Coola Full Spectrum 360° Sun Silk Drops Organic Sunscreen SPF 30
Works for
2 of 2 advertised claims delivered
Sun protectionSPF 30 · 5 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-agingGLUCONOLACTONE, ALOE BARBADENSIS LEAF JUICEStrong evidence
“The protection is lightweight, effective and leaves your skin looking luminous and youthful.”
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 toneNot advertised by the brand · GLUCONOLACTONEStrong evidence
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 · Sodium hyaluronate, Carthamus tinctorius seed oil + 9 moreGood 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:
glycerin, sodium hyaluronate.
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: caprylic/capric triglyceride, carthamus tinctorius seed oil.
Can it cause trouble?
Irritancy4 strong irritants: Citrus aurantium amara flower extract, Citrus aurantium amara leaf/twig extract + 2 more — patch-test recommendedHigh risk
Comedogenic2 ingredients rated 2 or more on the 0–5 pore-clogging scale2 flagged
User reviews
Be the first — your take helps the next person decide.
Ingredients
Filter by role to see what each ingredient is doing.
Butyl methoxydibenzoylmethane2%
- 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 methoxydibenzoylmethaneHomosalate10%
- 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 HomosalateEthylhexyl salicylate5%
- 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 salicylateOctocrylene6%
- 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 OctocryleneAloe barbadensis leaf extract~23–34%
- 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 extractAnthemis nobilis flower oil~4.5–6.8%
- Irritation risk
- High
An essential oil that is used as a fragrance and can be irritating. It might have some anti-oxidant effect in skin
More about Anthemis nobilis flower oilButylene glycol~4.1–6.1%
- 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 glycolButyloctyl salicylate~3.5–5.2%
- 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 salicylateCalcium gluconate~2.7–4%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps attract water to the upper layer of the skin and helps to improve appearance of the product
More about Calcium gluconateCaprylic/capric triglyceride~2.1–3.2%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
A good mix of fatty acids that forms a protective layer on the skin. Improves the shelf life of products. Derived from coconut and glycerin
More about Caprylic/capric triglycerideCarthamus tinctorius extract~1.5–2.3%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Carthamus tinctorius seed oil~1.3–1.9%
- Irritation risk
- Low
An emollient that helps soften the skin and might help calm down inflammation
More about Carthamus tinctorius seed oilCitrus aurantium amara flower extract~1–1.5%
- Irritation risk
- High
Used as a fragrance for its citrus smell. Can be irritating
More about Citrus aurantium amara flower extractCitrus aurantium amara leaf/twig extract~0.55–1.3%
- Irritation risk
- High
Dicaprylyl carbonate~0.5–1.2%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps products spread more easily and works as an emollient to soften skin
More about Dicaprylyl carbonateGlycerin~0.35–0.85%
- 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 GlycerinGlyceryl stearate se~0.2–0.7%
- Irritation risk
- Low
- Comedogenicity
- 2/5
Used to stabilize the product formulations and works as an emollient
More about Glyceryl stearate seJasminum sambac leaf cell extract~0.15–0.55%
Nylon-12~0.15–0.6%
Olea europaea fruit oil~0.15–0.6%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
An emollient that helps soften the skin but is not effective for restoring its barrier function. Might be helpful to calm down inflammation
More about Olea europaea fruit oilRosa damascena extract~0.1–0.45%
- Irritation risk
- High
Oil of a very fragrant pink rose used as fragrance in cosmetics. Extensive research has shown it has mixed benefits. In the pro column, inhaling this flower’s scent seems to have relaxing properties and the plant’s petals contain skin-soothing and antioxidant compounds that can benefit skin. On the flipside, the numerous chemicals that create this rose’s distinctive fragrance pose a risk of causing skin aggravation.
More about Rosa damascena extractPropanediol~0.1–0.5%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Acts as a solvent for other ingredients. Speeds up the absorption of other ingredients into the skin
More about PropanediolSchinus molle extract~0.1–0.45%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Simmondsia chinensis seed oil~0.15–0.7%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Softens the upper layer of skin and helps restore the healthy skin barrier. Has shown to help calm down inflammation in skin. It is a stable oil, meaning that it retains its properties even when exposed to air.
More about Simmondsia chinensis seed oilSodium benzoate~0.1–0.35%
Sodium hyaluronate~0.1–0.35%
- Irritation risk
- Low
One of the best moisturizing ingredients. Attracts water into the upper layer of the skin
More about Sodium hyaluronateSodium stearoyl glutamate~0.15–0.55%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Helps oil and water mix together
More about Sodium stearoyl glutamateTheobroma cacao seed extract~0.1–0.35%
- Irritation risk
- Low
- Comedogenicity
- 3/5
Tocopheryl acetate~0.05–0.25%
- 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 acetateWater~0.05–0.25%
Xanthan gum~0.05–0.2%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Used to create a thicker product consistency
More about Xanthan gumIngredient list view
Butyl methoxydibenzoylmethane, Homosalate, Ethylhexyl salicylate, Octocrylene, Aloe barbadensis leaf extract, Anthemis nobilis flower oil, Butylene glycol, Butyloctyl salicylate, Calcium gluconate, Caprylic/capric triglyceride, Carthamus tinctorius extract, Carthamus tinctorius seed oil, Citrus aurantium amara flower extract, Citrus aurantium amara leaf/twig extract, Dicaprylyl carbonate, Glycerin, Glyceryl stearate se, Jasminum sambac leaf cell extract, Nylon-12, Olea europaea fruit oil, Rosa damascena extract, Propanediol, Schinus molle extract, Simmondsia chinensis seed oil, Sodium benzoate, Sodium hyaluronate, Sodium stearoyl glutamate, Theobroma cacao seed extract, Tocopheryl acetate, Water, Xanthan gum
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Product summary
The ingredient list suggests that "Coola - Full Spectrum 360° Sun Silk Drops Organic Sunscreen SPF 30" can provide reliable sun protection. It can protect from both UVA and UVB rays. This is great news because 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).
It also works as a moisturizer, so you do not have to use an additional hydrating product. Like all broad-spectrum sunscreens, this product has an anti-aging benefit.
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 2.00% (declared), butyloctyl salicylate 3.50% - 5.20%, octisalate 5.00% (declared), homosalate 10.00% (declared) and octocrylene 6.00% (declared).
Irritation risk
This product contains a bunch of common irritants, including ingredients that do not provide any known benefit for the skin. It might not be the best choice if your skin is sensitive. We assess the overall irritancy of this product to be high. 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.
About the brand
According to Cruelty-Free Kitty "Coola" is cruelty free and so is its parent company.
Price
The product retails for 62.00CA$ in Canada, for 44.00£ in the United Kingdom and for 48.00$ 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 7 studies and safety reviews.
- 1
- 2Safety Assessment of Anthemis nobilis– Derived Ingredients as Used in Cosmeticsjournals.sagepub.com
- 3
- 4
- 5Use of “natural” oils for moisturization: Review of olive, coconut, and sunflower seed oilonlinelibrary.wiley.com
- 6Hyaluronic acid: A key molecule in skin agingncbi.nlm.nih.gov
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