Clinique Superdefense City Block SPF50
Works for
1 of 1 advertised claim delivered
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.
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 · 2 ingredients 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 · 10 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:
sodium hyaluronate, butylene glycol.
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, isononyl isononanoate.
Can it cause trouble?
Irritancy11 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.
Ethylhexyl methoxycinnamate5%
- Irritation risk
- High
Octinoxate. When used in higher concentrations, works as a sunscreen protecting the skin from UVB rays. When used in lower concentration, helps to preserve the product formulation. Is shown to be harmful to coral reefs - consider avoiding bathing in coral reef areas when wearing a product with this ingredient. It can be irritating
More about Ethylhexyl methoxycinnamateTitanium dioxide3.2%
- 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 dioxideZinc oxide3.6%
- 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~45–55%
Dimethicone~5.3–6.5%
- 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 DimethiconeButyloctyl salicylate~5.3–6.5%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
A synthetic ester of salicylic acid that is used to help disperse pigments and boost effectiveness of sunscreen ingredients. It is able to absorb UV light (working as an organic, or chemical filter), but is not approved as a sunscreen ingredient on its own
More about Butyloctyl salicylateIsononyl isononanoate~4.5–5.5%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Forms a protective film on the surface of the skin to prevent moisture loss. Gives a velvety feel to products while reducing tackiness
More about Isononyl isononanoateNeopentyl glycol diheptanoate~3.5–4.3%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps soften the upper layer of the skin and create a nice product consistency
More about Neopentyl glycol diheptanoateLauryl peg-9 polydimethylsiloxyethyl dimethicone~2.5–3.1%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A type of silicone that helps to soften upper layer of the skin and create a nice product texture
More about Lauryl peg-9 polydimethylsiloxyethyl dimethiconeButylene glycol~2–2.4%
- 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 glycolPolydecene~1.6–2%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Polyhydroxystearic acid~1.3–1.6%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Used to create a thicker product consistency and stabilize the formulation
More about Polyhydroxystearic acidEthylhexyl methoxycrylene~1.1–1.3%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Helps improve stability of sunscreen filters and boost their effectiveness
More about Ethylhexyl methoxycryleneHydrated silica~1.3–1.6%
Dimethicone/vinyl dimethicone crosspolymer~0.9–1.1%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Used to stabilize product formulations and create a nice product texture
More about Dimethicone/vinyl dimethicone crosspolymerTrimethylsiloxysilicate~0.9–1.1%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A type of silicone that helps create a nice product consistency and support the delivery of other ingredients
More about TrimethylsiloxysilicateHydrolyzed wheat protein/pvp crosspolymer~0.9–1.1%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Hydroxyapatite~0.95–1.15%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Cetyl peg/ppg-10/1 dimethicone~0.65–1%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A type of silicone that helps water and oil mix together. Can help to soften upper layer of the skin
More about Cetyl peg/ppg-10/1 dimethiconeDimethicone/peg-10/15 crosspolymer~0.75–1.15%
Sodium rna~0.6–0.9%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Is claimed to have anti-aging properties, but research about its effect in topical application is missing
More about Sodium rnaQuaternium-90 bentonite~0.6–0.85%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Sodium hyaluronate~0.45–0.7%
- Irritation risk
- Low
One of the best moisturizing ingredients. Attracts water into the upper layer of the skin
More about Sodium hyaluronateDimethicone crosspolymer-3~0.45–0.65%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Styrene/acrylates copolymer~0.55–0.8%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Used to create an even product consistency. Can help boost efficiency of sunscreen filters
More about Styrene/acrylates copolymerSodium chloride~0.4–0.65%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Used to stabilize mixtures of oil and water, and create thicker, gel-like product textures
More about Sodium chlorideCaprylyl glycol~0.5–0.75%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Helps preserve products and creates a nice product texture
More about Caprylyl glycolPeg-8 laurate~0.5–0.7%
Propylene carbonate~0.45–0.65%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Is used to dissolve other ingredients and create nice product texture
More about Propylene carbonateSilica~0.55–0.8%
Tocopherol~0.35–0.6%
- 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 TocopherolSodium citrate~0.3–0.55%
- 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 citrateDisodium edta~0.15–0.3%
Bht~0.15–0.25%
Phenoxyethanol~0.15–0.25%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A preservative. It helps prevent bacterial growth in cosmetic products
More about PhenoxyethanolPotassium sorbate~0.1–0.15%
Ci 77491~0.1–0.15%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A red colorant made of iron oxide. Typically is not irritating
More about Ci 77491Ci 77492~0.1–0.15%
Ingredient list view
Ethylhexyl methoxycinnamate, Titanium dioxide, Zinc oxide, Water, Dimethicone, Butyloctyl salicylate, Isononyl isononanoate, Neopentyl glycol diheptanoate, Lauryl peg-9 polydimethylsiloxyethyl dimethicone, Butylene glycol, Polydecene, Polyhydroxystearic acid, Ethylhexyl methoxycrylene, Hydrated silica, Dimethicone/vinyl dimethicone crosspolymer, Trimethylsiloxysilicate, Hydrolyzed wheat protein/pvp crosspolymer, Hydroxyapatite, Cetyl peg/ppg-10/1 dimethicone, Dimethicone/peg-10/15 crosspolymer, Sodium rna, Quaternium-90 bentonite, Sodium hyaluronate, Dimethicone crosspolymer-3, Styrene/acrylates copolymer, Sodium chloride, Caprylyl glycol, Peg-8 laurate, Propylene carbonate, Silica, Tocopherol, Sodium citrate, Disodium edta, Bht, Phenoxyethanol, Potassium sorbate, Ci 77491, Ci 77492
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Sources cited in this review
Every concentration estimate and effectiveness label is anchored to one of these 13 studies and safety reviews.
- 1A review of inorganic UV filters zinc oxide and titanium dioxideonlinelibrary.wiley.com
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