Avène Sunscreen Aqua-fluid SPF50+ - For Sensitive Skin
Works for
2 of 2 advertised claims delivered
Sun protectionSPF 50 · 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-aging1 ingredient credited for this claimStrong support
“Avène Sunscreen Aqua-fluid SPF 50+ can help prevent solar keratosis, sunspots and premature skin 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.
Evens skin toneNot advertised by the brand · No 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).
MoisturizingNot advertised by the brand · 12 ingredients credited for this claimGood support
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, 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, helianthus annuus seed oil.
Can it cause trouble?
Irritancy12 flagged ingredientsLow 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~40–60%
Octocrylene~5–7.5%
- 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 OctocryleneGlycerin~3.4–5.1%
- 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 GlycerinWater~2.5–3.7%
Methylene bis-benzotriazolyl tetramethylbutylphenol~2.6–3.9%
- 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 tetramethylbutylphenolTitanium dioxide~1.9–2.9%
- 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 dioxideButyl methoxydibenzoylmethane~1.6–2.4%
- 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 methoxydibenzoylmethaneDiisopropyl adipate~1.1–1.7%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps soften the upper layer of the skin
More about Diisopropyl adipateDicaprylyl ether~0.9–1.35%
- 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~1.1–1.6%
- 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 triazineCetearyl isononanoate~0.45–1.1%
- Irritation risk
- Low
An emollient that softens the skin and helps prevent moisture loss.
More about Cetearyl isononanoateCyclopentasiloxane~0.4–0.95%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A silicone that helps improve the product texture and spreadability. Can absorb oil creating a short-term mattifying effect on the skin
More about CyclopentasiloxaneLauryl glucoside~0.4–0.95%
Polyglyceryl-2 dipolyhydroxystearate~0.3–0.75%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps to soften the upper layer of the skin
More about Polyglyceryl-2 dipolyhydroxystearateDimethicone~0.35–0.75%
- 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 DimethiconeCyclohexasiloxane~0.3–0.7%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A silicone that serves as an emollient. Helps create a nice non-greasy feels
More about CyclohexasiloxaneCaprylic/capric triglyceride~0.3–0.75%
- 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~0.2–0.75%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Helps preserve products and creates a nice product texture
More about Caprylyl glycolCitric acid~0.15–0.5%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Can work as an exfoliant but is typically used to adjust the product pH
More about Citric acidDecyl glucoside~0.15–0.65%
- Irritation risk
- High
Helps oil and water mix together. Can be irritating
More about Decyl glucosideDisodium edta~0.1–0.45%
Helianthus annuus seed oil~0.1–0.5%
- 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 oilPropylene glycol~0.1–0.35%
- 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~0.15–0.55%
Sorbic acid~0.05–0.25%
Tocopherol~0.05–0.2%
- 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 TocopherolTocopheryl glucoside~0.05–0.25%
- 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 glucosideXanthan gum~0.01–0.05%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Used to create a thicker product consistency
More about Xanthan gumIngredient list view
Water, Octocrylene, Glycerin, Unknown, Water, Methylene bis-benzotriazolyl tetramethylbutylphenol, Titanium dioxide, Butyl methoxydibenzoylmethane, Diisopropyl adipate, Dicaprylyl ether, Bis-ethylhexyloxyphenol methoxyphenyl triazine, Cetearyl isononanoate, Cyclopentasiloxane, Lauryl glucoside, Polyglyceryl-2 dipolyhydroxystearate, Dimethicone, Cyclohexasiloxane, Caprylic/capric triglyceride, Caprylyl glycol, Citric acid, Decyl glucoside, Disodium edta, Helianthus annuus seed oil, Propylene glycol, Silica, Sorbic acid, Tocopherol, Tocopheryl glucoside, Xanthan gum
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Product summary
Based on the ingredient list, we assess that "Avène - Sunscreen Aqua-fluid SPF50+ - For Sensitive Skin" 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).
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 is a "mixed" sunscreen in the sense that it uses both mineral and organic (so-called "chemical") sun filters. The organic filters in the product are: tinosorb s, avobenzone, tinosorb m and octocrylene. As for the mineral filters, this sunscreen uses titanium dioxide.
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 product to be low. 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.
Sources cited in this review
Every concentration estimate and effectiveness label is anchored to one of these 14 studies and safety reviews.
- 1
- 2
- 3Final Report on the Safety Assessment of Dimethicone Copolyoljournals.sagepub.com
- 4
- 5
- 6
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