Algenist Sublime Defense Ultra Lightweight UV Defense Fluid SPF50
Works for
3 of 3 advertised claims delivered
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.
Evens skin tone1 ingredient credited for this claimStrong evidence
“Skin Type Normal, Dry, Combination, and Oily Skincare Concerns Fine Lines and Wrinkles, Dark Spots, and Dryness Formulation Lightweight Liquid Highlighted Ingredients , Patented Alguronic Acid Helps minimize the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles and support benefits of other active ingredients.”
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-agingNo ingredient credited for this claimStrong evidence
“Ultra Lightweight UV Defense Fluid SPF 50 is a n innovative, vegan formula proven to demonstrate superior anti-aging benefits while providing daily broad-spectrum protection.”
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.
Can it cause trouble?
Irritancy3 strong irritants: Parfum, Hexyl cinnamal + 1 more — patch-test recommendedHigh risk
ComedogenicClean of flagged comedogenic ingredientsNone flagged
User reviews
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Ingredients
Filter by role to see what each ingredient is doing.
Ethylhexyl methoxycinnamate7.5%
- Irritation risk
- High
Octinoxate. When used in higher concentrations, works as a sunscreen protecting the skin from UVB rays. When used in lower concentration, helps to preserve the product formulation. Is shown to be harmful to coral reefs - consider avoiding bathing in coral reef areas when wearing a product with this ingredient. It can be irritating
More about Ethylhexyl methoxycinnamateTitanium dioxide2%
- 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 dioxideZinc oxide17.1%
- 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~23–35%
- 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 CyclopentasiloxaneWater~11–17%
Alcohol denat.~5.2–7.7%
- Irritation risk
- High
Produces temporary toning effect. Can help dissolve other ingredients or preserve products
More about Alcohol denat.Glycerin~3.7–5.5%
- 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 GlycerinPolyglyceryl-3 polydimethylsiloxyethyl dimethicone~3.1–4.7%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Methyl methacrylate crosspolymer~2.5–3.8%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps thicken the product consistency
More about Methyl methacrylate crosspolymerPeg/ppg-18/18 dimethicone~1.9–2.9%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A silicone that mixes with water creating nice light-weight product texture
More about Peg/ppg-18/18 dimethiconePeg-9 polydimethylsiloxyethyl dimethicone~1.5–2.3%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
A type of silicone that helps water and oil mix together
More about Peg-9 polydimethylsiloxyethyl dimethiconeParachlorella beijerinckii exopolysaccharides~1.4–2.1%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Compounds extracted from green algae that could help neutralize free radicals, but evidence of effectiveness in skincare products (topical applicaiton) is missing. Helps moisturize the skin by attracting water to its upper layer
More about Parachlorella beijerinckii exopolysaccharidesEchinacea purpurea extract~1–1.5%
- Irritation risk
- High
Plant extract that might have some anti-oxidant properties. Can be irritating
More about Echinacea purpurea extractTocopheryl acetate~0.85–1.25%
- 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 acetateCamellia oleifera leaf extract~0.55–1.35%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A plant extract that can help neutralize free radicals and reduce inflammation, even though it is not usually used in sufficient concentration in cosmetics
More about Camellia oleifera leaf extractArctostaphylos uva ursi leaf extract~0.55–1.25%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Glycyrrhiza glabra root extract~0.55–1.3%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
A plant extract that can help lighten the skin and calm down inflammation. Might be helpful in neutralizing free radicals
More about Glycyrrhiza glabra root extractStearic acid~0.85–1.25%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps oil and water mix together and works as an emollient
More about Stearic acidTriethoxysilylethyl polydimethylsiloxyethyl hexyl dimethicone~0.45–1.05%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Bht~0.4–0.9%
Ethylhexylglycerin~0.35–0.85%
Caprylyl glycol~0.4–0.9%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Helps preserve products and creates a nice product texture
More about Caprylyl glycolAluminum hydroxide~0.2–0.8%
- 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 hydroxidePhenoxyethanol~0.1–0.5%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A preservative. It helps prevent bacterial growth in cosmetic products
More about PhenoxyethanolHexylene glycol~0.1–0.4%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Helps create a more spreadable product texture
More about Hexylene glycolParfum~0.05–0.25%
- Irritation risk
- High
An aromatic blend of unspecified and possibly irritating ingredients
More about ParfumHexyl cinnamal~0.05–0.2%
Linalool~0.05–0.2%
Ingredient list view
Ethylhexyl methoxycinnamate, Titanium dioxide, Zinc oxide, Cyclopentasiloxane, Water, Alcohol denat., Glycerin, Polyglyceryl-3 polydimethylsiloxyethyl dimethicone, Methyl methacrylate crosspolymer, Peg/ppg-18/18 dimethicone, Peg-9 polydimethylsiloxyethyl dimethicone, Parachlorella beijerinckii exopolysaccharides, Echinacea purpurea extract, Tocopheryl acetate, Camellia oleifera leaf extract, Arctostaphylos uva ursi leaf extract, Glycyrrhiza glabra root extract, Stearic acid, Triethoxysilylethyl polydimethylsiloxyethyl hexyl dimethicone, Bht, Ethylhexylglycerin, Caprylyl glycol, Aluminum hydroxide, Phenoxyethanol, Hexylene glycol, Parfum, Hexyl cinnamal, Linalool
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Product summary
The ingredient list suggests that "Algenist - Sublime Defense Ultra Lightweight UV Defense Fluid SPF50" can provide reliable sun protection. 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).
Like all broad-spectrum sunscreens, this product has an anti-aging benefit.
Sunscreen filters
This sunscreen uses a mixture of both mineral and organic (so-called "chemical") UV filters. The organic filters in the product are: octinoxate. As for the mineral filters, this sunscreen uses both titanium dioxide and zinc oxide.
Irritation risk
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.
Price
The product retails from 21.00$ up to 44.00$ in the United States, for 50.04£ in the United Kingdom and for 35.30CA$ in Canada.
For a detailed price comparison: click here.
Sources cited in this review
Every concentration estimate and effectiveness label is anchored to one of these 10 studies and safety reviews.
- 1A review of inorganic UV filters zinc oxide and titanium dioxideonlinelibrary.wiley.com
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