
This product offers broad spectrum sun protection, but it is weak. We recommend to use a broad spectrum sunscreen with at least SPF 30.
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.
“Fruit stem cell complex, vitamin C, and resveratrol CoQ10, super antioxidants, help boost dermal vitality as lightweight hydration from hyaluronic acid and ultra-sheer SPF 18 provide daily, easy-to-wear broad spectrum protection.”
This product contains good ingredients to attract water to the upper layer of the skin. These ingredients are called "humectants": glycerin, isomalt.
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).
The following ingredients in this product are especially good for supporting the skin barrier and helping with the hydration level: panthenol
“Age Defying Ultra Sheer Daily Defense Facial Lotion SPF 18”
This product contains ubiquinone. This ingredient help neutralize free radicals in skin. By doing so, they might be able to prevent early signs of aging (like fine lines and wrinkles), at least to some extent. These ingredients will not be able to "reverse" signs of aging. The biggest anti-aging effect in this product comes from sun protection. Sun damage is the main factor causing early signs of skin aging. We, however, do not recommend using this product as a sunscreen because the protection it offers is not strong enough).
This product contains antioxidants (ubiquinone) that can help neutralize free radicals in skin. By doing so, they can lessen the damage the skin gets from the UV light (sun).
The following ingredients - camellia sinensis leaf extract, lycium barbarum fruit extract also can have an antioxidant effect, but there is less evidence to confirm their effectiveness in skin.
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Filter by role to see what each ingredient is doing.
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 HomosalateOctisalate. 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 salicylateAvobenzone. An organic, or so-called "chemical" UV filter. Protects against both UVA and UVB rays. Needs to be combined with other filters in a formulation to be stable.
More about Butyl methoxydibenzoylmethaneOne 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 GlycerinTraditionally used to treat sunburns, dermatitis and inflammation, but evidence for its effectiveness is lacking. The extract can contain humectants that help attract water into the skin
More about Aloe barbadensis leaf juiceUsed to help oil and water mix together. Can be irritating
More about Sorbitan sesquioleateAn emollient that softens the skin and forms a protective layer on its surface. Helps water and oil mix together
More about Glyceryl stearateAn aromatic blend of unspecified and possibly irritating ingredients
More about ParfumAn emollient that helps soften the skin
More about Stearyl alcoholA preservative. It helps prevent bacterial growth in cosmetic products
More about PhenoxyethanolA non-drying alcohol that works to soften the skin and stabilize product formulations helping oil and water mix together
More about Cetyl alcoholHelps oil and water mix together and works as an emollient
More about Stearic acidEnhances 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 benzoateHelps oil and water mix together while softening the upper layer of the skin
More about Glyceryl stearate citrateUsed mostly for creating emulsions - helping oil and water mix together. Helps soften the upper layer of the skin
More about LecithinUsed to create a thicker product consistency
More about Xanthan gumHelps create a thicker or gel-like product texture. It is not a surfactant but can be used in gentle cleansing formulations
More about CarbomerHelps attract water to the upper layer of the skin and can help improve skin barrier function
More about PanthenolPure 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 TocopherolHelps calm down inflammation in skin and can help reduce itching. Helps to repair the skin barrier and keep skin hydrated
More about AllantoinOne of the best moisturizing ingredients. Attracts water into the upper layer of the skin
More about Sodium hyaluronateA plant extract that can have some anti-oxidant effect in skin
More about Euterpe oleracea fruit extractA plant extract that can help neutralize free radicals in skin and attract water to its upper layer
More about Lycium barbarum fruit extractCan contain potent anti-oxidant compounds (abbreviated ECG, GCG, EGC, and EGCG) that might help protect the skin from free radicals. Can help calm down inflammation and has some anti-bacterial properties. Unfortunately, these antioxidants are unstable and lose their effectiveness very quickly in products. The concentration of the antioxidant compounds in the extract also tends to be low to be effective in topical formulation
More about Camellia sinensis leaf extractA derivative of vitamin C that is more stable, but less bioavailable than the pure form of vitamin C. It does not penetrate the skin well, but has been shown to convert to pure vitamin C once in skin. It can be helpful in stimulating collagen production and lightening the skin tone, but the required concentration is likely to be very high
More about Magnesium ascorbyl phosphateHelps attract water to the upper layer of the skin
More about IsomaltCan be drying and contribute to skin irritation. Used in formulars to dissolve other ingredients, create a thinner product consistency or for its antibacterial properties
More about AlcoholPlant extract that might have help to neutralize free radicals in skin, but evidence of effectiveness is skin is lacking
More about Aspalathus linearis leaf extractA plant extract that can be irritating. It might contain a compound anthocyanin that could be helpful in neutralizing free radicals
More about Hibiscus sabdariffa flower extractA plant extract that has some anti-oxidant and anti-bacterial properties. Can be irritating
More about Calendula officinalis flower extractCoenzyme Q10. It helps neutralize free radicals in skin, improves skin hydration and might be helpful agains fine lines and wrinkles. It can be an allergen
More about UbiquinoneHomosalate, Ethylhexyl salicylate, Butyl methoxydibenzoylmethane, Water, Glycerin, Aloe barbadensis leaf juice, Sorbitan sesquioleate, Glyceryl stearate, Parfum, Stearyl alcohol, Phenoxyethanol, Cetyl alcohol, Stearic acid, C12-15 alkyl benzoate, Glyceryl stearate citrate, Malus domestica fruit cell culture extract, Lecithin, Xanthan gum, Carbomer, Panthenol, Malus domestica fruit cell culture extract, Tocopherol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Allantoin, Vitis vinifera callus culture extract, 1,2-hexanediol, Sodium hyaluronate, Euterpe oleracea fruit extract, Aronia melanocarpa fruit extract, Lycium barbarum fruit extract, Camellia sinensis leaf extract, Pichia/resveratrol ferment extract, Potassium sorbate, Magnesium ascorbyl phosphate, Vitis vinifera fruit cell extract, Isomalt, Alcohol, Aspalathus linearis leaf extract, Hibiscus sabdariffa flower extract, Calendula officinalis flower extract, Ubiquinone
Retailers ranked by price — lowest first.
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.
| Andalou NaturalsAge Defying Ultra Sheer Daily Defense Facial Lotion SPF 18YOUR PRODUCT | OlayRegenerist Regenerating Lotion | Face Reality SkincareBrilliant Defense SPF 50 | NeutrogenaMen Triple Protect Face Lotion Broad Spectrum SPF 20 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Match | — | 65% | 64% | 62% |
| Price | $43.02 | $27.31−$15.71 | $42.00−$1.02 | — |
| Shared key ingredients | — | 7 of 11 | 6 of 11 | 5 of 11 |
| Key difference | — | Niacinamide | Aminopropyl Ascorbyl Phosphate | Bisabolol |
| Irritancy | High | Medium | Low | Medium |
| SPF | SPF 18 | SPF 50 | SPF 50 | SPF 20 |
| Drying alcohol | Contains drying alcohol | — | — | — |
| View product | Shop | Shop | Shop |
More alternatives: CHUDA Sheer Hydrating Lotion Broad Spectrum SPF 30Cetaphil Daily Facial Moisturizer SPF 35
"Andalou Naturals - Age Defying Ultra Sheer Daily Defense Facial Lotion SPF 18" offers broad spectrum protection. It means that it protects from both UVA and UVB rays (you can remember UVB as "burning" sunlight - they cause sunburn. You can remember UVA rays as "aging" - they do not lead to sunburn, but they cause photodamage and contribute to early signs of skin aging and hyperpigmentation). On the negative side, the SPF of this sunscreen is not high enough. We recommend to use a sunscreen with at least SPF 30 daily.
It also works as a moisturizer, so you do not have to use an additional hydrating product.
This is a so-called "chemical" sunscreen. It means that it uses organic UV filters. They typically offer good sun protection and rarely leave a white cast, but they can be irritating for some people with sensitive skin. Here are the exact UV filters in this sunscreen: avobenzone 3.00% (declared), octisalate 4.00% (declared) and homosalate 12.00% (declared).
We assess the overall irritancy of it to be high. For a detailed overview of all potential irritants: click here
You can see the detailed formula review with the breakdown of all actives in the product and the full ingredient list with estimated concentrations in the tables below.
According to Cruelty-Free Kitty "Andalou Naturals" is cruelty free and so is its parent company.
The product retails from 16.99$ up to 43.02$ in the United States.
For a detailed price comparison: click here.
Every concentration estimate and effectiveness label is anchored to one of these 26 studies and safety reviews.
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