Dr. Russo Once a Day SPF30 Sun Protective Face Gel Tan Accelerator
Works for
Sun protectionSPF 30 · 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.
Anti-agingFerulic acidWorks well
“Potent Vitamin E and Ferulic Acid encourage the appearance of skin that is smoother and more youthful, assisting with the look of normal Collagen levels and working to neutralise the appearance of redness.”
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: ferulic acid.
MoisturizingPanthenol, C12-15 alkyl benzoate + 5 moreWorks well
“A nourishing blend of antioxidants creates a shield of defence against harmful external aggressors, while Hyaluronic Acid drenches your complexion in intense moisture.”
This product contains good ingredients to attract water to the upper layer of the skin. These ingredients are called "humectants": glycerin, sodium hyaluronate.
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: panthenol
Evens skin toneSide benefit · Ferulic acidWorks well
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-oxidationSide benefit · Ferulic acid, Tocopheryl acetateWorks well
This product contains antioxidants (ferulic acid) that can help neutralize free radicals in skin. By doing so, they can lessen the damage the skin gets from the UV light (sun).
Can it cause trouble?
Irritancy1 strong irritant: Alcohol denat.Medium risk
ComedogenicClean of flagged comedogenic ingredientsNone flagged
User reviews
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Ingredients
Filter by role to see what each ingredient is doing.
Alcohol denat.~24–35%
- Irritation risk
- High
Produces temporary toning effect. Can help dissolve other ingredients or preserve products
More about Alcohol denat.Ethylhexyl methoxycinnamate~5.7–8.5%
- 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 methoxycinnamateOctocrylene~4.6–6.9%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
A weak sunscreen that protects against the sun rays that cause sunburn (UVB) and is somewhat effective against the UVA rays. It is quite stable and can help stabilize other, more vulnerable, sunscreen ingredients like Avobenzone. It is an organic, or so called "chemical" sunscreen
More about OctocryleneButyl methoxydibenzoylmethane~3.9–5.8%
- 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 methoxydibenzoylmethaneC12-15 alkyl benzoate~3–4.4%
- 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 benzoatePropylene glycol~2–2.9%
- Irritation risk
- High
Helps oil and water mix together and can enhance the penetration of other ingredients into the skin. It can be irritating
More about Propylene glycolCyclopentasiloxane~1.7–2.6%
- 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 CyclopentasiloxaneHydroxypropylcellulose~1.3–1.9%
Panthenol~1–1.5%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps attract water to the upper layer of the skin and can help improve skin barrier function
More about PanthenolAcrylates/octylacrylamide copolymer~0.9–1.35%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Ferulic acid~0.5–1.15%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A potent anti-oxidant that has been shown to be effective in neutralizing free radicals in skin. There seem to have a synergetic effect of ferulic acid, vitamin E and C, meaning that when the ingredients are used together, they enhance each other's ability protect the skin against free radicals. Ferulic acid also helps to stabilize other ingredients - including vitamins C and E. It can help to even out the skin tone. Ferulic acid is approved for use as a sunscreen ingredient in Japan in concentrations up to 10%
More about Ferulic acidTocopheryl acetate~0.4–0.95%
- 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 acetateLactobacillus ferment lysate filtrate~0.3–0.75%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Sodium hyaluronate~0.15–0.65%
- Irritation risk
- Low
One of the best moisturizing ingredients. Attracts water into the upper layer of the skin
More about Sodium hyaluronateWater~0.1–0.45%
Glycerin~0.1–0.5%
- 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 GlycerinAloe barbadensis leaf juice powder~0.1–0.4%
- 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 juice powderIngredient list view
Alcohol denat., Ethylhexyl methoxycinnamate, Octocrylene, Butyl methoxydibenzoylmethane, C12-15 alkyl benzoate, Propylene glycol, Cyclopentasiloxane, Hydroxypropylcellulose, Panthenol, Acrylates/octylacrylamide copolymer, Ferulic acid, Tocopheryl acetate, Lactobacillus ferment lysate filtrate, Sodium hyaluronate, Water, Glycerin, Aloe barbadensis leaf juice powder
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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.
| Dr. RussoOnce a Day SPF30 Sun Protective Face Gel Tan AcceleratorYOUR PRODUCT | ELEMISDaily Defence Shield SPF30 | Childs FarmChildren's SPF 50+ Sun Lotion, Water Resistant | Face Reality SkincareBrilliant Defense SPF 50 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Match | — | 51% | 50% | 49% |
| Price | — | $51.52 | $13.11 | $42.00 |
| Shared key ingredients | — | 5 of 8 | 4 of 8 | 5 of 8 |
| Key difference | — | Carnosine | Uvinul A Plus | Aminopropyl Ascorbyl Phosphate |
| Irritancy | Medium | Low | Low | Low |
| SPF | SPF 30 | SPF 30 | SPF 50 | SPF 50 |
| Drying alcohol | Contains drying alcohol | — | Contains drying alcohol | — |
| View product | Shop | Shop | Shop |
More alternatives: Hello Sunday The One That's A Serum Face Sunscreen SPF 45Dermatica SPF 50 Photodamage Defence Sunscreen
Product summary
We believe that "Dr. Russo - Once a Day SPF30 Sun Protective Face Gel Tan Accelerator" can provide reliable sun protection based on the ingredients listed. We love that it can protect from both UVA and UVB rays (not all sunscreens with SPF ratings give UVA protection. UVA rays do not cause sunburn, but still damage our skin and lead to early aging).
It also works as a moisturizer, so you do not have to use an additional hydrating product. Like all broad-spectrum sunscreens, this product has an anti-aging benefit.
Sunscreen filters
This sunscreen uses so-called "chemical", or organic UV filters (organic simply means that their molecules contain atoms of carbon). These filters typically give good sun protection and rarely leave a white cast, but they can be irritating for sensitive skin. Here are the exact UV filters in this sunscreen: avobenzone 3.90% - 5.80%, octinoxate 5.70% - 8.50% and octocrylene 4.60% - 6.90%.
Irritation risk
There are some common irritants in this product, including ingredients that do not have benefits for the skin. We assess the overall irritancy of this product to be medium. For a detailed overview of all potential irritants: click here
You can see the detailed formula review with the breakdown of all actives in the product and the full ingredient list with estimated concentrations in the tables below.
Price
The product retails from 28.95$ up to 40.00$ in the United States, for 50.70CA$ in Canada and for 28.95£ 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 11 studies and safety reviews.
- 1Surfactants and experimental irritant contact dermatitisncbi.nlm.nih.gov
- 2Propylene Glycolpubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
- 3Skin-sensitizing and irritant properties of propylene glycolonlinelibrary.wiley.com
- 4Skin moisturizing effects of panthenol-based formulationspdfs.semanticscholar.org
- 5
- 6
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