DONGINBI Red Gingseng Sunscreen Serum Brightening
Works for
2 of 2 advertised claims delivered
Sun protectionSPF 35 · 3 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.
Evens skin tone2 ingredients credited for this claimStrong support
“Helps even out and brighten skin complexion.”
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).
Anti-agingNot advertised by the brand · 1 ingredient credited for this claimStrong support
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.
MoisturizingNot advertised by the brand · 12 ingredients credited for this claimGood support
This product contains good ingredients to attract water to the upper layer of the skin. These ingredients are called "humectants": fructooligosaccharides, fructose.
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).
Can it cause trouble?
Irritancy7 strong irritants: Parfum, Benzyl salicylate + 5 more — patch-test recommendedHigh risk
Comedogenic1 ingredient rated 2 or more on the 0–5 pore-clogging scale1 flagged
User reviews
Be the first — your take helps the next person decide.
Ingredients
Filter by role to see what each ingredient is doing.
Water~45–55%
Cyclopentasiloxane~6.5–7.9%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A silicone that helps improve the product texture and spreadability. Can absorb oil creating a short-term mattifying effect on the skin
More about CyclopentasiloxaneZinc oxide~6.1–7.5%
- 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 oxideCi 77947~4.4–5.4%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Titanium dioxide~4.2–5.1%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Works as a UV filter when used in high concentrations. It is photostable and is effective mostly against the UVB light, with some protection in the UVA range. In small concentrations, used for its ability to improve the color of cosmetic products. Is usually well tolerated by the skin
More about Titanium dioxideCi 77891~3.1–3.7%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Dipropylene glycol~2.3–2.8%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps to dissolve other ingredients in a formulation. Slows down the rate of product drying
More about Dipropylene glycolIsoamyl laurate~2.1–2.6%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Helps stabilize emulsions and create a nice product texture
More about Isoamyl laurateButyloctyl salicylate~1.9–2.3%
- 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 salicylatePolyglyceryl-3 polyricinoleate~1.4–1.7%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Helps oil and water mix together
More about Polyglyceryl-3 polyricinoleateCaprylyl 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 methiconeDiphenylsiloxy phenyl trimethicone~0.95–1.15%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Help improve the product's texture
More about Diphenylsiloxy phenyl trimethiconeHexyl laurate~0.95–1.15%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Helps soften the upper layer of the skin and create a nice product consistency
More about Hexyl laurateMethyl trimethicone~0.8–1.2%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A type of silicone that helps create a silky product finish and dissolve other ingredients
More about Methyl trimethiconeNiacinamide~0.9–1.1%
- 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 NiacinamidePolypropylsilsesquioxane~0.95–1.15%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Propanediol~0.75–1.15%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Acts as a solvent for other ingredients. Speeds up the absorption of other ingredients into the skin
More about PropanediolAlcohol~0.7–1.05%
- Irritation risk
- High
Can be drying and contribute to skin irritation. Used in formulars to dissolve other ingredients, create a thinner product consistency or for its antibacterial properties
More about AlcoholTrimethylsiloxysilicate~0.7–1.05%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A type of silicone that helps create a nice product consistency and support the delivery of other ingredients
More about TrimethylsiloxysilicatePanax ginseng root water~0.65–1%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Poncirus trifoliata fruit extract~0.65–0.95%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Chlorella vulgaris extract~0.6–0.95%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
- Comedogenicity
- 3/5
A plant extract that can help to attract water to the upper layer of the skin and might have some anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory properties
More about Chlorella vulgaris extractPanax ginseng root oil~0.6–0.9%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Panax ginseng root extract~0.65–1%
- Irritation risk
- High
A plant extract that might have some anti-inflammatory properties, but solid evidence is lacking. It can be irritating
More about Panax ginseng root extractPolyglyceryl-2 diisostearate~0.65–1%
Isododecane~0.6–0.9%
- Irritation risk
- Low
An emollient that helps soften the skin and can decrease moisture loss. Helps create a nice product texture
More about Isododecane1,2-hexanediol~0.6–0.9%
Magnesium sulfate~0.65–0.95%
Aluminum hydroxide~0.65–0.95%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Is used to add opaque (non-transparent) appearance to formulations. Can be used to coat other ingredients for even dispersion. This is a different ingredient compared to the ones used in antipersperants (aluminium chloride and aluminium chlorohydrate)
More about Aluminum hydroxideButylene glycol~0.6–0.9%
- 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 glycolGlucose~0.6–0.9%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps attract water to the upper layer of the skin. Could be helpful in restoring the skin barrier function
More about GlucosePanax ginseng root extract~0.65–0.95%
- Irritation risk
- High
A plant extract that might have some anti-inflammatory properties, but solid evidence is lacking. It can be irritating
More about Panax ginseng root extractFructooligosaccharides~0.55–0.85%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Help attract water to the upper layer of the skin
More about FructooligosaccharidesFructose~0.6–0.9%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps attract water to the upper layer of the skin
More about FructoseGinsenosides~0.55–0.8%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Vinyl dimethicone/methicone silsesquioxane crosspolymer~0.5–0.75%
- 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 crosspolymerTrisodium ethylenediamine disuccinate~0.5–0.75%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Used to improve stability of the formulation
More about Trisodium ethylenediamine disuccinateDipotassium 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 glycyrrhizateTriethoxycaprylylsilane~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 TriethoxycaprylylsilaneEthylhexylglycerin~0.5–0.75%
Parfum~0.45–0.7%
- Irritation risk
- High
An aromatic blend of unspecified and possibly irritating ingredients
More about ParfumBenzyl salicylate~0.4–0.6%
Hydroxycitronellal~0.4–0.65%
- Irritation risk
- High
A fragrance. A likely allergen and can be irritating
More about HydroxycitronellalCitronellol~0.4–0.6%
Geraniol~0.35–0.65%
Limonene~0.3–0.6%
- Irritation risk
- High
A common frangrance that can easily irritate skin, especially if exposed to air, light or heat
More about LimoneneAlpha-isomethyl ionone~0.3–0.5%
- Irritation risk
- High
A fragrance. Potential allergen and can be irritating
More about Alpha-isomethyl iononeCi 15985~0.3–0.55%
Ci 77492~0.1–0.25%
Ci 77491~0.1–0.2%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A red colorant made of iron oxide. Typically is not irritating
More about Ci 77491Ingredient list view
Water, Cyclopentasiloxane, Zinc oxide, Ci 77947, Titanium dioxide, Ci 77891, Dipropylene glycol, Isoamyl laurate, Butyloctyl salicylate, Polyglyceryl-3 polyricinoleate, Caprylyl methicone, Diphenylsiloxy phenyl trimethicone, Hexyl laurate, Methyl trimethicone, Niacinamide, Polypropylsilsesquioxane, Propanediol, Alcohol, Trimethylsiloxysilicate, Panax ginseng root water, Poncirus trifoliata fruit extract, Chlorella vulgaris extract, Panax ginseng root oil, Panax ginseng root extract, Polyglyceryl-2 diisostearate, Isododecane, 1,2-hexanediol, Magnesium sulfate, Aluminum hydroxide, Butylene glycol, Glucose, Panax ginseng root extract, Fructooligosaccharides, Fructose, Ginsenosides, Vinyl dimethicone/methicone silsesquioxane crosspolymer, Trisodium ethylenediamine disuccinate, Dipotassium glycyrrhizate, Triethoxycaprylylsilane, Ethylhexylglycerin, Parfum, Benzyl salicylate, Hydroxycitronellal, Citronellol, Geraniol, Limonene, Alpha-isomethyl ionone, Ci 15985, Unknown, Ci 77492, Ci 77491
Compare prices
Retailers ranked by price — lowest first.
Affiliate links · prices updated regularly
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.
| DONGINBIRed Gingseng Sunscreen Serum BrighteningYOUR PRODUCT | Doctor.GBrightening UP Sun Plus SPF50+ PA+++ | CeraVeHydrating Mineral Face Sunscreen Lotion SPF 50 with Zinc Oxide | ManyoFoundation-Free Sun Cream SPF50+ PA++++ | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Match | — | 88% | 87% | 86% |
| Price | $42.00 | $16.75−$25.25 | $18.49−$23.51 | — |
| Shared key ingredients | — | 4 of 8 | 4 of 8 | 4 of 8 |
| Key difference | — | Dimethicone | Panthenol | Adenosine |
| Irritancy | High | Low | Low | Low |
| SPF | SPF 35 | SPF 50 | SPF 50 | SPF 50 |
| Drying alcohol | Contains drying alcohol | — | — | — |
| View product | Shop | Shop | Shop |
Product summary
We believe that "DONGINBI - Red Gingseng Sunscreen Serum Brightening" can provide reliable sun protection based on the ingredients listed. It can protect from both UVA and UVB rays. This is great news because not all sunscreens with SPF ratings give UVA protection. (UVA rays do not cause sunburn, but still damage our skin and lead to early aging).
Because it includes good moisturizing ingredients, it can also work as a hydrating day cream. This product prevents early signs of aging by protecting against sun damage (all broad spectrum sunscreens do that).
Sunscreen filters
This is a "mixed" sunscreen in the sense that it uses both mineral and organic (so-called "chemical") sun filters. Here are the organic filters this product uses: butyloctyl salicylate. As for the mineral filters, this sunscreen uses both titanium dioxide and zinc oxide.
Irritation risk
It contains a bunch of common irritants, including ingredients that do not provide any known benefit for the skin. It might not be the best choice if your skin is sensitive. We assess the overall irritancy of this product to be high. For a detailed overview of all potential irritants: click here
You can see the detailed formula review with the breakdown of all actives in the product and the full ingredient list with estimated concentrations in the tables below.
Price
The product retails for 42.00$ 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 17 studies and safety reviews.
- 1A review of inorganic UV filters zinc oxide and titanium dioxideonlinelibrary.wiley.com
- 2
- 3
- 4
- 5
- 6
Affiliate links · As an Amazon Associate, WIMJ earns from qualifying purchases.