Avène Sun Care SPF30 Cream
Works for
Sun protectionSPF 30 · 5 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-agingSide benefit · TocopherolWorks well
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 · Cyclomethicone, Diisopropyl adipate + 8 moreWorks
“Highly resistant to water, its rich and creamy texture protects and moisturises the sensitive and dry skins.”
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:
cyclomethicone, caprylyl 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, cyclomethicone.
Can it cause trouble?
Irritancy1 strong irritant: ParfumMedium risk
ComedogenicClean of flagged comedogenic ingredientsNone flagged
User reviews
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Ingredients
Filter by role to see what each ingredient is doing.
Water~45–55%
Octocrylene~5.7–7%
- 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 OctocryleneCyclomethicone~4–4.9%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A type of silicone that leaves a nice silky finish on the skin and can help soften its upper layer
More about CyclomethiconeCetearyl isononanoate~3.2–3.9%
- Irritation risk
- Low
An emollient that softens the skin and helps prevent moisture loss.
More about Cetearyl isononanoateMethylene bis-benzotriazolyl tetramethylbutylphenol~3.2–4%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Tinosorb M. A UV filter. Is effective against both UVA and UVB rays. It also provides some protection against visible light. It is photostable and can also be used to improve photostability of other sunscreen ingredients. Its physical properties help to create lightweight sunscreen formulations. It can leave a slight white cast. Unfortunately, it is not approved by the FDA (US) yet
More about Methylene bis-benzotriazolyl tetramethylbutylphenolWater~1.9–2.4%
Dicaprylyl ether~1.7–2.1%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps soften the upper layer of the skin while creating a non-greasy feel on the skin. Helps to dissolve other ingredients
More about Dicaprylyl etherBis-ethylhexyloxyphenol methoxyphenyl triazine~1.9–2.4%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Tinosorb S. One of the most effective broad spectrum sunscreen ingredients. Protects from both UVA and UVB rays. It is photostable. Approved by the US FDA in 2026 (listed as bemotrizinol on US labels).
More about Bis-ethylhexyloxyphenol methoxyphenyl triazineButyl methoxydibenzoylmethane~1.7–2%
- 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 methoxydibenzoylmethaneAvena sativa kernel extract~1–1.2%
- Irritation risk
- Low
An effective moisturizing and skin barrier repair ingredient. Helps calm down inflammation and has some anti-oxidant properties
More about Avena sativa kernel extractDiisopropyl adipate~0.75–1.15%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps soften the upper layer of the skin
More about Diisopropyl adipatePotassium cetyl phosphate~0.65–0.95%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Helps oil and water mix together
More about Potassium cetyl phosphateStearyl alcohol~0.65–1%
- Irritation risk
- Low
An emollient that helps soften the skin
More about Stearyl alcoholTitanium dioxide~0.7–1.1%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Works as a UV filter when used in high concentrations. It is photostable and is effective mostly against the UVB light, with some protection in the UVA range. In small concentrations, used for its ability to improve the color of cosmetic products. Is usually well tolerated by the skin
More about Titanium dioxideVp/eicosene copolymer~0.5–0.75%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Used to improve the product adherence to the skin, for example, to pro-long the protective effect of sunscreens. Can be irritating to very sensitive skin
More about Vp/eicosene copolymerCaprylic/capric triglyceride~0.55–0.8%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
A 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 triglycerideCaprylyl glycol~0.5–0.75%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Helps preserve products and creates a nice product texture
More about Caprylyl glycolDecyl glucoside~0.5–0.75%
- Irritation risk
- High
Helps oil and water mix together. Can be irritating
More about Decyl glucosideDimethicone~0.45–0.65%
- 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~0.3–0.55%
Parfum~0.25–0.45%
- Irritation risk
- High
An aromatic blend of unspecified and possibly irritating ingredients
More about ParfumGlyceryl behenate~0.3–0.55%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Used to create a thicker product consistency and help soften the upper layer of the skin
More about Glyceryl behenateGlyceryl dibehenate~0.25–0.5%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Propylene glycol~0.2–0.35%
- 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 glycolSilica~0.3–0.55%
Sorbic acid~0.1–0.25%
Tocopheryl glucoside~0.15–0.3%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Antioxidant that helps stabilize product formulations and, if used in higher concentration, might help neutralize free radicals in skin
More about Tocopheryl glucosideTribehenin~0.15–0.25%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Used to create a thicker product consistency and soften the upper layer of the skin
More about TribeheninXanthan gum~0.1–0.15%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Used to create a thicker product consistency
More about Xanthan gumTocopherol~0.05–0.15%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Pure 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 TocopherolIngredient list view
Unknown, Water, Octocrylene, Cyclomethicone, Cetearyl isononanoate, Methylene bis-benzotriazolyl tetramethylbutylphenol, Water, Dicaprylyl ether, Bis-ethylhexyloxyphenol methoxyphenyl triazine, Butyl methoxydibenzoylmethane, Unknown, Avena sativa kernel extract, Diisopropyl adipate, Potassium cetyl phosphate, Stearyl alcohol, Titanium dioxide, Vp/eicosene copolymer, Caprylic/capric triglyceride, Caprylyl glycol, Decyl glucoside, Dimethicone, Disodium edta, Parfum, Glyceryl behenate, Glyceryl dibehenate, Propylene glycol, Silica, Sorbic acid, Tocopheryl glucoside, Tribehenin, Xanthan gum, Tocopherol
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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.
| AvèneSun Care SPF30 CreamYOUR PRODUCT | Hawaiian TropicSilk Hydration Sunscreen Lotion SPF50+ Face | KansosanSkincare Moisture Base SPF 37 | La Roche-PosayAnthelios Age Correct Daily Care SPF50 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Match | — | 52% | 51% | 50% |
| Price | — | $6.66 | $15.65 | $28.98 |
| Shared key ingredients | — | 4 of 9 | 2 of 9 | 3 of 9 |
| Key difference | — | Uvinul T | Niacinamide | Niacinamide |
| Irritancy | Medium | Low | Low | Low |
| SPF | SPF 30 | SPF 50 | SPF 37 | SPF 50 |
| Drying alcohol | — | — | — | Contains drying alcohol |
| View product | Shop | Shop | Shop |
More alternatives: Eau Thermale Avene Suncare Fluid SPF50+Aveeno Protect + Hydrate Moisturizing Sunscreen SPF 30
Product summary
Based on the ingredient list, we assess that "Avène - Sun Care SPF30 Cream" can provide reliable sun protection. It can protect from both UVA and UVB rays. This is great news because 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).
As a plus, this sunscreen uses some of the new generation UV filters (Tinosorb M). These filters are more stable and more gentle on the skin.
Because it includes good moisturizing ingredients, it can also work as a hydrating day cream. Like all broad-spectrum sunscreens, this product helps prevent early signs of aging.
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: tinosorb s 1.90% - 2.40%, avobenzone 1.70% - 2.00%, tinosorb m 3.20% - 4.00% and octocrylene 5.70% - 7.00%.
Irritation risk
There are some common irritants in this product, including ingredients that do not have benefits for the skin. We assess the overall irritancy of this moisturizer 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 12.90£ in the United Kingdom.
For a detailed price comparison: click here.
Sources cited in this review
Every concentration estimate and effectiveness label is anchored to one of these 10 studies and safety reviews.
- 1
- 2
- 3
- 4Final Report on the Safety Assessment of Dimethicone Copolyoljournals.sagepub.com
- 5Surfactants and experimental irritant contact dermatitisncbi.nlm.nih.gov
- 6Propylene Glycolpubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
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