M-61 Hydraboost Oil-Free SPF 40
Works for
4 of 4 advertised claims delivered
Sun protectionSPF 40 · 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.
Anti-aging2 ingredients credited for this claimStrong support
“lightweight, oil-free, reef safe SPF 40 sunscreen protects against UVA and UVB rays to help prevent sunburn, premature skin aging and hyperpigmentation.Key Benefits Protects against harmful UVA and UVB rays with SPF 40.”
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: acetyl hexapeptide-8.
Evens skin toneNo ingredient credited for this claimStrong support
“lightweight, oil-free, reef safe SPF 40 sunscreen protects against UVA and UVB rays to help prevent sunburn, premature skin aging and hyperpigmentation.Key Benefits Protects against harmful UVA and UVB rays with SPF 40.”
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).
Moisturizing8 ingredients credited for this claimStrong support
“Hydraboost Oil-Free SPF 40”
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, sodium hyaluronate.
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: octyldodecyl neopentanoate, isododecane.
The following ingredients in this product are especially good for supporting the skin barrier and helping with the hydration level: acetyl hexapeptide-8, panthenol
Can it cause trouble?
Irritancy10 flagged ingredientsLow risk
ComedogenicClean of flagged comedogenic ingredientsNone flagged
User reviews
Be the first — your take helps the next person decide.
Ingredients
Filter by role to see what each ingredient is doing.
Homosalate14.5%
- 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 salicylateButyl 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 methoxydibenzoylmethaneWater~45–55%
Octyldodecyl neopentanoate~5.7–7%
- Irritation risk
- Low
An emollient that helps soften the skin. Often used to stabilize other ingredients, for example, sunscreen
More about Octyldodecyl neopentanoateGlycerin~4.9–5.9%
- 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 GlycerinHdi/ppg/polycaprolactone crosspolymer~3.9–4.8%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Butyloctyl salicylate~2.8–3.5%
- 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 salicylatePropanediol~2–2.5%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Acts as a solvent for other ingredients. Speeds up the absorption of other ingredients into the skin
More about PropanediolSorbeth-30 tetraisostearate~1.6–1.9%
Isododecane~1.6–1.9%
- Irritation risk
- Low
An emollient that helps soften the skin and can decrease moisture loss. Helps create a nice product texture
More about IsododecaneVp/eicosene copolymer~1.1–1.4%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Used to improve the product adherence to the skin, for example, to pro-long the protective effect of sunscreens. Can be irritating to very sensitive skin
More about Vp/eicosene copolymerVp/acrylates/lauryl methacrylate copolymer~0.75–1.15%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Triacontanyl pvp~0.8–1.2%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Vp/hexadecene copolymer~0.65–0.95%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Creates a nice product texture and can support water-resistance of sunscreens
More about Vp/hexadecene copolymerAlcohol~0.55–0.85%
- Irritation risk
- High
Can be drying and contribute to skin irritation. Used in formulars to dissolve other ingredients, create a thinner product consistency or for its antibacterial properties
More about AlcoholAcetyl hexapeptide-8~0.5–0.75%
- 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 Acetyl hexapeptide-8Panthenol~0.45–0.65%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps attract water to the upper layer of the skin and can help improve skin barrier function
More about PanthenolSodium hyaluronate~0.45–0.65%
- Irritation risk
- Low
One of the best moisturizing ingredients. Attracts water into the upper layer of the skin
More about Sodium hyaluronateAloe barbadensis leaf extract~0.55–0.85%
- 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 extractTamarindus indica fruit extract~0.45–0.65%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Centella asiatica extract~0.4–0.6%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
A plant extract that has been shown to be able to reduce inflammation in skin, support restoration of skin barrier function, as well as support collagen production. Contains active compounds called centelloids: asiaticoside, madecasosside, asiatic acid and madecassic acid. Might be helpful in preventing stretch marks. It can be itself be irritating though.
More about Centella asiatica extractPotassium sorbate~0.3–0.6%
Potassium hydroxide~0.25–0.5%
Phenoxyethanol~0.25–0.45%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A preservative. It helps prevent bacterial growth in cosmetic products
More about PhenoxyethanolSorbitan sesquiisostearate~0.2–0.4%
Ppg-8-ceteth-20~0.2–0.35%
Acrylates/beheneth-25 methacrylate copolymer~0.15–0.3%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Dipropylene glycol~0.1–0.2%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps to dissolve other ingredients in a formulation. Slows down the rate of product drying
More about Dipropylene glycolDisodium edta~0.1–0.15%
Hydroxyethylcellulose~0.1–0.2%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Used to thicken product formulations and create gel-like textures
More about HydroxyethylcelluloseIngredient list view
Homosalate, Ethylhexyl salicylate, Butyl methoxydibenzoylmethane, Water, Octyldodecyl neopentanoate, Glycerin, Hdi/ppg/polycaprolactone crosspolymer, Butyloctyl salicylate, Propanediol, Sorbeth-30 tetraisostearate, Isododecane, Vp/eicosene copolymer, Vp/acrylates/lauryl methacrylate copolymer, Triacontanyl pvp, Vp/hexadecene copolymer, Alcohol, Acetyl hexapeptide-8, Panthenol, Sodium hyaluronate, Aloe barbadensis leaf extract, Tamarindus indica fruit extract, Centella asiatica extract, Potassium sorbate, Potassium hydroxide, Phenoxyethanol, Sorbitan sesquiisostearate, Ppg-8-ceteth-20, Acrylates/beheneth-25 methacrylate copolymer, Dipropylene glycol, Disodium edta, Hydroxyethylcellulose
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Product summary
Based on the ingredients included, we believe that "M-61 - Hydraboost Oil-Free SPF 40" 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).
It contains good moisturizing ingredients and can double as a hydrating day cream. Like all broad-spectrum sunscreens, this product has an anti-aging benefit.
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. The UV filters in this sunscreen are: avobenzone 3.00% (declared), butyloctyl salicylate 2.80% - 3.50%, octisalate 5.00% (declared) and homosalate 14.50% (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 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 for 44.00$ 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 16 studies and safety reviews.
- 1
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- 5
- 6Skin moisturizing effects of panthenol-based formulationspdfs.semanticscholar.org
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