Gardiner Family Apothecary Elave Daily Skin Defence SPF45 No.108
Works for
Sun protectionSPF 45 · 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-agingMagnesium aluminum silicate, Sodium ascorbyl phosphate + 1 moreWorks well
“The Invisible Zinc is absorbed quickly and the Vitamins B5 & E anti-oxidant enriched formula helps protect skin and repair environmental skin damage.”
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 toneNo ingredient credited for this claimWorks well
“NO SULFATES, SLS, SOAP, PERFUME, MI, ALCOHOL, COLOURS & MORE Sun protection factor SPF45 to protect skin every day from signs of UV exposure such as dark spots, roughness and loss of elasticity.”
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).
MoisturizingSide benefit the brand mentions · Glycerin, Dicaprylyl carbonate + 3 moreWorks
“Elave Daily Skin Defence SPF45 No.108 contains a unique combination of oil-free emollients to hydrate the skin, together with high UVA & UVB protection.”
This product contains good ingredients to attract water to the upper layer of the skin. These ingredients are called "humectants": glycerin.
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. If the air is dry, humectants can speed up the moisture loss from the skin. This is why it is a good idea to use another product on top of this one to help "seal in" the moisture (look for ingredients like dimethicone, squalane, oils and butters).
Can it cause trouble?
Irritancy11 flagged ingredientsLow risk
ComedogenicClean of flagged comedogenic ingredientsNone flagged
User reviews
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Ingredients
Filter by role to see what each ingredient is doing.
Water~45–55%
Homosalate~7–8.6%
- 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 methoxycinnamate~5.2–6.3%
- 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 salicylate~4–4.8%
- 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 salicylateZinc oxide~3.8–4.6%
- 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 oxideGlycerin~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 GlycerinPentaerythrityl distearate~2–2.4%
Butyl methoxydibenzoylmethane~2.3–2.8%
- 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 methoxydibenzoylmethaneDicaprylyl carbonate~1.5–1.9%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps products spread more easily and works as an emollient to soften skin
More about Dicaprylyl carbonateGlyceryl stearate~1.3–1.6%
- 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 stearateSodium ascorbyl phosphate~0.9–1.1%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
A stable derivative of vitamin C. It is oil-soluble which means it is more likely to penetrate the skin compared to the pure form of vitamin C (which is water-soluble), but it is less bio-available and is way less effective in stimulating collagen and reducing wrinkles compared to the pure form of vitamin C (L-ascorbic acid) and its other derivatives (for example, magnesium ascorbyl phosphate). At the same time, this vitamin C derivative has been shown in studies to be effective in reducing acne, blemishes and clogged pores. It is less irritating then the pure form of vitamin C
More about Sodium ascorbyl phosphateBenzyl alcohol~0.6–0.95%
- Irritation risk
- High
A preservative. Can be used to mask unpleasant smell. Can be irritating
More about Benzyl alcoholPhenoxyethanol~0.55–0.8%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A preservative. It helps prevent bacterial growth in cosmetic products
More about PhenoxyethanolHydrogenated dimer dilinoleyl/dimethylcarbonate copolymer~0.5–0.8%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Magnesium aluminum silicate~0.5–0.75%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Might be helpful in restoring skin barrier function and, when combined with zinc carbonate and malonic acid, reducing fine lines and wrinkles by stimulating elastin production. Also helps stabilize the product formulation
More about Magnesium aluminum silicateSodium stearoyl glutamate~0.5–0.8%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Helps oil and water mix together
More about Sodium stearoyl glutamateTocopheryl acetate~0.45–0.65%
- 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 acetateTocopherol~0.35–0.6%
- 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 TocopherolXanthan gum~0.3–0.55%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Used to create a thicker product consistency
More about Xanthan gumBisabolol~0.25–0.45%
- Irritation risk
- Low
An active component of chamomile plant that historically has been used to calm down irritated skin. A recent study shows that bisabolol indeed can have some anti-inflammatory effect on skin, even though conclusive data is lacking. Bisabolol has a sweet floral scent and can be added to products for its aromatic properties
More about BisabololDisodium edta~0.25–0.45%
Panthenol~0.2–0.4%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps attract water to the upper layer of the skin and can help improve skin barrier function
More about PanthenolCitric acid~0.2–0.35%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Can work as an exfoliant but is typically used to adjust the product pH
More about Citric acidBht~0.15–0.25%
Corn starch modified~0.15–0.3%
Sodium citrate~0.1–0.15%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Helps to control the skin's pH level. Maintains the skin's natural film of amino-lactic acids and oils. Helps to preserve products
More about Sodium citrateBeta-carotene~0.1–0.2%
Ingredient list view
Water, Homosalate, Ethylhexyl methoxycinnamate, Ethylhexyl salicylate, Zinc oxide, Glycerin, Pentaerythrityl distearate, Butyl methoxydibenzoylmethane, Dicaprylyl carbonate, Glyceryl stearate, Sodium ascorbyl phosphate, Benzyl alcohol, Phenoxyethanol, Hydrogenated dimer dilinoleyl/dimethylcarbonate copolymer, Magnesium aluminum silicate, Sodium stearoyl glutamate, Tocopheryl acetate, Tocopherol, Xanthan gum, Bisabolol, Disodium edta, Panthenol, Citric acid, Bht, Corn starch modified, Sodium citrate, Beta-carotene
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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.
| Gardiner Family ApothecaryElave Daily Skin Defence SPF45 No.108YOUR PRODUCT | La Roche-PosayAnthelios UV Hydra Hydrating Face Sunscreen with SPF 50 with Hyaluronic Acid | Peter Thomas RothMax Vitamin D-Fense Sunscreen Serum Broad Spectrum SPF 50 | DCLSkincare Super Sheer SPF50 Broad Spectrum Protection Sunscreen | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Match | — | 44% | 43% | 43% |
| Price | — | $39.99 | $42.00 | $61.57 |
| Shared key ingredients | — | 5 of 9 | 4 of 9 | 5 of 9 |
| Key difference | — | Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride | Fructooligosaccharides | Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate |
| Irritancy | Low | Low | Low | Low |
| SPF | SPF 45 | SPF 50 | SPF 50 | SPF 50 |
| Drying alcohol | — | — | — | — |
| View product | Shop | Shop | Shop |
More alternatives: Face Reality Skincare Brilliant Defense SPF 50Hawaiian Tropic Silk Hydration Air Soft Lotion SPF 30
Product summary
Based on the ingredients included, we believe that "Gardiner Family Apothecary - Elave Daily Skin Defence SPF45 No. 108" can offer 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).
It should also be hydrating enough to use without an additional moisturizer during the day. This product prevents early signs of aging by protecting against sun damage (all broad spectrum sunscreens do that).
Sunscreen filters
This sunscreen uses a mixture of both mineral and organic (so-called "chemical") UV filters. Here are the organic filters this product uses: avobenzone, octinoxate, octisalate and homosalate. As for the mineral filters, this sunscreen uses zinc oxide.
Irritation risk
This sunscreen contains some common irritants, including those without a benefit for the skin. We assess the overall irritancy of this sunscreen 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.
Sources cited in this review
Every concentration estimate and effectiveness label is anchored to one of these 21 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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