A'PIEU Power Block Aqua Sun Gel SPF50+ PA++++
Works for
2 of 2 advertised claims delivered
Sun protectionSPF 50 · 6 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.
Moisturizing7 ingredients credited for this claimStrong support
“Formulated with madecassoside, panthenol, cypress tree water and calamine to calm and soothe skin while retaining moisture to prevent dryness.”
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:
panthenol, 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, caprylyl glycol.
The following ingredients in this product are especially good for supporting the skin barrier and helping with the hydration level: madecassoside, panthenol
Anti-oxidationNot advertised by the brand · 3 ingredients credited for this claimStrong support
This product contains antioxidants (madecassoside) 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 - centella asiatica extract also can have an antioxidant effect, but there is less evidence to confirm their effectiveness in skin.
Evens skin toneNot advertised by the brand · 1 ingredient 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).
Can it cause trouble?
Irritancy2 strong irritants: Isoamyl p-methoxycinnamate, ParfumMedium 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.
Water~45–55%
Centella asiatica extract~8–9.7%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
A plant extract that has been shown to be able to reduce inflammation in skin, support restoration of skin barrier function, as well as support collagen production. Contains active compounds called centelloids: asiaticoside, madecasosside, asiatic acid and madecassic acid. Might be helpful in preventing stretch marks. It can be itself be irritating though.
More about Centella asiatica extractHomosalate~4.7–5.8%
- 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 HomosalateEthylhexyl salicylate~3.6–4.4%
- 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 salicylateDipropylene glycol~2.2–2.7%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps to dissolve other ingredients in a formulation. Slows down the rate of product drying
More about Dipropylene glycolAlcohol~2–2.4%
- Irritation risk
- High
Can 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 AlcoholButyl methoxydibenzoylmethane~2.2–2.7%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Avobenzone. 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 methoxydibenzoylmethaneSilica~1.7–2.1%
Butylene glycol~1.2–1.5%
- 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 glycolBis-ethylhexyloxyphenol methoxyphenyl triazine~1.5–1.8%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Tinosorb S. One of the most effective broad spectrum sunscreen ingredients. Protects from both UVA and UVB rays. It is photostable. Unfortunately, not approved by FDA (US) yet.
More about Bis-ethylhexyloxyphenol methoxyphenyl triazineIsoamyl p-methoxycinnamate~1.2–1.4%
- Irritation risk
- High
Amiloxate or Neo Heliopan E1000. A UV filter. It is effective against UVB and UVA II rays. Not available in the US. It can be irritating
More about Isoamyl p-methoxycinnamateMethyl methacrylate crosspolymer~0.65–0.95%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps thicken the product consistency
More about Methyl methacrylate crosspolymerOctocrylene~0.75–1.15%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
A weak sunscreen that protects against the sun rays that cause sunburn (UVB) and is somewhat effective against the UVA rays. It is quite stable and can help stabilize other, more vulnerable, sunscreen ingredients like Avobenzone. It is an organic, or so called "chemical" sunscreen
More about OctocryleneDimethicone~0.55–0.85%
- 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 DimethiconeChamaecyparis obtusa water~0.45–0.7%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Houttuynia cordata extract~0.45–0.65%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Madecassoside~0.45–0.65%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
An antioxidant that is typically derived from plant Centella Asiatica. It can help neutralize free radicals in skin and support skin barrier function. It could, however, itself be irritating. It is often unstable in formulations
More about MadecassosidePanthenol~0.4–0.6%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps attract water to the upper layer of the skin and can help improve skin barrier function
More about PanthenolAcrylates/c10-30 alkyl acrylate crosspolymer~0.35–0.6%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Maintains the texture of skincare products. Allows the product to spread evenly. Helps oil and water mix together
More about Acrylates/c10-30 alkyl acrylate crosspolymerTocopheryl acetate~0.3–0.6%
- 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 acetateSodium acrylate/sodium acryloyldimethyl taurate copolymer~0.25–0.5%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Used to create a thicker product consistency
More about Sodium acrylate/sodium acryloyldimethyl taurate copolymerSodium hydroxide~0.25–0.45%
Isohexadecane~0.35–0.65%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Improves the texture of the product and helps soften the skin. Helps oil and water mix together and can be used as a cleansing agent
More about IsohexadecanePolysorbate 80~0.25–0.5%
Sorbitan oleate~0.25–0.45%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
- Comedogenicity
- 2/5
Helps oil and water mix together
More about Sorbitan oleateDisodium edta~0.2–0.35%
Phenoxyethanol~0.15–0.3%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A preservative. It helps prevent bacterial growth in cosmetic products
More about PhenoxyethanolCaprylyl glycol~0.2–0.35%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Helps preserve products and creates a nice product texture
More about Caprylyl glycolEthylhexylglycerin~0.15–0.25%
1,2-hexanediol~0.1–0.2%
Parfum~0.05–0.15%
- Irritation risk
- High
An aromatic blend of unspecified and possibly irritating ingredients
More about ParfumIngredient list view
Water, Centella asiatica extract, Homosalate, Ethylhexyl salicylate, Dipropylene glycol, Alcohol, Butyl methoxydibenzoylmethane, Silica, Butylene glycol, Bis-ethylhexyloxyphenol methoxyphenyl triazine, Isoamyl p-methoxycinnamate, Methyl methacrylate crosspolymer, Octocrylene, Dimethicone, Chamaecyparis obtusa water, Houttuynia cordata extract, Madecassoside, Panthenol, Acrylates/c10-30 alkyl acrylate crosspolymer, Tocopheryl acetate, Sodium acrylate/sodium acryloyldimethyl taurate copolymer, Sodium hydroxide, Isohexadecane, Polysorbate 80, Sorbitan oleate, Disodium edta, Phenoxyethanol, Caprylyl glycol, Ethylhexylglycerin, 1,2-hexanediol, Parfum
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Product summary
The ingredient list suggests that "A'PIEU - Power Block Aqua Sun Gel SPF50+ PA++++" 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).
It should also be hydrating enough to use without an additional moisturizer during the day.
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. The UV filters in this sunscreen are: tinosorb s 1.50% - 1.80%, avobenzone 2.20% - 2.70%, octisalate 3.60% - 4.40%, homosalate 4.70% - 5.80%, amiloxate 1.20% - 1.40% and octocrylene 0.75% - 1.15%.
Irritation risk
This sunscreen contains some common irritants, including those without a benefit for the skin. We assess the overall irritancy of this sunscreen to be medium. 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 31.90A$ in Australia and for 10.90$ 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 21 studies and safety reviews.
- 1
- 2Centella asiatica in cosmetologyncbi.nlm.nih.gov
- 3
- 4
- 5
- 6Contact dermatitis due to Madecassolonlinelibrary.wiley.com
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