Aesop Protective Facial Lotion SPF50
Works for
Sun protectionSPF 50 · 3 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.
Evens skin toneNiacinamideWorks well
“This sunscreen may leave a white cast that will vary depending on skin tone and fade as it dries or is rubbed into the skin.”
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-agingTocopherol, NiacinamideWorks well
This product can 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.
Anti-blemishNiacinamide ~0.65–1%, below the ~1% it needsUnder-dosed
Effective ingredients missing or their concentration is too low.
MoisturizingSide benefit the brand mentions · Diisopropyl adipate, Cetearyl alcohol + 8 moreWorks
“Protective Facial Lotion SPF50”
This product contains good ingredients to attract water to the upper layer of the skin. These ingredients are called "humectants": glycerin, saccharide isomerate.
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. If the air is dry, humectants can speed up the moisture loss from the skin. This is why it is a good idea to use another product on top of this one to help "seal in" the moisture (look for ingredients like dimethicone, squalane, oils and butters).
Can it cause trouble?
Irritancy5 strong irritants: Lavandula angustifolia oil, Salvia officinalis oil + 3 more — patch-test recommendedHigh risk
Comedogenic1 ingredient rated 2 or more on the 0–5 pore-clogging scale1 flagged
User reviews
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Ingredients
Filter by role to see what each ingredient is doing.
Diethylamino hydroxybenzoyl hexyl benzoate7.7%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Uvinul A Plus. A new generation broad spectrum sunscreen that offers an effective protection especially in the UVA range. It is stable in formulations. Unfortunately, is not approved by the FDA (US) yet
More about Diethylamino hydroxybenzoyl hexyl benzoateEthylhexyl triazone4.5%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Uvinul T. A UV filter. Effective against UVB rays. It is photostable. Can increase water resistance properties of the sunscreen. Unfortunately, not approved by the FDA (US) yet
More about Ethylhexyl triazoneMethylene bis-benzotriazolyl tetramethylbutylphenol4.5%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Tinosorb M. A UV filter. Is effective against both UVA and UVB rays. It also provides some protection against visible light. It is photostable and can also be used to improve photostability of other sunscreen ingredients. Its physical properties help to create lightweight sunscreen formulations. It can leave a slight white cast. Unfortunately, it is not approved by the FDA (US) yet
More about Methylene bis-benzotriazolyl tetramethylbutylphenolWater~45–55%
Diisopropyl adipate~6.3–7.7%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps soften the upper layer of the skin
More about Diisopropyl adipateAcrylates copolymer~5–6.1%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Used to stabilize product formulation, help create an even product layer over skin (for example, in sunscreen) and create a thicker product consistency
More about Acrylates copolymerCetearyl alcohol~3.4–4.1%
- Irritation risk
- Low
- Comedogenicity
- 2/5
A non-drying alcohol. Works as an emollient. Helps water and oil mix together and creates a nice product texture
More about Cetearyl alcoholAvena sativa kernel extract~2.8–3.4%
- Irritation risk
- Low
An effective moisturizing and skin barrier repair ingredient. Helps calm down inflammation and has some anti-oxidant properties
More about Avena sativa kernel extractDecane~1.9–2.3%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Glycerin~1.5–1.9%
- Irritation risk
- Low
One of the best moisturizing ingredients. Naturally present in skin. It attracts water to the upper layer of the skin working as a humectant
More about GlycerinGlyceryl stearate~1.3–1.6%
- Irritation risk
- Low
An emollient that softens the skin and forms a protective layer on its surface. Helps water and oil mix together
More about Glyceryl stearatePotassium cetyl phosphate~1–1.2%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Helps oil and water mix together
More about Potassium cetyl phosphateNiacinamide~0.65–1%
- 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 NiacinamideSilica~1–1.2%
Phenoxyethanol0.9%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A preservative. It helps prevent bacterial growth in cosmetic products
More about PhenoxyethanolEthylhexylglycerin~0.5–0.75%
Decyl glucoside~0.5–0.75%
- Irritation risk
- High
Helps oil and water mix together. Can be irritating
More about Decyl glucosideSaccharide isomerate~0.35–0.6%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps attract water to the upper layer of the skin
More about Saccharide isomerateBenzyl alcohol0.5%
- Irritation risk
- High
A preservative. Can be used to mask unpleasant smell. Can be irritating
More about Benzyl alcoholXanthan gum~0.3–0.6%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Used to create a thicker product consistency
More about Xanthan gumOctyldodecanol~0.35–0.65%
- Irritation risk
- Low
An emollient that helps to soften the skin and create a pleasant product texture and stabilize the formulation
More about OctyldodecanolLavandula angustifolia oil~0.3–0.55%
- Irritation risk
- High
An essential oil. Potential allergen and can be irritating. It has some anti-bacterial properties
More about Lavandula angustifolia oilCedrus atlantica wood oil~0.25–0.45%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Sodium dehydroacetate0.2%
Tocopherol~0.25–0.5%
- 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 TocopherolTocopheryl acetate~0.25–0.45%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
A more stable but less bio-available form of vitamin E compared to Tocopherol. Might help moisturize and protect the skin from free radicals, but mostly used in low concentrations to stabilize other ingredients.
More about Tocopheryl acetateSalvia officinalis oil~0.2–0.4%
- Irritation risk
- High
Propylene glycol~0.2–0.35%
- Irritation risk
- High
Helps oil and water mix together and can enhance the penetration of other ingredients into the skin. It can be irritating
More about Propylene glycolCitric acid~0.15–0.25%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Can work as an exfoliant but is typically used to adjust the product pH
More about Citric acidSodium citrate~0.15–0.25%
- 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 citrateLinalool~0.1–0.15%
Limonene~0.1–0.15%
- Irritation risk
- High
A common frangrance that can easily irritate skin, especially if exposed to air, light or heat
More about LimoneneGeraniol~0.05–0.1%
Ingredient list view
Diethylamino hydroxybenzoyl hexyl benzoate, Ethylhexyl triazone, Methylene bis-benzotriazolyl tetramethylbutylphenol, Water, Unknown, Diisopropyl adipate, Acrylates copolymer, Cetearyl alcohol, Avena sativa kernel extract, Decane, Glycerin, Glyceryl stearate, Potassium cetyl phosphate, Niacinamide, Silica, Phenoxyethanol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Decyl glucoside, Saccharide isomerate, Benzyl alcohol, Xanthan gum, Octyldodecanol, Lavandula angustifolia oil, Cedrus atlantica wood oil, Sodium dehydroacetate, Unknown, Tocopherol, Tocopheryl acetate, Salvia officinalis oil, Propylene glycol, Citric acid, Sodium citrate, Linalool, Limonene, Geraniol
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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.
| AesopProtective Facial Lotion SPF50YOUR PRODUCT | CeraVeInvisible Hydrating Fluid Sunscreen SPF 50 | Beauty of JoseonRelief Sun: Rice + Probiotic SPF50+ PA++++ | ManyoHyaluron Hydrating Sunscreen | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Match | — | 82% | 81% | 81% |
| Price | — | $18.73 | $12.60 | $13.75 |
| Shared key ingredients | — | 6 of 8 | 5 of 8 | 6 of 8 |
| Key difference | — | Ceramide Np | Adenosine | Adenosine |
| Irritancy | High | Low | Low | Medium |
| SPF | SPF 50 | SPF 50 | SPF 50 | SPF 50 |
| Drying alcohol | — | — | — | — |
| View product | Shop | Shop | Shop |
More alternatives: Dr. Jart+ Every Sun Day Waterproof Sun MilkSKIN 1004. Madagascar Centella Hyalu-cica Water-fit Sun Serum SPF50+ Pa++++
Product summary
We assess that "Aesop - Protective Facial Lotion SPF50" can provide reliable sun protection based on the ingredient list. We love that it can protect from both UVA and UVB rays (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).
As a plus, this sunscreen uses some of the new generation UV filters (Tinosorb M). These filters are more stable and more gentle on the skin.
Its formula is also hydrating, so you might not need an additional moistruizer during the day. This product prevents early signs of aging by protecting against sun damage (all broad spectrum sunscreens do that).
Sunscreen filters
This is a so-called "chemical" sunscreen. It means that it uses organic UV filters. They typically offer good sun protection and rarely leave a white cast, but they can be irritating for some people with sensitive skin. These are the sun protection ingredients in this sunscreen: uvinul a plus 7.70% (declared), uvinul t 4.50% (declared) and tinosorb m 4.50% (declared).
Irritation risk
This product contains a bunch of common irritants, including ingredients that do not provide any known benefit for the skin. It might not be the best choice if your skin is sensitive. We assess the overall irritancy of this product to be high. 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.
About the brand
According to Cruelty-Free Kitty "Aesop" is cruelty free, but its parent company is not.
Sources cited in this review
Every concentration estimate and effectiveness label is anchored to one of these 13 studies and safety reviews.
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