Colorescience

Glow SPF 50

Name: Colorescience - Glow SPF 50
Brand: Colorescience

SPF 50Efficacy 90/100·Low irritancy ·4 UV filters

Efficacy measures how well the formula delivers the claims the brand advertises · 2 of 2 advertised claims delivered

Based on the ingredients included, we believe that "Colorescience - Glow SPF 50" can offer reliable sun protection.

Edit

Product summary

Based on the ingredients included, we believe that "Colorescience - Glow SPF 50" 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).

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 "mixed" sunscreen in the sense that it uses both mineral and organic (so-called "chemical") sun filters. The organic filters in the product are: butyloctyl salicylate. As for the mineral filters, this sunscreen uses both titanium dioxide and zinc oxide.

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.

Price

The product retails for 81.46A$ in Australia, for 42.00$ in the United States and for 35.99£ in the United Kingdom.

For a detailed price comparison: click here.

Sun protection

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.

UV spectrum

UVB290 nmUVA II320 nmUVA I340 nmVisible400 nm+

Butyloctyl Salicylate

Titanium Dioxide

Zinc Oxide

FilterCoverageWhat it doesEst. amount

Butyloctyl SalicylateUVBA 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~5.3–6.4%

Titanium Dioxide Mineral UVBUVA2 Photo-stable 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~0.15–0.3%

Zinc Oxide Mineral UVBUVA+Visible Photo-stable 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 colorant12%

~ marks concentrations estimated from label position and typical use levels

Reef-safe

No oxybenzone or octinoxate — the two filters banned in Hawaii, Florida Keys and Aruba.

Product claims breakdown

Moisturizing

6 ingredients contribute at the levels below

Strong evidence

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: tremella fuciformis sporocarp extract, caprylyl 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, dimethiconol.

The following ingredients in this product are especially good for supporting the skin barrier and helping with the hydration level: niacinamide

NIACINAMIDERole: HeroIs proven to be effective in reducing blemishes, evening out skin tone and helping to improve lines and wrinkles. It helps the skin to repair sun damage, calm down inflammation and keep maintain good levels of moisture. The concentration of about 2% is effective for supporting the skin barrier and evening out the skin tone. Concentration of 4-6% is better for helping with acne and balancing the sebum production~1.2–1.5%

DIMETHICONERole: Key activeA 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~1.7–2.1%

DIMETHICONOLRole: Key activeA silicone that makes products more spreadable and keeps skin smooth. Helps to add gloss to skin and may visually fill in fine lines/wrinkles for short time~0.9–1.1%

HELIANTHUS ANNUUS SPROUT EXTRACTRole: Key activeHelps soften the upper layer of the skin and can help support the skin barrier~0.4–0.6%

TREMELLA FUCIFORMIS SPOROCARP EXTRACTRole: Key activeMushroom extract that helps attract water to the upper layer of the skin~0.45–0.65%

ALLANTOINRole: Under-dosedHelps calm down inflammation in skin and can help reduce itching. Helps to repair the skin barrier and keep skin hydrated~0.45–0.65%

Anti-aging

NIACINAMIDE at ~1.2–1.5% delivers this without it being on the label

Quiet bonus

This product can help reduce and prevent fine lines and wrinkles, improve skin elasticity and firmness because it contains niacinamide.

Keep in mind that it typically takes at least 6 weeks to notice any results because the changes that are needed to improve fine lines and elasticity happen in the deeper layers of the skin. No topical anti-aging product can “erase” wrinkles or fully reverse signs of aging.

This product can also 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.

Zinc oxideRole: Key activeA broad spectrum sunblock (protects from both UVA and UVB rays). Is suitable for most sensitive skins. In small concentrations, can be used as a colorant12%

C12-15 alkyl benzoateRole: Key activeEnhances 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~6.2–7.6%

Butyloctyl salicylateRole: Key activeA 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~5.3–6.4%

IsododecaneRole: Key activeAn emollient that helps soften the skin and can decrease moisture loss. Helps create a nice product texture~3.3–4%

DimethiconeRole: Key activeA 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~1.7–2.1%

DimethiconolRole: Key activeA silicone that makes products more spreadable and keeps skin smooth. Helps to add gloss to skin and may visually fill in fine lines/wrinkles for short time~0.9–1.1%

BisabololRole: Key activeAn active component of chamomile plant that historically has been used to calm down irritated skin. A recent study shows that bisabolol indeed can have some anti-inflammatory effect on skin, even though conclusive data is lacking. Bisabolol has a sweet floral scent and can be added to products for its aromatic properties~0.5–0.75%

Disodium lauriminodipropionate tocopheryl phosphatesRole: Key activeA form of Vitamin E. In concentrations 1-3%, it can help neutralize free radicals in skin and support photodamage repair~0.6–0.9%

Tremella fuciformis sporocarp extractRole: Key activeMushroom extract that helps attract water to the upper layer of the skin~0.45–0.65%

Dimethylmethoxy chromanolRole: Key activeCan help neutralize free radicals in skin~0.45–0.65%

Helianthus annuus sprout extractRole: Key activeHelps soften the upper layer of the skin and can help support the skin barrier~0.4–0.6%

Anti-oxidation

DIMETHYLMETHOXY CHROMANOL at ~0.45–0.65% delivers this without it being on the label

Quiet bonus

This product contains antioxidants (dimethylmethoxy chromanol) that can help neutralize free radicals in skin. By doing so, they can lessen the damage the skin gets from the UV light (sun).

BISABOLOLRole: Key activeAn active component of chamomile plant that historically has been used to calm down irritated skin. A recent study shows that bisabolol indeed can have some anti-inflammatory effect on skin, even though conclusive data is lacking. Bisabolol has a sweet floral scent and can be added to products for its aromatic properties~0.5–0.75%

DIMETHYLMETHOXY CHROMANOLRole: Key activeCan help neutralize free radicals in skin~0.45–0.65%

DISODIUM LAURIMINODIPROPIONATE TOCOPHERYL PHOSPHATESRole: Key activeA form of Vitamin E. In concentrations 1-3%, it can help neutralize free radicals in skin and support photodamage repair~0.6–0.9%

TREMELLA FUCIFORMIS SPOROCARP EXTRACTRole: Key activeMushroom extract that helps attract water to the upper layer of the skin~0.45–0.65%

Irritancy

10 mild flags; all low irritation

Low risk

We flag 10 ingredients with theoretical low-level irritation potential — at these levels none are a concern for most skin.

IngredientFunctionIrritationEst. amount

Butyloctyl salicylateA 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 ownLow~5.3–6.4%est.

Lauryl peg-8 dimethiconeA type of silicone that helps water and oil mix togetherLow~2.4–2.9%est.

Trilaureth-4 phosphateHelps oil and water mix togetherLow~0.7–1.05%est.

EthylhexylglycerinA preservativeLow~0.5–0.8%est.

Caesalpinia spinosa fruit pod extractA plant extract with antioxidant effect. Is often added to skincare to boost SPFLow~0.45–0.65%est.

Caprylyl glycolHelps preserve products and creates a nice product textureLow~0.45–0.65%est.

Hexylene glycolHelps create a more spreadable product textureLow~0.35–0.6%est.

Isoceteth-10Helps oil and water mix togetherLow~0.4–0.6%est.

Dehydroacetic acidA preservativeLow~0.15–0.3%est.

Benzoic acidA preservativeLow~0.15–0.3%est.

Comedogenic

Clean of flagged comedogenic ingredients

Low risk

~ marks concentrations estimated from label position and typical use levels

Ingredients

Filter by role to see what each ingredient is doing.