L'ESSENTIAL D5 Brightening Sunscreen
Works for
1 of 2 advertised claims delivered
Sun protectionSPF 50 · 1 UV filter · Broad spectrumWeak protectionLow filter dose
This product uses a single UV filter (zinc oxide) in a relatively low concentration and might not be able to provide a reliable sun protection.
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.
Moisturizing15 ingredients credited for this claimStrong support
“It contains soothing and nourishing plant-based ingredients such as pear, melon, rose and houttuynia cordata extracts.”
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:
cyclomethicone, glycerin.
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: cyclomethicone, cyclopentasiloxane.
The following ingredients in this product are especially good for supporting the skin barrier and helping with the hydration level: madecassoside
Anti-oxidationNot advertised by the brand · 3 ingredients credited for this claimStrong support
This product contains antioxidants (madecassoside) 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-agingNot advertised by the brand · 2 ingredients credited for this claimModerate support
This product contains madecassoside. This ingredient might be able to help reduce and prevent fine lines and wrinkles, improve skin elasticity and firmness, but there is not enough evidence that it actually works. The biggest anti-aging effect in this product comes from sun protection. Sun damage is the main factor causing early signs of skin aging. We, however, do not recommend using this product as a sunscreen because the protection it offers is not strong enough).
Can it cause trouble?
Irritancy1 strong irritant: Rosa hybrid flower extractMedium 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%
Cyclopentasiloxane~6.9–8.4%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A silicone that helps improve the product texture and spreadability. Can absorb oil creating a short-term mattifying effect on the skin
More about CyclopentasiloxaneZinc oxide~5.2–6.3%
- 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 oxideCaprylyl methicone~3.4–4.1%
- 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 methiconePolyglyceryl-3 polydimethylsiloxyethyl dimethicone~2.7–3.3%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Propanediol~2.1–2.6%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Acts as a solvent for other ingredients. Speeds up the absorption of other ingredients into the skin
More about PropanediolMethyl methacrylate crosspolymer~1.9–2.3%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps thicken the product consistency
More about Methyl methacrylate crosspolymerDisteardimonium hectorite~1.5–1.8%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A type of clay that is used to thicken the product consistency
More about Disteardimonium hectoriteGuaiazulene~1.3–1.6%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A blue-colored ingredient that is traditionally used as a colorant. It has anti-inflammatory properties. For example, it is successfully used to treat diaper rash for new borns. It can help support the skin barrier by reducing inflammation
More about GuaiazuleneCyclomethicone~1.1–1.4%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A type of silicone that leaves a nice silky finish on the skin and can help soften its upper layer
More about CyclomethiconeMagnesium sulfate~0.95–1.15%
Sorbitan caprylate~0.75–1.1%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Helps oil and water mix together
More about Sorbitan caprylatePolyglyceryl-2 dipolyhydroxystearate~0.7–1%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps to soften the upper layer of the skin
More about Polyglyceryl-2 dipolyhydroxystearateLauryl polyglyceryl-3 polydimethylsiloxyethyl dimethicone~0.65–0.95%
- Irritation risk
- Low
C30-45 alkyl cetearyl dimethicone crosspolymer~0.65–1%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps to create a nice silky product texture
More about C30-45 alkyl cetearyl dimethicone crosspolymerTriethoxycaprylylsilane~0.6–0.85%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A type of silicone that helps oil and water mix well together. Helps to disperse other ingredients, e.g. pigments, evenly in a formulation
More about TriethoxycaprylylsilaneGlyceryl caprylate~0.6–0.9%
- 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 caprylateButylene glycol~0.5–0.8%
- 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 glycolEthylhexylglycerin~0.5–0.75%
Dimethicone/vinyl dimethicone crosspolymer~0.45–0.65%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Used to stabilize product formulations and create a nice product texture
More about Dimethicone/vinyl dimethicone crosspolymerCaprylyl glycol~0.35–0.6%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Helps preserve products and creates a nice product texture
More about Caprylyl glycolMusa sapientum fruit extract~0.3–0.5%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Rose extract~0.25–0.5%
Pyrus communis fruit extract~0.25–0.45%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Can have some moisturizing properties due to its sugar content
More about Pyrus communis fruit extractPrunus domestica fruit extract~0.25–0.45%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
A plant extract. Might have some antioxidant properties
More about Prunus domestica fruit extractGlycerin~0.25–0.5%
- 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 GlycerinCucumis melo fruit extract~0.2–0.4%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
A fruit extract that might have some anti-oxidant properties
More about Cucumis melo fruit extractHedera helix leaf/stem extract~0.2–0.35%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Tocopherol~0.2–0.35%
- 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 TocopherolCaprylic/capric triglyceride~0.25–0.4%
- 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 triglycerideHouttuynia cordata extract~0.15–0.25%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Pentylene glycol~0.15–0.3%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Used to preserve products, dissolve other ingredients and create a nice product texture
More about Pentylene glycolPlankton extract~0.1–0.2%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
- Comedogenicity
- 3/5
Can help attract water to the upper layer of the skin
More about Plankton extractMadecassoside~0.1–0.15%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
An antioxidant that is typically derived from plant Centella Asiatica. It can help neutralize free radicals in skin and support skin barrier function. It could, however, itself be irritating. It is often unstable in formulations
More about MadecassosideRosa hybrid flower extract~0.05–0.1%
- Irritation risk
- High
Arginine ferulate~0.05%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Ingredient list view
Water, Cyclopentasiloxane, Zinc oxide, Caprylyl methicone, Polyglyceryl-3 polydimethylsiloxyethyl dimethicone, Propanediol, Methyl methacrylate crosspolymer, Disteardimonium hectorite, Guaiazulene, Cyclomethicone, Magnesium sulfate, Sorbitan caprylate, Polyglyceryl-2 dipolyhydroxystearate, Lauryl polyglyceryl-3 polydimethylsiloxyethyl dimethicone, C30-45 alkyl cetearyl dimethicone crosspolymer, Triethoxycaprylylsilane, Glyceryl caprylate, Butylene glycol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Dimethicone/vinyl dimethicone crosspolymer, Caprylyl glycol, Musa sapientum fruit extract, Rose extract, Pyrus communis fruit extract, Prunus domestica fruit extract, Glycerin, Cucumis melo fruit extract, Hedera helix leaf/stem extract, Tocopherol, Caprylic/capric triglyceride, Houttuynia cordata extract, Pentylene glycol, Plankton extract, Madecassoside, Rosa hybrid flower extract, Arginine ferulate
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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.
| L'ESSENTIALD5 Brightening SunscreenYOUR PRODUCT | Make P:remUV Defense Me. Blue Ray Sun Fluid SPF50+ PA++++ | |
|---|---|---|
| Match | — | 53% |
| Price | $16.72 | $41.69+$24.97 |
| Shared key ingredients | — | 5 of 10 |
| Key difference | — | Anhydroxylitol |
| Irritancy | Medium | Medium |
| SPF | SPF 50 | SPF 50 |
| Drying alcohol | — | — |
| View product | Shop |
Product summary
We are worried that "L'ESSENTIAL - D5 Brightening Sunscreen" might not be able to provide reliable sun protection because it uses a single UV filter (zinc oxide) in a relatively weak concentration.
It contains good moisturizing ingredients and can double as a hydrating day cream.
Sunscreen filters
It is a mineral sunscreen. It uses zinc oxide for sun protection. Zinc oxide almost never irritates the skin or stings eyes, but it can leave a white cast.
Irritation risk
This sunscreen contains some common irritants, including those without a benefit for the skin. We assess the overall irritancy of this product to be medium. For a detailed overview of all potential irritants: click here
You can see the detailed formula review with the breakdown of all actives in the product and the full ingredient list with estimated concentrations in the tables below.
Price
The product retails for 16.72$ 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 20 studies and safety reviews.
- 1A review of inorganic UV filters zinc oxide and titanium dioxideonlinelibrary.wiley.com
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- 6
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