We believe that "Dermalogica - Invisible Defense SPF 30" 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).

It should also be hydrating enough to use without an additional moisturizer during the day. Like all broad-spectrum sunscreens, this product has an anti-aging benefit.

Sunscreen filters

This sunscreen uses a mixture of both mineral and organic (so-called "chemical") UV filters. The organic filters in the product are: butyloctyl salicylate. As for the mineral filters, this sunscreen uses zinc oxide.

Irritation risk

There are quite a few common irritants in this product, including ingredients without particular skin benefits. We would not recommend it for sensitive skin. 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 "Dermalogica" is cruelty free, but its parent company is not.

Price

The product retails for 114.24A$ in Australia, from 45.00£ up to 49.00£ in the United Kingdom and for 37.00$ in the United States.

For a detailed price comparison: click here.

What can the product work for?

Does not work for

Exfoliation

Sun protection

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.

zinc oxide 9.9% - 14.9%

Irritation risk:

UVA I protection: UVA II protection: UVB protection: Photo stable: Ingredient type Mineral

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

butyloctyl salicylate 2.3% - 3.4%

Irritation risk:

UVA I protection: UVA II protection: UVB protection: Photo stable: Ingredient type Organic

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

Anti-aging

What does the product description say?

Dermalogica Invisible Physical Defense SPF 30 1.7 oz / 50 ml light-activated skin defense Light-activated multitasking moisturizer provides broad spectrum defense while preventing future signs of skin damage.

Source: Walmart

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.

camellia sinensis leaf extract 0.45% - 1.05%

Irritation risk:

Concentration: Insufficient!

Can contain potent anti-oxidant compounds (abbreviated ECG, GCG, EGC, and EGCG) that might help protect the skin from free radicals. Can help calm down inflammation and has some anti-bacterial properties. Unfortunately, these antioxidants are unstable and lose their effectiveness very quickly in products. The concentration of the antioxidant compounds in the extract also tends to be low to be effective in topical formulation

Evens skin tone

What does the product description say?

Broad Spectrum Defense SPF30 provides protection from UV damage, while a bio-ferment from sage helps maintain an even skin tone.

Source: Walmart

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).

trametes versicolor extract 0.45% - 1.1%

Irritation risk:

Concentration: Insufficient!

A mushroom extract that might have some skin-lightening and moisturizing properties, but solid research is lacking. It is unlikely to be effective in the concentration used in skincare products

camellia sinensis leaf extract 0.45% - 1.05%

Irritation risk:

Concentration: Insufficient!

Moisturizing

What does the product description say?

Bio-active Mushroom Complex helps soothe skin, and reduce UV-induced redness and dryness.

Source: Face the future

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, dimethicone.

caprylic/capric triglyceride 5.2% - 7.8%

Irritation risk:

Concentration: Effectiveness: HIGH

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

peg-10 dimethicone 0.9% - 1.35%

Irritation risk:

Concentration: Effectiveness: HIGH

A silicone that works to soften the upper layer of the skin and reduce its water loss

glycerin 1.8% - 2.7%

Irritation risk:

Concentration: Effectiveness: HIGH

One of the best moisturizing ingredients. Naturally present in skin. It attracts water to the upper layer of the skin working as a humectant

Exfoliation

What does the product description say?

This powerful skin polisher combines physical and chemical exfoliants to refine ... View full details

Source: Dermalogica

This product does not contain effective exfoliating ingredients. It might be able to deliver physical exfoliation, that is scrub off some of the dead cells on the surface of the skin. We do not recommend physical exfoliation, because it is not uniform (some bits of skin can get exfoliated too much while others not at all). It can also traumatize the skin and aggrevate acne and other skin conditions.

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Ingredients & concentrations

All ingredients

Key Actives

camellia sinensis leaf extract 0.45% - 1.05%

Irritation risk:

Works for: Anti-oxidation, Antibacterial, Anti-aging, Anti-blemish, Evens skin tone, Moisturizing

camellia sinensis leaf extract 0.4% - 0.9%

Irritation risk:

Works for: Antibacterial, Anti-oxidation, Anti-aging, Anti-blemish, Moisturizing, Evens skin tone

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Potential irritants

eucalyptus globulus leaf oil 0.4% - 0.9%

Irritation risk:

Works for: Antibacterial

An essential oil that can be very irritating. Has some anti-bacterial properties

lavandula hybrida oil 0.35% - 0.8%

Irritation risk:

Plant extract that can be irritating and is a known allergen

Comodogenic ingredients

We couldn't find any comodogenic ingredients in this product

All ingredients

water 40% - 60%

Irritation risk:

Plain old water

zinc oxide 9.9% - 14.9%

Irritation risk:

Works for: Sun protection

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

caprylic/capric triglyceride 5.2% - 7.8%

Irritation risk:

Works for: Moisturizing

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

Ingredient list view

Water, Zinc oxide, Caprylic/capric triglyceride, C12-15 alkyl benzoate, Dimethicone, Butyloctyl salicylate, Butylene glycol, Glycerin, Silica, Polyhydroxystearic acid, Peg-10 dimethicone, Argania spinosa kernel oil, Cordyceps sinensis extract, Trametes versicolor extract, Sodium hyaluronate, Camellia sinensis leaf extract, Eucalyptus globulus leaf oil, Lavandula spica flower oil, Tocopheryl acetate, Sodium chloride, Stearalkonium hectorite, Pentylene glycol, Lauryl peg-9 polydimethylsiloxyethyl dimethicone, Propanediol, Dimethicone crosspolymer, Sodium citrate, Propylene carbonate, Xanthan gum, Caprylyl glycol, Bisabolol, Lavandula hybrida oil, Ethylhexylglycerin, Sodium hydroxide, Potassium sorbate, Sodium benzoate, Linalool, Limonene, Water, Zinc oxide, Caprylic/capric triglyceride, C12-15 alkyl benzoate, Dimethicone, Butyloctyl salicylate, Butylene glycol, Glycerin, Silica, Polyhydroxystearic acid, Peg-10 dimethicone, Argania spinosa kernel oil, Cordyceps sinensis extract, Trametes versicolor extract, Sodium hyaluronate, Camellia sinensis leaf extract, Eucalyptus globulus leaf oil, Lavandula spica flower oil, Tocopheryl acetate, Sodium chloride, Stearalkonium hectorite, Pentylene glycol, Lauryl peg-9 polydimethylsiloxyethyl dimethicone, Propanediol, Dimethicone crosspolymer, Sodium citrate, Propylene carbonate, Xanthan gum, Caprylyl glycol, Bisabolol, Lavandula hybrida oil, Ethylhexylglycerin, Sodium hydroxide, Potassium sorbate, Sodium benzoate, Linalool, Limonene

	Dermalogica - Invisible Defense SPF 30	Tatcha - The Silk Sunscreen	Dr Dennis Gross - All Physical Lightweight Wrinkle Defense SPF	Murad - City Skin Broad Spectrum SPF50 \| PA ++++	EltaMD - UV Replenish Broad-Spectrum SPF 44	DCL - Skincare Antioxidant Mineral SPF30 Water Resistant UVA/UVB Protection Cream	Dr Sebagh - Sun and City Protection SPF 50+	Shiseido - Urban Environment Oil-Free UV Protector Broad Spectrum SPF 42 Facial Sunscreen	Hero Cosmetics - Force Shield Superlight Sunscreen SPF 30	RéVive - Sensitif Soothing Day Cream SPF 30 Broad Spectrum Sunscreen PA +++	Skincare by Dr. V - InZincable SPF 50
Price
WIMJ similarity score		40%	40%	40%	39%	39%	39%	38%	38%	38%	38%
SPF	SPF 30	SPF 50	SPF 30	SPF 50	SPF 44	SPF 30	SPF 50	SPF 42	SPF 30	SPF 30	SPF 50
Key ingredients	argania spinosa kernel oil argania spinosa kernel oil +18 more	Common: bisabolol camellia sinensis leaf extract +4 more Other: niacinamide kappaphycus alvarezii extract +6 more	Common: dimethicone glycerin +3 more Other: ferulic acid gluconolactone +6 more	Common: caprylic/capric triglyceride dimethicone +4 more Other: ascorbic acid retinyl palmitate +12 more	Common: butyloctyl salicylate caprylic/capric triglyceride +4 more Other: cetyl dimethicone octyldodecyl neopentanoate +1 more	Common: argania spinosa kernel oil butyloctyl salicylate +3 more Other: squalane	Common: caprylic/capric triglyceride dimethicone +2 more Other: diethylamino hydroxybenzoyl hexyl benzoate ethylhexyl methoxycinnamate +5 more	Common: camellia sinensis leaf extract dimethicone +4 more Other: ascorbyl tetraisopalmitate dipotassium glycyrrhizate +4 more	Common: bisabolol butyloctyl salicylate +4 more Other: alteromonas ferment extract bis-diglyceryl polyacyladipate-2 +7 more	Common: camellia sinensis leaf extract caprylic/capric triglyceride +4 more Other: oligopeptide-24 niacinamide +7 more	Common: bisabolol butyloctyl salicylate +4 more Other: niacinamide copernicia cerifera wax +2 more
Irritancy	IRRITANCY HIGH	IRRITANCY MEDIUM	IRRITANCY MEDIUM	IRRITANCY MEDIUM	IRRITANCY LOW	IRRITANCY LOW	IRRITANCY LOW	IRRITANCY MEDIUM	IRRITANCY MEDIUM	IRRITANCY MEDIUM	IRRITANCY LOW
Potential Irritants	limonene Has skin benefit? linalool Has skin benefit? +28 more	propylene glycol Has skin benefit? arctium lappa root extract Has skin benefit? +7 more	potassium sorbate Has skin benefit? citric acid Has skin benefit? +14 more	ascorbic acid Has skin benefit? retinyl palmitate Has skin benefit? +10 more	tocopheryl acetate Has skin benefit? ascorbyl palmitate Has skin benefit? +7 more	disodium edta Has skin benefit? chlorphenesin Has skin benefit? +12 more	ethylhexyl methoxycinnamate Has skin benefit? ethylhexylglycerin Has skin benefit? +13 more	alcohol Has skin benefit? perilla ocymoides leaf extract Has skin benefit? +8 more	coco-glucoside Has skin benefit? ocimum sanctum leaf extract Has skin benefit? +18 more	citrus aurantium dulcis peel oil Has skin benefit? calendula officinalis flower extract Has skin benefit? +14 more	sodium salicylate Has skin benefit? sodium citrate Has skin benefit? +9 more
All ingredients	water Has skin benefit? zinc oxide Has skin benefit? +72 more	zinc oxide Has skin benefit? water Has skin benefit? +47 more	zinc oxide Has skin benefit? water Has skin benefit? +43 more	water Has skin benefit? dimethicone Has skin benefit? +44 more	zinc oxide Has skin benefit? titanium dioxide Has skin benefit? +27 more	zinc oxide Has skin benefit? water Has skin benefit? +24 more	water Has skin benefit? zinc oxide Has skin benefit? +40 more	titanium dioxide Has skin benefit? dimethicone Has skin benefit? +46 more	zinc oxide Has skin benefit? water Has skin benefit? +54 more	zinc oxide Has skin benefit? water Has skin benefit? +49 more	water Has skin benefit? zinc oxide Has skin benefit? +30 more

PRODUCT REVIEW

Dermalogica Invisible Defense SPF 30

Works for:

Doesn't work for:

Can it cause trouble?

Key actives

Cheaper alternatives

Product summary

Sunscreen filters

Irritation risk

About the brand

Price

What can the product work for?

Works for

Does not work for

Sun protection

Anti-aging

What does the product description say?

Evens skin tone

What does the product description say?

Moisturizing

What does the product description say?

Exfoliation

What does the product description say?

Honesty check

How honest is this product?

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Can it cause trouble?

Potential irritants

Comodogenic ingredients

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Ingredients & concentrations

All ingredients

Key Actives

Potential irritants

Comodogenic ingredients

All ingredients

Ingredient list view

Sources