Epicuren Discovery X-Treme Cream Propolis Sunscreen SPF 45
Works for
1 of 1 advertised claim delivered
Sun protectionSPF 45 · 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-agingNot advertised by the brand · No 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.
Evens skin toneNot advertised by the brand · No 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 · 14 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:
glycerin.
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, c12-15 alkyl benzoate.
Can it cause trouble?
Irritancy16 flagged ingredientsLow risk
Comedogenic1 ingredient rated 2 or more on the 0–5 pore-clogging scale1 flagged
User reviews
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Ingredients
Filter by role to see what each ingredient is doing.
Butyl methoxydibenzoylmethane3%
- 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 methoxydibenzoylmethaneHomosalate8.5%
- 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 methoxycinnamate7.5%
- 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 methoxycinnamateEthylhexyl salicylate5%
- 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 salicylateOctocrylene5%
- 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 OctocryleneZinc oxide4.47%
- 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%
Butyloctyl salicylate~6.4–7.9%
- 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 salicylateCaprylic/capric triglyceride~5.3–6.4%
- 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 triglyceridePropanediol~3.8–4.6%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Acts as a solvent for other ingredients. Speeds up the absorption of other ingredients into the skin
More about PropanediolC12-15 alkyl benzoate~3.2–3.9%
- 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 benzoateGlycerin~2.3–2.8%
- 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 GlycerinPolysorbate 60~1.7–2.1%
C14-22 alcohols~1.4–1.7%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A non-drying alcohol that helps stabilize product formulations
More about C14-22 alcoholsEthylhexyl palmitate~1.3–1.6%
- Irritation risk
- Low
- Comedogenicity
- 3/5
An emollient that helps soften the skin and create a nice product texture
More about Ethylhexyl palmitateEthylhexyl stearate~1.1–1.4%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps soften the upper layer of the skin
More about Ethylhexyl stearateArachidyl alcohol~0.95–1.15%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Used to soften the upper layer of the skin and create a thicker product consistency
More about Arachidyl alcoholMauritia flexuosa fruit oil~0.65–0.95%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Helps soften the upper layer of the skin
More about Mauritia flexuosa fruit oilTocopheryl acetate~0.6–0.9%
- 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 acetateAloe barbadensis leaf extract~0.65–0.95%
- 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 extractArctostaphylos uva-ursi leaf extract~0.5–0.75%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Propolis extract~0.55–0.8%
- Irritation risk
- High
A complex substance produced by honey bees. Can have anti-bacterial and some anti-oxidant effect. Is an allergen and can be irritating
More about Propolis extractAllantoin~0.45–0.7%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps calm down inflammation in skin and can help reduce itching. Helps to repair the skin barrier and keep skin hydrated
More about AllantoinOlea europaea fruit oil~0.5–0.75%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
An emollient that helps soften the skin but is not effective for restoring its barrier function. Might be helpful to calm down inflammation
More about Olea europaea fruit oilAleurites moluccanus seed oil~0.45–0.65%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps soften the upper layer of the skin
More about Aleurites moluccanus seed oilGlyceryl isostearate~0.5–0.75%
Polyhydroxystearic acid~0.4–0.6%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Used to create a thicker product consistency and stabilize the formulation
More about Polyhydroxystearic acidArachidyl glucoside~0.35–0.65%
C12-20 alkyl glucoside~0.3–0.6%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Helps water and oil mix together
More about C12-20 alkyl glucosideMethylcellulose~0.3–0.55%
Acrylates/c10-30 alkyl acrylate crosspolymer~0.4–0.65%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Maintains the texture of skincare products. Allows the product to spread evenly. Helps oil and water mix together
More about Acrylates/c10-30 alkyl acrylate crosspolymerHydrogenated olive oil unsaponifiables~0.45–0.65%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Help soften the upper layer of the skin
More about Hydrogenated olive oil unsaponifiablesTetrasodium glutamate diacetate~0.25–0.45%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps stabilize the product formulation
More about Tetrasodium glutamate diacetateXanthan gum~0.25–0.45%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Used to create a thicker product consistency
More about Xanthan gumBehenyl alcohol~0.3–0.6%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Non-drying alcohol that helps water and oil mix together. Also serves as an emollient
More about Behenyl alcoholSodium hydroxide~0.2–0.35%
Phenoxyethanol~0.2–0.35%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A preservative. It helps prevent bacterial growth in cosmetic products
More about PhenoxyethanolEthylhexylglycerin~0.15–0.3%
Ingredient list view
Butyl methoxydibenzoylmethane, Homosalate, Ethylhexyl methoxycinnamate, Ethylhexyl salicylate, Octocrylene, Zinc oxide, Water, Butyloctyl salicylate, Caprylic/capric triglyceride, Propanediol, C12-15 alkyl benzoate, Glycerin, Polysorbate 60, C14-22 alcohols, Ethylhexyl palmitate, Ethylhexyl stearate, Arachidyl alcohol, Mauritia flexuosa fruit oil, Tocopheryl acetate, Aloe barbadensis leaf extract, Arctostaphylos uva-ursi leaf extract, Propolis extract, Allantoin, Olea europaea fruit oil, Aleurites moluccanus seed oil, Glyceryl isostearate, Polyhydroxystearic acid, Arachidyl glucoside, C12-20 alkyl glucoside, Methylcellulose, Acrylates/c10-30 alkyl acrylate crosspolymer, Hydrogenated olive oil unsaponifiables, Tetrasodium glutamate diacetate, Xanthan gum, Behenyl alcohol, Sodium hydroxide, Phenoxyethanol, Ethylhexylglycerin
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Product summary
Based on the ingredient list, we assess that "Epicuren Discovery - X-Treme Cream Propolis Sunscreen SPF 45" can provide 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).
Because it includes good moisturizing ingredients, it can also work as a hydrating day cream. Like all broad-spectrum sunscreens, this product has an anti-aging benefit.
Sunscreen filters
This sunscreen uses a mixture of both mineral and organic (so-called "chemical") UV filters. The organic filters in the product are: avobenzone, butyloctyl salicylate, octinoxate, octisalate, homosalate and octocrylene. As for the mineral filters, this sunscreen uses zinc oxide.
Irritation risk
This product contains actives that can be irritating. We assess the overall irritancy of it to be low. 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 50.00$ 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 13 studies and safety reviews.
- 1
- 2A review of inorganic UV filters zinc oxide and titanium dioxideonlinelibrary.wiley.com
- 3
- 4
- 5
- 6
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