Bioderma Photoderm Max SPF 50+ Spray, Fragrance-free
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
“The spray format of bioderma photoderm max spf 50+ spray is lightweight, easy to apply and provides optimum protection against sunburn, sun intolerance and premature 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 · 8 ingredients credited for this claimGood support
This product contains good ingredients to attract water to the upper layer of the skin. These ingredients are called "humectants": fructooligosaccharides, mannitol.
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. If the air is dry, humectants can speed up the moisture loss from the skin. This is why it is a good idea to use another product on top of this one to help "seal in" the moisture (look for ingredients like dimethicone, squalane, oils and butters).
Can it cause trouble?
Irritancy9 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~45–55%
Diethylamino hydroxybenzoyl hexyl benzoate~6.7–8.2%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Uvinul A Plus. A new generation broad spectrum sunscreen that offers an effective protection especially in the UVA range. It is stable in formulations. Unfortunately, is not approved by the FDA (US) yet
More about Diethylamino hydroxybenzoyl hexyl benzoateHomosalate~4.5–5.5%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
A weak sunscreen that offers some protection against the sun rays that cause sunburn (UVB), but does not offer meaningful protection against 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. When used in low concentrations, helps to stabilize the product formulation
More about HomosalateDiisopropyl sebacate~3.2–3.9%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps soften the upper layer of the skin without creatng a greasy finish
More about Diisopropyl sebacateBis-ethylhexyloxyphenol methoxyphenyl triazine~3.1–3.8%
- 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 triazineDibutyl adipate~2–2.5%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps soften the upper layer of the skin and create a nice product consistency
More about Dibutyl adipatePropanediol~1.7–2%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Acts as a solvent for other ingredients. Speeds up the absorption of other ingredients into the skin
More about PropanediolEthylhexyl salicylate~2–2.5%
- 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 salicylateEthylhexyl triazone~1.7–2.1%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Uvinul T. A UV filter. Effective against UVB rays. It is photostable. Can increase water resistance properties of the sunscreen. Unfortunately, not approved by the FDA (US) yet
More about Ethylhexyl triazoneMethylpropanediol~0.95–1.15%
Microcrystalline cellulose~0.75–1.15%
C20-22 alkyl phosphate~0.55–0.85%
C20-22 alcohols~0.5–0.75%
- Irritation risk
- Low
C14-22 alcohols~0.45–0.65%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A non-drying alcohol that helps stabilize product formulations
More about C14-22 alcoholsCapryloyl glycine~0.5–0.7%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps oil and water mix together, preserve cosmetic products, and attract water to the upper layer of the skin
More about Capryloyl glycineSodium citrate~0.35–0.6%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Helps to control the skin's pH level. Maintains the skin's natural film of amino-lactic acids and oils. Helps to preserve products
More about Sodium citrateCellulose gum~0.3–0.55%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Used to create thicker product consistency and stabilize emulsions
More about Cellulose gumCitric acid~0.25–0.45%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Can work as an exfoliant but is typically used to adjust the product pH
More about Citric acidC12-20 alkyl glucoside~0.25–0.45%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Helps water and oil mix together
More about C12-20 alkyl glucosideEctoin~0.2–0.4%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Softens the upper layer of the skin and can support skin barrier function
More about EctoinMannitol~0.2–0.35%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps to attract water to the upper layer of the skin
More about MannitolXylitol~0.2–0.35%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps attract water to the upper layer of the skin and repair the skin barrier function
More about XylitolSodium hydroxide~0.15–0.3%
Rhamnose~0.1–0.25%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps oil and water mix together. It also helps attract water to the upper layer of the skin
More about RhamnoseFructooligosaccharides~0.1–0.2%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Help attract water to the upper layer of the skin
More about FructooligosaccharidesCaprylic/capric triglyceride~0.15–0.3%
- 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 triglycerideIngredient list view
Water, Diethylamino hydroxybenzoyl hexyl benzoate, Homosalate, Diisopropyl sebacate, Bis-ethylhexyloxyphenol methoxyphenyl triazine, Dibutyl adipate, Propanediol, Ethylhexyl salicylate, Ethylhexyl triazone, Methylpropanediol, Microcrystalline cellulose, C20-22 alkyl phosphate, C20-22 alcohols, C14-22 alcohols, Capryloyl glycine, Sodium citrate, Cellulose gum, Citric acid, C12-20 alkyl glucoside, Ectoin, Mannitol, Xylitol, Sodium hydroxide, Rhamnose, Fructooligosaccharides, Caprylic/capric triglyceride
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Product summary
Based on the ingredients included, we believe that this product can offer 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).
It also works as a moisturizer, so you do not have to use an additional hydrating product. This product prevents early signs of aging by protecting against sun damage (all broad spectrum sunscreens do that).
Sunscreen filters
This is a so-called "chemical" sunscreen. It means that it uses organic UV filters. They typically offer good sun protection and rarely leave a white cast, but they can be irritating for some people with sensitive skin. Here are the exact UV filters in this sunscreen: tinosorb s 3.10% - 3.80%, uvinul a plus 6.70% - 8.20%, octisalate 2.00% - 2.50%, uvinul t 1.70% - 2.10% and homosalate 4.50% - 5.50%.
Irritation risk
This product does not contain known common irritants and is suitable for sensitive skin. We assess the overall irritancy of this sunscreen 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 4 studies and safety reviews.
- 1
- 2
- 3Safety Assessment of Decyl Glucoside and Other Alkyl Glucosides as Used in Cosmeticsciteseerx.ist.psu.edu
- 4Potentially beneficial effects of rhamnose on skin ageing: an in vitro and in vivo studypubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
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