Dr Dennis Gross All-Physical Ultimate Defense Broad Spectrum Sunscreen SPF 50 PA++++
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.
Anti-aging1 ingredient credited for this claimStrong support
“Skin Type Normal, Dry, Combination, and Oily Skincare Concerns Dark Spots, Fine Lines and Wrinkles, and Dryness Highlighted Ingredients , Zinc Oxide (Non-Nano) A mineral filter that scatters, reflects, and absorbs UVA and UVB rays to help protect skin from the sun.”
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 tone1 ingredient credited for this claimStrong support
“Skin Type Normal, Dry, Combination, and Oily Skincare Concerns Dark Spots, Fine Lines and Wrinkles, and Dryness Highlighted Ingredients , Zinc Oxide (Non-Nano) A mineral filter that scatters, reflects, and absorbs UVA and UVB rays to help protect skin from the sun.”
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).
MoisturizingNot advertised by the brand · 9 ingredients credited for this claimGood support
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:
saccharide isomerate, 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.
Can it cause trouble?
Irritancy1 strong irritant: Hibiscus sabdariffa flower extractMedium 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 oxide18%
- 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~7.2–8.8%
- 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 DimethiconeDicaprylyl carbonate~3.2–3.9%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps products spread more easily and works as an emollient to soften skin
More about Dicaprylyl carbonateCoco-caprylate/caprate~2.4–2.9%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps to soften the upper layer of the skin without creating a greasy texture
More about Coco-caprylate/caprateButyloctyl 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 salicylatePropanediol~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 PropanediolLauryl polyglyceryl-3 polydimethylsiloxyethyl dimethicone~1.5–1.8%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Polyhydroxystearic acid~1.3–1.6%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Used to create a thicker product consistency and stabilize the formulation
More about Polyhydroxystearic acidPolymethylsilsesquioxane~1.1–1.4%
- 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 PolymethylsilsesquioxaneTranexamic acid~0.7–1.1%
- Irritation risk
- Low
An amino acid that is effective in reducing hyperpigmentation and evening out the skin tone. It can also help in skin barrier recovery. It is used to treat melasma, especially with injections and when taken orally
More about Tranexamic acidAloe barbadensis leaf juice~0.6–0.9%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Traditionally used to treat sunburns, dermatitis and inflammation, but evidence for its effectiveness is lacking. The extract can contain humectants that help attract water into the skin
More about Aloe barbadensis leaf juiceHibiscus sabdariffa flower extract~0.55–0.8%
- Irritation risk
- High
A plant extract that can be irritating. It might contain a compound anthocyanin that could be helpful in neutralizing free radicals
More about Hibiscus sabdariffa flower extractPongamia pinnata seed extract~0.55–0.8%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Saccharide isomerate~0.5–0.75%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps attract water to the upper layer of the skin
More about Saccharide isomerateSodium hyaluronate~0.45–0.7%
- Irritation risk
- Low
One of the best moisturizing ingredients. Attracts water into the upper layer of the skin
More about Sodium hyaluronateEthylhexylglycerin~0.45–0.7%
Dimethicone/polyglycerin-3 crosspolymer~0.8–1.2%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Helps oil and water mix together
More about Dimethicone/polyglycerin-3 crosspolymerMagnesium hydroxide~0.3–0.5%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Triethoxycaprylylsilane~0.25–0.5%
- 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 TriethoxycaprylylsilaneMagnesium sulfate~0.25–0.5%
Disteardimonium hectorite~0.25–0.4%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A type of clay that is used to thicken the product consistency
More about Disteardimonium hectoriteSodium chloride~0.2–0.35%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Used to stabilize mixtures of oil and water, and create thicker, gel-like product textures
More about Sodium chlorideTriethyl citrate~0.1–0.25%
Sodium citrate~0.15–0.25%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Helps to control the skin's pH level. Maintains the skin's natural film of amino-lactic acids and oils. Helps to preserve products
More about Sodium citrateTetrasodium glutamate diacetate~0.1–0.2%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps stabilize the product formulation
More about Tetrasodium glutamate diacetatePhenoxyethanol~0.1–0.2%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A preservative. It helps prevent bacterial growth in cosmetic products
More about PhenoxyethanolPotassium sorbate~0.1–0.2%
Ingredient list view
Zinc oxide, Water, Caprylic/capric triglyceride, Dimethicone, Dicaprylyl carbonate, Coco-caprylate/caprate, Butyloctyl salicylate, Propanediol, Lauryl polyglyceryl-3 polydimethylsiloxyethyl dimethicone, Polyhydroxystearic acid, Polymethylsilsesquioxane, Tranexamic acid, Aloe barbadensis leaf juice, Hibiscus sabdariffa flower extract, Pongamia pinnata seed extract, Saccharide isomerate, Sodium hyaluronate, Ethylhexylglycerin, Dimethicone/polyglycerin-3 crosspolymer, Magnesium hydroxide, Triethoxycaprylylsilane, Magnesium sulfate, Disteardimonium hectorite, Sodium chloride, Triethyl citrate, Sodium citrate, Tetrasodium glutamate diacetate, Phenoxyethanol, Potassium sorbate
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Product summary
Based on the ingredients included, we believe that "Dr Dennis Gross - All-Physical Ultimate Defense Broad Spectrum Sunscreen SPF 50 PA++++" can offer reliable sun protection. 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 also works as a moisturizer, so you do not have to use an additional hydrating product. 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. The organic filters in the product are: butyloctyl salicylate. As for the mineral filters, this sunscreen uses zinc oxide.
Irritation risk
This formulation includes some common irritants, including ingredients that do not provide a benefit for the skin. We assess the overall irritancy of this sunscreen to be medium. 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 "Dr Dennis Gross" is cruelty free and so is its parent company.
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 20 studies and safety reviews.
- 1A review of inorganic UV filters zinc oxide and titanium dioxideonlinelibrary.wiley.com
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