Works for
Sun protectionSPF 50 · 2 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-agingTocopherolWorks well
“Formulated with age-defying Clove and Goldenrod Extract, this conditioning sunscreen helps reduce the appearance of redness, fine lines and wrinkles while helping to protect the skin from environmental stressors.”
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).
MoisturizingSide benefit the brand mentions · Caprylic/capric triglyceride, Dimethicone + 10 moreWorks
“This hydrating sunscreen helps to replenish moisture loss while shielding and protecting the skin from UVA and UVB rays which can damage the complexion and lead to early signs of aging.”
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:
sodium pca.
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, dimethicone.
Can it cause trouble?
Irritancy1 strong irritant: FarnesolMedium risk
ComedogenicClean of flagged comedogenic ingredientsNone flagged
User reviews
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Ingredients
Filter by role to see what each ingredient is doing.
Zinc oxide23%
- Irritation risk
- Low
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 colorant
More about Zinc oxideWater~45–55%
Caprylic/capric triglyceride~7.1–8.7%
- 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 triglycerideDimethicone~5.3–6.5%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A 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
More about DimethiconeCoco-caprylate/caprate~3.2–3.9%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps to soften the upper layer of the skin without creating a greasy texture
More about Coco-caprylate/caprateButyloctyl salicylate~2.3–2.8%
- 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 salicylateSilica~2–2.5%
Propanediol~1.7–2%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Acts as a solvent for other ingredients. Speeds up the absorption of other ingredients into the skin
More about PropanediolPolyhydroxystearic acid~1.5–1.8%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Used to create a thicker product consistency and stabilize the formulation
More about Polyhydroxystearic acidArgania spinosa kernel oil~1.3–1.6%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
An emollient that helps soften the upper layer of the skin. Might have some weak anti-oxidant properties
More about Argania spinosa kernel oilCaprylyl methicone~1–1.3%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A type of silicone that helps to soften the upper layer of the skin and create a nice product finish on the skin
More about Caprylyl methiconeTocopheryl acetate~0.75–1.15%
- 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 acetateStyrene/acrylates copolymer~0.65–1%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Used to create an even product consistency. Can help boost efficiency of sunscreen filters
More about Styrene/acrylates copolymerPentylene glycol~0.65–0.95%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Used to preserve products, dissolve other ingredients and create a nice product texture
More about Pentylene glycolSodium chloride~0.6–0.9%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Used to stabilize mixtures of oil and water, and create thicker, gel-like product textures
More about Sodium chlorideSodium pca~0.5–0.75%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Naturally present in skin and helps to attract water to its upper layer
More about Sodium pcaTriethoxycaprylylsilane~0.5–0.75%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A type of silicone that helps oil and water mix well together. Helps to disperse other ingredients, e.g. pigments, evenly in a formulation
More about Triethoxycaprylylsilane1,2-hexanediol~0.45–0.7%
Ectoin~0.4–0.65%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Softens the upper layer of the skin and can support skin barrier function
More about EctoinPolyglyceryl-4 isostearate~0.45–0.65%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Helps water and oil mix together
More about Polyglyceryl-4 isostearatePolysilicone-11~0.4–0.6%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A silicone that forms a light film on the skin surface helping to bind water and temporarily absorb oils creating a matt and powdery feel
More about Polysilicone-11Stearalkonium hectorite~0.35–0.6%
Vp/eicosene copolymer~0.3–0.6%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Used to improve the product adherence to the skin, for example, to pro-long the protective effect of sunscreens. Can be irritating to very sensitive skin
More about Vp/eicosene copolymerBisabolol~0.25–0.5%
- Irritation risk
- Low
An 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
More about BisabololEugenia caryophyllus bud extract~0.25–0.45%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Solidago virgaurea extract~0.25–0.5%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Propylene carbonate~0.3–0.55%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Is used to dissolve other ingredients and create nice product texture
More about Propylene carbonateDisteardimonium hectorite~0.25–0.45%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A type of clay that is used to thicken the product consistency
More about Disteardimonium hectoriteEthylhexylglycerin~0.2–0.4%
Isostearic acid~0.25–0.5%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Used to create a nice product texture
More about Isostearic acidLecithin~0.2–0.35%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Used mostly for creating emulsions - helping oil and water mix together. Helps soften the upper layer of the skin
More about LecithinPolyglyceryl-3 polyricinoleate~0.15–0.25%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Helps oil and water mix together
More about Polyglyceryl-3 polyricinoleateAmmonium hydroxide~0.1–0.2%
Tocopherol~0.1–0.15%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Pure form of vitamin E. Can help moisturise and protect the skin from free radicals. Often used to help stabilise other ingredients or the formula itself
More about TocopherolFarnesol~0.05–0.1%
Ingredient list view
Zinc oxide, Water, Caprylic/capric triglyceride, Dimethicone, Coco-caprylate/caprate, Butyloctyl salicylate, Silica, Propanediol, Polyhydroxystearic acid, Argania spinosa kernel oil, Caprylyl methicone, Tocopheryl acetate, Styrene/acrylates copolymer, Pentylene glycol, Sodium chloride, Sodium pca, Triethoxycaprylylsilane, 1,2-hexanediol, Ectoin, Polyglyceryl-4 isostearate, Polysilicone-11, Stearalkonium hectorite, Vp/eicosene copolymer, Bisabolol, Eugenia caryophyllus bud extract, Solidago virgaurea extract, Propylene carbonate, Disteardimonium hectorite, Ethylhexylglycerin, Isostearic acid, Lecithin, Polyglyceryl-3 polyricinoleate, Ammonium hydroxide, Tocopherol, Farnesol
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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.
| CosMedixZinc DefenseYOUR PRODUCT | Dr Dennis GrossDark Spot Sun Defense Broad Spectrum SPF 50 Sunscreen | NYDG SkincareChem-Free Active Defense SPF30 | DCLAntioxidant Mineral Sunscreen SPF 30 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Match | — | 40% | 40% | 39% |
| Price | $66.00 | $42.00−$24.00 | — | — |
| Shared key ingredients | — | 4 of 9 | 4 of 9 | 5 of 9 |
| Key difference | — | Ferulic Acid | Squalane | Squalane |
| Irritancy | Medium | Low | Low | Low |
| SPF | SPF 50 | SPF 50 | SPF 30 | SPF 30 |
| Drying alcohol | — | — | — | — |
| View product | Shop | Shop | Shop |
More alternatives: NassifMD Dermaceuticals Shield Smooth Mineral SPF 40 UntintedEltaMD UV Skin Recovery Broad Spectrum SPF 50
Product summary
"CosMedix - Zinc Defense" could be helpful for: Moisturizing, but its actives are not the most effective or are not well-studied.
Ingredient callouts
- Humectants (sodium pca 0.50% - 0.75%). These ingredients help attract water to the upper layer of the skin and improve the skin hydration.
About the brand
According to Cruelty-Free Kitty "CosMedix" is cruelty free and so is its parent company.
Price
The product retails for 65.00$ 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 16 studies and safety reviews.
- 1A review of inorganic UV filters zinc oxide and titanium dioxideonlinelibrary.wiley.com
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