Hourglass EQUILIBRIUM™ Day Fluid Sunscreen Broad Spectrum SPF 30
Works for
2 of 2 advertised claims delivered
Sun protectionSPF 30 · 4 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-agingNo ingredient credited for this claimStrong support
“The silky fluid is powered by the range's hero ingredient - the Cell Balancing Complex - that works to improve elasticity and establish optimal hydration as well as diminishing the visibility of fine lines.”
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 · 6 ingredients credited for this claimGood support
This product contains good ingredients to attract water to the upper layer of the skin. These ingredients are called "humectants": glycerin, caprylyl glycol.
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?
Irritancy10 flagged ingredientsLow risk
Comedogenic1 ingredient rated 2 or more on the 0–5 pore-clogging scale1 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~40–60%
Homosalate~6.1–9.2%
- 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~3.9–5.9%
- 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 methoxycinnamateC12-15 alkyl benzoate~2.8–4.2%
- 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 benzoateCoconut alkanes~2.1–3.2%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
- Comedogenicity
- 2/5
An emollient that helps soften the skin
More about Coconut alkanesGlycerin~1.8–2.6%
- 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 GlycerinEthylhexyl salicylate~1.9–2.8%
- 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 salicylatePolyglyceryl-10 mono/dioleate~1.2–1.8%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Polyglyceryl-3 oleate~1–1.5%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Helps oil and water mix together
More about Polyglyceryl-3 oleateButyl methoxydibenzoylmethane~1.3–1.9%
- 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 methoxydibenzoylmethaneGlyceryl cocoate~0.55–1.3%
Phenoxyethanol~0.4–0.9%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A preservative. It helps prevent bacterial growth in cosmetic products
More about PhenoxyethanolTocopheryl acetate~0.35–0.85%
- 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 acetateCoco-caprylate/caprate~0.35–0.85%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps to soften the upper layer of the skin without creating a greasy texture
More about Coco-caprylate/caprateCaprylyl glycol~0.3–0.75%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Helps preserve products and creates a nice product texture
More about Caprylyl glycolXanthan gum~0.15–0.6%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Used to create a thicker product consistency
More about Xanthan gumChlorphenesin~0.16–0.32%
Cetyl hydroxyethylcellulose~0.1–0.35%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Used to create a thicker product consistency and stabilize formulations
More about Cetyl hydroxyethylcelluloseDisodium edta~0.05–0.25%
Phosphatidylglycerol~0.05–0.25%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps soften the upper layer of the skin. It might help reduce inflammation and support the barrier function. This compound is naturally present in animal and plant tissue
More about PhosphatidylglycerolCitric acid~0.05–0.1%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Can work as an exfoliant but is typically used to adjust the product pH
More about Citric acidIngredient list view
Water, Homosalate, Ethylhexyl methoxycinnamate, C12-15 alkyl benzoate, Coconut alkanes, Glycerin, Ethylhexyl salicylate, Polyglyceryl-10 mono/dioleate, Polyglyceryl-3 oleate, Butyl methoxydibenzoylmethane, Glyceryl cocoate, Phenoxyethanol, Tocopheryl acetate, Coco-caprylate/caprate, Caprylyl glycol, Xanthan gum, Chlorphenesin, Cetyl hydroxyethylcellulose, Disodium edta, Phosphatidylglycerol, Citric acid
Compare prices
Retailers ranked by price — lowest first.
Affiliate links · prices updated regularly
Product summary
Based on the ingredient list, we assess that "Hourglass - EQUILIBRIUM™ Day Fluid Sunscreen Broad Spectrum SPF 30" can provide 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 contains good moisturizing ingredients and can double as a hydrating day cream. Like all broad-spectrum sunscreens, this product has an anti-aging benefit.
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 2.00% (declared), octinoxate 7.50% (declared), octisalate 3.00% (declared) and homosalate 9.90% (declared).
Irritation risk
There are actives in this product that can be irritating. We assess the overall irritancy of this moisturizer 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.
About the brand
According to Cruelty-Free Kitty "Hourglass" is cruelty free, but its parent company is not.
Price
The product retails from 101.00£ up to 117.00£ in the United Kingdom, for 133.00CA$ in Canada and for 115.00$ 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 4 studies and safety reviews.
- 1
- 2
- 3Safety Assessment of Alkyl Esters as Used in Cosmeticscir-safety.org
- 4
Affiliate links · As an Amazon Associate, WIMJ earns from qualifying purchases.