Hero Cosmetics Force Shield Superbeam Sunscreen Apricot SPF 30
Works for
1 of 1 advertised claim delivered
Sun protectionSPF 30 · 3 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.
Anti-agingNot advertised by the brand · 2 ingredients credited for this claimStrong support
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 · 1 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 · 16 ingredients credited for this claimGood support
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:
betaine, lactobacillus ferment.
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: bis-diglyceryl polyacyladipate-2, caprylic/capric triglyceride.
Can it cause trouble?
Irritancy12 flagged ingredientsLow risk
Comedogenic1 ingredient rated 2 or more on the 0–5 pore-clogging scale1 flagged
User reviews
Ingredients
Filter by role to see what each ingredient is doing.
Zinc oxide~44–54%
- 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 oxideWater~12–15%
Caprylic/capric triglyceride~5–6.1%
- 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 triglyceridePropanediol~2.9–3.5%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Acts as a solvent for other ingredients. Speeds up the absorption of other ingredients into the skin
More about PropanediolC13-15 alkane~2.1–2.6%
C15-19 alkane~1.7–2.1%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps soften the upper layer of the skin and create a nice product texture
More about C15-19 alkaneButyloctyl salicylate~1.6–1.9%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
A synthetic ester of salicylic acid that is used to help disperse pigments and boost effectiveness of sunscreen ingredients. It is able to absorb UV light (working as an organic, or chemical filter), but is not approved as a sunscreen ingredient on its own
More about Butyloctyl salicylateBis-diglyceryl polyacyladipate-2~1.5–1.8%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps soften the upper layer of the skin and reduce water loss from its surface
More about Bis-diglyceryl polyacyladipate-2Octyldodecanol~1.2–1.5%
- Irritation risk
- Low
An emollient that helps to soften the skin and create a pleasant product texture and stabilize the formulation
More about OctyldodecanolCetearyl alcohol~1.1–1.4%
- 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 alcoholPolyacrylate crosspolymer-6~0.75–1.1%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Hippophae rhamnoides oil~0.65–1%
- Irritation risk
- High
A good emollient. Contains various ingredients including vitamins and fatty acids that could work in the skin to neutralize free radicals and minimize moisture loss - if enough of these compounds is able to penetrate the skin in an active form.
More about Hippophae rhamnoides oilBetaine~0.55–0.85%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps attract water to the upper layer of the skin and improves the product texture
More about BetaineMica~0.65–1%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Creates an illusion of smoother and more radiant skin tone. Adds shimmer to the skin by reflecting light
More about MicaMusa sapientum leaf/trunk extract~0.55–0.8%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Silica~0.65–1%
Coco-glucoside~0.55–0.8%
- Irritation risk
- High
Used as a cleansing agent (surfactant) in cleansers. Helps water and oil mix together in lotions. Can be irritating
More about Coco-glucosideArachidyl alcohol~0.5–0.75%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Used to soften the upper layer of the skin and create a thicker product consistency
More about Arachidyl alcoholXanthan gum~0.45–0.65%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Used to create a thicker product consistency
More about Xanthan gumPolyhydroxystearic acid~0.4–0.65%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Used to create a thicker product consistency and stabilize the formulation
More about Polyhydroxystearic acidPolyglyceryl-3 polyricinoleate~0.35–0.65%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Helps oil and water mix together
More about Polyglyceryl-3 polyricinoleateIsostearic acid~0.45–0.65%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Used to create a nice product texture
More about Isostearic acidLecithin~0.3–0.6%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Used mostly for creating emulsions - helping oil and water mix together. Helps soften the upper layer of the skin
More about LecithinPolyglyceryl-3 lactate/laurate~0.35–0.65%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Polyglycerin-3~0.3–0.55%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps to attract water to the upper layer of the skin
More about Polyglycerin-3Bisabolol~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 BisabololTocopherol~0.3–0.55%
- 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 TocopherolBehenyl alcohol~0.35–0.65%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Non-drying alcohol that helps water and oil mix together. Also serves as an emollient
More about Behenyl alcoholCaprylhydroxamic acid~0.25–0.5%
Sodium dilauramidoglutamide lysine~0.25–0.45%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Citric acid~0.25–0.45%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Can work as an exfoliant but is typically used to adjust the product pH
More about Citric acidArachidyl glucoside~0.25–0.5%
Ectoin~0.25–0.5%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Softens the upper layer of the skin and can support skin barrier function
More about EctoinNiacinamide~0.25–0.45%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Is proven to be effective in reducing blemishes, evening out skin tone and helping to improve lines and wrinkles. It helps the skin to repair sun damage, calm down inflammation and keep maintain good levels of moisture. The concentration of about 2% is effective for supporting the skin barrier and evening out the skin tone. Concentration of 4-6% is better for helping with acne and balancing the sebum production
More about NiacinamideMaltodextrin~0.25–0.45%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Used to stabilize the product formulation and can help absorb oil
More about MaltodextrinSodium citrate~0.25–0.45%
- 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 citrateSodium phytate~0.2–0.4%
Terminalia ferdinandiana fruit extract~0.25–0.4%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
A plant extract that might have some anti-oxidant effect in skin, but evidence is lacking
More about Terminalia ferdinandiana fruit extractLactobacillus ferment~0.2–0.35%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A fermentation product created by bacteria Lactobacillus. The fermented product has anti-bacterial properties and might be helpful in calming down inflammation, but studies are lacking. Helps attract water to the upper layer of the skin. Can be used as a preservative
More about Lactobacillus fermentTin oxide~0.3–0.55%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A colorant that can add a pearl-like appearance to the formulation
More about Tin oxideGlucose~0.15–0.3%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps attract water to the upper layer of the skin. Could be helpful in restoring the skin barrier function
More about GlucoseLeuconostoc/radish root ferment filtrate~0.15–0.25%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
A preservative that comes from radishes fermented by a bacteria. New research suggests that the preservation properties in the ingredient come from an ammonium salt that is not present naturally in radish root but used in its cultivation. Is problematic because the exact amount of the preservative agents is difficult to determine
More about Leuconostoc/radish root ferment filtrateCi 15985~0.15–0.3%
Ci 77491~0.1–0.15%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A red colorant made of iron oxide. Typically is not irritating
More about Ci 77491Titanium dioxide~0.1–0.2%
- 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 dioxideIngredient list view
Zinc oxide, Water, Caprylic/capric triglyceride, Propanediol, C13-15 alkane, C15-19 alkane, Butyloctyl salicylate, Bis-diglyceryl polyacyladipate-2, Octyldodecanol, Cetearyl alcohol, Polyacrylate crosspolymer-6, Hippophae rhamnoides oil, Betaine, Mica, Musa sapientum leaf/trunk extract, Silica, Coco-glucoside, Arachidyl alcohol, Xanthan gum, Polyhydroxystearic acid, Polyglyceryl-3 polyricinoleate, Isostearic acid, Lecithin, Polyglyceryl-3 lactate/laurate, Polyglycerin-3, Bisabolol, Tocopherol, Behenyl alcohol, Caprylhydroxamic acid, Sodium dilauramidoglutamide lysine, Citric acid, Arachidyl glucoside, Ectoin, Niacinamide, Maltodextrin, Sodium citrate, Sodium phytate, Terminalia ferdinandiana fruit extract, Lactobacillus ferment, Tin oxide, Glucose, Leuconostoc/radish root ferment filtrate, Ci 15985, Unknown, Ci 77491, Titanium dioxide
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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.
| Hero CosmeticsForce Shield Superbeam Sunscreen Apricot SPF 30YOUR PRODUCT | ISNTREEHyaluronic Acid Natural Sun Cream | Ghost DemocracyInvisible Lightweight Daily Face Sunscreen Spf33 | Sun BumDaily Mineral Sunscreen Moisturizer SPF 30 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Match | — | 83% | 83% | 83% |
| Price | $19.99 | $14.97−$5.02 | — | $7.98−$12.01 |
| Shared key ingredients | — | 5 of 12 | 4 of 12 | 2 of 12 |
| Key difference | — | Adenosine | Panthenol | Avobenzone |
| Irritancy | Low | Low | Low | Low |
| SPF | SPF 30 | SPF 50 | SPF 33 | SPF 30 |
| Drying alcohol | — | — | — | Contains drying alcohol |
| View product | Shop | Shop | Shop |
Product summary
The ingredient list suggests that "Hero Cosmetics - Force Shield Superbeam Sunscreen Apricot SPF 30" 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).
Its formula is also hydrating, so you might not need an additional moistruizer during the day. Like all broad-spectrum sunscreens, this product helps prevent early signs of aging.
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: butyloctyl salicylate. As for the mineral filters, this sunscreen uses zinc oxide.
Irritation risk
This product contains some common irritants, including those without a benefit 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.
What our users say
Based on 1 review 0% recommend this product- As for the white cast, it did not leave a noticeable white residue for the reviewer.
About the brand
According to Cruelty-Free Kitty "Hero Cosmetics" is cruelty free, but its parent company is not.
Sources cited in this review
Every concentration estimate and effectiveness label is anchored to one of these 20 studies and safety reviews.
- 1A review of inorganic UV filters zinc oxide and titanium dioxideonlinelibrary.wiley.com
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Affiliate links · As an Amazon Associate, WIMJ earns from qualifying purchases.