Manuka Doctor ApiClear Daily Defence SPF20 Cream
Works for
1 of 2 advertised claims delivered
Sun protectionSPF 20 · 3 UV filters · Broad spectrumWeak protectionSPF under 30
This product offers broad spectrum sun protection, but it is weak. We recommend to use a broad spectrum sunscreen with at least SPF 30.
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.
MoisturizingCaprylic/capric triglyceride, Glycerin + 6 moreGood evidence
“Enriched with moisturising Hyaluronic Acid and Manuka Honey, the nourishing cream works to perfect, prime and hydrate, creating a shield of protection against external aggressors while mattifying the appearance of skin with Tapioca Starch.”
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: caprylic/capric triglyceride, mel.
Can it cause trouble?
Irritancy3 strong irritants: Limonene, Parfum + 1 more — patch-test recommendedHigh risk
ComedogenicClean of flagged comedogenic ingredientsNone flagged
User reviews
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Ingredients
Filter by role to see what each ingredient is doing.
Octocrylene~22–33%
- 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 OctocryleneGlycerin~3.5–5.3%
- 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 GlycerinButyl methoxydibenzoylmethane~4.7–7%
- 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 methoxydibenzoylmethaneIsoamyl laurate~3.9–5.9%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Helps stabilize emulsions and create a nice product texture
More about Isoamyl laurateCaprylic/capric triglyceride~3.1–4.7%
- 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 triglycerideGlyceryl stearate~2.2–3.3%
- Irritation risk
- Low
An emollient that softens the skin and forms a protective layer on its surface. Helps water and oil mix together
More about Glyceryl stearatePeg-100 stearate~1.9–2.9%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps oil and water mix togehter and creates a nice product texture
More about Peg-100 stearateTapioca starch~1.4–2.1%
Phenoxyethanol~0.5–1%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A preservative. It helps prevent bacterial growth in cosmetic products
More about PhenoxyethanolAmmonium acryloyldimethyltaurate/vp copolymer~1–1.5%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Increases thickness of a product. Texture enhancer for oil-in-water emulsions
More about Ammonium acryloyldimethyltaurate/vp copolymerSodium stearoyl glutamate~0.95–1.45%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Helps oil and water mix together
More about Sodium stearoyl glutamateBenzyl alcohol~0.5–1%
- Irritation risk
- High
A preservative. Can be used to mask unpleasant smell. Can be irritating
More about Benzyl alcoholPolysilicone-11~0.85–1.25%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A silicone that forms a light film on the skin surface helping to bind water and temporarily absorb oils creating a matt and powdery feel
More about Polysilicone-11Glyceryl polyacrylate~0.6–1.35%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps to create a nice product texture and spread the product more easily on the skin
More about Glyceryl polyacrylateMica~0.45–1.1%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Creates an illusion of smoother and more radiant skin tone. Adds shimmer to the skin by reflecting light
More about MicaDisodium edta~0.4–0.95%
Mel~0.45–1.05%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps to soften the upper layer of the skin and attract water to it
More about MelSodium hyaluronate~0.4–0.9%
- Irritation risk
- Low
One of the best moisturizing ingredients. Attracts water into the upper layer of the skin
More about Sodium hyaluronatePolyacrylamide~0.45–1.1%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Used to improve product texture and help oil and water mix together
More about PolyacrylamideLimonene~0.3–0.75%
- Irritation risk
- High
A common frangrance that can easily irritate skin, especially if exposed to air, light or heat
More about LimoneneParfum~0.2–0.8%
- Irritation risk
- High
An aromatic blend of unspecified and possibly irritating ingredients
More about ParfumC13-14 isoparaffin~0.35–0.85%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps soften the upper layer of the skin, dissolve other ingredients and create a thicker product consistency
More about C13-14 isoparaffinDehydroacetic acid~0.3–0.6%
Biosaccharide gum-4~0.15–0.65%
Polymethylsilsesquioxane~0.2–0.7%
- 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 PolymethylsilsesquioxaneLaureth-7~0.15–0.55%
Laureth-12~0.1–0.5%
Linalool~0.1–0.4%
Combretum farinosum flower nectar~0.1–0.35%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Ethylhexylglycerin~0.1–0.35%
Titanium dioxide~0.1–0.4%
- 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 dioxideIngredient list view
Unknown, Octocrylene, Glycerin, Butyl methoxydibenzoylmethane, Isoamyl laurate, Caprylic/capric triglyceride, Glyceryl stearate, Peg-100 stearate, Tapioca starch, Phenoxyethanol, Ammonium acryloyldimethyltaurate/vp copolymer, Sodium stearoyl glutamate, Benzyl alcohol, Polysilicone-11, Glyceryl polyacrylate, Mica, Disodium edta, Mel, Sodium hyaluronate, Polyacrylamide, Limonene, Parfum, C13-14 isoparaffin, Dehydroacetic acid, Biosaccharide gum-4, Polymethylsilsesquioxane, Laureth-7, Laureth-12, Linalool, Combretum farinosum flower nectar, Ethylhexylglycerin, Titanium dioxide
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Product summary
"Manuka Doctor - ApiClear Daily Defence SPF20 Cream" offers broad spectrum protection. It means that it protects from both UVA and UVB rays (you can remember UVB as "burning" sunlight - they cause sunburn. You can remember UVA rays as "aging" - they do not lead to sunburn, but they cause photodamage and contribute to early signs of skin aging and hyperpigmentation). On the negative side, the SPF of this moisturizer is not high enough. We recommend to use a sunscreen with at least SPF 30 daily.
It contains good moisturizing ingredients and can double as a hydrating day cream.
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 octocrylene. As for the mineral filters, this sunscreen uses titanium dioxide.
Irritation risk
We assess the overall irritancy of this moisturizer 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.
Price
The product retails for 34.50$ in the United States and for 24.99£ 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 5 studies and safety reviews.
- 1
- 2Hyaluronic acid: A key molecule in skin agingncbi.nlm.nih.gov
- 3
- 4Safety Assessment of Isoparaffins as Used in Cosmeticsjournals.sagepub.com
- 5
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