Dr. Brandt Liquid Sun Shield Daily Brightening Mineral Sunscreen SPF50
Works for
3 of 3 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.
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 toneNo ingredient credited for this claimStrong evidence
“Clary Sage and Plankton Extract: protects against hyperpigmentation, reduces the look of existing age spots and evens skin tone for a brighter, more youthful-looking appearance”
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-agingTocopherol, Butyrospermum parkii butterStrong evidence
“This Dr. Brandt sun cream supports radiant, youthful-looking skin.”
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 · Caprylic/capric triglyceride, Polymethylsilsesquioxane + 14 moreGood evidence
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, caprylyl glycol.
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?
Irritancy5 strong irritants: Citrus aurantium dulcis peel oil, Sclareolide + 3 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.
Zinc oxide17%
- 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%
Isododecane~7.1–8.6%
- Irritation risk
- Low
An emollient that helps soften the skin and can decrease moisture loss. Helps create a nice product texture
More about IsododecanePolyglyceryl-6 polyricinoleate~3.9–4.8%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Helps oil and water mix together
More about Polyglyceryl-6 polyricinoleatePropanediol~2.9–3.5%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Acts as a solvent for other ingredients. Speeds up the absorption of other ingredients into the skin
More about PropanediolDimethicone~2.2–2.7%
- 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 DimethiconeCaprylic/capric triglyceride~1.8–2.2%
- 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 triglycerideTrimethylsiloxysilicate~1.6–2%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A type of silicone that helps create a nice product consistency and support the delivery of other ingredients
More about TrimethylsiloxysilicateButyloctyl salicylate~1.5–1.8%
- 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 salicylateCoco-caprylate/caprate~1.4–1.7%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps to soften the upper layer of the skin without creating a greasy texture
More about Coco-caprylate/caprateIsoamyl laurate~1.2–1.4%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Helps stabilize emulsions and create a nice product texture
More about Isoamyl laurateNeopentyl glycol diheptanoate~0.95–1.15%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps soften the upper layer of the skin and create a nice product consistency
More about Neopentyl glycol diheptanoatePolyglyceryl-10 dioleate~0.75–1.1%
Lecithin~0.7–1.05%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Used mostly for creating emulsions - helping oil and water mix together. Helps soften the upper layer of the skin
More about LecithinPolyhydroxystearic acid~0.65–1%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Used to create a thicker product consistency and stabilize the formulation
More about Polyhydroxystearic acidEctoin~0.6–0.85%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Softens the upper layer of the skin and can support skin barrier function
More about EctoinPolymethylsilsesquioxane~0.65–0.95%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A silicone that improves product texture and helps dissolve other ingredients. Can form a non-greasy film on the skin to prevent moisture loss
More about PolymethylsilsesquioxanePolysilicone-11~0.6–0.9%
- 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-11Disteardimonium hectorite~0.55–0.85%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A type of clay that is used to thicken the product consistency
More about Disteardimonium hectoriteButyrospermum parkii butter~0.55–0.85%
- Irritation risk
- Low
- Comedogenicity
- 3/5
A great moisturising ingredient that softens the skin and reduces water loss from its upper layer. It also can be helpful in protecting skin from free radicals
More about Butyrospermum parkii butterGlycerin~0.55–0.8%
- 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 GlycerinPhenoxyethanol~0.5–0.75%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A preservative. It helps prevent bacterial growth in cosmetic products
More about PhenoxyethanolPropylene carbonate~0.5–0.7%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Is used to dissolve other ingredients and create nice product texture
More about Propylene carbonateAminomethyl propanol~0.4–0.6%
Citrus aurantium dulcis peel oil~0.35–0.65%
- Irritation risk
- High
An essentil oil from orange peel. Potential allergen and can be irritating
More about Citrus aurantium dulcis peel oilEthylhexylglycerin~0.35–0.6%
Polysorbate 20~0.4–0.6%
Sclareolide~0.3–0.55%
- Irritation risk
- High
Derived from clary sage. Used as a fragrance. Can be irritating
More about SclareolideTocopheryl acetate~0.3–0.6%
- 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 acetateDimethicone/vinyl dimethicone crosspolymer~0.3–0.55%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Used to stabilize product formulations and create a nice product texture
More about Dimethicone/vinyl dimethicone crosspolymerDimethiconol~0.35–0.65%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A silicone that makes products more spreadable and keeps skin smooth. Helps to add gloss to skin and may visually fill in fine lines/wrinkles for short time
More about DimethiconolLinalool~0.25–0.45%
Linalyl acetate~0.25–0.5%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Plankton extract~0.25–0.5%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
- Comedogenicity
- 3/5
Can help attract water to the upper layer of the skin
More about Plankton extractLavandula angustifolia oil~0.2–0.4%
- Irritation risk
- High
An essential oil. Potential allergen and can be irritating. It has some anti-bacterial properties
More about Lavandula angustifolia oilLavandula hybrida oil~0.2–0.35%
- Irritation risk
- High
Plant extract that can be irritating and is a known allergen
More about Lavandula hybrida oilDecyl glucoside~0.25–0.45%
- Irritation risk
- High
Helps oil and water mix together. Can be irritating
More about Decyl glucosideSodium ascorbate~0.15–0.25%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Caprylyl glycol~0.15–0.25%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Helps preserve products and creates a nice product texture
More about Caprylyl glycolHexylene glycol~0.05–0.15%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Helps create a more spreadable product texture
More about Hexylene glycolTocopherol~0.05–0.15%
- 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 TocopherolIngredient list view
Zinc oxide, Water, Isododecane, Polyglyceryl-6 polyricinoleate, Propanediol, Dimethicone, Caprylic/capric triglyceride, Trimethylsiloxysilicate, Butyloctyl salicylate, Coco-caprylate/caprate, Isoamyl laurate, Neopentyl glycol diheptanoate, Polyglyceryl-10 dioleate, Lecithin, Polyhydroxystearic acid, Ectoin, Polymethylsilsesquioxane, Polysilicone-11, Disteardimonium hectorite, Butyrospermum parkii butter, Glycerin, Phenoxyethanol, Propylene carbonate, Aminomethyl propanol, Citrus aurantium dulcis peel oil, Ethylhexylglycerin, Polysorbate 20, Sclareolide, Tocopheryl acetate, Dimethicone/vinyl dimethicone crosspolymer, Dimethiconol, Linalool, Linalyl acetate, Plankton extract, Lavandula angustifolia oil, Lavandula hybrida oil, Decyl glucoside, Sodium ascorbate, Caprylyl glycol, Hexylene glycol, Tocopherol
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Product summary
We believe that "Dr. Brandt - Liquid Sun Shield Daily Brightening Mineral Sunscreen SPF50" 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).
Its formula is also hydrating, so you might not need an additional moistruizer during the day. Like all broad-spectrum sunscreens, this product has an anti-aging benefit.
Sunscreen filters
This is a "mixed" sunscreen in the sense that it uses both mineral and organic (so-called "chemical") sun 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 it 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 from 52.00$ up to 65.00$ in the United States and from 50.05£ up to 53.00£ 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 13 studies and safety reviews.
- 1A review of inorganic UV filters zinc oxide and titanium dioxideonlinelibrary.wiley.com
- 2
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- 6
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