ACWELL Solar Defense Licorice Sun Cream
Works for
2 of 2 advertised claims delivered
Sun protectionSPF 50 · 5 UV filtersBroad spectrum
This product offers a good level of protection against both UVB and UVA rays.
This sunscreen uses organic (so-called "chemical") sunscreen filters. Organic, or "chemical" filters usually provide reliable sun protection and rarely leave a white cast. Sunscreens with organic filters can sting eyes.
This product can be considered "reef safe" because it does not contain the UV filters (oxybenzone and octinoxate) that can be harmful to coral reefs when present in the water in high concentrations.
Moisturizing13 ingredients credited for this claimStrong support
“Contains Lotus Flower Extract to replenish hydration and protect skin.”
This product can help improve hydration of the skin with the two types of ingredients.
The first type is called “humectants”:
these ingredients help attract water.
When humectants are on the surface of the skin, they “pull in” the moisture from the outside environment, or from
within deeper layers of the skin. The following ingredients in this product do the job:
sodium hyaluronate, butylene glycol.
This product also contains ingredients called “occlusives”. They help reduce the speed with which our skin loses moisture to the outside environment. These ingredients also help soften the upper layer of the skin, so it feels less tight and nicer to the touch. The following ingredients in this product do the job: dimethicone, c12-15 alkyl benzoate.
The following ingredients in this product are especially good for supporting the skin barrier and helping with the hydration level: niacinamide
Anti-agingNot advertised by the brand · 3 ingredients credited for this claimStrong support
This product can help reduce and prevent fine lines and wrinkles, improve skin elasticity and firmness because it contains adenosine, niacinamide.
Keep in mind that it typically takes at least 6 weeks to notice any results because the changes that are needed to improve fine lines and elasticity happen in the deeper layers of the skin. No topical anti-aging product can “erase” wrinkles or fully reverse signs of aging.
This product can also help prevent early signs of skin aging because it offers a good level of broad spectrum sun protection. Sun damage is the main cause of premature skin aging, and protecting your skin from the sun is the best anti-aging strategy.
Evens skin toneNot advertised by the brand · 2 ingredients credited for this claimStrong support
This product offers broad spectrum sun protection. It means that it can prevent hyperpigmentation and help keep the skin tone even (sun damage is the main factor causing age spots, darkening of post-acne marks and other discolorations).
Anti-blemishNot advertised by the brand · 1 ingredient credited for this claimStrong support
This product can help reduce breakouts and clogged pores because it contains the following ingredient: niacinamide. This ingredient is used for treating acne and can have a noticeable effect.
Can it cause trouble?
Irritancy9 flagged ingredientsLow risk
ComedogenicClean of flagged comedogenic ingredientsNone flagged
User reviews
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Ingredients
Filter by role to see what each ingredient is doing.
Water~45–55%
Zinc oxide~11–14%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A broad spectrum sunblock (protects from both UVA and UVB rays). Is suitable for most sensitive skins. In small concentrations, can be used as a colorant
More about Zinc oxideCyclopentasiloxane~5.8–7.1%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A silicone that helps improve the product texture and spreadability. Can absorb oil creating a short-term mattifying effect on the skin
More about CyclopentasiloxaneHomosalate~4.2–5.1%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
A weak sunscreen that offers some protection against the sun rays that cause sunburn (UVB), but does not offer meaningful protection against protect against the most aging sun rays (UVA). It loses its effectiveness quickly when exposed to sunlight. It is an organic, or so called "chemical" sunscreen. When used in low concentrations, helps to stabilize the product formulation
More about HomosalatePropanediol~3–3.6%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Acts as a solvent for other ingredients. Speeds up the absorption of other ingredients into the skin
More about PropanediolEthylhexyl salicylate~3–3.7%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Octisalate. A UV filter. It offers some protection against the sun rays that cause sunburn (UVB), but does not protect against the most aging sun rays (UVA). It loses its effectiveness quickly when exposed to sunlight. It is an organic, or so called "chemical" sunscreen
More about Ethylhexyl salicylateButyloctyl salicylate~2.3–2.8%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
A synthetic ester of salicylic acid that is used to help disperse pigments and boost effectiveness of sunscreen ingredients. It is able to absorb UV light (working as an organic, or chemical filter), but is not approved as a sunscreen ingredient on its own
More about Butyloctyl salicylateLauryl peg-10 tris(trimethylsiloxy)silylethyl dimethicone~1.9–2.3%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Titanium dioxide~1.8–2.2%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Works as a UV filter when used in high concentrations. It is photostable and is effective mostly against the UVB light, with some protection in the UVA range. In small concentrations, used for its ability to improve the color of cosmetic products. Is usually well tolerated by the skin
More about Titanium dioxideNiacinamide~1.1–1.4%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Is proven to be effective in reducing blemishes, evening out skin tone and helping to improve lines and wrinkles. It helps the skin to repair sun damage, calm down inflammation and keep maintain good levels of moisture. The concentration of about 2% is effective for supporting the skin barrier and evening out the skin tone. Concentration of 4-6% is better for helping with acne and balancing the sebum production
More about NiacinamideCaprylyl methicone~0.9–1.1%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A type of silicone that helps to soften the upper layer of the skin and create a nice product finish on the skin
More about Caprylyl methiconeVeronica officinalis extract~0.7–1.05%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Poterium officinale root extract~0.65–1%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Pinus sylvestris bud extract~0.6–0.9%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Glycyrrhiza uralensis root extract~0.55–0.85%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Licorice root extract. Might be helpful in reducing hyperpigmentation
More about Glycyrrhiza uralensis root extractNelumbium speciosum flower extract~0.55–0.85%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Solidago virgaurea extract~0.55–0.85%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Eugenia caryophyllus bud extract~0.5–0.7%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Artemisia vulgaris oil~0.45–0.65%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Sodium hyaluronate~0.5–0.75%
- Irritation risk
- Low
One of the best moisturizing ingredients. Attracts water into the upper layer of the skin
More about Sodium hyaluronateGlycyrrhiza glabra root water~0.45–0.65%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Calcium aluminum borosilicate~0.5–0.7%
Disteardimonium hectorite~0.45–0.65%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A type of clay that is used to thicken the product consistency
More about Disteardimonium hectoriteMagnesium sulfate~0.45–0.7%
Dimethicone~0.5–0.75%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A silicone that helps to reduce water loss from the surface of the skin. Can temporarily "fill in" lines and wrinkles, absorb oil, and create a nice product finish
More about Dimethicone1,2-hexanediol~0.45–0.65%
Polymethylsilsesquioxane~0.5–0.7%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A silicone that improves product texture and helps dissolve other ingredients. Can form a non-greasy film on the skin to prevent moisture loss
More about PolymethylsilsesquioxaneTriethoxycaprylylsilane~0.45–0.65%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A type of silicone that helps oil and water mix well together. Helps to disperse other ingredients, e.g. pigments, evenly in a formulation
More about TriethoxycaprylylsilaneStearic acid~0.55–0.85%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps oil and water mix together and works as an emollient
More about Stearic acidAluminum hydroxide~0.45–0.7%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Is used to add opaque (non-transparent) appearance to formulations. Can be used to coat other ingredients for even dispersion. This is a different ingredient compared to the ones used in antipersperants (aluminium chloride and aluminium chlorohydrate)
More about Aluminum hydroxideDimethicone/peg-10/15 crosspolymer~0.4–0.65%
Butylene glycol~0.4–0.65%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Used to create a nice product texture and help delivery of other ingredients. Might be somewhat helpful in attracting water to the upper layer of the skin
More about Butylene glycolGlyceryl caprylate~0.45–0.7%
- Irritation risk
- Low
An emollient that can also help water and oil mix together, as well as prevent bacteria growth in products
More about Glyceryl caprylateDimethicone/vinyl dimethicone crosspolymer~0.4–0.6%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Used to stabilize product formulations and create a nice product texture
More about Dimethicone/vinyl dimethicone crosspolymerCaprylyl glycol~0.45–0.65%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Helps preserve products and creates a nice product texture
More about Caprylyl glycolEthylhexylglycerin~0.35–0.6%
Adenosine~0.3–0.6%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Might help improve cell turnover and reduce inflammation in skin. One study shows that the ingredients might be able to help reduce dynamic wrinkles (for example, in the corners of the eyes or on the forehead)
More about AdenosineDipropylene glycol~0.25–0.45%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps to dissolve other ingredients in a formulation. Slows down the rate of product drying
More about Dipropylene glycolSodium citrate~0.25–0.5%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Helps to control the skin's pH level. Maintains the skin's natural film of amino-lactic acids and oils. Helps to preserve products
More about Sodium citrateTocopherol~0.25–0.45%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Pure form of vitamin E. Can help moisturise and protect the skin from free radicals. Often used to help stabilise other ingredients or the formula itself
More about TocopherolSilica~0.3–0.55%
C12-15 alkyl benzoate~0.2–0.4%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Enhances the product texture and makes it more spreadable. Helps reduce water loss from the outer layer of skin. Extands the shelf life by preventing bacteria growth
More about C12-15 alkyl benzoateCerium oxide~0.15–0.3%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Hydrogen dimethicone~0.1–0.2%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps the function of sunscreen and pigment ingredients in the formulation
More about Hydrogen dimethiconePolyhydroxystearic acid~0.1–0.2%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Used to create a thicker product consistency and stabilize the formulation
More about Polyhydroxystearic acidIngredient list view
Water, Zinc oxide, Cyclopentasiloxane, Homosalate, Propanediol, Ethylhexyl salicylate, Butyloctyl salicylate, Lauryl peg-10 tris(trimethylsiloxy)silylethyl dimethicone, Titanium dioxide, Niacinamide, Caprylyl methicone, Veronica officinalis extract, Poterium officinale root extract, Pinus sylvestris bud extract, Glycyrrhiza uralensis root extract, Nelumbium speciosum flower extract, Solidago virgaurea extract, Eugenia caryophyllus bud extract, Artemisia vulgaris oil, Sodium hyaluronate, Glycyrrhiza glabra root water, Calcium aluminum borosilicate, Disteardimonium hectorite, Magnesium sulfate, Dimethicone, 1,2-hexanediol, Polymethylsilsesquioxane, Triethoxycaprylylsilane, Stearic acid, Aluminum hydroxide, Dimethicone/peg-10/15 crosspolymer, Butylene glycol, Glyceryl caprylate, Dimethicone/vinyl dimethicone crosspolymer, Caprylyl glycol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Adenosine, Dipropylene glycol, Sodium citrate, Tocopherol, Silica, C12-15 alkyl benzoate, Cerium oxide, Hydrogen dimethicone, Polyhydroxystearic acid
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Worth comparing, line by line.
Match % combines shared ingredients, the first five ingredients, shared actives and hero ingredients, irritancy (lower counts in the alternative's favour), texture and body area. Only products in the same routine step are compared.
| ACWELLSolar Defense Licorice Sun CreamYOUR PRODUCT | ISNTREEHyaluronic Acid Natural Sun Cream | ManyoFoundation-Free Sun Cream SPF50+ PA++++ | Thank You FarmerSun Project Skin Relief Sun Cream | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Match | — | 87% | 87% | 81% |
| Price | $28.00 | $14.97−$13.03 | — | $12.00−$16.00 |
| Shared key ingredients | — | 7 of 11 | 6 of 11 | 3 of 11 |
| Key difference | — | Panthenol | Methyl Methacrylate Crosspolymer | Uvinul A Plus |
| Irritancy | Low | Low | Low | Low |
| SPF | SPF 50 | SPF 50 | SPF 50 | SPF 50 |
| Drying alcohol | — | — | — | — |
| View product | Shop | Shop | Shop |
Product summary
We believe that "ACWELL - Solar Defense Licorice Sun Cream" can provide reliable sun protection based on the ingredients listed. It can protect from both UVA and UVB rays. This is great news because not all sunscreens with SPF ratings give UVA protection. (UVA rays do not cause sunburn, but still damage our skin and lead to early aging).
Its formula is also hydrating, so you might not need an additional moistruizer during the day. Like all broad-spectrum sunscreens, this product helps prevent early signs of aging.
Sunscreen filters
This is a "mixed" sunscreen in the sense that it uses both mineral and organic (so-called "chemical") sun filters. The organic filters in the product are: butyloctyl salicylate, octisalate and homosalate. As for the mineral filters, this sunscreen uses both titanium dioxide and zinc oxide.
Irritation risk
This product does not contain known common irritants and is suitable for sensitive skin. We assess the overall irritancy of this moisturizer to be low. For a detailed overview of all potential irritants: click here
You can see the detailed formula review with the breakdown of all actives in the product and the full ingredient list with estimated concentrations in the tables below.
Price
The product retails for 28.00$ in the United States.
For a detailed price comparison: click here.
Sources cited in this review
Every concentration estimate and effectiveness label is anchored to one of these 20 studies and safety reviews.
- 1A review of inorganic UV filters zinc oxide and titanium dioxideonlinelibrary.wiley.com
- 2
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- 4
- 5
- 6
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