Bondi Sands Sunny Drops SPF 50+ Face Serum
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.
Anti-agingAloe barbadensis leaf juiceWorks 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 · C12-15 alkyl benzoate, Cera alba + 5 moreWorks
“), and is infused with premium ingredients to help hydrate and nourish your skin including Australian Hibiscus and Vitamin E. Sun protection and makeup primer all in one, Sunny Drops are made to be used every day so you can glow on the inside and out.”
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:
erythritol, glycerin.
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: beeswax, cera alba.
Can it cause trouble?
Irritancy10 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%
C12-15 alkyl benzoate~5.4–8.2%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Enhances the product texture and makes it more spreadable. Helps reduce water loss from the outer layer of skin. Extands the shelf life by preventing bacteria growth
More about C12-15 alkyl benzoate4-methylbenzylidene camphor~4–6%
- Irritation risk
- High
A UVB filter. Banned in the EU since 1 May 2025: it may no longer be used in cosmetics sold there.
More about 4-methylbenzylidene camphorCera alba~2.8–4.3%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Forms a protective barrier that holds water and keeps dry skin hydrated. Keeps an emulsion from separating into its oil and liquid components, and increases the thickness of a product. Can be an allergen
More about Cera albaBeeswax~2.3–3.4%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Forms a protective barrier that holds water and keeps dry skin hydrated. Keeps an emulsion from separating into its oil and liquid components, and increases the thickness of a product. Can be an allergen
More about BeeswaxOctocrylene~2.3–3.4%
- 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 OctocryleneButyl methoxydibenzoylmethane~1.9–2.9%
- 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 methoxydibenzoylmethaneEthylhexyl triazone~1.7–2.6%
- 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 triazoneSilica~1.2–1.9%
Peg-15 cocamine~0.85–1.3%
Glycerin~0.55–1.3%
- 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 GlycerinCaprylyl glycol~0.45–1.1%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Helps preserve products and creates a nice product texture
More about Caprylyl glycolPeg-40 stearate~0.4–0.9%
Caprylhydroxamic acid~0.2–0.8%
Tocopheryl acetate~0.2–0.75%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
A more stable but less bio-available form of vitamin E compared to Tocopherol. Might help moisturize and protect the skin from free radicals, but mostly used in low concentrations to stabilize other ingredients.
More about Tocopheryl acetateErythritol~0.15–0.55%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps to attract water to the upper layer of the skin
More about ErythritolAcrylates/steareth-20 methacrylate copolymer~0.1–0.45%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Acrylates/c10-30 alkyl acrylate crosspolymer~0.1–0.35%
- 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 crosspolymerAminomethyl propanol~0.05–0.25%
Hibiscus sabdariffa fruit extract~0.1–0.35%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Aloe barbadensis leaf juice~0.05–0.2%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Traditionally used to treat sunburns, dermatitis and inflammation, but evidence for its effectiveness is lacking. The extract can contain humectants that help attract water into the skin
More about Aloe barbadensis leaf juiceIngredient list view
Water, C12-15 alkyl benzoate, 4-methylbenzylidene camphor, Cera alba, Beeswax, Octocrylene, Butyl methoxydibenzoylmethane, Ethylhexyl triazone, Silica, Peg-15 cocamine, Glycerin, Caprylyl glycol, Peg-40 stearate, Caprylhydroxamic acid, Tocopheryl acetate, Erythritol, Acrylates/steareth-20 methacrylate copolymer, Acrylates/c10-30 alkyl acrylate crosspolymer, Aminomethyl propanol, Hibiscus sabdariffa fruit extract, Aloe barbadensis leaf juice
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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.
| Bondi SandsSunny Drops SPF 50+ Face SerumYOUR PRODUCT | Look Fabulous Forever (LFF)Daily SPF 50+ Serum | DermaticaSPF 50 Photodamage Defence Sunscreen | Hello SundayThe One That's A Mini Serum SPF50 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Match | — | 33% | 32% | 32% |
| Price | — | — | $21.35 | — |
| Shared key ingredients | — | 3 of 8 | 4 of 8 | 4 of 8 |
| Key difference | — | Tinosorb S | Panthenol | Gluconolactone |
| Irritancy | Low | Low | Low | Low |
| SPF | SPF 50 | SPF 50 | SPF 50 | SPF 50 |
| Drying alcohol | — | — | — | — |
| View product | Shop | Shop | Shop |
More alternatives: Altruist Dermatologist Sunscreen SPF 50Rosalique Skincare 3 in 1 Anti-Redness Miracle Formula SPF50
Product summary
"Bondi Sands - Sunny Drops SPF 50+ Face Serum" is using UV filters in a relatively low concentration. Because of this, it might not be able to provide reliable sun protection.
It also works as a moisturizer, so you do not have to use an additional hydrating product.
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: avobenzone 1.90% - 2.90%, uvinul t 1.70% - 2.60% and octocrylene 2.30% - 3.40%.
Irritation risk
This sunscreen contains some common irritants, including those without a benefit 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 2 studies and safety reviews.
- 1
- 2
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