PRODUCT REVIEW
Dr Dennis Gross Dark Spot Sun Defense Broad Spectrum SPF 50 Sunscreen
Works for:
based on ingredients and %- Anti-aging
- Sun protection
- Evens skin tone
- Moisturizing
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Can it cause trouble?
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La Roche-Posay - Anthelios 100% Mineral Sunscreen Moisturizer with Hyaluronic Acid
Price: $36.48
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Product summary
What can the product work for?
Works for
Sun protection
zinc oxide
4.42%
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
titanium dioxide
4.9%
Irritation risk:
UVA I protection: UVA II protection: UVB protection: Photo stable: Ingredient type Mineral
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
Anti-aging
What does the product description say?
A 100% mineral sunscreen, formulated with Mela-C Complex featuring melatonin plus three forms of vitamin C, that helps prevent UVA/UVB damage and photoaging and helps minimize and prevent the look of hyperpigmentation, fine lines, and wrinkles.
glycolic acid
0.6% -
0.95%
Irritation risk:
Concentration: Effectiveness: HIGH
An alpha-hydroxy acid (AHA) that helps to remove the dead skin cells on the surface of the skin reveling a more even, smoother complexation. It is also able to stimulate collagen production with long-term use. Could help to reduce pore congestion. It can be irritating to the skin. Apply sunscreen daily if using products with glycolic acid
palmitoyl tripeptide-38
0.65% -
1%
Irritation risk:
Concentration: Effectiveness:
MEDIUM
A type of peptide. Peptides are excellent moisturizers and might be able support collagen production reducing fine lines and wrinkles
ascorbyl glucoside
1% -
1.2%
Irritation risk:
Concentration: Effectiveness:
MEDIUM
A vitamin C derivative that is more stable but less potent than pure form of vitamin C. Has a potential to boost collagen production, nutralise free radicals and reduce hyperpigmentation, but the required concentration is likely to be much higher than for the pure form of vitamin C, limiting the ingredient's effectiveness in products
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Evens skin tone
What does the product description say?
Dark Spot Sun Defense Broad Spectrum SPF 50 Sunscreen
glycolic acid
0.6% -
0.95%
Irritation risk:
Concentration: Effectiveness: HIGH
An alpha-hydroxy acid (AHA) that helps to remove the dead skin cells on the surface of the skin reveling a more even, smoother complexation. It is also able to stimulate collagen production with long-term use. Could help to reduce pore congestion. It can be irritating to the skin. Apply sunscreen daily if using products with glycolic acid
ascorbyl glucoside
1% -
1.2%
Irritation risk:
Concentration: Effectiveness:
MEDIUM
A vitamin C derivative that is more stable but less potent than pure form of vitamin C. Has a potential to boost collagen production, nutralise free radicals and reduce hyperpigmentation, but the required concentration is likely to be much higher than for the pure form of vitamin C, limiting the ingredient's effectiveness in products
tetrahexyldecyl ascorbate
0.65% -
0.95%
Irritation risk:
Concentration: Insufficient!
Being a lipid soluble form of vitamin C, it is more stable than ascorbic acid, but still degrades quickly and needs to be stabilized in a formulation with another ingredient. It is claimed to penetrate skin better than pure vitamin C and have the the similar benefits, but solid studies of its effectiveness are lacking. Is likely to require a higher concentration in a product than pure vitamin C to be effective. It might be able to help reduce pore clogging.
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Moisturizing
What does the product description say?
A 100% mineral sunscreen, formulated with Mela-C Complex featuring melatonin plus three forms of vitamin C, that helps prevent UVA/UVB damage and photoaging and helps minimize and prevent the look of hyperpigmentation, fine lines, and wrinkles.
echium plantagineum seed oil
0.6% -
0.9%
Irritation risk:
Concentration: Effectiveness: HIGH
A plant oil that because of its high content of alpha-linolenic acid help support skin barrier function and moisturize the skin
carthamus tinctorius seed oil
3.6% -
4.5%
Irritation risk:
Concentration: Effectiveness: HIGH
An emollient that helps soften the skin and might help calm down inflammation
sodium hyaluronate
0.95% -
1.15%
Irritation risk:
Concentration: Effectiveness: HIGH
One of the best moisturizing ingredients. Attracts water into the upper layer of the skin
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Honesty check
How honest is this product?
| Promise | Can it deliver? |
|---|---|
| Sun protection | |
| Anti-aging | |
| Moisturizing | |
| Evens skin tone |
Total Promises Fulfilled score:
90/100.
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Can it cause trouble?
- Overall product irritation risk
- Acne & comedogenic risk ingredients: 1
Potential irritants
glycolic acid
0.6% -
0.95%
Irritation risk:
Works for:
Evens skin tone,
Anti-aging,
Exfoliation,
Anti-blemish
An alpha-hydroxy acid (AHA) that helps to remove the dead skin cells on the surface of the skin reveling a more even, smoother complexation. It is also able to stimulate collagen production with long-term use. Could help to reduce pore congestion. It can be irritating to the skin. Apply sunscreen daily if using products with glycolic acid
citrus aurantium dulcis oil
0.25% -
0.45%
Irritation risk:
Used as a fragrance. It can be irritating and cause photosensitivity
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Comodogenic ingredients
coconut alkanes
2.2% -
2.6%
Irritation risk: Comedogenicity: Medium
Works for:
Moisturizing
An emollient that helps soften the skin
User reviews (0)
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| SPF | SPF 50 | SPF 50 | SPF 30 | SPF 30 | SPF 40 | SPF 30 | SPF 50 | SPF 50 | SPF 44 | SPF 44 | SPF 30 |
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| Irritancy | IRRITANCY
MEDIUM
| IRRITANCY
LOW
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LOW
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LOW
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LOW
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LOW
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LOW
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Ingredients & concentrations
All ingredients
Key Actives
zinc pca
0.6% -
0.9%
Irritation risk:
Works for:
Moisturizing,
Anti-inflammatory,
Anti-blemish,
Anti-oxidation,
Anti-aging
A compound that combines zinc with a hydrating ingredient PCA. Might to be helpful against acne and clogged pores. Can help calm down inflammation in skin. Could be helpful in reducing the formation of free radicals in skin. Might help to reduce fine lines in wrinkles, but solid evidence is missing
oleanolic acid
0.6% -
0.95%
Irritation risk:
Works for:
Anti-oxidation,
Anti-blemish,
Anti-aging,
Anti-inflammatory,
Moisturizing
Might be helpful against blemishes, work as an anti-oxidant, reduce inflammation and improve skin's ability to hold on to moisture, but more research is needed to confirm its effectiveness when applied topically to human skin
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Potential irritants
glycolic acid
0.6% -
0.95%
Irritation risk:
Works for:
Evens skin tone,
Anti-aging,
Exfoliation,
Anti-blemish
An alpha-hydroxy acid (AHA) that helps to remove the dead skin cells on the surface of the skin reveling a more even, smoother complexation. It is also able to stimulate collagen production with long-term use. Could help to reduce pore congestion. It can be irritating to the skin. Apply sunscreen daily if using products with glycolic acid
citrus aurantium dulcis oil
0.25% -
0.45%
Irritation risk:
Used as a fragrance. It can be irritating and cause photosensitivity
Show more
Comodogenic ingredients
coconut alkanes
2.2% -
2.6%
Irritation risk: Comedogenicity: Medium
Works for:
Moisturizing
An emollient that helps soften the skin
All ingredients
titanium dioxide
4.9%
Irritation risk:
Works for:
Sun protection
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
zinc oxide
4.42%
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
Show more
Ingredient list view
Titanium dioxide, Zinc oxide, Water, Glycerin, Isononyl isononanoate, Pentylene glycol, Carthamus tinctorius seed oil, Olea europaea fruit oil, C12-15 alkyl benzoate, Coconut alkanes, Hydroxyethyl acrylate/sodium acryloyldimethyl taurate copolymer, Butylene glycol, Melatonin, Ascorbyl glucoside, Tocopherol, Sodium hyaluronate, Saccharide isomerate, Nordihydroguaiaretic acid, Boerhavia diffusa root extract, Phospholipids, Sphingolipids, Palmitoyl tripeptide-38, Oryza sativa extract, Magnesium ascorbyl phosphate, Tetrahexyldecyl ascorbate, Zinc pca, Sodium pca, Echium plantagineum seed oil, Oenothera biennis oil, Oleanolic acid, Lactic acid, Glycolic acid, Polyhydroxystearic acid, Xanthan gum, Hydrogenated lecithin, Coco-caprylate/caprate, Bis-ethylhexyl hydroxydimethoxy benzylmalonate, Sodium hydroxide, Isohexadecane, Caprylyl glycol, Propanediol, Isopropyl titanium triisostearate, Stearic acid, Carbomer, Tromethamine, Acrylates/carbamate copolymer, Aluminum hydroxide, Hydroxypropyl cyclodextrin, Disodium edta, Citric acid, Sodium citrate, Citrus aurantium dulcis oil, Citrus aurantium dulcis flower extract, Phenoxyethanol, Benzyl alcohol, Sodium benzoate, Potassium sorbate
Sources
- A review of inorganic UV filters zinc oxide and titanium dioxide
- Risk assessment of zinc oxide, a cosmetic ingredient used as a UV filter of sunscreens
- Characterization of the UVA protection provided by avobenzone, zinc oxide, and titanium dioxide in broad-spectrum sunscreen products
- Ultraviolet Protection Properties of Commercial Sunscreens and Sunscreens Containing Zno Nanorods
- ZnO nanoparticles and organic chemical UV-filters are equally well tolerated by human immune cells
- Glycerol and the skin: holistic approach to its origin and functions
- Use of “natural” oils for moisturization: Review of olive, coconut, and sunflower seed oil
- [Melatonin in dermatology. Experimental and clinical aspects]
- The Roles of Vitamin C in Skin Health
- Stability, transdermal penetration, and cutaneous effects of ascorbic acid and its derivatives
- Vitamin E in dermatology
- Vitamin E and Skin Health
- Hyaluronic acid: A key molecule in skin aging
- Hyaluronan (Hyaluronic Acid): a natural moisturizer for skin care
- Nordihydroguaiaretic acid, an inhibitor of lipoxygenase, also inhibits cytochrome P-450-mediated monooxygenase activity in rat epidermal and hepatic microsomes.
- Antimutagenic and antitumorigenic activities of nordihydroguaiaretic acid
- Estrogenic activity of an antioxidant, nordihydroguaiaretic acid (NDGA)
- Molecular mechanisms and clinical applications of nordihydroguaiaretic acid (NDGA) and its derivatives: An update
- Use of boerhavia diffusa extract for skin relief
- Plant-Derived Immunomodulators
- The role of epidermal sphingolipids in dermatologic diseases
- Antioxidant and Anti-Inflammatory Properties of Anthocyanins Extracted from Oryza sativa L. in Primary Dermal Fibroblasts
- Rice antioxidants: phenolic acids, flavonoids, anthocyanins, proanthocyanidins, tocopherols, tocotrienols, c-oryzanol, and phytic acid
- Topical L-ascorbic acid: percutaneous absorption studies
- Double-blind, half-face study comparing topical vitamin C and vehicle for rejuvenation of photodamage
- Application of tetra-isopalmitoyl ascorbic acid in cosmetic formulations: Stability studies and in vivo efficacy
- Zinc L-pyrrolidone carboxylate inhibits the UVA-induced production of matrix metalloproteinase-1 by in vitro cultured skin fibroblasts, whereas it enhances their collagen synthesis
- Zinc Therapy in Dermatology: A Review
- Healing fats of the skin: the structural and immunologic roles of the omega-6 and omega-3 fatty acids
- Effectiveness of the formulation that containing oleanolic acid 3% on inhibition of 5-α reductase activity on skin of patients with acne
- The effect of ursolic and oleanolic acids on human skin fibroblast cells
- Epidermal and dermal effects of topical lactic acid
- Dual Effects of Alpha-Hydroxy Acids on the Skin
- Photoprotective and antiinflammatory effects of topical glycolic acid
- Glycolic acid peel therapy – a current review
- Dual Effects of Alpha-Hydroxy Acids on the Skin
- Safety Assessment of Alkyl Esters as Used in Cosmetics
- Safety Assessment of Tromethamine as Used in Cosmetics
- Safety Assessment of Alumina and Aluminum Hydroxide as Used in Cosmetics
- Safety Assessment of Citrus-Derived Peel Oils as Used in Cosmetics
- Oxidized citrus oil (R-limonene): A frequent skin sensitizer in Europe