Cetaphil Daily Defence Moisturiser SPF 50
Works for
1 of 2 advertised claims delivered
Sun protectionSPF 50 · 8 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-blemishNo ingredient credited for this claimNo support
“Does not block pores.”
Effective ingredients missing or their concentration is too low.
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).
Anti-agingNot advertised by the brand · 1 ingredient credited for this claimStrong support
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.
MoisturizingNot advertised by the brand · 9 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.
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, c12-15 alkyl benzoate.
Can it cause trouble?
Irritancy12 flagged ingredientsLow risk
Comedogenic2 ingredients rated 2 or more on the 0–5 pore-clogging scale2 flagged
User reviews
Ingredients
Filter by role to see what each ingredient is doing.
Water~45–55%
C12-15 alkyl benzoate~6.6–8.1%
- 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 benzoateGlycerin~4.8–5.9%
- 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 GlycerinEthylhexyl salicylate~4–4.9%
- 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 salicylateTitanium dioxide~3.5–4.3%
- 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~2.7–3.3%
- 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 methoxydibenzoylmethanePropylene glycol~1.8–2.2%
- 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 glycolBis-ethylhexyloxyphenol methoxyphenyl triazine~2.1–2.5%
- 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 triazineOctocrylene~1.8–2.2%
- 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 OctocryleneCyclopentasiloxane~1.1–1.4%
- 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 CyclopentasiloxaneStearic acid~1–1.2%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps oil and water mix together and works as an emollient
More about Stearic acidDimethicone~0.7–1.05%
- 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 DimethiconeMethyl methacrylate crosspolymer~0.6–0.9%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps thicken the product consistency
More about Methyl methacrylate crosspolymerNylon-12~0.65–1%
Petrolatum~0.55–0.8%
- Irritation risk
- Low
One of the most effective and the most studied occlusive ingredients that creates a protective layer on top of the skin preventing moisture loss
More about PetrolatumAluminum hydroxide~0.55–0.8%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Is used to add opaque (non-transparent) appearance to formulations. Can be used to coat other ingredients for even dispersion. This is a different ingredient compared to the ones used in antipersperants (aluminium chloride and aluminium chlorohydrate)
More about Aluminum hydroxideAmmonium polyacryloyldimethyl taurate~0.5–0.75%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Used to create a thicker product consistency
More about Ammonium polyacryloyldimethyl taurateDisodium edta~0.45–0.7%
Drometrizole trisiloxane~0.6–0.9%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Mexoryl XL. A UV filter. Effective in the UVB and UVA range. It is stable. Unfortunately, not approved in the US yet
More about Drometrizole trisiloxaneEthylhexyl triazone~0.55–0.85%
- 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 triazoneEthylparaben~0.2–0.4%
Glyceryl stearate~0.4–0.65%
- Irritation risk
- Low
An emollient that softens the skin and forms a protective layer on its surface. Helps water and oil mix together
More about Glyceryl stearateHydrogenated soybean oil~0.35–0.65%
- Irritation risk
- Low
- Comedogenicity
- 2/5
Hydroxypropyl methylcellulose~0.3–0.6%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Used to create a thicker product consistency and stabilize the formulation
More about Hydroxypropyl methylcelluloseMethylparaben~0.15–0.3%
Myristyl myristate~0.35–0.65%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
- Comedogenicity
- 3/5
An emollient. Is not recommended for acne-prone skin as it can be comedogenic
More about Myristyl myristatePeg-100 stearate~0.45–0.7%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps oil and water mix togehter and creates a nice product texture
More about Peg-100 stearatePhenoxyethanol~0.3–0.6%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A preservative. It helps prevent bacterial growth in cosmetic products
More about PhenoxyethanolPotassium cetyl phosphate~0.3–0.6%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Helps oil and water mix together
More about Potassium cetyl phosphatePropylparaben~0.2–0.4%
Sodium chloride~0.3–0.5%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Used to stabilize mixtures of oil and water, and create thicker, gel-like product textures
More about Sodium chlorideStearyl alcohol~0.25–0.5%
- Irritation risk
- Low
An emollient that helps soften the skin
More about Stearyl alcoholTerephthalylidene dicamphor sulfonic acid~0.35–0.65%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Ecamsule, Mexoryl SX. A UV filter. Is effective mostly against the UVA rays. It is legally marketed in the US with the FDA approval since 2006, even though the ingredient is not on the official FDA list of the approved sunscreen active ingredients. It is photostable
More about Terephthalylidene dicamphor sulfonic acidTocopherol~0.2–0.35%
- 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 TocopherolTriethanolamine~0.15–0.3%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Used to adjust pH of the product and can help improve the product's smell
More about TriethanolamineIngredient list view
Water, C12-15 alkyl benzoate, Glycerin, Ethylhexyl salicylate, Titanium dioxide, Butyl methoxydibenzoylmethane, Propylene glycol, Bis-ethylhexyloxyphenol methoxyphenyl triazine, Octocrylene, Cyclopentasiloxane, Stearic acid, Dimethicone, Methyl methacrylate crosspolymer, Nylon-12, Petrolatum, Aluminum hydroxide, Ammonium polyacryloyldimethyl taurate, Disodium edta, Drometrizole trisiloxane, Ethylhexyl triazone, Ethylparaben, Glyceryl stearate, Hydrogenated soybean oil, Hydroxypropyl methylcellulose, Methylparaben, Myristyl myristate, Peg-100 stearate, Phenoxyethanol, Potassium cetyl phosphate, Propylparaben, Sodium chloride, Stearyl alcohol, Terephthalylidene dicamphor sulfonic acid, Tocopherol, Triethanolamine
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Product summary
We assess that "Cetaphil - Daily Defence Moisturiser SPF 50" 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).
Its formula is also hydrating, so you might not need an additional moistruizer during the day. This product prevents early signs of aging by protecting against sun damage (all broad spectrum sunscreens do that).
Sunscreen filters
This sunscreen uses a mixture of both mineral and organic (so-called "chemical") UV filters. Here are the organic filters this product uses: tinosorb s, avobenzone, mexoryl xl, octisalate, uvinul t, octocrylene and terephthalylidene dicamphor sulfonic acid. As for the mineral filters, this sunscreen uses titanium dioxide.
Irritation risk
This moisturizer contains some common irritants, including those without a benefit for the 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.
What our users say
Based on 1 review 0% recommend this product- As for the white cast, the reviewer reported a noticeable whitish residue.
- When it comes to using this sunscreen under makeup, the user found that it pills under a foundation.
- As for using this sunscreen in the eye area, the reviewer reported that it stings eyes.
Price
The product retails from 10.88£ up to 14.50£ in the United Kingdom and for 19.10CA$ in Canada.
For a detailed price comparison: click here.
Sources cited in this review
Every concentration estimate and effectiveness label is anchored to one of these 10 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
- 6Final Report on the Safety Assessment of Dimethicone Copolyoljournals.sagepub.com
Affiliate links · As an Amazon Associate, WIMJ earns from qualifying purchases.