Coola Sun Silk Drops SPF30 GWP
Works for
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-agingNo ingredient credited for this claimWorks well
“Bolstering youthful-looking skin thanks to a formula that includes hyaluronic acid, plant stem cells, and antioxidants,COOLA Sun Silk Drops SPF30 provides broad-spectrum UVA and UVB protection and alleviates the effects of infrared, blue light, and pollution.”
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 · No ingredient credited for this claimWorks well
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 · Caprylic/capric triglyceride, Carthamus tinctorius seed oil + 10 moreWorks
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?
Irritancy3 strong irritants: Citrus aurantium amara flower extract, Citrus aurantium amara leaf/twig extract + 1 more — patch-test recommendedHigh risk
Comedogenic3 ingredients rated 2 or more on the 0–5 pore-clogging scale3 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 oilPlankton extract~0.15–0.55%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
- Comedogenicity
- 3/5
Can help attract water to the upper layer of the skin
More about Plankton 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, Plankton 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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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.
| CoolaSun Silk Drops SPF30 GWPYOUR PRODUCT | Face Reality SkincareBrilliant Defense SPF 50 | Bare RepublicClearscreen Clean & Invisible Broad Spectrum Sunscreen Lotion, SPF 30 | OARS + ALPSGo Stick Clear Sunscreen | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Match | — | 33% | 32% | 32% |
| Price | — | $42.00 | — | $23.99 |
| Shared key ingredients | — | 7 of 9 | 7 of 9 | 7 of 9 |
| Key difference | — | Aminopropyl Ascorbyl Phosphate | Rubus Idaeus Seed Oil | Ethylhexyl Olivate |
| Irritancy | High | Low | Medium | Low |
| SPF | SPF 30 | SPF 50 | SPF 30 | SPF 35 |
| Drying alcohol | — | — | — | — |
| View product | Shop | Shop | Shop |
More alternatives: Then I Met You Essence Light Sunscreen SPF 50Clinique NEW UV Solutions Hydrating Sunscreen SPF 50
Product summary
We believe that "Coola - Sun Silk Drops SPF30 GWP" can provide reliable sun protection based on the ingredients listed. 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).
Its formula is also hydrating, so you might not need an additional moistruizer during the day. This product prevents early signs of aging by protecting against sun damage (all broad spectrum sunscreens do that).
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
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.
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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