IOPE UV Defense Sun Protector EX SPF 39
Works for
Sun protectionSPF 39 · 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.
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-agingSide benefit the brand mentions · Ferulic acid, TocopherolWorks well
“While protecting the skin from sun damage and environmental agents, it also treats signs of aging from UV rays while strengthening the skin's barrier to assist the development of even healthier skin.”
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: ferulic acid.
Anti-oxidationSide benefit · Ferulic acid, TocopherolWorks well
This product contains antioxidants (ferulic acid) that can help neutralize free radicals in skin. By doing so, they can lessen the damage the skin gets from the UV light (sun).
Evens skin toneSide benefit the brand mentions · Ferulic acidWorks well
“While protecting the skin from sun damage and environmental agents, it also treats signs of aging from UV rays while strengthening the skin's barrier to assist the development of even healthier skin.”
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, Cetearyl alcohol + 6 moreWorks
“In addition to protecting the skin from sun damage and environmental agents, it strengthens the skin's barrier for even healthier skin.”
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, glucose.
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: phenyl trimethicone, cetearyl alcohol.
Can it cause trouble?
Irritancy5 strong irritants: Parfum, Limonene + 3 more — patch-test recommendedHigh risk
Comedogenic1 ingredient rated 2 or more on the 0–5 pore-clogging scale1 flagged
User reviews
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Ingredients
Filter by role to see what each ingredient is doing.
Water~45–55%
Butylene glycol~6.7–8.2%
- 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 glycolHomosalate~4.8–5.8%
- 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 HomosalateOctocrylene~3.7–4.5%
- 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 OctocryleneGlycerin~2.4–3%
- 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~2.5–3%
- 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 salicylateButyloctyl salicylate~1.6–2%
- 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 salicylateButyl methoxydibenzoylmethane~1.9–2.3%
- 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 methoxydibenzoylmethaneCetearyl alcohol~1.2–1.5%
- 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 alcoholPhenyl trimethicone~0.95–1.15%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A type of silicone that can decrease loss of moisture from the skin surface. It helps create a nice product texture
More about Phenyl trimethiconeCaprylyl methicone~0.65–0.95%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A type of silicone that helps to soften the upper layer of the skin and create a nice product finish on the skin
More about Caprylyl methiconePotassium cetyl phosphate~0.55–0.85%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Helps oil and water mix together
More about Potassium cetyl phosphateCetearyl glucoside~0.5–0.75%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Helps water and oil in the product mix well together and improves product texture
More about Cetearyl glucoside1,2-hexanediol~0.4–0.6%
Sodium polyacryloyldimethyl taurate~0.4–0.65%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Helps oil and water mix together
More about Sodium polyacryloyldimethyl taurateHydroxyethyl acrylate/sodium acryloyldimethyl taurate copolymer~0.4–0.6%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
A gelling agent that thickens the product consistency and leaves the skin with a velvety finish
More about Hydroxyethyl acrylate/sodium acryloyldimethyl taurate copolymerParfum~0.35–0.6%
- Irritation risk
- High
An aromatic blend of unspecified and possibly irritating ingredients
More about ParfumTocopherol~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 TocopherolGlyceryl caprylate~0.3–0.55%
- Irritation risk
- Low
An emollient that can also help water and oil mix together, as well as prevent bacteria growth in products
More about Glyceryl caprylateDisodium edta~0.25–0.4%
Ethylhexylglycerin~0.2–0.4%
Limonene~0.2–0.35%
- Irritation risk
- High
A common frangrance that can easily irritate skin, especially if exposed to air, light or heat
More about LimoneneSorbitan isostearate~0.2–0.35%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps oil and water mix together
More about Sorbitan isostearateLinalool~0.15–0.25%
Glucose~0.15–0.25%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps attract water to the upper layer of the skin. Could be helpful in restoring the skin barrier function
More about GlucoseCitronellol~0.1–0.2%
Hexyl cinnamal~0.1–0.15%
Ferulic acid~0.05–0.15%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A potent anti-oxidant that has been shown to be effective in neutralizing free radicals in skin. There seem to have a synergetic effect of ferulic acid, vitamin E and C, meaning that when the ingredients are used together, they enhance each other's ability protect the skin against free radicals. Ferulic acid also helps to stabilize other ingredients - including vitamins C and E. It can help to even out the skin tone. Ferulic acid is approved for use as a sunscreen ingredient in Japan in concentrations up to 10%
More about Ferulic acidIngredient list view
Water, Butylene glycol, Homosalate, Octocrylene, Glycerin, Ethylhexyl salicylate, Butyloctyl salicylate, Butyl methoxydibenzoylmethane, Cetearyl alcohol, Phenyl trimethicone, Caprylyl methicone, Potassium cetyl phosphate, Cetearyl glucoside, 1,2-hexanediol, Sodium polyacryloyldimethyl taurate, Hydroxyethyl acrylate/sodium acryloyldimethyl taurate copolymer, Parfum, Tocopherol, Glyceryl caprylate, Disodium edta, Ethylhexylglycerin, Limonene, Sorbitan isostearate, Linalool, Glucose, Citronellol, Hexyl cinnamal, Ferulic acid
Compare prices
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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.
| IOPEUV Defense Sun Protector EX SPF 39YOUR PRODUCT | La Roche-PosayPigmentclar Day UV SPF30 | Supergoop!Glowscreen Sunscreen SPF 40 PA+++ | CAY SKINIsle Glow Face Moisturizer with SPF 45 and Niacinamide | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Match | — | 61% | 57% | 52% |
| Price | $32.00 | $29.94−$2.06 | $18.44−$13.56 | — |
| Shared key ingredients | — | 4 of 8 | 5 of 8 | 5 of 8 |
| Key difference | — | Niacinamide | Niacinamide | Niacinamide |
| Irritancy | High | Medium | Medium | High |
| SPF | SPF 39 | SPF 30 | SPF 40 | SPF 45 |
| Drying alcohol | — | — | — | — |
| View product | Shop | Shop | Shop |
More alternatives: Dr. Russo Once a Day SPF30 Invisible Mist Tan AcceleratorBeauty of Joseon Relief Sun Aqua Fresh SPF50 PA ++++
Product summary
We believe that "IOPE - UV Defense Sun Protector EX SPF 39" can provide reliable sun protection based on the ingredients listed. It can protect from both UVA and UVB rays. This is great news because not all sunscreens with SPF ratings give UVA protection. (UVA rays do not cause sunburn, but still damage our skin and lead to early aging).
Because it includes good moisturizing ingredients, it can also work as a hydrating day cream. This product prevents early signs of aging by protecting against sun damage (all broad spectrum sunscreens do that).
Sunscreen filters
This is a so-called "chemical" sunscreen. It means that it uses organic UV filters. They typically offer good sun protection and rarely leave a white cast, but they can be irritating for some people with sensitive skin. Here are the exact UV filters in this sunscreen: avobenzone 2.50% (declared), butyloctyl salicylate 4.10% - 5.00%, octisalate 4.50% (declared), homosalate 9.00% (declared) and octocrylene 9.00% (declared).
Irritation risk
This formulation includes some common irritants, including ingredients that do not provide a benefit for the skin. We assess the overall irritancy of it to be medium. For a detailed overview of all potential irritants: click here
You can see the detailed formula review with the breakdown of all actives in the product and the full ingredient list with estimated concentrations in the tables below.
Price
The product retails for 32.00$ 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 10 studies and safety reviews.
- 1
- 2
- 3
- 4
- 5Vitamin E in dermatologyncbi.nlm.nih.gov
- 6Vitamin E and Skin Healthlpi.oregonstate.edu
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