Heliocare SPF 50 Gel Twin Pack
Works for
0 of 2 advertised claims delivered
Sun protectionSPF 50 · 4 UV filters · Partial spectrumWeak protection
This product does not offer good protection against UVA rays.
Anti-agingNo ingredient credited for this claimLimited evidence
“Benefits of Heliocare SPF 50 Gel Twin Pack Lightweight formula Non-comedogenic and water resistant Non-comedogenic/acnegenic Perfect for all skin types Money Saving Duo An unrivalled product, the Heliocare SPF 50 Gel is an ultra lightweight sunscreen that protects your skin against the ageing effects of the sun.”
This product does not contain ingredients that are able to reduce fine lines and wrinkles or help with skin elasticity, but it can improve the look of the skin temporarily through moisturization. Well-moisturized skin might also be able to repair the sun damage better.
This ingredient camellia sinensis extract might be able to help neutralize free radicals in skin and help it fight off some of the sun damage.
The biggest anti-aging effect in this product comes from sun protection. Sun damage is the main factor causing early signs of skin aging. We, however, do not recommend using this product as a sunscreen because the protection it offers is not strong enough).
Anti-oxidationNot advertised by the brand · Camellia sinensis extract, Micrococcus lysate + 1 moreModerate evidence
This product contains antioxidants (camellia sinensis 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.
MoisturizingNot advertised by the brand · Cetyl dimethicone, Glycerin + 4 moreGood evidence
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.
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: cetyl dimethicone, cyclopentasiloxane.
Can it cause trouble?
Irritancy3 strong irritants: Parfum, Linalool + 1 more — patch-test recommendedHigh risk
ComedogenicClean of flagged comedogenic ingredientsNone flagged
User reviews
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Ingredients
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Water~45–55%
Ethylhexyl methoxycinnamate~6.4–7.8%
- 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 methoxycinnamateOctocrylene~4.9–6%
- 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 OctocryleneStyrene/acrylates copolymer~3.2–3.9%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Used to create an even product consistency. Can help boost efficiency of sunscreen filters
More about Styrene/acrylates copolymerCyclopentasiloxane~2.6–3.2%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A silicone that helps improve the product texture and spreadability. Can absorb oil creating a short-term mattifying effect on the skin
More about CyclopentasiloxaneGlycerin~2.2–2.7%
- 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 GlycerinHexylene glycol~1.7–2%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Helps create a more spreadable product texture
More about Hexylene glycolPolyacrylamide~1.5–1.8%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Used to improve product texture and help oil and water mix together
More about PolyacrylamidePeg/ppg-20/6 dimethicone~1.2–1.5%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A type of silicone. Helps create a nice product texture and can help soften the upper layer of the skin
More about Peg/ppg-20/6 dimethiconeZinc oxide~1.6–1.9%
- 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 oxideC13-14 isoparaffin~0.75–1.1%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps soften the upper layer of the skin, dissolve other ingredients and create a thicker product consistency
More about C13-14 isoparaffinPolypodium leucotomos leaf extract~0.6–0.9%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
A plant extract that has been shown to be effective in helping boost skin's ability to protect against UV radiation and reduce hyperpigmentation when taken orally. No conclusive evidence for its effectiveness and effective concentration in topical application
More about Polypodium leucotomos leaf extractPhenoxyethanol~0.5–0.8%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A preservative. It helps prevent bacterial growth in cosmetic products
More about PhenoxyethanolTitanium dioxide~0.7–1%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Works as a UV filter when used in high concentrations. It is photostable and is effective mostly against the UVB light, with some protection in the UVA range. In small concentrations, used for its ability to improve the color of cosmetic products. Is usually well tolerated by the skin
More about Titanium dioxideLaureth-7~0.45–0.7%
Cetyl dimethicone~0.5–0.7%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A type of silicone. Helps soften the upper layer of the skin and creates a nice, light product texture
More about Cetyl dimethiconeCamellia sinensis extract~0.4–0.65%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Tea extract. Might be helpful in neutralizing free radicals in skin
More about Camellia sinensis extractTocopheryl acetate~0.35–0.65%
- 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 acetateDichlorobenzyl alcohol~0.075–0.15%
Micrococcus lysate~0.25–0.5%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Consists of remains of dead bacteria cells. Is likely helpful in attracting water to the upper layer of the skin. Might be helpful in reducing inflammation and neutralizing free radicals in skin. It is claimed to be a "DNA repair enzyme"
More about Micrococcus lysateTetrasodium edta~0.25–0.45%
Alumina~0.4–0.65%
- Irritation risk
- Low
The same compound that is used safely in dental implants and bone cements. In cosmetics, it is used to improve the consistency of products
More about AluminaBht~0.2–0.35%
Simethicone~0.2–0.4%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A type of silicone that helps to create nice product texture and is used as an anti-foaming agent
More about SimethiconeTriethoxycaprylylsilane~0.15–0.3%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A type of silicone that helps oil and water mix well together. Helps to disperse other ingredients, e.g. pigments, evenly in a formulation
More about TriethoxycaprylylsilaneParfum~0.1–0.2%
- Irritation risk
- High
An aromatic blend of unspecified and possibly irritating ingredients
More about ParfumLinalool~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 LimoneneIngredient list view
Water, Ethylhexyl methoxycinnamate, Octocrylene, Styrene/acrylates copolymer, Cyclopentasiloxane, Glycerin, Hexylene glycol, Polyacrylamide, Peg/ppg-20/6 dimethicone, Zinc oxide, C13-14 isoparaffin, Polypodium leucotomos leaf extract, Phenoxyethanol, Titanium dioxide, Laureth-7, Cetyl dimethicone, Camellia sinensis extract, Tocopheryl acetate, Dichlorobenzyl alcohol, Micrococcus lysate, Tetrasodium edta, Alumina, Bht, Simethicone, Triethoxycaprylylsilane, Parfum, Linalool, Limonene
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Product summary
We do not recommend "Heliocare - SPF 50 Gel Twin Pack" because it does not provide good UVA protection. UVA sun rays don't burn the skin, but they still lead to photoaging and hyperpigmentation.
Because it includes good moisturizing ingredients, it can also work as a hydrating day cream.
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: octinoxate 6.40% - 7.80% and octocrylene 4.90% - 6.00%.
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 it 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.
Price
The product retails for 29.99£ in the United Kingdom.
For a detailed price comparison: click here.
Sources cited in this review
Every concentration estimate and effectiveness label is anchored to one of these 10 studies and safety reviews.
- 1
- 2
- 3A review of inorganic UV filters zinc oxide and titanium dioxideonlinelibrary.wiley.com
- 4
- 5
- 6
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