Coola Sun Silk Drops Sunscreen SPF30
Works for
2 of 2 advertised claims delivered
Sun protectionSPF 30 · 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.
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-aging1 ingredient credited for this claimStrong support
“Enriched with hydrating hyaluronic acid, antioxidants and revitalising plant stem cells, the hypoallergenic formula also plumps your skin and reduces the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.”
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 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).
MoisturizingNot advertised by the brand · 11 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:
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: simmondsia chinensis seed oil, carthamus tinctorius seed oil.
Can it cause trouble?
Irritancy2 strong irritants: Parfum, Jasminum sambac leaf cell extractMedium 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.
Aloe 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 juiceOctocrylene~4.7–7%
- 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 OctocryleneButyloctyl salicylate~4.6–6.9%
- 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 salicylateEthylhexyl salicylate~4–6%
- 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 salicylateButyl methoxydibenzoylmethane~3.4–5.1%
- 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 methoxydibenzoylmethaneGlycerin~2.1–3.1%
- 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 GlycerinPolyglyceryl-6 stearate~1.6–2.5%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps soften the upper layer of the skin
More about Polyglyceryl-6 stearateWater~1.3–2%
Parfum~1.1–1.7%
- Irritation risk
- High
An aromatic blend of unspecified and possibly irritating ingredients
More about ParfumEthyl ferulate~0.95–1.45%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Propanediol~0.85–1.3%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Acts as a solvent for other ingredients. Speeds up the absorption of other ingredients into the skin
More about PropanediolButylene glycol~0.55–1.3%
- 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~0.5–1.15%
Caprylyl glycol~0.55–1.25%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Helps preserve products and creates a nice product texture
More about Caprylyl glycolCarthamus tinctorius seed oil~0.5–1.2%
- Irritation risk
- Low
An emollient that helps soften the skin and might help calm down inflammation
More about Carthamus tinctorius seed oilGlyceryl stearate~0.55–1.25%
- Irritation risk
- Low
An emollient that softens the skin and forms a protective layer on its surface. Helps water and oil mix together
More about Glyceryl stearateHydroxyacetophenone~0.45–1%
Olea europaea fruit oil~0.45–1.05%
- 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 oilSimmondsia chinensis seed oil~0.45–1.05%
- 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 oilPolyglyceryl-6 behenate~0.35–0.85%
Acrylates/c10-30 alkyl acrylate crosspolymer~0.4–0.9%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Maintains the texture of skincare products. Allows the product to spread evenly. Helps oil and water mix together
More about Acrylates/c10-30 alkyl acrylate crosspolymerJasminum sambac leaf cell extract~0.15–0.65%
Sodium phytate~0.15–0.65%
Tocopheryl acetate~0.15–0.55%
- 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 acetateSodium hydroxide~0.15–0.55%
Plankton 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 extractTheobroma cacao seed extract~0.1–0.45%
- Irritation risk
- Low
- Comedogenicity
- 3/5
Sodium hyaluronate~0.1–0.4%
- Irritation risk
- Low
One of the best moisturizing ingredients. Attracts water into the upper layer of the skin
More about Sodium hyaluronateSchinus molle extract~0.1–0.4%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Ingredient list view
Aloe barbadensis leaf juice, Octocrylene, Butyloctyl salicylate, Ethylhexyl salicylate, Butyl methoxydibenzoylmethane, Glycerin, Polyglyceryl-6 stearate, Water, Parfum, Ethyl ferulate, Propanediol, Butylene glycol, 1,2-hexanediol, Caprylyl glycol, Carthamus tinctorius seed oil, Glyceryl stearate, Hydroxyacetophenone, Olea europaea fruit oil, Simmondsia chinensis seed oil, Polyglyceryl-6 behenate, Acrylates/c10-30 alkyl acrylate crosspolymer, Jasminum sambac leaf cell extract, Sodium phytate, Tocopheryl acetate, Sodium hydroxide, Plankton extract, Theobroma cacao seed extract, Sodium hyaluronate, Schinus molle extract
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Product summary
Based on the ingredients included, we believe that "Coola - Sun Silk Drops Sunscreen SPF30" 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).
It contains good moisturizing ingredients and can double as a hydrating day cream. This product prevents early signs of aging by protecting against sun damage (all broad spectrum sunscreens do that).
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. These are the sun protection ingredients in this sunscreen: avobenzone 3.40% - 5.10%, butyloctyl salicylate 4.60% - 6.90%, octisalate 4.00% - 6.00% and octocrylene 4.70% - 7.00%.
Irritation risk
There are some common irritants in this product, including ingredients that do not have benefits for the skin. We assess the overall irritancy of this product to be medium. 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 45.00£ in the United Kingdom.
For a detailed price comparison: click here.
Sources cited in this review
Every concentration estimate and effectiveness label is anchored to one of these 6 studies and safety reviews.
- 1
- 2
- 3
- 4Use of “natural” oils for moisturization: Review of olive, coconut, and sunflower seed oilonlinelibrary.wiley.com
- 5Hyaluronic acid: A key molecule in skin agingncbi.nlm.nih.gov
- 6
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