel oil used as a fragrance. Its job is to give the product a scent.
Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
Antioxidant (slows the formula oxidizing)Astringent (CosIng functional class)Emollient (softens and smooths skin)Fragrance ingredient (scent)Humectant (holds moisture)Oral care (CosIng functional class)otherPreservative (inhibits microbial growth)Skin conditioning (CosIng functional class)Skin protecting (CosIng functional class)Tonic (CosIng functional class)UV absorber (protects the formula from light, not a sunscreen filter)An extract from tea leaves that does several jobs: it draws in and holds moisture, softens the skin, and works as an antioxidant. It also acts as an astringent and adds a mild scent. On labels this is the tea leaf extract.
Tapioca Starch
Viscosity control (thickens or thins the formula)Tapioca Starch is a fine powder that adjusts thickness. It helps give the product its body and texture.
Coriandrum Sativum Fruit Oil
Fragrance ingredient (scent)An aromatic oil from coriander fruit used to give the product its scent. It acts as a fragrance and perfuming agent, adding smell to the formula.
listed as “Coriandrum Sativum (Coriander) Fruit Oil”
Salix Alba Bark Extract
Astringent (CosIng functional class)Hair conditioning (CosIng functional class)Skin conditioning (CosIng functional class)Soothing (CosIng functional class)Tonic (CosIng functional class)This is white willow bark extract that works as an astringent and toner while conditioning and soothing skin and hair. In practice it tightens the feel of skin, calms the surface, and keeps skin and hair feeling soft.
listed as “Salix Alba (Willow) Bark Extract”
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant (slows the formula oxidizing)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.
Caprylyl Glycol
Deodorant (masks or reduces odor)Emollient (softens and smooths skin)Hair conditioning (CosIng functional class)Preservative (inhibits microbial growth)Skin conditioning (CosIng functional class)A multi-tasker that conditions skin and hair and acts as a deodorant. As an emollient it softens and smooths, leaving skin feeling conditioned.
Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion stabilizer (keeps oil and water mixed)Film forming (leaves a thin coating)otherViscosity control (thickens or thins the formula)A large chain-like molecule that stabilizes emulsions, keeping the oil and water parts mixed. It also forms a thin film on the surface and adjusts the thickness of the product.
Pentylene Glycol
Humectant (holds moisture)Skin conditioning (CosIng functional class)Solvent (dissolves other ingredients)A skin-conditioning ingredient that also works as a solvent. It helps dissolve other ingredients and keeps skin feeling conditioned.
Bisabolol
Fragrance ingredient (scent)otherSkin conditioning (CosIng functional class)Soothing (CosIng functional class)A conditioning and soothing ingredient that also adds a light fragrance. It softens the skin's feel and contributes scent to the product. On labels it may also appear as Levomenol.
Arachidyl Glucoside
Surfactant (cleanses or mixes oil and water)A surfactant that helps clean and helps oil and water mix. In practice, it keeps the water and oil parts blended into one smooth product.
Arachidyl Alcohol
Emollient (softens and smooths skin)Emulsion stabilizer (keeps oil and water mixed)Skin conditioning (CosIng functional class)Viscosity control (thickens or thins the formula)A multitasking ingredient that softens and smooths skin feel, adjusts the product's thickness, and keeps the mix stable. In practice, it helps give the formula its body and holds it together.
Xanthan Gum
Binder (holds the formula together)Emulsion stabilizer (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.
Behenyl Alcohol
Binder (holds the formula together)Emollient (softens and smooths skin)Emulsion stabilizer (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.
Ethylhexylglycerin
Deodorant (masks or reduces odor)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.
Potassium Cetyl Phosphate
Surfactant (cleanses or mixes oil and water)Potassium Cetyl Phosphate helps oil and water mix so the product stays blended. It also works as a cleansing agent that helps lift away oil and dirt.
This is a chelating agent. It binds trace metals in the mix that could break the formula down over time.
Sodium Hydroxide
Buffering (holds the formula at a set acidity)Denaturant (makes alcohol undrinkable)otherRestricted in the EUSodium Hydroxide is a strongly alkaline ingredient used in tiny amounts to fine-tune a formula's acidity (buffering). This keeps the product's pH steady. It can also act as a denaturant, altering another substance so it stays fit for use in cosmetics rather than being consumed.
Citric Acid
Buffering (holds the formula at a set acidity)Chelating (binds metal ions in the formula)Fragrance ingredient (scent)otherCitric Acid is a mild acid used to fine-tune a formula's pH. It keeps the acidity steady (buffering), binds trace metals that would spoil the formula (chelating), and can add a scent note.
Propanediol
Humectant (holds moisture)Solvent (dissolves other ingredients)Viscosity control (thickens or thins the formula)A solvent that dissolves other ingredients and helps them blend evenly. It also adjusts the thickness of the formula.
Terpineol is a fragrance ingredient. It gives the product its scent.
Thymol
Denaturant (makes alcohol undrinkable)Fragrance ingredient (scent)Oral care (CosIng functional class)Skin conditioning (CosIng functional class)Thymol is a fragrant compound used to scent products and to condition skin. It adds aroma and helps skin feel smooth. It also serves as a denaturant, making an ingredient unpalatable, and appears in oral care formulas.
Sodium Citrate
Buffering (holds the formula at a set acidity)Chelating (binds metal ions in the formula)Fragrance ingredient (scent)A buffering agent that keeps the product's acidity steady. It also binds trace metals that would otherwise spoil the formula.
A salt used mainly as a preservative to keep the product from spoiling. It also contributes to fragrance. In practice, it helps the formula stay stable over time.
Sodium Benzoate
Anticorrosive (protects the container and equipment from corrosion)Fragrance ingredient (scent)Preservative (inhibits microbial growth)A preservative that helps keep the product from spoiling. It also adds fragrance and guards against corrosion in the formula.
Linalool is used mainly for fragrance and as a deodorant that adjusts the product's smell. Its job is to shape how the product scents.
Limonene
Deodorant (masks or reduces odor)Fragrance ingredient (scent)Solvent (dissolves other ingredients)Restricted in the EULimonene works as a scent ingredient and a solvent that helps dissolve other ingredients. It also acts as a deodorant, masking or adjusting odor in the formula.
Geraniol is a fragrance ingredient that gives the product its scent. It also acts as a tonic, adding a fresh feel.
Citronellol is a fragrance ingredient. Its job is to give the product a scent.
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=2cb559d3-dd79-4951-ad38-190fd4dd7c40
- 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
- 44
- Record checksum
- sha256:187491ad4f59a270a167ffd429a7d5099c66e98a3fa324ae17000fee93e2a7d5
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