Malibu High Protection SPF50 Lotion
Works for
Sun protectionSPF 50 · 3 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.
Anti-agingSide benefit · TocopherolWorks 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.
MoisturizingSide benefit · Panthenol, Urea + 7 moreWorks well
This product contains good ingredients to attract water to the upper layer of the skin. These ingredients are called "humectants": glycerin, propylene 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).
The following ingredients in this product are especially good for supporting the skin barrier and helping with the hydration level: panthenol, urea
Evens skin toneSide benefit · 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).
Can it cause trouble?
Irritancy4 strong irritants: Parfum, Amyl cinnamal + 2 more — patch-test recommendedHigh risk
ComedogenicClean of flagged comedogenic ingredientsNone flagged
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Ingredients
Filter by role to see what each ingredient is doing.
Water~45–55%
C12-15 alkyl benzoate~6.7–8.2%
- 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 benzoateEthylhexyl methoxycinnamate~5–6.1%
- Irritation risk
- High
Octinoxate. When used in higher concentrations, works as a sunscreen protecting the skin from UVB rays. When used in lower concentration, helps to preserve the product formulation. Is shown to be harmful to coral reefs - consider avoiding bathing in coral reef areas when wearing a product with this ingredient. It can be irritating
More about Ethylhexyl methoxycinnamateButyl methoxydibenzoylmethane~3.7–4.5%
- 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 methoxydibenzoylmethaneTitanium dioxide~3.4–4.1%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Works as a UV filter when used in high concentrations. It is photostable and is effective mostly against the UVB light, with some protection in the UVA range. In small concentrations, used for its ability to improve the color of cosmetic products. Is usually well tolerated by the skin
More about Titanium dioxideCaprylic/capric glycerides~2.1–2.6%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Help soften the upper layer of the skin
More about Caprylic/capric glyceridesBis-peg/ppg-16/16 peg/ppg-16/16 dimethicone~1.8–2.2%
Polysorbate 80~1.5–1.9%
Glycerin~1.3–1.6%
- 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 GlycerinAcrylates/c12-22 alkyl methacrylate copolymer~1–1.3%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Tocopheryl acetate~0.7–1.05%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
A more stable but less bio-available form of vitamin E compared to Tocopherol. Might help moisturize and protect the skin from free radicals, but mostly used in low concentrations to stabilize other ingredients.
More about Tocopheryl acetateTocopherol~0.6–0.9%
- 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 TocopherolPanthenol~0.55–0.8%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps attract water to the upper layer of the skin and can help improve skin barrier function
More about PanthenolPhenoxyethanol~0.5–0.75%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A preservative. It helps prevent bacterial growth in cosmetic products
More about PhenoxyethanolPolyacrylamide~0.5–0.75%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Used to improve product texture and help oil and water mix together
More about PolyacrylamideCaprylic/capric triglyceride~0.5–0.75%
- 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 triglycerideDisodium edta~0.45–0.65%
Alumina~0.5–0.8%
- Irritation risk
- Low
The same compound that is used safely in dental implants and bone cements. In cosmetics, it is used to improve the consistency of products
More about AluminaC13-14 isoparaffin~0.4–0.6%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps soften the upper layer of the skin, dissolve other ingredients and create a thicker product consistency
More about C13-14 isoparaffinSilica~0.5–0.75%
Sodium polyacrylate~0.4–0.6%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Used to create a gel-like product texture, as well as to stabilize emulsions
More about Sodium polyacrylateUrea~0.3–0.55%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Naturally present in skin (urea makes up about 7% of natural moisturizing factors in skin). Attracts water to the upper layer of the skin. Also has a positive effect on the skin barrier beyond the humectant action. Can enhance penetration of other ingredients. Is an exfoliating ingredient when used in high concentrations
More about UreaPropylene glycol~0.3–0.55%
- 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 glycolParfum~0.25–0.5%
- Irritation risk
- High
An aromatic blend of unspecified and possibly irritating ingredients
More about ParfumLaureth-7~0.3–0.55%
Methylparaben~0.15–0.3%
Ethylparaben~0.2–0.4%
Butylparaben~0.2–0.35%
Propylparaben~0.15–0.3%
Isobutylparaben~0.2–0.35%
Amyl cinnamal~0.15–0.3%
- Irritation risk
- High
Butylphenyl methylpropional~0.1–0.25%
- Irritation risk
- High
A fragrance. Can trigger allergic reactions and be irritating
More about Butylphenyl methylpropionalHydroxyisohexyl 3-cyclohexene carboxaldehyde~0.1–0.2%
- Irritation risk
- High
A fragrance. Can be irritating
More about Hydroxyisohexyl 3-cyclohexene carboxaldehydeIngredient list view
Water, C12-15 alkyl benzoate, Ethylhexyl methoxycinnamate, Butyl methoxydibenzoylmethane, Titanium dioxide, Caprylic/capric glycerides, Bis-peg/ppg-16/16 peg/ppg-16/16 dimethicone, Polysorbate 80, Glycerin, Acrylates/c12-22 alkyl methacrylate copolymer, Tocopheryl acetate, Tocopherol, Panthenol, Phenoxyethanol, Polyacrylamide, Caprylic/capric triglyceride, Disodium edta, Alumina, C13-14 isoparaffin, Silica, Sodium polyacrylate, Unknown, Urea, Propylene glycol, Parfum, Laureth-7, Methylparaben, Ethylparaben, Butylparaben, Propylparaben, Isobutylparaben, Amyl cinnamal, Butylphenyl methylpropional, Hydroxyisohexyl 3-cyclohexene carboxaldehyde
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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.
| MalibuHigh Protection SPF50 LotionYOUR PRODUCT | RosaliqueSkincare 3 in 1 Anti-Redness Miracle Formula SPF50 | QMS MedicosmeticsCellular Sun Shield SPF50+ PA++++ | Peter Thomas RothMax Sheer All Day Moisture Defense Lotion broad spectrum SPF 30 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Match | — | 52% | 50% | 50% |
| Price | — | — | $99.88 | $42.00 |
| Shared key ingredients | — | 5 of 9 | 4 of 9 | 4 of 9 |
| Key difference | — | Butyrospermum Parkii Butter | Butyrospermum Parkii Butter | Retinyl Palmitate |
| Irritancy | High | Low | Medium | Medium |
| SPF | SPF 50 | SPF 50 | SPF 50 | SPF 30 |
| Drying alcohol | — | — | Contains drying alcohol | — |
| View product | Shop | Shop | Shop |
More alternatives: LAGOM Cellus Sun Gel SPF50+ PA+++Face Reality Skincare Brilliant Defense SPF 50
Product summary
We assess that "Malibu - High Protection SPF50 Lotion" can provide reliable sun protection based on the ingredient list. 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 also works as a moisturizer, so you do not have to use an additional hydrating product. Like all broad-spectrum sunscreens, this product helps prevent early signs of aging.
Sunscreen filters
This is a "mixed" sunscreen in the sense that it uses both mineral and organic (so-called "chemical") sun filters. Here are the organic filters this product uses: avobenzone and octinoxate. As for the mineral filters, this sunscreen uses titanium dioxide.
Irritation risk
There are quite a few common irritants in this product, including ingredients without particular skin benefits. We would not recommend it for sensitive skin. We assess the overall irritancy of this product to be high. 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.
Sources cited in this review
Every concentration estimate and effectiveness label is anchored to one of these 12 studies and safety reviews.
- 1
- 2Vitamin E in dermatologyncbi.nlm.nih.gov
- 3Vitamin E and Skin Healthlpi.oregonstate.edu
- 4Skin moisturizing effects of panthenol-based formulationspdfs.semanticscholar.org
- 5
- 6
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