Epicuren Zinc Oxide Perfecting Sunscreen SPF 27
Works for
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.
MoisturizingCaprylic/capric triglyceride, Glycerin + 7 moreWorks
“This sunscreen is transparent, all zinc protection helps to lightly hydrate, reduce the appearance of dark spots, visibly even skin tone, and perfect your skins overall look”
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.
Evens skin toneCamellia sinensis leaf extractNot delivered
“This sunscreen is transparent, all zinc protection helps to lightly hydrate, reduce the appearance of dark spots, visibly even skin tone, and perfect your skins overall look”
This product contains ingredients () that could help reduce hyperpigmentation (for example, post-acne marks or age spots) in theory, but there is not enough evidence that they actually work.
The biggest effect for evening out skin tone in this product comes from sun protection. Sun damage is the main factor causing age spots, darkening of post-acne marks and other discolorations. This is why sun protection is the best strategy for maintaining an even skin tone. We, however, do not recommend using this product as a sunscreen because the protection it offers is not strong enough).
Anti-oxidationSide benefit · Camellia sinensis leaf extract, Hibiscus sabdariffa flower extract + 2 moreMay help
This product contains antioxidants (camellia sinensis leaf extract) that might be able to help neutralize free radicals in skin to lessen the damage it gets from the UV light (sun). There is not enough evidence to confirm their effectiveness in skin though.
Can it cause trouble?
Irritancy2 strong irritants: Bellis perennis flower extract, Hibiscus sabdariffa flower extractMedium risk
ComedogenicClean of flagged comedogenic ingredientsNone flagged
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Ingredients
Filter by role to see what each ingredient is doing.
Water~40–60%
Caprylic/capric triglyceride~5.8–8.7%
- 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~4–6%
- 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~2.4–3.6%
Sorbitan olivate~2.1–3.1%
Glycerin~1.8–2.8%
- 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 GlycerinBellis perennis flower extract~1.5–2.2%
- Irritation risk
- High
A plant extract. Used as a fragrance. Can be irritating
More about Bellis perennis flower extractGlyceryl isostearate~1.3–1.9%
Sodium hyaluronate~1–1.5%
- 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~0.85–1.25%
- 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~0.35–0.85%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Pyrus communis fruit extract~0.45–1%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Can have some moisturizing properties due to its sugar content
More about Pyrus communis fruit extractCamellia sinensis leaf extract~0.4–0.95%
- 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~0.35–0.85%
- 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 oilPrunus armeniaca kernel oil~0.35–0.75%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
An emollient that helps soften the skin
More about Prunus armeniaca kernel oilRaphanus sativus seed oil~0.2–0.75%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helianthus annuus seed oil~0.15–0.7%
- 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~0.1–0.45%
- 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~0.1–0.3%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A preservative. It helps prevent bacterial growth in cosmetic products
More about PhenoxyethanolEthylhexylglycerin~0.05–0.25%
Zinc 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 oxideIngredient list view
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, Prunus armeniaca kernel oil, Raphanus sativus seed oil, Helianthus annuus seed oil, Xanthan gum, Polyhydroxystearic acid, Phenoxyethanol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Zinc oxide
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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.
| EpicurenZinc Oxide Perfecting Sunscreen SPF 27YOUR PRODUCT | Epicuren DiscoveryZinc Oxide Perfecting Sunscreen SPF 27 | ECO TanFace Sunscreen SPF 30 | Q+APeptide SPF 50 Facial Sunscreen | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Match | — | 44% | 36% | 36% |
| Price | $28.88 | $57.76+$28.88 | $24.19−$4.69 | $13.65−$15.23 |
| Shared key ingredients | — | 7 of 8 | 4 of 8 | 5 of 8 |
| Key difference | — | — | Carthamus Tinctorius Seed Oil | Allantoin |
| Irritancy | Medium | Medium | Low | Low |
| SPF | SPF 27 | SPF 27 | SPF 30 | SPF 50 |
| Drying alcohol | — | — | — | — |
| View product | Shop | Shop | Shop |
More alternatives: Babo Botanicals Face + Body Sunscreen - SPF 30Face Reality Skincare powerMineral SPF 50
Product summary
"Epicuren - Zinc Oxide Perfecting Sunscreen SPF 27" offers broad spectrum protection. It means that it protects from both UVA and UVB rays (you can remember UVB as "burning" sunlight - they cause sunburn. You can remember UVA rays as "aging" - they do not lead to sunburn, but they cause photodamage and contribute to early signs of skin aging and hyperpigmentation). On the negative side, the SPF of this sunscreen is not high enough. We recommend to use a sunscreen with at least SPF 30 daily.
This sunscreen should also be hydrating enough to use without an additional moisturizer during the day.
Sunscreen filters
It is a mineral sunscreen. It uses zinc oxide for sun protection. Zinc oxide almost never irritates the skin or stings eyes, but it can leave a white cast.
Irritation risk
There are some common irritants in this product, including ingredients that do not have benefits for the skin. We assess the overall irritancy of it to be medium. For a detailed overview of all potential irritants: click here
You can see the detailed formula review with the breakdown of all actives in the product and the full ingredient list with estimated concentrations in the tables below.
Price
The product retails from 40.73$ up to 57.76$ 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 15 studies and safety reviews.
- 1
- 2Hyaluronic acid: A key molecule in skin agingncbi.nlm.nih.gov
- 3
- 4
- 5Hibiscus sabdariffa L. – A phytochemical and pharmacological reviewsciencedirect.com
- 6
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