Dermalogica Powerbright TRx Pure Light SPF50 Moisturizer
Works for
4 of 5 advertised claims delivered
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.
Evens skin tone2 ingredients credited for this claimStrong support
“The medium weight formula is made using a powerful peptide plus red and brown algae to help balance uneven skin tone.”
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).
Moisturizing11 ingredients credited for this claimStrong support
“An SPF 50 moisturiser.”
This product contains good ingredients to attract water to the upper layer of the skin. These ingredients are called "humectants": glycerin, sodium hyaluronate crosspolymer.
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. If the air is dry, humectants can speed up the moisture loss from the skin. This is why it is a good idea to use another product on top of this one to help "seal in" the moisture (look for ingredients like dimethicone, squalane, oils and butters).
The following ingredients in this product are especially good for supporting the skin barrier and helping with the hydration level: oligopeptide-34
Anti-aging2 ingredients credited for this claimStrong support
“The formula also helps to exfoliate surface cells to enhance skin tone and eliminate dark spots and uses hyaluronic acid to fortify the skin’s natural moisture barrier, reducing the appearance of fine dehydration lines.”
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.
These ingredients in the product might also be helpful for reducing and preventing fine lines, wrinkles, and skin elasticity, even though there is no conclusive evidence for their effectiveness: oligopeptide-34.
ExfoliationNo ingredient credited for this claimNo support
“The formula also helps to exfoliate surface cells to enhance skin tone and eliminate dark spots and uses hyaluronic acid to fortify the skin’s natural moisture barrier, reducing the appearance of fine dehydration lines.”
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.
Can it cause trouble?
Irritancy3 strong irritants: Cananga odorata flower oil, Eucalyptus globulus leaf oil + 1 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.
Butyl methoxydibenzoylmethane3%
- 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 methoxydibenzoylmethaneEthylhexyl methoxycinnamate7.5%
- Irritation risk
- High
Octinoxate. When used in higher concentrations, works as a sunscreen protecting the skin from UVB rays. When used in lower concentration, helps to preserve the product formulation. Is shown to be harmful to coral reefs - consider avoiding bathing in coral reef areas when wearing a product with this ingredient. It can be irritating
More about Ethylhexyl methoxycinnamateWater~45–55%
Carthamus tinctorius oleosomes~5.2–6.4%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps soften the upper layer of the skin
More about Carthamus tinctorius oleosomesButylene glycol~4.4–5.4%
- 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 glycolGlycerin~3.4–4.1%
- 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 GlycerinC12-15 alkyl benzoate~2.8–3.5%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Enhances the product texture and makes it more spreadable. Helps reduce water loss from the outer layer of skin. Extands the shelf life by preventing bacteria growth
More about C12-15 alkyl benzoatePolysorbate 80~2–2.5%
Dimethyl capramide~1.9–2.3%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps to dissolve other ingredients, especially sunscreens
More about Dimethyl capramideCananga odorata flower oil~1.5–1.8%
Eucalyptus globulus leaf oil~1.3–1.6%
- Irritation risk
- High
An essential oil that can be very irritating. Has some anti-bacterial properties
More about Eucalyptus globulus leaf oilLavandula hybrida oil~1.1–1.4%
- Irritation risk
- High
Plant extract that can be irritating and is a known allergen
More about Lavandula hybrida oilLavandula spica flower oil~0.9–1.1%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Laminaria ochroleuca extract~0.7–1.05%
- Irritation risk
- Low
- Comedogenicity
- 3/5
Helps attract water to the upper layer of the skin
More about Laminaria ochroleuca extractPalmaria palmata extract~0.65–1%
- Irritation risk
- Low
- Comedogenicity
- 3/5
Red algae extract that helps attract water to the upper layer of the skin
More about Palmaria palmata extractOligopeptide-34~0.6–0.9%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A type of peptide. Peptides are excellent moisturizers and might be able support collagen production reducing fine lines and wrinkles
More about Oligopeptide-34Dipotassium glycyrrhizate~0.5–0.75%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A salt derived from licorice. Works as an emollient to soften the upper layer of the skin and can help calm down inflammation. Might be helpful for skin lightening
More about Dipotassium glycyrrhizateLactobacillus/pumpkin fruit ferment filtrate~0.5–0.75%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Niacinamide~0.5–0.7%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Is proven to be effective in reducing blemishes, evening out skin tone and helping to improve lines and wrinkles. It helps the skin to repair sun damage, calm down inflammation and keep maintain good levels of moisture. The concentration of about 2% is effective for supporting the skin barrier and evening out the skin tone. Concentration of 4-6% is better for helping with acne and balancing the sebum production
More about NiacinamideZinc glycinate~0.45–0.65%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Sodium hyaluronate crosspolymer~0.35–0.65%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Attracts water into the upper layer of the skin
More about Sodium hyaluronate crosspolymerPolysorbate 60~0.35–0.65%
Ammonium acryloyldimethyltaurate/vp copolymer~0.25–0.5%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Increases thickness of a product. Texture enhancer for oil-in-water emulsions
More about Ammonium acryloyldimethyltaurate/vp copolymerVinyl dimethicone/methicone silsesquioxane crosspolymer~0.25–0.45%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A type of silicone that create a smooth product finish and can create an optical soft-focus effect on the skin. Helps to thicken the product consistency
More about Vinyl dimethicone/methicone silsesquioxane crosspolymerHydroxyethyl acrylate/sodium acryloyldimethyl taurate copolymer~0.25–0.45%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
A gelling agent that thickens the product consistency and leaves the skin with a velvety finish
More about Hydroxyethyl acrylate/sodium acryloyldimethyl taurate copolymerIsohexadecane~0.35–0.65%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Improves the texture of the product and helps soften the skin. Helps oil and water mix together and can be used as a cleansing agent
More about IsohexadecaneButylene glycol behenate~0.3–0.6%
Glyceryl polyacrylate~0.25–0.5%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps to create a nice product texture and spread the product more easily on the skin
More about Glyceryl polyacrylateDisodium edta~0.15–0.3%
Sodium hydroxide~0.15–0.25%
Ethylhexylglycerin~0.15–0.25%
Phenoxyethanol~0.15–0.25%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A preservative. It helps prevent bacterial growth in cosmetic products
More about PhenoxyethanolIngredient list view
Butyl methoxydibenzoylmethane, Ethylhexyl methoxycinnamate, Water, Carthamus tinctorius oleosomes, Butylene glycol, Glycerin, C12-15 alkyl benzoate, Polysorbate 80, Dimethyl capramide, Cananga odorata flower oil, Eucalyptus globulus leaf oil, Lavandula hybrida oil, Lavandula spica flower oil, Laminaria ochroleuca extract, Palmaria palmata extract, Oligopeptide-34, Dipotassium glycyrrhizate, Lactobacillus/pumpkin fruit ferment filtrate, Niacinamide, Zinc glycinate, Sodium hyaluronate crosspolymer, Polysorbate 60, Ammonium acryloyldimethyltaurate/vp copolymer, Vinyl dimethicone/methicone silsesquioxane crosspolymer, Hydroxyethyl acrylate/sodium acryloyldimethyl taurate copolymer, Isohexadecane, Butylene glycol behenate, Glyceryl polyacrylate, Disodium edta, Sodium hydroxide, Ethylhexylglycerin, Phenoxyethanol
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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.
| DermalogicaPowerbright TRx Pure Light SPF50 MoisturizerYOUR PRODUCT | The SaemEco Earth Light Sun Cream | UltraceuticalsLimited Edition | Ultra UV Protective Daily Moisturiser SPF 50 Mattifying | EUNYULDaily Care Fresh Sunscreen Pump Version | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Match | — | 81% | 80% | 78% |
| Price | $62.95 | $15.30−$47.65 | $88.00+$25.05 | $24.70−$38.25 |
| Shared key ingredients | — | 4 of 9 | 4 of 9 | 5 of 9 |
| Key difference | — | Adenosine | Panthenol | Panthenol |
| Irritancy | High | Medium | Medium | High |
| SPF | SPF 50 | SPF 50 | SPF 50 | SPF 46 |
| Drying alcohol | — | — | — | — |
| View product | Shop | Shop | Shop |
Product summary
We assess that this product can provide reliable sun protection based on the ingredient list. We love that it can protect from both UVA and UVB rays (not all sunscreens with SPF ratings give UVA protection. UVA rays do not cause sunburn, but still damage our skin and lead to early aging).
It contains good moisturizing ingredients and can double as a hydrating day cream. Like all broad-spectrum sunscreens, this product helps prevent early signs of aging.
Sunscreen filters
This is a so-called "chemical" sunscreen. It means that it uses organic UV filters. They typically offer good sun protection and rarely leave a white cast, but they can be irritating for some people with sensitive skin. These are the sun protection ingredients in this sunscreen: avobenzone 3.00% (declared) and octinoxate 7.50% (declared).
Irritation risk
This product contains some common irritants, including those without a benefit for the skin. We assess the overall irritancy of this sunscreen to be high. For a detailed overview of all potential irritants: click here
You can see the detailed formula review with the breakdown of all actives in the product and the full ingredient list with estimated concentrations in the tables below.
About the brand
According to Cruelty-Free Kitty "Dermalogica" is cruelty free, but its parent company is not.
Price
The product retails from 62.95$ up to 69.00$ in the United States and from 58.50£ up to 65.00£ 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 5 studies and safety reviews.
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