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Oars + Alps Matte Sunscreen Stick SPF 50
Oars + Alps

Matte Sunscreen Stick SPF 50

SPF 50+ Invisible No white cast — chemical/hybrid filters that straight-up disappear on skin. United States us-fda Formulation variant: us-fda. Region-specific reformulations are tracked as separate products.

Stick with salicylic acid and homosalate; waxy matte finish trades elegance for grip. No fragrance in INCI helps sensitivity.

CHEM Chemical filters Chemical filters — Organic filters absorb UV. Cosmetically elegant, but filter choice matters. ((· BS Broad spectrum Broad spectrum — Blocks UVA + UVB — covers the whole sun-damage spectrum. F F-FREE Fragrance-free Fragrance-free — No added fragrance — lower irritation risk if your skin's reactive. A A-FREE Alcohol-free Alcohol-free — No drying short-chain alcohols (denatured / SD alcohol).
Where to buy it
Ulta US In stock
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64.1
Composite
Composite score · independent
Ranks #1192 of 1558 in the current catalogue. Stick with salicylic acid and homosalate; waxy matte finish trades elegance for grip. No fragrance in INCI helps sensitivity.
Composite is a weighted blend: UV 25% · Modernity 10% · Sensitivity 15% · Environment 10% · Elegance 15% · Health 25%. That's the recipe.
01 The score breakdown
UV protection How hard it blocks UVA + UVB across the spectrum at the stated SPF/PA. 84
Filter modernity Dings legacy filters (octinoxate, oxybenzone); rewards photostable next-gen ones. 50
Sensitivity safety Risk for reactive skin — fragrance, alcohol, and known sensitisers. 52
Reef / env. safety Reef toxicity plus how biodegradable the UV filters and surfactants are. 85
Cosmetic elegance Spread, finish, white-cast, and how it actually feels on skin. 62
Health safety Endocrine concerns and systemic absorption signals across the whole formula. 50
02 Composition · key UV filters 4 filters resolved
UVA-I 340–400nm UVA-I (340–400nm) — covered UVA-II 320–340nm UVA-II (320–340nm) — covered UVB 290–320nm UVB (290–320nm) — covered
Avobenzone Legacy Older organic filter. Photostable in combination; some literature concerns.
Homosalate Legacy Older organic filter. Photostable in combination; some literature concerns.
Octisalate Legacy Older organic filter. Photostable in combination; some literature concerns.
Octocrylene Legacy Older organic filter. Photostable in combination; some literature concerns.
03 The facts, at a glance
Protection
Filter type Mineral filters (zinc oxide, titanium dioxide) sit on skin and reflect UV. Chemical filters absorb UV. Hybrid runs both.
Chemical
Broad spectrum Covers both UVA and UVB. UVA drives aging and deeper damage; UVB gives you burns.
Yes
Formulation & feel
Texture How it feels going on — milk, gel, cream, spray, stick, essence, lotion, powder, or cushion.
Stick
Finish How it looks once dry: matte, natural, dewy, or glowy.
Matte
Tinted Adds sheer pigment (iron oxides) that masks the white cast common to mineral filters and gives a skin-tone finish.
No
Fragrance-free No synthetic perfume added. Not FDA-defined in the US; the EU requires 'Parfum' + the 26 named allergens on the label. 'Unscented' is different — it can hide masking fragrance. Botanical oils still scent.
Yes
Alcohol-free No drying short-chain alcohols (alcohol denat., SD alcohol, ethanol). Doesn't mean fatty alcohols like cetyl or stearyl — those are emollients.
Yes
Verdict Is it worth it?

A fragrance-free chemical stick on avobenzone, homosalate, octisalate, and octocrylene, set with silica and waxes for a matte, grippy finish. Salicylic acid adds slip but limits use on freshly exfoliated skin.

Pros
  • Fragrance-free per the INCI
  • Silica and behenyl behenate create a true matte finish
  • Stick format suits targeted reapplication over makeup
  • Ethylhexyl methoxycrylene helps stabilize avobenzone
Cons
  • Salicylic acid may sting freshly exfoliated skin
  • Waxy texture can feel heavy and grabby on dry skin
  • Older US filter set rather than modern UVA options

Who it's for: Oily or combination skin wanting matte SPF touch-ups on the go, tolerant of salicylic acid.

04 Full ingredient list (INCI) 28 ingredients
MODERN FILTER 0 LEGACY FILTER 4 MINERAL FILTER 0 ADDED FRAGRANCE 0 NATURAL FRAGRANCE 0 ALCOHOL 0 WATCH 0 ACTIVE 1
Source: brand-published INCI. Last verified 2026. Show in detail
01 Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane LEGACY FILTER Avobenzone — UVA filter, needs stabilisation.
02 Homosalate LEGACY FILTER Homosalate — legacy UVB filter; endocrine literature.
03 Ethylhexyl Salicylate LEGACY FILTER Octisalate — older filter; well-tolerated.
04 Octocrylene LEGACY FILTER Octocrylene — degrades to benzophenone over time.
05 Behenyl Behenate Behenyl Behenate
06 Helianthus Annuus Seed Cera Sunflower Seed Wax
07 Silica Silica
08 Calcium Sodium Borosilicate Calcium Sodium Borosilicate
09 Undecane Undecane
10 Dicaprylyl Carbonate Dicaprylyl Carbonate
11 C18-38 Alkyl Hydroxystearoyl Stearate C18-38 Alkyl Hydroxystearoyl Stearate
12 Polyhydroxystearic Acid Polyhydroxystearic Acid
14 Tridecane Tridecane
16 Salicylic Acid Salicylic Acid (BHA)
17 Butyl Avocadate Butyl Avocadate
18 Cladonia Stellaris Extract Reindeer Lichen Extract
19 Lauroyl Lysine Lauroyl Lysine
20 Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil Sunflower Seed Oil
21 Euphorbia Cerifera Cera Candelilla Wax
22 Ethyl Ferulate Ethyl Ferulate
23 Tocopherol ACTIVE Vitamin E — antioxidant.
24 Cocamidopropyl Dimethylamine Cocamidopropyl Dimethylamine
25 Glyceryl Stearate Glyceryl Stearate
26 Hydrolyzed Corn Starch Octenylsuccinate Hydrolyzed Corn Starch Octenylsuccinate
28 Ethylhexyl Methoxycrylene Ethylhexyl Methoxycrylene (Solastay S1)