Coola Refreshing Water Sunscreen Stick SPF 50
Works for
Sun protectionSPF 50 · 1 UV filter · Partial spectrumWeak protectionLow filter dose
This product does not offer good protection against UVA rays.
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.
MoisturizingSide benefit the brand mentions · Carthamus tinctorius oleosomes, Glycerin + 7 moreWorks
“Experience weightless hydration and effortless protection with our easy to use, breakthrough Refreshing Water Stick.”
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, hyaluronic acid.
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: copernicia cerifera wax, carthamus tinctorius oleosomes.
Can it cause trouble?
Irritancy4 strong irritants: Jasminum sambac leaf cell extract, Ocimum basilicum flower/leaf extract + 2 more — patch-test recommendedHigh risk
Comedogenic2 ingredients rated 2 or more on the 0–5 pore-clogging scale2 flagged
User reviews
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Ingredients
Filter by role to see what each ingredient is doing.
Octocrylene5%
- 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 juice~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 juiceGlycerin~2.9–4.3%
- 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 GlycerinSodium stearate~3.3–5%
Carthamus tinctorius oleosomes~3.8–5.7%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps soften the upper layer of the skin
More about Carthamus tinctorius oleosomesPolyglyceryl-10 caprylate/caprate~2.6–3.8%
Butyloctyl salicylate~1.9–2.9%
- 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 salicylateCopernicia cerifera wax~1.8–2.6%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps to soften the upper layer of the skin and create a nice product consistency
More about Copernicia cerifera waxSorbitan olivate~1.2–1.8%
Vp/hexadecene copolymer~1.2–1.8%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Creates a nice product texture and can support water-resistance of sunscreens
More about Vp/hexadecene copolymerCocos nucifera fruit water~0.85–1.3%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Jasminum sambac leaf cell extract~0.45–1.05%
Melia azadirachta leaf extract~0.4–0.95%
- Irritation risk
- High
A plant extract that has anti-bacterial properties. Can be used to preserve the product. Can be irritating
More about Melia azadirachta leaf extractMelia azadirachta flower extract~0.35–0.85%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
A plant extract that might be helpful to neutralize free radicals in skin
More about Melia azadirachta flower extractCorallina officinalis extract~0.3–0.75%
- Irritation risk
- Low
- Comedogenicity
- 3/5
Red algae extract that helps attract water to the upper layer of the skin and might contain antioxidants
More about Corallina officinalis extractSolanum melongena fruit extract~0.2–0.8%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Eggplant fruit extract. Might have some anti-oxidant effect
More about Solanum melongena fruit extractTheobroma cacao seed extract~0.2–0.8%
- Irritation risk
- Low
- Comedogenicity
- 3/5
Aloe barbadensis flower extract~0.35–0.8%
- Irritation risk
- High
A plant extract that might have some anti-oxidant effect
More about Aloe barbadensis flower extractSimmondsia chinensis seed oil~0.35–0.8%
- 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 oilHyaluronic acid~0.15–0.65%
- Irritation risk
- Low
One of the best moisturizing ingredients. Attracts water into the upper layer of the skin. Naturally present in skin. Typically has large molecule size unless advertised otherwise on the product label. Helps support skin's barrier function and may help to reduce inflammation
More about Hyaluronic acidCoccinia indica fruit extract~0.15–0.65%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
A plant extract that might have some anti-oxidant effect helping neutralize free radicals in skin
More about Coccinia indica fruit extractCurcuma longa root extract~0.15–0.55%
- Irritation risk
- High
A plant extract that can contain an active compound curcumin, that may have some anti-inflammatory properties when applied to the skin, but solid research is lacking and the typical concentration used in skincare products is too low. Can be an irritant
More about Curcuma longa root extractOcimum basilicum flower/leaf extract~0.15–0.6%
- Irritation risk
- High
Used as a fragrance. Canbe irritating
More about Ocimum basilicum flower/leaf extractOcimum sanctum leaf extract~0.15–0.55%
- Irritation risk
- High
A plant extract that is rich in a fragrance compound eugenol that is a frequent allergen and can be irritating. It might also contain anti-oxidants to help neutralize free radicals
More about Ocimum sanctum leaf extractSchinus molle extract~0.15–0.5%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Propanediol~0.15–0.55%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Acts as a solvent for other ingredients. Speeds up the absorption of other ingredients into the skin
More about PropanediolButylene glycol~0.1–0.45%
- 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 glycol1,2-hexanediol~0.1–0.3%
Caprylyl glycol~0.15–0.5%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Helps preserve products and creates a nice product texture
More about Caprylyl glycolWater~0.05–0.3%
Tropolone~0.05–0.3%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Parfum~0.05–0.15%
- Irritation risk
- High
An aromatic blend of unspecified and possibly irritating ingredients
More about ParfumIngredient list view
Octocrylene, Aloe barbadensis leaf juice, Glycerin, Sodium stearate, Carthamus tinctorius oleosomes, Polyglyceryl-10 caprylate/caprate, Butyloctyl salicylate, Copernicia cerifera wax, Sorbitan olivate, Vp/hexadecene copolymer, Cocos nucifera fruit water, Jasminum sambac leaf cell extract, Melia azadirachta leaf extract, Melia azadirachta flower extract, Corallina officinalis extract, Solanum melongena fruit extract, Theobroma cacao seed extract, Aloe barbadensis flower extract, Simmondsia chinensis seed oil, Hyaluronic acid, Coccinia indica fruit extract, Curcuma longa root extract, Ocimum basilicum flower/leaf extract, Ocimum sanctum leaf extract, Schinus molle extract, Propanediol, Butylene glycol, 1,2-hexanediol, Caprylyl glycol, Water, Tropolone, Parfum
Compare prices
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Worth comparing, line by line.
Match % combines shared ingredients, the first five ingredients, shared actives and hero ingredients, irritancy (lower counts in the alternative's favour), texture and body area. Only products in the same routine step are compared.
| CoolaRefreshing Water Sunscreen Stick SPF 50YOUR PRODUCT | ROUND LABBirch Juice Moisturizing UVLock Sun Stick | Dr. IdrissMajor Fade Disco Block SPF 50 | ALOE for CUREWater Splash Cooling Sun Stick | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Match | — | 39% | 35% | 35% |
| Price | $30.00 | $25.00−$5.00 | $38.00+$8.00 | $18.91−$11.09 |
| Shared key ingredients | — | 4 of 7 | 5 of 7 | 2 of 7 |
| Key difference | — | Allantoin | Ceramide Ap | Salicylic Acid |
| Irritancy | High | Medium | Medium | Medium |
| SPF | SPF 50 | SPF 50 | SPF 50 | SPF 50 |
| Drying alcohol | — | — | — | — |
| View product | Shop | Shop | Shop |
More alternatives: TANNING Club Everyday Sunscreen SPF 30Dr. Jart+ Every Sun Day Invisible Korean Sunscreen Stick SPF 40
Product summary
We assess that "Coola - Refreshing Water Sunscreen Stick SPF 50" can provide reliable sun protection based on the ingredient list. We love that it can protect from both UVA and UVB rays (not all sunscreens with SPF ratings give UVA protection. UVA rays do not cause sunburn, but still damage our skin and lead to early aging).
It contains good moisturizing ingredients and can double as a hydrating day cream. Like all broad-spectrum sunscreens, this product helps prevent early signs of aging.
Sunscreen filters
This is a so-called "chemical" sunscreen. It means that it uses organic UV filters. They typically offer good sun protection and rarely leave a white cast, but they can be irritating for some people with sensitive skin. The UV filters in this sunscreen are: avobenzone 2.50% (declared), butyloctyl salicylate 1.90% - 2.90%, octisalate 2.15% (declared), homosalate 3.50% (declared) and octocrylene 5.00% (declared).
Irritation risk
This sunscreen contains some common irritants, including those without a benefit for the skin. We assess the overall irritancy of it to be high. For a detailed overview of all potential irritants: click here
You can see the detailed formula review with the breakdown of all actives in the product and the full ingredient list with estimated concentrations in the tables below.
About the brand
According to Cruelty-Free Kitty "Coola" is cruelty free, but its parent company is not.
Price
The product retails for 30.00$ 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 9 studies and safety reviews.
- 1
- 2
- 3Melia azedarachmdedge.com
- 4
- 5
- 6Efficacy of a New Topical Nano-hyaluronic Acid in Humansncbi.nlm.nih.gov
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