Avène Very High Protection Fluid SPF 50 Emulsion
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.
MoisturizingSide benefit · Avena sativa kernel extract, Diisopropyl adipate + 5 moreWorks well
This product can help soften the skin and reduce its moisture loss with emollients and occlusives: avena sativa kernel extract, diisopropyl adipate.
Keep in mind that this product does not contain effective ingredients to attract water to the upper layer of the skin. This is why an additional product with humectants like glycerin or hyaluronic acid can be helpful (apply it before this product for the best results).
The following ingredients in this product are especially good for supporting the skin barrier and helping with the hydration level: avena sativa kernel extract
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).
Anti-agingSide benefit · No ingredient credited for this claimWorks 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.
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~40–60%
Avena sativa kernel extract~5.4–8.1%
- 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 extractMethylene bis-benzotriazolyl tetramethylbutylphenol~3.8–5.7%
- 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~2.6–4%
Cetearyl isononanoate~2–3%
- Irritation risk
- Low
An emollient that softens the skin and helps prevent moisture loss.
More about Cetearyl isononanoateDiisopropyl adipate~1.6–2.4%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps soften the upper layer of the skin
More about Diisopropyl adipateIsodecyl neopentanoate~1.4–2.1%
- Irritation risk
- Low
An emollient that helps soften the skin. It also forms a protective on its surface to reduce water loss.
More about Isodecyl neopentanoateBis-ethylhexyloxyphenol methoxyphenyl triazine~1.5–2.3%
- 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 triazineDiethylhexyl butamido triazone~1.3–1.9%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Uvasorb HEB. A UV filter. Is effective against UVB and UVA II rays (but not UVA I). It is photostable. Unfortunately, is not approved by FDA (US) yet
More about Diethylhexyl butamido triazoneAluminum starch octenylsuccinate~0.45–1.05%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Used to thicken the product's consistency
More about Aluminum starch octenylsuccinateButyl methoxydibenzoylmethane~0.9–1.35%
- 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 methoxydibenzoylmethanePotassium cetyl phosphate~0.35–0.8%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Helps oil and water mix together
More about Potassium cetyl phosphateDecyl glucoside~0.35–0.8%
- Irritation risk
- High
Helps oil and water mix together. Can be irritating
More about Decyl glucosideAcrylates/c10-30 alkyl acrylate crosspolymer~0.2–0.75%
- 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 crosspolymerBenzoic acid~0.25–0.5%
Caprylic/capric triglyceride~0.2–0.7%
- 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~0.15–0.65%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Helps preserve products and creates a nice product texture
More about Caprylyl glycolDisodium edta~0.15–0.55%
Parfum~0.1–0.4%
- Irritation risk
- High
An aromatic blend of unspecified and possibly irritating ingredients
More about ParfumGlyceryl behenate~0.15–0.65%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Used to create a thicker product consistency and help soften the upper layer of the skin
More about Glyceryl behenateGlyceryl dibehenate~0.15–0.55%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Glyceryl laurate~0.15–0.55%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Helps water and oil mix together and has an anti-microbial effect helping to preserve product formulations
More about Glyceryl laurateHydrogenated palm glycerides~0.15–0.55%
- Irritation risk
- Low
An emollient that softens the skin
More about Hydrogenated palm glyceridesHydrogenated palm kernel glycerides~0.1–0.5%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Help soften the upper layer of the skin
More about Hydrogenated palm kernel glyceridesPropylene 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%
Sodium hydroxide~0.05–0.25%
Tocopheryl 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
Unknown, Water, Unknown, Avena sativa kernel extract, Methylene bis-benzotriazolyl tetramethylbutylphenol, Water, Cetearyl isononanoate, Diisopropyl adipate, Isodecyl neopentanoate, Bis-ethylhexyloxyphenol methoxyphenyl triazine, Diethylhexyl butamido triazone, Aluminum starch octenylsuccinate, Butyl methoxydibenzoylmethane, Potassium cetyl phosphate, Decyl glucoside, Acrylates/c10-30 alkyl acrylate crosspolymer, Benzoic acid, Caprylic/capric triglyceride, Caprylyl glycol, Disodium edta, Parfum, Glyceryl behenate, Glyceryl dibehenate, Glyceryl laurate, Hydrogenated palm glycerides, Hydrogenated palm kernel glycerides, Propylene glycol, Silica, Sodium hydroxide, Tocopheryl glucoside, Xanthan gum
Compare prices
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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.
| AvèneVery High Protection Fluid SPF 50 EmulsionYOUR PRODUCT | Hawaiian TropicSilk Hydration Sunscreen Lotion SPF50+ Face | Eau Thermale AveneSuncare Fluid SPF50+ | Beauty by EarthMineral Sunscreen Stick - SPF 30 Zinc Oxide Sunscreen Lotion Stick Made with Organic Ingredients, Best Sun Protection Travel Sunscreen Face and Body, Reef Safe Sunscreen, Water Resistant | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Match | — | 56% | 55% | 53% |
| Price | — | $6.66 | — | — |
| Shared key ingredients | — | 3 of 6 | 4 of 6 | 2 of 6 |
| Key difference | — | Uvinul T | — | Beeswax |
| Irritancy | Medium | Low | Medium | Low |
| SPF | SPF 50 | SPF 50 | SPF 50 | SPF 30 |
| Drying alcohol | — | — | — | — |
| View product | Shop | Shop | Shop |
More alternatives: Glo Skin Beauty Oil Free SPF 40+ACO Sun Stick Moisturising SPF 50+
Product summary
The ingredient list suggests that "Avène - Very High Protection Fluid SPF 50 Emulsion" 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.
It also works as a moisturizer, so you do not have to use an additional hydrating product. Like all broad-spectrum sunscreens, this product has an anti-aging benefit.
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. Here are the exact UV filters in this sunscreen: tinosorb s 1.50% - 2.30%, avobenzone 0.90% - 1.35%, uvasorb heb 1.30% - 1.90% and tinosorb m 3.80% - 5.70%.
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.
Sources cited in this review
Every concentration estimate and effectiveness label is anchored to one of these 5 studies and safety reviews.
- 1
- 2Surfactants and experimental irritant contact dermatitisncbi.nlm.nih.gov
- 3Propylene Glycolpubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
- 4Skin-sensitizing and irritant properties of propylene glycolonlinelibrary.wiley.com
- 5
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