LifeJacket SPF 50+ Sun Gel
Works for
Sun protectionSPF 50 · 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 claimWorks well
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 · No ingredient credited for this claimWorks well
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 · Propylheptyl caprylate, C12-15 alkyl benzoate + 4 moreWorks
This product contains good ingredients to attract water to the upper layer of the skin. These ingredients are called "humectants": glycerin, butylene 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?
Irritancy2 strong irritants: Alcohol denat., ParfumMedium 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%
Alcohol denat.~7.8–9.6%
- Irritation risk
- High
Produces temporary toning effect. Can help dissolve other ingredients or preserve products
More about Alcohol denat.Propylheptyl caprylate~4.4–5.4%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps soften the upper layer of the skin
More about Propylheptyl caprylateC12-15 alkyl benzoate~3.2–3.9%
- 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 benzoateOctocrylene~3.2–3.9%
- 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~2.4–3%
- 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~2–2.5%
- 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 methoxydibenzoylmethaneBis-ethylhexyloxyphenol methoxyphenyl triazine~1.9–2.3%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Tinosorb S. One of the most effective broad spectrum sunscreen ingredients. Protects from both UVA and UVB rays. It is photostable. Unfortunately, not approved by FDA (US) yet.
More about Bis-ethylhexyloxyphenol methoxyphenyl triazineGlycerin~1.2–1.5%
- 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 GlycerinDipropylene glycol dibenzoate~0.95–1.2%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Decyl glucoside~0.75–1.15%
- Irritation risk
- High
Helps oil and water mix together. Can be irritating
More about Decyl glucosideCetearyl alcohol~0.65–1%
- 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 alcoholCetearyl 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 glucosidePpg-15 stearyl ether benzoate~0.5–0.75%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Tris-biphenyl triazine~0.4–0.6%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Tinosorb A2B. A UV filter. It is effective against both UVA and UVB rays. It is photostable. Soluble in water, which helps to create lighter sunscreen formulations. Unfortunately, not approved by the FDA in the US yet
More about Tris-biphenyl triazineHydroxyacetophenone~0.4–0.65%
Sodium stearoyl glutamate~0.45–0.7%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Helps oil and water mix together
More about Sodium stearoyl glutamateTriethanolamine~0.3–0.55%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Used to adjust pH of the product and can help improve the product's smell
More about TriethanolaminePhenoxyethanol~0.25–0.45%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A preservative. It helps prevent bacterial growth in cosmetic products
More about PhenoxyethanolAcrylates/c10-30 alkyl acrylate crosspolymer~0.25–0.45%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Maintains the texture of skincare products. Allows the product to spread evenly. Helps oil and water mix together
More about Acrylates/c10-30 alkyl acrylate crosspolymerParfum~0.2–0.35%
- Irritation risk
- High
An aromatic blend of unspecified and possibly irritating ingredients
More about ParfumXanthan gum~0.2–0.35%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Used to create a thicker product consistency
More about Xanthan gumCarrageenan~0.2–0.35%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
- Comedogenicity
- 3/5
Helps thicken the product formula and create a nice product formulation
More about CarrageenanPropylene glycol~0.15–0.25%
- 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 glycolEthylhexylglycerin~0.1–0.2%
Butylene glycol~0.1–0.15%
- 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 glycolDisodium phosphate~0.05–0.1%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps adjust the product pH and stabilize the formulation
More about Disodium phosphateIngredient list view
Water, Alcohol denat., Propylheptyl caprylate, C12-15 alkyl benzoate, Octocrylene, Methylene bis-benzotriazolyl tetramethylbutylphenol, Butyl methoxydibenzoylmethane, Bis-ethylhexyloxyphenol methoxyphenyl triazine, Glycerin, Dipropylene glycol dibenzoate, Decyl glucoside, Cetearyl alcohol, Cetearyl glucoside, Ppg-15 stearyl ether benzoate, Tris-biphenyl triazine, Hydroxyacetophenone, Sodium stearoyl glutamate, Triethanolamine, Phenoxyethanol, Acrylates/c10-30 alkyl acrylate crosspolymer, Parfum, Xanthan gum, Carrageenan, Propylene glycol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Butylene glycol, Disodium phosphate
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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.
| LifeJacketSPF 50+ Sun GelYOUR PRODUCT | Childs FarmChildren's SPF 50+ Sun Lotion, Water Resistant | BiodermaPhotoderm Dry touch Mat Finish Sunscreen SPF50+ | AltruistSUNSCREEN SPF30 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Match | — | 40% | 38% | 38% |
| Price | — | $13.34 | $14.04 | $11.59 |
| Shared key ingredients | — | 4 of 6 | 5 of 6 | 4 of 6 |
| Key difference | — | Panthenol | Cyclopentasiloxane | Panthenol |
| Irritancy | Medium | Low | Low | Low |
| SPF | SPF 50 | SPF 50 | SPF 50 | SPF 30 |
| Drying alcohol | Contains drying alcohol | Contains drying alcohol | — | — |
| View product | Shop | Shop | Shop |
More alternatives: RoC Skincare Soleil-Protect Moisturizing Spray Lotion SPF50+Soltan Kids Protect & Moisturise Suncare Roll On SPF50+
Product summary
Based on the ingredients included, we believe that "LifeJacket - SPF 50+ Sun Gel" can offer reliable sun protection. 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).
As a plus, this sunscreen uses some of the new generation UV filters (Tinosorb M). These filters are more stable and more gentle on the skin.
This product should also be hydrating enough to use without an additional moisturizer during the day. 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: tinosorb s 1.90% - 2.30%, avobenzone 2.00% - 2.50%, tinosorb m 2.40% - 3.00%, octocrylene 3.20% - 3.90% and tinosrob a2b 0.40% - 0.60%.
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 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 15.99£ 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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