Works for
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.
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.
Evens skin toneSide benefit · No ingredient credited for this claimWorks well
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).
Anti-agingSide benefit · Prunus amygdalus dulcis oil, Butyrospermum parkii butterWorks well
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.
MoisturizingSide benefit the brand mentions · C12-15 alkyl benzoate, Isopropyl myristate + 7 moreWorks
“Shea butter hydrates and regenerates the skin.”
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, caprylyl glycol.
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: isopropyl myristate, c12-15 alkyl benzoate.
Can it cause trouble?
Irritancy8 strong irritants: Ethylhexyl dimethyl paba, Parfum + 6 more — patch-test recommendedHigh risk
Comedogenic4 ingredients rated 2 or more on the 0–5 pore-clogging scale4 flagged
User reviews
Be the first — your take helps the next person decide.
Ingredients
Filter by role to see what each ingredient is doing.
Water~45–55%
Octocrylene~5.5–6.8%
- 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 OctocryleneC12-15 alkyl benzoate~4.2–5.1%
- 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 benzoateIsopropyl myristate~3.2–3.9%
- Irritation risk
- Low
- Comedogenicity
- 3/5
An emollient that helps soften the skin. Could be comedogenic
More about Isopropyl myristateBarium sulfate~2.4–2.9%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Butyl methoxydibenzoylmethane~2.6–3.1%
- 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 salicylate~2.2–2.6%
- 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 dimethyl paba~2–2.5%
- Irritation risk
- High
Padimate O. A UV filter. Effective against UVB rays. There are concerns about the safety of this sunscreen ingredient, but conclusive evidence in either direction is missing. Because of the safety concerns, it is rarely used in leave-in skincare
More about Ethylhexyl dimethyl pabaMethylene bis-benzotriazolyl tetramethylbutylphenol~1.6–2%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Tinosorb M. A UV filter. Is effective against both UVA and UVB rays. It also provides some protection against visible light. It is photostable and can also be used to improve photostability of other sunscreen ingredients. Its physical properties help to create lightweight sunscreen formulations. It can leave a slight white cast. Unfortunately, it is not approved by the FDA (US) yet
More about Methylene bis-benzotriazolyl tetramethylbutylphenolCetearyl alcohol~1–1.2%
- Irritation risk
- Low
- Comedogenicity
- 2/5
A non-drying alcohol. Works as an emollient. Helps water and oil mix together and creates a nice product texture
More about Cetearyl alcoholPrunus amygdalus dulcis oil~0.7–1.05%
- Irritation risk
- Low
An emollient that softens the skin
More about Prunus amygdalus dulcis oilGlycerin~0.6–0.9%
- 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 GlycerinButyrospermum parkii butter~0.55–0.8%
- Irritation risk
- Low
- Comedogenicity
- 3/5
A great moisturising ingredient that softens the skin and reduces water loss from its upper layer. It also can be helpful in protecting skin from free radicals
More about Butyrospermum parkii butterCeteareth-20~0.55–0.8%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
- Comedogenicity
- 2/5
Helps oil and water mix together. Has some emollient properties
More about Ceteareth-20Glyceryl stearate~0.45–0.7%
- Irritation risk
- Low
An emollient that softens the skin and forms a protective layer on its surface. Helps water and oil mix together
More about Glyceryl stearateCarbomer~0.4–0.6%
- 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 CarbomerPhenylpropanol~0.35–0.65%
- Irritation risk
- High
Helps mask the smell of other ingredients and helps preserve the product formulation
More about PhenylpropanolDecylene glycol~0.3–0.6%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Used to creat a nice product texture and support penetration of other ingredients
More about Decylene glycolCaprylyl glycol~0.3–0.6%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Helps preserve products and creates a nice product texture
More about Caprylyl glycolDecyl glucoside~0.35–0.6%
- Irritation risk
- High
Helps oil and water mix together. Can be irritating
More about Decyl glucosidePropylene glycol~0.2–0.35%
- Irritation risk
- High
Helps oil and water mix together and can enhance the penetration of other ingredients into the skin. It can be irritating
More about Propylene glycolXanthan gum~0.2–0.4%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Used to create a thicker product consistency
More about Xanthan gumPolyacrylate-13~0.2–0.35%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Used to create a thicker product consistency and stabilize the product formulation
More about Polyacrylate-13Polyisobutene~0.2–0.35%
Polysorbate 20~0.2–0.35%
Parfum~0.1–0.2%
- Irritation risk
- High
An aromatic blend of unspecified and possibly irritating ingredients
More about ParfumAlpha-isomethyl ionone~0.1–0.2%
- Irritation risk
- High
A fragrance. Potential allergen and can be irritating
More about Alpha-isomethyl iononeCoumarin~0.1–0.15%
Limonene~0.1–0.15%
- Irritation risk
- High
A common frangrance that can easily irritate skin, especially if exposed to air, light or heat
More about LimoneneGeraniol~0.05–0.1%
Hexyl cinnamal~0.05–0.1%
Linalool~0.05%
Triethanolamine~0.05%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Used to adjust pH of the product and can help improve the product's smell
More about TriethanolamineIngredient list view
Water, Octocrylene, C12-15 alkyl benzoate, Isopropyl myristate, Barium sulfate, Butyl methoxydibenzoylmethane, Ethylhexyl salicylate, Ethylhexyl dimethyl paba, Methylene bis-benzotriazolyl tetramethylbutylphenol, Cetearyl alcohol, Prunus amygdalus dulcis oil, Glycerin, Butyrospermum parkii butter, Ceteareth-20, Glyceryl stearate, Carbomer, Phenylpropanol, Decylene glycol, Caprylyl glycol, Decyl glucoside, Propylene glycol, Xanthan gum, Polyacrylate-13, Polyisobutene, Polysorbate 20, Parfum, Alpha-isomethyl ionone, Coumarin, Limonene, Geraniol, Hexyl cinnamal, Linalool, Triethanolamine
Compare prices
Retailers ranked by price — lowest first.
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.
| EssentéDENNÍ KRÉM SPF 50YOUR PRODUCT | Piz BuinMountain Sun Cream - High SPF30 | No7Early Defence Day Cream SPF30 | SoltanBrightening Protect & Moisturise Facial Suncare Cream with Vitamin C SPF50+ | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Match | — | 45% | 44% | 43% |
| Price | — | $10.01 | — | $7.29 |
| Shared key ingredients | — | 5 of 7 | 5 of 7 | 5 of 7 |
| Key difference | — | Tinosorb S | Ascorbyl Glucoside | Ascorbyl Glucoside |
| Irritancy | High | Medium | Medium | Medium |
| SPF | SPF 50 | SPF 30 | SPF 30 | SPF 50 |
| Drying alcohol | — | Contains drying alcohol | Contains drying alcohol | — |
| View product | Shop | Shop | Shop |
More alternatives: Boots Hydrating Sensitive Protect Facial Suncare Cream With Niacinamide SPF50+Altruist Anti-Redness Pigmentation
Product summary
We believe that this product can provide reliable sun protection based on the ingredients listed. 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).
As a plus, this sunscreen uses some of the new generation UV filters (Tinosorb M). These filters are more stable and more gentle on the skin.
Because it includes good moisturizing ingredients, it can also work as a hydrating day cream. This product prevents early signs of aging by protecting against sun damage (all broad spectrum sunscreens do that).
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. These are the sun protection ingredients in this sunscreen: avobenzone 2.60% - 3.10%, octisalate 2.20% - 2.60%, tinosorb m 1.60% - 2.00% and octocrylene 5.50% - 6.80%.
Irritation risk
There are quite a few common irritants in this product, including ingredients without particular skin benefits. We would not recommend it for sensitive skin. We assess the overall irritancy of this sunscreen to be high. 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.
Sources cited in this review
Every concentration estimate and effectiveness label is anchored to one of these 9 studies and safety reviews.
- 1Risk Assessment of Ethylhexyl Dimethyl PABA in Cosmeticsncbi.nlm.nih.gov
- 2
- 3
- 4
- 5Surfactants and experimental irritant contact dermatitisncbi.nlm.nih.gov
- 6Propylene Glycolpubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
Affiliate links · As an Amazon Associate, WIMJ earns from qualifying purchases.