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HOW WE CHOOSE

We set the standard first, then choose

PAROS's formula isn't something we created. From the existing formulas our contract manufacturer already had, we first wrote down our standard for how the product should feel, then adopted only the formulas that passed it. This page publishes that standard and the evaluation process as they are.

WHY A STANDARD, NOT A NEW FORMULA

Why we didn't create a new formula

Developing a cosmetic from scratch takes a long time and a lot of money: raw-material blending, stability testing, clinical work. We chose instead to pick a formula that met our standard from among already-proven existing ones.

But an 'existing formula' and an 'existing formula chosen without a standard' are different things. PAROS decided first which qualities of feel we would never give up, and excluded any formula that fell short, however good its terms.

We believe the difference lies not in the formula itself, but in the standard used to choose it and the discipline to keep to that standard.

PRIORITIES OF FEEL

1 to 6, and the order matters

The first two are cut-off lines. A formula that failed either of them was rejected no matter how high it scored elsewhere.

  1. 01

    No eye sting

    Cut-off

    Even when it runs with sweat into your eyes, it must not sting.

  2. 02

    No white cast

    Cut-off

    No white cast right after application, and none as time passes.

  3. 03

    No stickiness

    Must not get in the way when you grip equipment or touch things.

  4. 04

    Adhesion · no breakdown

    Must not slide out of place under sweat and friction.

  5. 05

    Suited to reapplication

    Must retouch naturally when layered, without clumping or sliding.

  6. 06

    Absorption speed

    The time from application to the next thing you do must be short.

FORMULA SELECTION CRITERIA

Formulas that failed these conditions were removed from the shortlist

HOW WE EVALUATE

Two people, blind, under the same conditions

Evaluators
Two independent evaluators score separately; results are compared afterwards.
Blind
Manufacturer and formula names are hidden during evaluation.
Conditions
Compared on the same day, under the same lighting.
Situation
Applied and evaluated after 30+ minutes of exercise, while actually sweating.

Priorities 1–6 each carry points, converted to a total of 100.

  • 1. No eye sting30 pts
  • 2. No white cast25 pts
  • 3. No stickiness15 pts
  • 4. Adhesion · no breakdown15 pts
  • 5. Suited to reapplication10 pts
  • 6. Absorption speed5 pts
Total100 pts

This standard applies equally to every PAROS product to come. If the standard changes, this page changes with it, along with the reason.

See the Daily Sunscreen chosen by this standard