Avène Very High Protection Mineral Fluid SPF50+ Sun Cream for Intolerant Skin
Works for
2 of 2 advertised claims delivered
Sun protectionSPF 50 · 2 UV filtersBroad spectrum
This product offers a good level of protection against both UVB and UVA rays.
It is a mineral sunscreen. In other words, it contains non-organic UV filters. It will probably not sting your eyes but might leave a white cast.
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 offers ranges suitable for any skin concern very sensitive skin, dehydrated, oily and blemish-prone, anti-ageing, sun-protection, dull skin, dry skin, redness-prone, and itchy 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 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 · 14 ingredients credited for this claimGood support
This product can help soften the skin and reduce its moisture loss with emollients and occlusives: helianthus annuus seed oil, isododecane.
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).
Can it cause trouble?
Irritancy9 flagged ingredientsLow risk
Comedogenic1 ingredient rated 2 or more on the 0–5 pore-clogging scale1 flagged
User reviews
Be the first — your take helps the next person decide.
Ingredients
Filter by role to see what each ingredient is doing.
Zinc oxide~44–54%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A broad spectrum sunblock (protects from both UVA and UVB rays). Is suitable for most sensitive skins. In small concentrations, can be used as a colorant
More about Zinc oxideWater~12–15%
Titanium dioxide~5.3–6.5%
- 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 dioxideCoco-caprylate/caprate~3.5–4.3%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps to soften the upper layer of the skin without creating a greasy texture
More about Coco-caprylate/caprateIsocetyl stearoyl stearate~2.8–3.4%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps soften the upper layer of the skin
More about Isocetyl stearoyl stearateIsopropyl palmitate~2.1–2.6%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
- Comedogenicity
- 3/5
Helps soften the upper layer of the skin and create a thicker product consistency
More about Isopropyl palmitateIsodecyl neopentanoate~2–2.5%
- 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 neopentanoateIsododecane~1.7–2.1%
- Irritation risk
- Low
An emollient that helps soften the skin and can decrease moisture loss. Helps create a nice product texture
More about IsododecaneIsohexadecane~1.7–2%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Improves the texture of the product and helps soften the skin. Helps oil and water mix together and can be used as a cleansing agent
More about IsohexadecanePtfe~1.4–1.7%
Triethylhexanoin~1.1–1.4%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Helps soften the upper layer of the skin
More about TriethylhexanoinDicaprylyl ether~1.1–1.3%
- 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 etherPeg-30 dipolyhydroxystearate~1–1.2%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Helps oil and water mix together
More about Peg-30 dipolyhydroxystearateAlumina~1.2–1.5%
- Irritation risk
- Low
The same compound that is used safely in dental implants and bone cements. In cosmetics, it is used to improve the consistency of products
More about AluminaStearic acid~1–1.2%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps oil and water mix together and works as an emollient
More about Stearic acidCaprylyl glycol~0.8–1.2%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Helps preserve products and creates a nice product texture
More about Caprylyl glycolPeg-45/dodecyl glycol copolymer~0.75–1.1%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Silica~0.65–1%
Benzoic acid~0.25–0.5%
Caprylic/capric triglyceride~0.55–0.85%
- 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 triglycerideDisodium edta~0.45–0.7%
Disteardimonium hectorite~0.45–0.65%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A type of clay that is used to thicken the product consistency
More about Disteardimonium hectoriteGlyceryl behenate~0.45–0.7%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Used to create a thicker product consistency and help soften the upper layer of the skin
More about Glyceryl behenateGlyceryl dibehenate~0.4–0.6%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helianthus annuus seed oil~0.3–0.6%
- 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 oilPentaerythrityl tetra-di-t-butyl hydroxyhydrocinnamate~0.3–0.55%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Used to increase stability of product formulations
More about Pentaerythrityl tetra-di-t-butyl hydroxyhydrocinnamatePolyamide-3~0.25–0.5%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Sodium chloride~0.2–0.35%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Used to stabilize mixtures of oil and water, and create thicker, gel-like product textures
More about Sodium chlorideTocopherol~0.15–0.3%
- 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~0.2–0.35%
- 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~0.15–0.3%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Used to create a thicker product consistency and soften the upper layer of the skin
More about TribeheninTriethoxycaprylylsilane~0.1–0.15%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A type of silicone that helps oil and water mix well together. Helps to disperse other ingredients, e.g. pigments, evenly in a formulation
More about TriethoxycaprylylsilaneWater~0.1–0.15%
Ingredient list view
Zinc oxide, Water, Titanium dioxide, Coco-caprylate/caprate, Isocetyl stearoyl stearate, Isopropyl palmitate, Isodecyl neopentanoate, Isododecane, Isohexadecane, Ptfe, Triethylhexanoin, Dicaprylyl ether, Peg-30 dipolyhydroxystearate, Alumina, Stearic acid, Caprylyl glycol, Peg-45/dodecyl glycol copolymer, Silica, Benzoic acid, Caprylic/capric triglyceride, Disodium edta, Disteardimonium hectorite, Glyceryl behenate, Glyceryl dibehenate, Helianthus annuus seed oil, Pentaerythrityl tetra-di-t-butyl hydroxyhydrocinnamate, Polyamide-3, Sodium chloride, Tocopherol, Tocopheryl glucoside, Tribehenin, Triethoxycaprylylsilane, Water
Compare prices
Retailers ranked by price — lowest first.
Affiliate links · prices updated regularly · As an Amazon Associate, WIMJ earns from qualifying purchases.
Product summary
We assess that "Avène - Very High Protection Mineral Fluid SPF50+ Sun Cream for Intolerant Skin" can provide reliable sun protection based on the ingredient list. 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).
It contains good moisturizing ingredients and can double as a hydrating day cream. Like all broad-spectrum sunscreens, this product helps prevent early signs of aging.
Sunscreen filters
This moisturizer is a mineral sunscreen. It uses titanium dioxide and zinc oxide for sun protection. Both titanium dioxide and zinc oxide almost never irritate even the most sensitive skin and eyes, but can leave a white cast.
Irritation risk
This product does not contain known common irritants and is suitable for sensitive skin. We assess the overall irritancy of this moisturizer 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.
Price
The product retails from 5.00£ up to 22.25£ in the United Kingdom, for 31.99CA$ in Canada and for 20.25$ 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 18 studies and safety reviews.
- 1A review of inorganic UV filters zinc oxide and titanium dioxideonlinelibrary.wiley.com
- 2
- 3
- 4
- 5
- 6Safety Assessment of Alkyl Esters as Used in Cosmeticscir-safety.org
Affiliate links · As an Amazon Associate, WIMJ earns from qualifying purchases.