SPF Scout · Product record

Merz North America, Inc Reactive Plus Anti-Oxidant Serum plus Broad-spectrum SPF 45

SPF 45 as labeled

U.S. formulation · record last retrieved 21 September 2026

What is listed

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

Octinoxate, Zinc Oxide, Cyclopentasiloxane, Ascorbic Acid, Ethylhexyl Hydroxystearate, Polysilicone-11, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Cetyl PEG/PPG-10/1 Dimethicone, Polyester-7, Tocopherol, Creatine, Epigallocatechin Gallate, Triethoxycaprylylsilane, Neopentyl Glycol Diheptanoate, Disteardimonium Hectorite, Polyhydroxystearic Acid, Propylene Carbonate, Dimethylmethoxy Chromanol, BHT

19 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.

  • Octinoxate

    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 when exposed to sunlight. You'll often see it listed as Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate.

  • Zinc Oxide

    Bulking agent (adds volume)Colorant (adds color)Light stabilizer (protects the formula from light)Oral care (CosIng functional class)Preservative (inhibits microbial growth)Skin protecting (CosIng functional class)UV absorber (protects the formula from light, not a sunscreen filter)UV filter (filters UV rays)

    A mineral UV filter that absorbs ultraviolet light, the core sun-protection job in this product. It also helps protect the skin surface and can add whiteness or opacity. On some labels it appears as CI 77947 when used for color.

  • Cyclopentasiloxane

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

    This is a lightweight silicone used to condition skin and hair and to soften and smooth skin feel. It also acts as a solvent, helping the product spread and dissolve other ingredients.

  • Ascorbic Acid

    Antioxidant (slows the formula oxidizing)Buffering (holds the formula at a set acidity)Fragrance ingredient (scent)Skin conditioning (CosIng functional class)

    Ascorbic Acid is vitamin C, used here mainly as an antioxidant to protect the formula from going off. It also conditions the skin, adjusts the acidity balance, and can add scent.

  • Ethylhexyl Hydroxystearate

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

    An emollient that softens and smooths skin feel. It helps the product spread and leaves a smooth finish.

  • Polysilicone-11

    Film forming (leaves a thin coating)

    This is a film former, a silicone-based ingredient. It leaves a thin, even layer on the skin as the product dries down.

  • Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride

    Emollient (softens and smooths skin)Fragrance ingredient (scent)Occlusive (CosIng functional class)Skin conditioning (CosIng functional class)Solvent (dissolves other ingredients)

    A light oil used as a solvent to dissolve other ingredients and as an occlusive that forms a layer helping hold in moisture. It can also add a bit of scent.

  • Cetyl PEG/PPG-10/1 Dimethicone

    Skin conditioning (CosIng functional class)Surfactant (cleanses or mixes oil and water)

    A silicone-based emulsifier that helps oil and water mix. It also conditions skin and can lift away dirt and oil.

  • Polyester-7

    Film forming (leaves a thin coating)Skin conditioning (CosIng functional class)Viscosity control (thickens or thins the formula)

    This is a polymer that forms a film, conditions the skin, and adjusts thickness. It leaves a thin layer on the surface, smooths the skin feel, and gives the product body.

  • Tocopherol

    Antioxidant (slows the formula oxidizing)Fragrance ingredient (scent)Occlusive (CosIng functional class)otherSkin conditioning (CosIng functional class)

    Tocopherol is a form of vitamin E used as an antioxidant, which helps keep the formula from going off. It also conditions skin and forms a thin surface layer that slows moisture loss. You may see it listed simply as vitamin E.

  • Creatine

    Skin conditioning (CosIng functional class)

    An ingredient used to condition the skin. It helps keep skin feeling smooth.

  • Epigallocatechin Gallate

    Antioxidant (slows the formula oxidizing)

    An antioxidant. It helps keep the formula from spoiling due to exposure to air.

  • Triethoxycaprylylsilane

    Binder (holds the formula together)other

    A binding ingredient that helps hold the parts of the formula together. It is often used to coat and bind powders in a mix.

  • Neopentyl Glycol Diheptanoate

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

    An emollient that softens and smooths skin feel. In practice, it helps the product spread easily and leaves a smooth finish.

  • Disteardimonium Hectorite

    Light stabilizer (protects the formula from light)Viscosity control (thickens or thins the formula)

    A thickener that adjusts how thick or thin the product is. It also works as a light stabilizer, helping the formula hold up against light exposure.

  • Polyhydroxystearic Acid

    Surfactant (cleanses or mixes oil and water)

    This is an emulsifier that helps oil and water mix. It keeps the oily and watery parts blended so the formula holds together.

  • Propylene Carbonate

    Solvent (dissolves other ingredients)Viscosity control (thickens or thins the formula)

    A solvent that dissolves and carries other ingredients, and it also adjusts the product's thickness. In practice it helps blend the formula and fine-tune its texture.

  • Dimethylmethoxy Chromanol

    Antioxidant (slows the formula oxidizing)

    An antioxidant, meaning it helps keep the formula from going off as it meets air over time. That helps the product stay stable through use.

  • Butylated Hydroxytoluene

    Antioxidant (slows the formula oxidizing)Fragrance ingredient (scent)Restricted in the EU

    An antioxidant that also adds a scent note. It helps keep the oils in the formula from going off, so the product stays stable longer. Often shortened to BHT on labels.

    listed as “BHT”

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=62c822d9-c8ed-4b95-8d88-806295f5a936
Retrieved
21 September 2026
Market
United States
Version
v1 of this U.S. formulation
Source tier
Official label document (not independently verified by us)
Entries recorded
19
Record checksum
sha256:53adee887873eaae79f2a1ed4b8c265f190a0888799c60fe2cade2797d1819b2

Always compare this record with your current package.

Report an incorrect formulation