Equate Ultra Sunscreen Broad Spectrum Lotion, SPF 50
Works for
2 of 2 advertised claims delivered
Sun protectionSPF 50 · 5 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-aging1 ingredient credited for this claimStrong support
“If used as directed with other sun protection measures, it decreases the risk of skin cancer and early skin aging caused by the sun.”
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 · 5 ingredients credited for this claimGood support
This product can help soften the skin and reduce its moisture loss with emollients and occlusives: dimethicone, caprylyl glycol.
Keep in mind that this product does not contain effective ingredients to attract water to the upper layer of the skin. This is why an additional product with humectants like glycerin or hyaluronic acid can be helpful (apply it before this product for the best results).
Can it cause trouble?
Irritancy2 strong irritants: Benzophenone-3, ParfumMedium risk
ComedogenicClean of flagged comedogenic ingredientsNone flagged
User reviews
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Ingredients
Filter by role to see what each ingredient is doing.
Ethylhexyl 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 salicylateBenzophenone-34%
- Irritation risk
- High
Same as oxybenzone. Protects in the UVB and short UVA range. In small concentrations, used to stabilize product formulation. Can be irritating. Is shown to be harmful to coral reefs - consider avoiding bathing in coral reef areas when wearing a product with this ingredient. It can penetrate the skin and get absorbed into bloodstream faster than other popular filters available in the US. The study that produced this finding did not address any potential health effects of the absorption
More about Benzophenone-3Homosalate13%
- 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 HomosalateButyl 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 methoxydibenzoylmethaneOctocrylene7%
- 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 OctocryleneWater~40–60%
Sorbitol~4.3–6.5%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps attract water to the upper layer of the skin and improves the product texture
More about SorbitolVp/eicosene copolymer~4.6–7%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Used to improve the product adherence to the skin, for example, to pro-long the protective effect of sunscreens. Can be irritating to very sensitive skin
More about Vp/eicosene copolymerStearic acid~3.4–5.1%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps oil and water mix together and works as an emollient
More about Stearic acidTriethanolamine~2.6–3.9%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Used to adjust pH of the product and can help improve the product's smell
More about TriethanolamineAluminum starch octenylsuccinate~2–3%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Used to thicken the product's consistency
More about Aluminum starch octenylsuccinateSorbitan isostearate~1.5–2.3%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps oil and water mix together
More about Sorbitan isostearateBenzyl alcohol~0.5–1%
- Irritation risk
- High
A preservative. Can be used to mask unpleasant smell. Can be irritating
More about Benzyl alcoholDimethicone~1.2–1.8%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A silicone that helps to reduce water loss from the surface of the skin. Can temporarily "fill in" lines and wrinkles, absorb oil, and create a nice product finish
More about DimethiconeTocopherol~0.6–1.35%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Pure form of vitamin E. Can help moisturise and protect the skin from free radicals. Often used to help stabilise other ingredients or the formula itself
More about TocopherolPolyglyceryl-3 distearate~0.5–1.15%
Phenoxyethanol~0.3–0.75%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A preservative. It helps prevent bacterial growth in cosmetic products
More about PhenoxyethanolCaprylyl glycol~0.35–0.85%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Helps preserve products and creates a nice product texture
More about Caprylyl glycolEthylhexylglycerin~0.15–0.6%
Carbomer~0.1–0.4%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps create a thicker or gel-like product texture. It is not a surfactant but can be used in gentle cleansing formulations
More about CarbomerDisodium edta~0.05–0.25%
Parfum~0.05–0.25%
- Irritation risk
- High
An aromatic blend of unspecified and possibly irritating ingredients
More about ParfumIngredient list view
Ethylhexyl salicylate, Benzophenone-3, Homosalate, Butyl methoxydibenzoylmethane, Octocrylene, Water, Sorbitol, Vp/eicosene copolymer, Stearic acid, Triethanolamine, Aluminum starch octenylsuccinate, Sorbitan isostearate, Benzyl alcohol, Dimethicone, Tocopherol, Polyglyceryl-3 distearate, Phenoxyethanol, Caprylyl glycol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Carbomer, Disodium edta, Parfum
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Product summary
Based on the ingredient list, we assess that "Equate - Ultra Sunscreen Broad Spectrum Lotion, SPF 50" 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 contains good moisturizing ingredients and can double as a hydrating day cream. Like all broad-spectrum sunscreens, this product helps prevent early signs of aging.
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. The UV filters in this sunscreen are: oxybenzone 4.00% (declared), avobenzone 3.00% (declared), octisalate 5.00% (declared), homosalate 13.00% (declared) and octocrylene 7.00% (declared).
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 7.48$ 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 9 studies and safety reviews.
- 1
- 2
- 3On Photostability of Oxybenzonecore.ac.uk
- 4
- 5
- 6
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