Australian Gold SPF 15 Spray Gel Sunscreen
Works for
1 of 2 advertised claims delivered
Sun protectionSPF 15 · 5 UV filters · Broad spectrumWeak protectionSPF under 30
This product offers broad spectrum sun protection, but it is weak. We recommend to use a broad spectrum sunscreen with at least SPF 30.
MoisturizingDimethicone, Glycerin + 3 moreGood evidence
“Sunflower Seed Oil, Olive Fruit Oil and Cocoa Seed Butter work to deeply moisturize for smooth, hydrated skin Fragrance.”
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?
Irritancy4 strong irritants: Benzophenone-3, Parfum + 2 more — patch-test recommendedHigh risk
Comedogenic1 ingredient rated 2 or more on the 0–5 pore-clogging scale1 flagged
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Ingredients
Filter by role to see what each ingredient is doing.
Acrylates/c10-30 alkyl acrylate crosspolymer~23–34%
- 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 crosspolymerAcrylates/c12-22 alkyl methacrylate copolymer~5.5–8.2%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Aloe barbadensis leaf juice~4.3–6.5%
- 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 juiceButylphthalimide~3.7–5.5%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Butyl methoxydibenzoylmethane2%
- 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 methoxydibenzoylmethaneEthylhexyl salicylate5%
- 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 salicylateOctocrylene1.85%
- 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 OctocryleneBenzophenone-30.5%
- Irritation risk
- High
Same 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-3Acrylates/c10-30 alkyl acrylate crosspolymer~2.7–4.1%
- 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 crosspolymerAcrylates/c12-22 alkyl methacrylate copolymer~2–2.9%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Aloe barbadensis leaf juice~1.4–2.1%
- 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 juiceDimethicone~1.4–2.1%
- 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 DimethiconeDisodium edta~0.5–1%
Parfum~0.9–1.35%
- Irritation risk
- High
An aromatic blend of unspecified and possibly irritating ingredients
More about ParfumGlycerin~0.8–1.25%
- 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 GlycerinHelianthus annuus seed oil~0.55–1.3%
- 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 oilHydroxypropyl methylcellulose~0.5–1.15%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Used to create a thicker product consistency and stabilize the formulation
More about Hydroxypropyl methylcelluloseIsopropylphthalimide~0.45–1.05%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Melaleuca alternifolia leaf oil~0.35–0.85%
- Irritation risk
- High
An essential oil that can be irritating. Has some anti-bacterial properties
More about Melaleuca alternifolia leaf oilMethylisothiazolinone~0.00075–0.0015%
Olea europaea fruit oil~0.45–1%
- 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 oilOleth-10~0.35–0.85%
Phenoxyethanol~0.35–0.8%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A preservative. It helps prevent bacterial growth in cosmetic products
More about PhenoxyethanolPolysilicone-15~0.35–0.85%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
A UV filter. Effective against UVB rays, but does not protect against the most aging UVA light
More about Polysilicone-15Propylene glycol~0.2–0.7%
- 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 glycolSorbitan oleate~0.15–0.6%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
- Comedogenicity
- 2/5
Helps oil and water mix together
More about Sorbitan oleateTerminalia ferdinandiana fruit extract~0.15–0.55%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
A plant extract that might have some anti-oxidant effect in skin, but evidence is lacking
More about Terminalia ferdinandiana fruit extractTocopheryl acetate~0.15–0.55%
- 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 acetateTriethanolamine~0.1–0.45%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Used to adjust pH of the product and can help improve the product's smell
More about TriethanolamineTrimethylsiloxysilicate~0.2–0.7%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A type of silicone that helps create a nice product consistency and support the delivery of other ingredients
More about TrimethylsiloxysilicateWater~0.1–0.3%
Ingredient list view
Acrylates/c10-30 alkyl acrylate crosspolymer, Acrylates/c12-22 alkyl methacrylate copolymer, Aloe barbadensis leaf juice, Butylphthalimide, Butyl methoxydibenzoylmethane, Ethylhexyl salicylate, Octocrylene, Benzophenone-3, Acrylates/c10-30 alkyl acrylate crosspolymer, Acrylates/c12-22 alkyl methacrylate copolymer, Aloe barbadensis leaf juice, Dimethicone, Disodium edta, Parfum, Glycerin, Helianthus annuus seed oil, Hydroxypropyl methylcellulose, Isopropylphthalimide, Melaleuca alternifolia leaf oil, Methylisothiazolinone, Olea europaea fruit oil, Oleth-10, Phenoxyethanol, Polysilicone-15, Propylene glycol, Sorbitan oleate, Terminalia ferdinandiana fruit extract, Tocopheryl acetate, Triethanolamine, Trimethylsiloxysilicate, Water
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Product summary
"Australian Gold - SPF 15 Spray Gel Sunscreen" "is a broad spectrum sunscreen meaning that it protects both from UVB rays (" burning "- they cause sunburn) and UVA rays (" aging "- they don't cause sunburn but lead to premature aging and pigmentation issues). However, this product does not offer enough sun protection. We recommend to use a sunscreen with at least SPF 30 daily.
It should also be hydrating enough to use without an additional moisturizer during the day.
Sunscreen filters
This sunscreen uses so-called" chemical ", or organic UV filters (organic simply means that their molecules contain atoms of carbon). These filters typically give good sun protection and rarely leave a white cast, but they can be irritating for sensitive skin. These are the sun protection ingredients in this sunscreen: oxybenzone 0.50% (declared), avobenzone 2.00% (declared), octisalate 5.00% (declared), octocrylene 1.85% (declared) and polysilicone-15 0.35% - 0.85%.
Irritation risk
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.
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 from 7.00$ up to 14.94$ 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 17 studies and safety reviews.
- 1
- 2
- 3On Photostability of Oxybenzonecore.ac.uk
- 4
- 5Final Report on the Safety Assessment of Dimethicone Copolyoljournals.sagepub.com
- 6
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