Epicuren Discovery Zinc Oxide Perfecting Sunscreen SPF 27
Works for
1 of 2 advertised claims delivered
Sun protectionSPF 27 · 1 UV filter · Broad spectrumWeak protectionSPF under 30
This product offers broad spectrum sun protection, but it is weak. We recommend to use a broad spectrum sunscreen with at least SPF 30.
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.
Moisturizing9 ingredients credited for this claimGood support
“This transparent sunscreen helps the overall appearance of your skin leaving it smooth and moisturized.”
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, 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, helianthus annuus seed oil.
Can it cause trouble?
Irritancy2 strong irritants: Bellis perennis flower extract, 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.
Olea europaea fruit oil~23–34%
- 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 oilZinc oxide10%
- 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~12–18%
Caprylic/capric triglyceride~6–9%
- 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 triglycerideCaprylyl methicone~4.5–6.7%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A type of silicone that helps to soften the upper layer of the skin and create a nice product finish on the skin
More about Caprylyl methiconeCetearyl olivate~3.6–5.4%
Sorbitan olivate~2.8–4.2%
Glycerin~2.4–3.6%
- 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 GlycerinBellis perennis flower extract~1.9–2.8%
- Irritation risk
- High
A plant extract. Used as a fragrance. Can be irritating
More about Bellis perennis flower extractGlyceryl isostearate~1.3–2%
Sodium hyaluronate~1–1.6%
- Irritation risk
- Low
One of the best moisturizing ingredients. Attracts water into the upper layer of the skin
More about Sodium hyaluronateHibiscus sabdariffa flower extract~0.85–1.3%
- 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 extractFerula assa foetida root extract~0.5–1.15%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Pyrus communis fruit extract~0.5–1.2%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Can have some moisturizing properties due to its sugar content
More about Pyrus communis fruit extractCamellia sinensis leaf extract~0.45–1.1%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Can contain potent anti-oxidant compounds (abbreviated ECG, GCG, EGC, and EGCG) that might help protect the skin from free radicals. Can help calm down inflammation and has some anti-bacterial properties. Unfortunately, these antioxidants are unstable and lose their effectiveness very quickly in products. The concentration of the antioxidant compounds in the extract also tends to be low to be effective in topical formulation
More about Camellia sinensis leaf extractLimnanthes alba seed oil~0.5–1.1%
- Irritation risk
- Low
This oil's cmposition is closest to rapeseed oil. It is a very stable oil and serves as an emoillient
More about Limnanthes alba seed oilRaphanus sativus seed oil~0.4–0.95%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helianthus annuus seed oil~0.3–0.7%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A great emollient due to its high linoleic acid content. One of the most effective plant oils in helping skin hydration and repairing skin barrier function
More about Helianthus annuus seed oilXanthan gum~0.1–0.5%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Used to create a thicker product consistency
More about Xanthan gumPolyhydroxystearic acid~0.1–0.4%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Used to create a thicker product consistency and stabilize the formulation
More about Polyhydroxystearic acidPhenoxyethanol~0.1–0.35%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A preservative. It helps prevent bacterial growth in cosmetic products
More about PhenoxyethanolEthylhexylglycerin~0.05–0.25%
Ingredient list view
Olea europaea fruit oil, Zinc oxide, Water, Caprylic/capric triglyceride, Caprylyl methicone, Cetearyl olivate, Sorbitan olivate, Glycerin, Bellis perennis flower extract, Glyceryl isostearate, Sodium hyaluronate, Hibiscus sabdariffa flower extract, Ferula assa foetida root extract, Pyrus communis fruit extract, Camellia sinensis leaf extract, Limnanthes alba seed oil, Raphanus sativus seed oil, Helianthus annuus seed oil, Xanthan gum, Polyhydroxystearic acid, Phenoxyethanol, Ethylhexylglycerin
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Product summary
"Epicuren Discovery - Zinc Oxide Perfecting Sunscreen SPF 27" "is a broad spectrum sunscreen meaning that it protects both from UVB rays (" burning "- they cause sunburn) and UVA rays (" aging "- they don't cause sunburn but lead to premature aging and pigmentation issues). However, this product does not offer enough sun protection. We recommend to use a sunscreen with at least SPF 30 daily.
This sunscreen should also be hydrating enough to use without an additional moisturizer during the day.
Sunscreen filters
This sunscreen is a mineral sunscreen. It uses zinc oxide for sun protection. Zinc oxide almost never irritates the skin or stings eyes, but it can leave a white cast.
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.
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 16 studies and safety reviews.
- 1Use of “natural” oils for moisturization: Review of olive, coconut, and sunflower seed oilonlinelibrary.wiley.com
- 2A review of inorganic UV filters zinc oxide and titanium dioxideonlinelibrary.wiley.com
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