Dr. Russo Once a Day SPF50 Sun Protective Face Gel
Works for
1 of 1 advertised claim delivered
Sun protectionSPF 50 · 7 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-oxidationNot advertised by the brand · 2 ingredients credited for this claimStrong support
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).
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.
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.
Evens skin toneNot advertised by the brand · 1 ingredient credited for this claimStrong support
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 · 2 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": 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).
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.Diethylamino hydroxybenzoyl hexyl benzoate~6.3–9.5%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Uvinul A Plus. A new generation broad spectrum sunscreen that offers an effective protection especially in the UVA range. It is stable in formulations. Unfortunately, is not approved by the FDA (US) yet
More about Diethylamino hydroxybenzoyl hexyl benzoateOctocrylene~4.9–7.4%
- 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~4–6%
- 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 methoxydibenzoylmethaneEthylhexyl methoxycinnamate~3.4–5.1%
- 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 methoxycinnamateHomosalate~2.6–3.8%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
A weak sunscreen that offers some protection against the sun rays that cause sunburn (UVB), but does not offer meaningful protection against protect against the most aging sun rays (UVA). It loses its effectiveness quickly when exposed to sunlight. It is an organic, or so called "chemical" sunscreen. When used in low concentrations, helps to stabilize the product formulation
More about HomosalateEthylhexyl salicylate~2–3%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Octisalate. A UV filter. It offers some protection against the sun rays that cause sunburn (UVB), but does not protect against the most aging sun rays (UVA). It loses its effectiveness quickly when exposed to sunlight. It is an organic, or so called "chemical" sunscreen
More about Ethylhexyl salicylateEthylhexyl triazone~1.7–2.6%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Uvinul T. A UV filter. Effective against UVB rays. It is photostable. Can increase water resistance properties of the sunscreen. Unfortunately, not approved by the FDA (US) yet
More about Ethylhexyl triazoneAcrylates/octylacrylamide copolymer~0.9–1.35%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Hydroxypropylcellulose~0.5–1.15%
Ferulic acid~0.35–0.8%
- 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 acidPpg-15 stearyl ether~0.35–0.85%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Help soften the upper layer of the skin and create a nice product consistency
More about Ppg-15 stearyl etherTocopheryl acetate~0.15–0.5%
- 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 acetateSodium hyaluronate~0.1–0.4%
- Irritation risk
- Low
One of the best moisturizing ingredients. Attracts water into the upper layer of the skin
More about Sodium hyaluronateIngredient list view
Alcohol denat., Diethylamino hydroxybenzoyl hexyl benzoate, Octocrylene, Butyl methoxydibenzoylmethane, Ethylhexyl methoxycinnamate, Homosalate, Ethylhexyl salicylate, Ethylhexyl triazone, Acrylates/octylacrylamide copolymer, Hydroxypropylcellulose, Ferulic acid, Ppg-15 stearyl ether, Tocopheryl acetate, Sodium hyaluronate
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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 SPF50 Sun Protective Face GelYOUR PRODUCT | Heliocare360 Invisible Spray SPF 50+ | Supergoop!Glowscreen Sunscreen SPF 40 PA+++ | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Match | — | 52% | 50% |
| Price | $28.95 | $28.74 | $20.00−$8.95 |
| Shared key ingredients | — | 3 of 8 | 4 of 8 |
| Key difference | — | Tinosorb S | Niacinamide |
| Irritancy | Medium | Medium | Medium |
| SPF | SPF 50 | SPF 50 | SPF 40 |
| Drying alcohol | Contains drying alcohol | Contains drying alcohol | — |
| View product | Shop | Shop |
Product summary
The ingredient list suggests that "Dr. Russo - Once a Day SPF50 Sun Protective Face Gel" can provide reliable sun protection. It can protect from both UVA and UVB rays. This is great news because not all sunscreens with SPF ratings give UVA protection. (UVA rays do not cause sunburn, but still damage our skin and lead to early aging).
It also works as a moisturizer, so you do not have to use an additional hydrating product. This product prevents early signs of aging by protecting against sun damage (all broad spectrum sunscreens do that).
Sunscreen filters
This is a so-called "chemical" sunscreen. It means that it uses organic UV filters. They typically offer good sun protection and rarely leave a white cast, but they can be irritating for some people with sensitive skin. The UV filters in this sunscreen are: avobenzone 4.00% - 6.00%, uvinul a plus 6.30% - 9.50%, octinoxate 3.40% - 5.10%, octisalate 2.00% - 3.00%, uvinul t 1.70% - 2.60%, homosalate 2.60% - 3.80% and octocrylene 4.90% - 7.40%.
Irritation risk
There are some common irritants in this product, including ingredients that do not have benefits for the skin. We assess the overall irritancy of this sunscreen to be medium. For a detailed overview of all potential irritants: click here
You can see the detailed formula review with the breakdown of all actives in the product and the full ingredient list with estimated concentrations in the tables below.
Price
The product retails for 28.95$ in the United States 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 7 studies and safety reviews.
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- 6Hyaluronic acid: A key molecule in skin agingncbi.nlm.nih.gov
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