Clarins Invisible Sun Care Gel-to-Oil SPF 30, Sunscreen
Works for
2 of 3 advertised claims delivered
Sun protectionSPF 30 · 7 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-aging2 ingredients credited for this claimStrong support
“Blurs fine lines and covers spot and marks on the face effortlessly.”
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.
Anti-blemish1 ingredient credited for this claimWeak support
“It covers dark circles, puffy eyes, redness, blemishes and visibly hide pores to give you flawless skin looking.”
Effective ingredients missing or their concentration is too low.
Evens skin toneNot advertised by the brand · 2 ingredients 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 · 10 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": glycerin, 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?
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~45–55%
Homosalate~5.2–6.4%
- 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 HomosalateOctocrylene~4.6–5.6%
- 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 OctocryleneDiethylamino hydroxybenzoyl hexyl benzoate~3.5–4.3%
- 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 benzoateEthylhexyl salicylate~3.2–3.9%
- 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 salicylateAlcohol~1.9–2.4%
- Irritation risk
- High
Can be drying and contribute to skin irritation. Used in formulars to dissolve other ingredients, create a thinner product consistency or for its antibacterial properties
More about AlcoholPropanediol~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 triazone~2–2.5%
- 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 triazonePolysilicone-15~1.6–2%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
A UV filter. Effective against UVB rays, but does not protect against the most aging UVA light
More about Polysilicone-15Bis-ethylhexyloxyphenol methoxyphenyl triazine~1.5–1.8%
- 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 triazineGlycerin~0.75–1.1%
- 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 GlycerinPolyester-7~0.6–0.95%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Aloe barbadensis leaf juice~0.5–0.8%
- 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 juiceMannitol~0.45–0.7%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps to attract water to the upper layer of the skin
More about MannitolNeopentyl glycol diheptanoate~0.45–0.7%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps soften the upper layer of the skin and create a nice product consistency
More about Neopentyl glycol diheptanoateTalc~0.65–0.95%
Styrene/acrylates copolymer~0.45–0.65%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Used to create an even product consistency. Can help boost efficiency of sunscreen filters
More about Styrene/acrylates copolymerPhenoxyethanol~0.4–0.6%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A preservative. It helps prevent bacterial growth in cosmetic products
More about PhenoxyethanolParfum~0.3–0.55%
- Irritation risk
- High
An aromatic blend of unspecified and possibly irritating ingredients
More about ParfumGlyceryl stearate~0.35–0.65%
- 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 stearateCarbomer~0.3–0.55%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps create a thicker or gel-like product texture. It is not a surfactant but can be used in gentle cleansing formulations
More about CarbomerTocopheryl acetate~0.3–0.5%
- 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 acetateButylene glycol~0.25–0.5%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Used to create a nice product texture and help delivery of other ingredients. Might be somewhat helpful in attracting water to the upper layer of the skin
More about Butylene glycolTromethamine~0.25–0.5%
Peg-8 laurate~0.3–0.5%
Tocopherol~0.25–0.5%
- 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 TocopherolCyclodextrin~0.25–0.45%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A type of sugar that is used to support delivery of active ingredients and can enhance their penetration into the skin without disrupting the skin's barrier
More about CyclodextrinDisodium edta~0.25–0.45%
Pisum sativum extract~0.25–0.45%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Might be helpful in protecting skin collagen and elastin from breaking down but solid research is lacking
More about Pisum sativum extractEthylene brassylate~0.2–0.4%
Cassia alata leaf extract~0.25–0.45%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Might have some anti-oxidant properties. Can be used as a fragrance. Can be irritating
More about Cassia alata leaf extractFaex extract~0.2–0.4%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Yeast extract. Helps attract water to the upper layer of the skin
More about Faex extractYeast extract~0.2–0.4%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps attract water to the upper layer of the skin and might have some anti-oxidant and skin lightening properties. It can help calm down inflammation in skin
More about Yeast extractDextrin~0.25–0.4%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A sugar that is used to stabilize the product formulation. Can help attract water to the upper layer of the skin
More about DextrinHydrolyzed adansonia digitata extract~0.25–0.45%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Olea europaea leaf extract~0.15–0.25%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
A plant extract that might have some anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory properties but evidence for effectiveness in skin is missing
More about Olea europaea leaf extractPlatanus occidentalis bark extract~0.15–0.3%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Citric acid~0.15–0.25%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Can work as an exfoliant but is typically used to adjust the product pH
More about Citric acidPotassium sorbate~0.15–0.25%
Sodium benzoate~0.1–0.2%
Ingredient list view
Water, Homosalate, Octocrylene, Diethylamino hydroxybenzoyl hexyl benzoate, Ethylhexyl salicylate, Alcohol, Propanediol, Ethylhexyl triazone, Polysilicone-15, Bis-ethylhexyloxyphenol methoxyphenyl triazine, Glycerin, Polyester-7, Aloe barbadensis leaf juice, Mannitol, Neopentyl glycol diheptanoate, Talc, Styrene/acrylates copolymer, Phenoxyethanol, Parfum, Glyceryl stearate, Carbomer, Tocopheryl acetate, Butylene glycol, Tromethamine, Peg-8 laurate, Tocopherol, Cyclodextrin, Disodium edta, Pisum sativum extract, Ethylene brassylate, Cassia alata leaf extract, Faex extract, Yeast extract, Dextrin, Hydrolyzed adansonia digitata extract, Olea europaea leaf extract, Platanus occidentalis bark extract, Citric acid, Potassium sorbate, Sodium benzoate
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Product summary
We believe that "Clarins - Invisible Sun Care Gel-to-Oil SPF 30, Sunscreen" can provide reliable sun protection based on the ingredients listed. 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).
Because it includes good moisturizing ingredients, it can also work as a hydrating day cream. Like all broad-spectrum sunscreens, this product helps prevent early signs of aging.
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. These are the sun protection ingredients in this sunscreen: tinosorb s 1.50% - 1.80%, uvinul a plus 3.50% - 4.30%, octisalate 3.20% - 3.90%, uvinul t 2.00% - 2.50%, homosalate 5.20% - 6.40%, octocrylene 4.60% - 5.60% and polysilicone-15 1.60% - 2.00%.
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 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.
Price
The product retails for 44.69A$ in Australia and from 35.88$ up to 46.95$ 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 11 studies and safety reviews.
- 1
- 2
- 3
- 4Safety Assessment of Tromethamine as Used in Cosmeticscir-safety.org
- 5Vitamin E in dermatologyncbi.nlm.nih.gov
- 6Vitamin E and Skin Healthlpi.oregonstate.edu
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