Institut Esthederm Photo Reverse Lotion
Works for
Sun protectionSPF 50 · 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.
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 toneNo ingredient credited for this claimWorks well
“Enjoy the sun whilst visibly brightening and evening skin tone with Institut Esthederm Photo Reverse Lotion . The treatment aims to prevent the appearance of brown spots and visibly reduce the appearance of pre-existing spots.”
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-oxidationSide benefit · Carnosine, Palmaria palmata extract + 2 moreWorks well
This product contains antioxidants (carnosine) that can help neutralize free radicals in skin. By doing so, they can lessen the damage the skin gets from the UV light (sun).
Anti-agingSide benefit the brand mentions · Hexapeptide-2, Carnosine + 1 moreWorks well
“Featuring high UVA/UVB protection, the cream protects hyper-pigmented skin against the visible signs of photo-ageing and the appearance of new pigmentation.”
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.
These ingredients in the product might also be helpful for reducing and preventing fine lines, wrinkles, and skin elasticity, even though there is no conclusive evidence for their effectiveness: carnosine, hexapeptide-2.
MoisturizingSide benefit the brand mentions · Hexapeptide-2, Palmaria palmata extract + 7 moreWorks well
“Featuring high UVA/UVB protection, the cream protects hyper-pigmented skin against the visible signs of photo-ageing and the appearance of new pigmentation.”
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:
algae extract, artemia extract.
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: algae extract, dicaprylyl carbonate.
The following ingredients in this product are especially good for supporting the skin barrier and helping with the hydration level: hexapeptide-2
Can it cause trouble?
Irritancy10 flagged ingredientsLow risk
Comedogenic2 ingredients rated 2 or more on the 0–5 pore-clogging scale2 flagged
User reviews
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Ingredients
Filter by role to see what each ingredient is doing.
Water~45–55%
Dicaprylyl carbonate~5.6–6.9%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps products spread more easily and works as an emollient to soften skin
More about Dicaprylyl carbonateOctocrylene~4.5–5.5%
- 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 OctocryleneMethylene bis-benzotriazolyl tetramethylbutylphenol~3.6–4.4%
- 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 tetramethylbutylphenolButyl methoxydibenzoylmethane~3.1–3.8%
- 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 methoxydibenzoylmethaneDipropylene glycol~1.8–2.2%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps to dissolve other ingredients in a formulation. Slows down the rate of product drying
More about Dipropylene glycolBis-ethylhexyloxyphenol methoxyphenyl triazine~2.1–2.6%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Tinosorb S. One of the most effective broad spectrum sunscreen ingredients. Protects from both UVA and UVB rays. It is photostable. Approved by the US FDA in 2026 (listed as bemotrizinol on US labels).
More about Bis-ethylhexyloxyphenol methoxyphenyl triazineGlyceryl stearate~1.4–1.8%
- 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 stearateHydroxypropyl dimethicone behenate~1.1–1.4%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Peg-100 stearate~0.95–1.2%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps oil and water mix togehter and creates a nice product texture
More about Peg-100 stearateTocopheryl acetate~0.65–0.95%
- 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 acetatePalmaria palmata extract~0.5–0.75%
- Irritation risk
- Low
- Comedogenicity
- 3/5
Red algae extract that helps attract water to the upper layer of the skin
More about Palmaria palmata extractArtemia extract~0.45–0.65%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Zooplankton extract that can attract water to the upper level of the skin and might have some anti-oxidant effect
More about Artemia extractAndrographis paniculata leaf extract~0.35–0.6%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Carnosine~0.3–0.55%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A type of peptide. It attracts water to the upper layer of the skin. It can help neutralize free radicals in skin combatting the sun damage
More about CarnosineAlgae extract~0.4–0.65%
- Irritation risk
- Low
- Comedogenicity
- 3/5
Plant extract that helps the skin to attract water and make it more smooth for touch. Also shows promise of anti-aging properties, but research is not extensive yet
More about Algae extractDisodium adenosine triphosphate~0.3–0.55%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Hexapeptide-2~0.3–0.5%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A type of peptide. Peptides are excellent moisturizers and might be able support collagen production reducing fine lines and wrinkles
More about Hexapeptide-2Decyl glucoside~0.3–0.6%
- Irritation risk
- High
Helps oil and water mix together. Can be irritating
More about Decyl glucosideC20-22 alkyl phosphate~0.25–0.45%
C20-22 alcohols~0.2–0.35%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Xanthan gum~0.2–0.35%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Used to create a thicker product consistency
More about Xanthan gumButylene glycol~0.15–0.3%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Used to create a nice product texture and help delivery of other ingredients. Might be somewhat helpful in attracting water to the upper layer of the skin
More about Butylene glycolPropylene glycol~0.15–0.3%
- 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 glycolCitric acid~0.15–0.3%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Can work as an exfoliant but is typically used to adjust the product pH
More about Citric acidPhenoxyethanol~0.15–0.25%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A preservative. It helps prevent bacterial growth in cosmetic products
More about PhenoxyethanolChlorphenesin~0.1–0.2%
Disodium edta~0.1–0.2%
Sodium hydroxide~0.1–0.2%
Ingredient list view
Water, Dicaprylyl carbonate, Octocrylene, Methylene bis-benzotriazolyl tetramethylbutylphenol, Butyl methoxydibenzoylmethane, Dipropylene glycol, Bis-ethylhexyloxyphenol methoxyphenyl triazine, Glyceryl stearate, Hydroxypropyl dimethicone behenate, Peg-100 stearate, Tocopheryl acetate, Palmaria palmata extract, Artemia extract, Andrographis paniculata leaf extract, Carnosine, Algae extract, Disodium adenosine triphosphate, Hexapeptide-2, Decyl glucoside, C20-22 alkyl phosphate, C20-22 alcohols, Xanthan gum, Butylene glycol, Propylene glycol, Citric acid, Phenoxyethanol, Chlorphenesin, Disodium edta, Sodium hydroxide
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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.
| Institut EsthedermPhoto Reverse LotionYOUR PRODUCT | GUERLAINOrchidée Impériale Brightening The Global Uv Protector | BiodermaPhotoderm Anti-Pigmentation SPF50+ | Eveline CosmeticsPhotoderm MAX Tinted Cream SPF50+ Sensitive Skin #Golden Colour | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Match | — | 38% | 38% | 38% |
| Price | — | $165.69 | $22.49 | — |
| Shared key ingredients | — | 3 of 9 | 4 of 9 | 4 of 9 |
| Key difference | — | Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride | Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride | Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride |
| Irritancy | Low | High | Low | Low |
| SPF | SPF 50 | SPF 50 | SPF 50 | SPF 50 |
| Drying alcohol | — | — | — | — |
| View product | Shop | Shop | Shop |
More alternatives: Uriage Bariésun Anti-Brown Spot Fluid Skin Shield Technology SPF50+Phasilab Instant Protect PM 2.5 SPF 50+ Tinted
Product summary
Judging from the ingredient list, "Institut Esthederm - Photo Reverse Lotion" works well for improving skin hydration The formulation is based on a combination of good humectants and emollients. Both are needed to increase the skin hydration level. Humectants in this product (algae extract, artemia extract, carnosine and butylene glycol) help to increase the water content in the upper layer of the skin. (These ingredients do so by "capturing" water molecules from the outside air or from within the deeper layers of the skin). Algae extract, dicaprylyl carbonate and glyceryl stearate in this product help decrease the water evoporation from the skin, so that it stays hydrated for longer. These ingredients also soften the skin and take away the feeling of tightness and dryness.
Ingredient callouts
- This moistruizer also contains peptides (hexapeptide-2 0.25% - 0.50%). Peptides is a very big group of ingredients. They all consist of a different combination of amino-acids. Our skin produces peptides naturally. Some of them work as natural anti-biotics, promote wound-healing and production of collagen. The scientists are still studying how effective the topical application of peptides is, but it is very likely that peptides in skincare are helpful. They might be able to support skin barrier restoration and even have an anti-aging benefit. At the very least, they certainly help attract water to the skin and support the hydration in this way.
Irritation risk
There are some common irritants in this product, including ingredients that do not have benefits for the skin. 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.
Price
The product retails from 56.00£ up to 57.00£ 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 6 studies and safety reviews.
- 1
- 2
- 3
- 4Surfactants and experimental irritant contact dermatitisncbi.nlm.nih.gov
- 5Propylene Glycolpubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
- 6Skin-sensitizing and irritant properties of propylene glycolonlinelibrary.wiley.com
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