
3 of 3 advertised claims delivered
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.
“It not only leaves skin looking flawless; it has clinically-proven skin benefits, offering broad spectrum defence against UVA and UVB rays to prevent sun damage and premature ageing.”
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.
“It not only leaves skin looking flawless; it has clinically-proven skin benefits, offering broad spectrum defence against UVA and UVB rays to prevent sun damage and premature ageing.”
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).
This product contains antioxidants (ethylbisiminomethylguaiacol manganese chloride) that can help neutralize free radicals in skin. By doing so, they can lessen the damage the skin gets from the UV light (sun).
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:
anhydroxylitol, glycerin.
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, cyclopentasiloxane.

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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 OctocryleneOctinoxate. 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 methoxycinnamateSame as oxybenzone. Protects in the UVB and short UVA range. In small concentrations, used to stabilize product formulation. Can be irritating. Is shown to be harmful to coral reefs - consider avoiding bathing in coral reef areas when wearing a product with this ingredient. It can penetrate the skin and get absorbed into bloodstream faster than other popular filters available in the US. The study that produced this finding did not address any potential health effects of the absorption
More about Benzophenone-3Avobenzone. 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 methoxydibenzoylmethaneA 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 DimethiconeA silicone that helps improve the product texture and spreadability. Can absorb oil creating a short-term mattifying effect on the skin
More about CyclopentasiloxaneHelps attract water to the upper layer of the skin and repair the skin barrier function
More about XylitylglucosideA good mix of fatty acids that forms a protective layer on the skin. Improves the shelf life of products. Derived from coconut and glycerin
More about Caprylic/capric triglycerideHelps oil and water mix together and works as an emollient
More about Stearic acidOne 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 GlycerinUsed 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 glycolA potent anti-oxidant that can help neutralize free radicals in skin and protect from harmful effects of sun exposure, even though more studies are needed to confirm its effectiveness in topical applications
More about Ethylbisiminomethylguaiacol manganese chlorideUsed to stabilize the product formulations and works as an emollient
More about Glyceryl stearate seA preservative. It helps prevent bacterial growth in cosmetic products
More about PhenoxyethanolHelps attract water to the upper layer of the skin and repair the skin barrir function
More about AnhydroxylitolA silicone that forms a light film on the skin surface helping to bind water and temporarily absorb oils creating a matt and powdery feel
More about Polysilicone-11A 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 acetateA preservative. Can be used to mask unpleasant smell. Can be irritating
More about Benzyl alcoholHelps attract water to the upper layer of the skin and repair the skin barrier function
More about XylitolHelps oil and water mix together
More about Sodium stearoyl glutamateUsed to create a thicker product consistency
More about Xanthan gumA great moisturising ingredient that softens the skin and reduces water loss from its upper layer. It also can be helpful in protecting skin from free radicals
More about Butyrospermum parkii butterUsed to improve product texture and help oil and water mix together
More about PolyacrylamideAn aromatic blend of unspecified and possibly irritating ingredients
More about ParfumA common frangrance that can easily irritate skin, especially if exposed to air, light or heat
More about LimoneneHelps soften the upper layer of the skin, dissolve other ingredients and create a thicker product consistency
More about C13-14 isoparaffinA 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 PolymethylsilsesquioxaneWater, Octocrylene, Ethylhexyl methoxycinnamate, Benzophenone-3, Butyl methoxydibenzoylmethane, Acacia decurrens/jojoba/sunflower seed cera/polyglyceryl-3 esters, Dimethicone, Cyclopentasiloxane, Xylitylglucoside, Tapioca starch, Caprylic/capric triglyceride, Stearic acid, Glycerin, Butylene glycol, Ethylbisiminomethylguaiacol manganese chloride, Glyceryl stearate se, Phenoxyethanol, Anhydroxylitol, Polysilicone-11, Tocopheryl acetate, Benzyl alcohol, Xylitol, Sodium stearoyl glutamate, Xanthan gum, Butyrospermum parkii butter, Disodium edta, Ethylhexylglycerin, Polyacrylamide, Parfum, Limonene, Sodium stearate, C13-14 isoparaffin, Dehydroacetic acid, Polymethylsilsesquioxane, Geraniol, Linalool, Laureth-7, Citral
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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.
| ARK SkincareSkin Protector SPF 30 PrimerYOUR PRODUCT | this worksSkincare In Transit Skin Defence SPF30 | RodialVit C SPF 30 Moisturizer Brighten and Renew | Laura MercierFlawless Lumiere Radiance-Perfecting Cushion SPF 50 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Match | — | 64% | 63% | 55% |
| Price | $50.24 | $32.00−$18.24 | $95.00+$44.76 | — |
| Shared key ingredients | — | 11 of 14 | 11 of 14 | 6 of 14 |
| Key difference | — | Echium Plantagineum Seed Oil | Ascorbyl Glucoside | Niacinamide |
| Irritancy | High | High | High | Low |
| SPF | SPF 30 | SPF 30 | SPF 30 | SPF 50 |
| Drying alcohol | — | — | — | — |
| View product | Shop | Shop | Shop |
Based on the ingredient list, we assess that "ARK Skincare - Skin Protector SPF 30 Primer" 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).
This sunscreen should also be hydrating enough to use without an additional moisturizer during the day. This product prevents early signs of aging by protecting against sun damage (all broad spectrum sunscreens do that).
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: oxybenzone 3.40% - 4.10%, avobenzone 3.00% - 3.70%, octinoxate 4.30% - 5.30% and octocrylene 6.10% - 7.50%.
There are quite a few common irritants in this product, including ingredients without particular skin benefits. We would not recommend it for sensitive skin. 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.
The product retails from 30.62£ up to 38.00£ in the United Kingdom.
For a detailed price comparison: click here.
Every concentration estimate and effectiveness label is anchored to one of these 12 studies and safety reviews.
Affiliate links · As an Amazon Associate, WIMJ earns from qualifying purchases.