Kroger Sunscreen Invisible Gel SPF 40
Works for
1 of 1 advertised claim delivered
Sun protectionSPF 40 · 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.
Evens skin toneNot advertised by the brand · No ingredient credited for this claimStrong evidence
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-agingNot advertised by the brand · Tocopherol, Butyrospermum parkii butterStrong evidence
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.
MoisturizingNot advertised by the brand · Polymethylsilsesquioxane, Dimethicone + 10 moreGood evidence
This product can help soften the skin and reduce its moisture loss with emollients and occlusives: dimethicone, isododecane.
Keep in mind that this product does not contain effective ingredients to attract water to the upper layer of the skin. This is why an additional product with humectants like glycerin or hyaluronic acid can be helpful (apply it before this product for the best results).
Can it cause trouble?
Irritancy1 strong irritant: Citrus aurantium dulcis peel oilMedium 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.
Butyl methoxydibenzoylmethane3%
- 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 methoxydibenzoylmethaneHomosalate11%
- 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 salicylate5%
- 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 salicylateOctocrylene10%
- 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 OctocryleneDimethicone~22–33%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A silicone that helps to reduce water loss from the surface of the skin. Can temporarily "fill in" lines and wrinkles, absorb oil, and create a nice product finish
More about DimethiconeHydrated silica~5–7.6%
Isododecane~4.7–7%
- Irritation risk
- Low
An emollient that helps soften the skin and can decrease moisture loss. Helps create a nice product texture
More about IsododecaneDimethicone crosspolymer~3.6–5.4%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Used to create a thicker product texture. Helps soften the upper layer of the skin and might be able to prevent moisture loss from its surface
More about Dimethicone crosspolymerButyloctyl salicylate~2.7–4%
- 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 salicylateDisteardimonium hectorite~1.9–2.8%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A type of clay that is used to thicken the product consistency
More about Disteardimonium hectoritePolymethylsilsesquioxane~1.5–2.2%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A silicone that improves product texture and helps dissolve other ingredients. Can form a non-greasy film on the skin to prevent moisture loss
More about PolymethylsilsesquioxanePolymethyl methacrylate~1.4–2%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Is used to enhance product texture and can help to optically mask skin imperfections
More about Polymethyl methacrylatePolyester-8~1.2–1.8%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Used to stabilize product formulations and individual ingredients (for example, sunscreens). Can be an allergen
More about Polyester-8Isohexadecane~1–1.5%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Improves the texture of the product and helps soften the skin. Helps oil and water mix together and can be used as a cleansing agent
More about IsohexadecaneDimethicone/vinyl dimethicone crosspolymer~0.55–1.3%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Used to stabilize product formulations and create a nice product texture
More about Dimethicone/vinyl dimethicone crosspolymerButyrospermum parkii butter~0.55–1.3%
- Irritation risk
- Low
- Comedogenicity
- 3/5
A great moisturising ingredient that softens the skin and reduces water loss from its upper layer. It also can be helpful in protecting skin from free radicals
More about Butyrospermum parkii butterLecithin~0.5–1.2%
- 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-4 isostearate~0.4–0.95%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Helps water and oil mix together
More about Polyglyceryl-4 isostearateCetyl peg/ppg-10/1 dimethicone~0.35–0.85%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A type of silicone that helps water and oil mix together. Can help to soften upper layer of the skin
More about Cetyl peg/ppg-10/1 dimethiconeHexyl laurate~0.4–0.95%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Helps soften the upper layer of the skin and create a nice product consistency
More about Hexyl lauratePhenoxyethanol~0.2–0.7%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A preservative. It helps prevent bacterial growth in cosmetic products
More about PhenoxyethanolBis-vinyldimethicone/peg-10 dimethicone crosspolymer~0.3–0.75%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Neopentyl glycol diethylhexanoate~0.2–0.75%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Citrus aurantium dulcis peel oil~0.15–0.5%
- Irritation risk
- High
An essentil oil from orange peel. Potential allergen and can be irritating
More about Citrus aurantium dulcis peel oilTocopherol~0.1–0.45%
- 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 TocopherolParaffinum liquidum~0.15–0.6%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Mineral oil. One of the most effective and well studied occlusive and emollient moisturizing ingredients. Helps reduce moisture loss in skin and repair skin barrier function
More about Paraffinum liquidumAloe barbadensis leaf extract~0.2–0.7%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Traditionally used to treat sunburns, dermatitis and inflammation, but evidence for its effectiveness is lacking. The extract can contain humectants that help attract water into the skin
More about Aloe barbadensis leaf extractIngredient list view
Butyl methoxydibenzoylmethane, Homosalate, Ethylhexyl salicylate, Octocrylene, Dimethicone, Hydrated silica, Isododecane, Dimethicone crosspolymer, Butyloctyl salicylate, Disteardimonium hectorite, Polymethylsilsesquioxane, Polymethyl methacrylate, Polyester-8, Isohexadecane, Dimethicone/vinyl dimethicone crosspolymer, Butyrospermum parkii butter, Lecithin, Polyglyceryl-4 isostearate, Cetyl peg/ppg-10/1 dimethicone, Hexyl laurate, Phenoxyethanol, Bis-vinyldimethicone/peg-10 dimethicone crosspolymer, Neopentyl glycol diethylhexanoate, Citrus aurantium dulcis peel oil, Tocopherol, Paraffinum liquidum, Aloe barbadensis leaf extract
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Product summary
We assess that "Kroger - Sunscreen Invisible Gel SPF 40" can provide reliable sun protection based on the ingredient list. 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 also works as a moisturizer, so you do not have to use an additional hydrating product. 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 3.00% (declared), butyloctyl salicylate 2.70% - 4.00%, octisalate 5.00% (declared), homosalate 11.00% (declared) and octocrylene 10.00% (declared).
Irritation risk
This sunscreen contains some common irritants, including those without a benefit for the skin. We assess the overall irritancy of this product 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- When it comes to comedogenicity, the reviewer believes that it clogs pores.
- As for the white cast, it did not leave a noticeable white residue for the reviewer.
- When it comes to using this sunscreen under makeup, the user found that it pills under a foundation.
- As for using this sunscreen in the eye area, the reviewer reported that it stings eyes.
Sources cited in this review
Every concentration estimate and effectiveness label is anchored to one of these 8 studies and safety reviews.
- 1
- 2
- 3Final Report on the Safety Assessment of Dimethicone Copolyoljournals.sagepub.com
- 4
- 5
- 6Vitamin E in dermatologyncbi.nlm.nih.gov
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