Australian Gold Broad Spectrum SPF 50 Spray Gel
Works for
Sun protectionSPF 50 · 4 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.
Anti-agingAloe barbadensis leaf juiceWorks well
“Australian Gold's SPF 50 Spray Gel with bronzer offers top-quality, certified Broad Spectrum sun protection alongside great skincare for an anti-ageing boost and softened skin.”
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.
Evens skin toneSide benefit · No ingredient credited for this claimWorks well
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).
MoisturizingSide benefit the brand mentions · Dimethicone, Helianthus annuus seed oil + 4 moreWorks
“Aloe Vera: Deeply hydrates and nourishes, whilst also providing natural skin-soothing properties.”
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:
glycerin, aloe barbadensis leaf juice.
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, helianthus annuus seed oil.
Can it cause trouble?
Irritancy6 strong irritants: Melaleuca alternifolia leaf oil, Parfum + 4 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.
Water~45–55%
Homosalate~6.3–7.7%
- 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~4.2–5.2%
- 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 salicylateAloe barbadensis leaf juice~3–3.7%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Traditionally 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 juiceButyl methoxydibenzoylmethane~3–3.7%
- 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 methoxydibenzoylmethaneOctocrylene~2.5–3.1%
- 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 OctocryleneStyrene/acrylates copolymer~1.5–1.8%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Used to create an even product consistency. Can help boost efficiency of sunscreen filters
More about Styrene/acrylates copolymerPropylene glycol~1.4–1.7%
- 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 glycolCaramel~1.1–1.4%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Acrylates/c12-22 alkyl methacrylate copolymer~0.95–1.15%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Dimethicone~0.7–1%
- 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 DimethiconeAcrylates/c10-30 alkyl acrylate crosspolymer~0.55–0.8%
- 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 crosspolymerOleth-10~0.45–0.7%
Trimethylsiloxysilicate~0.4–0.6%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A type of silicone that helps create a nice product consistency and support the delivery of other ingredients
More about TrimethylsiloxysilicateDisodium edta~0.3–0.6%
Helianthus annuus seed oil~0.35–0.6%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A great emollient due to its high linoleic acid content. One of the most effective plant oils in helping skin hydration and repairing skin barrier function
More about Helianthus annuus seed oilOlea europaea fruit oil~0.3–0.55%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
An emollient that helps soften the skin but is not effective for restoring its barrier function. Might be helpful to calm down inflammation
More about Olea europaea fruit oilTocopheryl acetate~0.3–0.5%
- 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 hydroxide~0.25–0.45%
Hydroxypropyl methylcellulose~0.25–0.4%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Used to create a thicker product consistency and stabilize the formulation
More about Hydroxypropyl methylcelluloseSorbitan oleate~0.2–0.4%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
- Comedogenicity
- 2/5
Helps oil and water mix together
More about Sorbitan oleateGlycerin~0.25–0.4%
- 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 GlycerinAmmonium hydroxide~0.15–0.3%
Melaleuca alternifolia leaf oil~0.15–0.25%
- Irritation risk
- High
An essential oil that can be irritating. Has some anti-bacterial properties
More about Melaleuca alternifolia leaf oilTerminalia ferdinandiana fruit extract~0.15–0.3%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
A plant extract that might have some anti-oxidant effect in skin, but evidence is lacking
More about Terminalia ferdinandiana fruit extractParfum~0.15–0.25%
- Irritation risk
- High
An aromatic blend of unspecified and possibly irritating ingredients
More about ParfumLimonene~0.15–0.25%
- Irritation risk
- High
A common frangrance that can easily irritate skin, especially if exposed to air, light or heat
More about LimoneneCoumarin~0.15–0.25%
Linalool~0.1–0.25%
Citral~0.1–0.2%
Phenoxyethanol~0.1–0.2%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A preservative. It helps prevent bacterial growth in cosmetic products
More about PhenoxyethanolEthylhexylglycerin~0.1–0.2%
Methylparaben~0.1–0.15%
Sodium benzoate~0.1–0.15%
Potassium sorbate~0.1–0.15%
Ingredient list view
Water, Homosalate, Ethylhexyl salicylate, Aloe barbadensis leaf juice, Butyl methoxydibenzoylmethane, Octocrylene, Styrene/acrylates copolymer, Propylene glycol, Caramel, Acrylates/c12-22 alkyl methacrylate copolymer, Dimethicone, Acrylates/c10-30 alkyl acrylate crosspolymer, Oleth-10, Trimethylsiloxysilicate, Disodium edta, Helianthus annuus seed oil, Olea europaea fruit oil, Tocopheryl acetate, Sodium hydroxide, Hydroxypropyl methylcellulose, Sorbitan oleate, Glycerin, Ammonium hydroxide, Melaleuca alternifolia leaf oil, Terminalia ferdinandiana fruit extract, Parfum, Limonene, Coumarin, Linalool, Citral, Phenoxyethanol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Methylparaben, Sodium benzoate, Potassium sorbate
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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.
| Australian GoldBroad Spectrum SPF 50 Spray GelYOUR PRODUCT | Dune SuncareInvisible Gel Face Sunscreen SPF 30 | La Roche-PosayAnthelios XL Anti-Shine Dry Touch Gel-Cream SPF 50+ | A'PIEUPower Block Aqua Sun Gel SPF50+ PA++++ | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Match | — | 47% | 45% | 44% |
| Price | $10.49 | $27.95+$17.46 | $21.48+$10.99 | $10.90 |
| Shared key ingredients | — | 5 of 6 | 5 of 6 | 4 of 6 |
| Key difference | — | Knotgrass Extract | Tinosorb S | Madecassoside |
| Irritancy | High | Medium | Low | Medium |
| SPF | SPF 50 | SPF 30 | SPF 50 | SPF 50 |
| Drying alcohol | — | Contains drying alcohol | — | Contains drying alcohol |
| View product | Shop | Shop | Shop |
More alternatives: Vacation Crystal SPF 50 Sunscreen GelHawaiian Tropic Everyday Active Broad Spectrum Sunscreen Lotion, SPF 50
Product summary
Based on the ingredient list, we assess that "Australian Gold - Broad Spectrum SPF 50 Spray Gel" 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 product 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).
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. Here are the exact UV filters in this sunscreen: avobenzone 3.00% - 3.70%, octisalate 4.20% - 5.20%, homosalate 6.30% - 7.70% and octocrylene 2.50% - 3.10%.
Irritation risk
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 sunscreen 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 "Australian Gold" is cruelty free and so is its parent company.
Price
The product retails for 22.05A$ in Australia and for 8.99$ 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 15 studies and safety reviews.
- 1
- 2
- 3Surfactants and experimental irritant contact dermatitisncbi.nlm.nih.gov
- 4Propylene Glycolpubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
- 5Skin-sensitizing and irritant properties of propylene glycolonlinelibrary.wiley.com
- 6
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