MDSolarSciences

MDSolarSciences Cheek Crème SPF 30

Name: MDSolarSciences - Cheek Crème SPF 30
Brand: MDSolarSciences

SPF 30Efficacy100/100IrritancyLow·4 UV filters

See all ingredients

Works for

Sun protection

SPF 30 · 4 UV filters

Broad spectrum

SPF 30Broad spectrumChemical filtersNo white cast

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.

UV spectrum

UVB290–320 nmUVA II320–340 nmUVA I340–400 nm

Homosalate

Octisalate

Butyloctyl Salicylate

Avobenzone

FilterCoverageWhat it doesEst. amount

HomosalateUVB Photo-stable 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 formulation10%

OctisalateEthylhexyl SalicylateUVBOctisalate. 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" sunscreen5%

Butyloctyl SalicylateUVBA 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~1.2–1.8%

AvobenzoneButyl MethoxydibenzoylmethaneUVA1Avobenzone. 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.3%

~ marks concentrations estimated from label position and typical use levels

Reef-safe

No oxybenzone or octinoxate — the two filters banned in Hawaii, Florida Keys and Aruba.

Evens skin tone

Side benefit · Tetrahexyldecyl ascorbate

Works 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).

Tetrahexyldecyl ascorbateUnder-dosedBeing a lipid soluble form of vitamin C, it is more stable than ascorbic acid, but still degrades quickly and needs to be stabilized in a formulation with another ingredient. It is claimed to penetrate skin better than pure vitamin C and have the the similar benefits, but solid studies of its effectiveness are lacking. Is likely to require a higher concentration in a product than pure vitamin C to be effective. It might be able to help reduce pore clogging.~0.35–0.75%

Anti-aging

Side benefit · Butyrospermum parkii butter, Tetrahexyldecyl ascorbate

Works 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.

Butyrospermum parkii butterEffect: LowA great moisturising ingredient that softens the skin and reduces water loss from its upper layer. It also can be helpful in protecting skin from free radicals~5.1–7.6%

Moisturizing

Side benefit the brand mentions · Persea gratissima oil, Butyrospermum parkii butter + 10 more

Works

What the product description says

“Formulated with nourishing Shea Butter, Jojoba Oil, Avocado Oil, and Olive Oil, it helps support the skin barrier while delivering a soft, blendable glow.”

Source: MD Solar Sciences

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: polyglycerin-3.

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: butyrospermum parkii butter, ricinus communis seed oil.

Persea gratissima oilKey active· EmollientEffect: HighAn emollient that helps soften the skin and could be helpful in repairing its barrier function~22–33%

Butyrospermum parkii butterKey active· Emollient, OcclusiveEffect: HighA great moisturising ingredient that softens the skin and reduces water loss from its upper layer. It also can be helpful in protecting skin from free radicals~5.1–7.6%

Ricinus communis seed oilKey active· Emollient, OcclusiveEffect: HighA plant oil that can help soften the skin. It might be helpful in calming down inflammation, but solid research is lacking. Is often used in lip products to create the needed product consistency~2.9–4.4%

Olea europaea fruit oilKey active· EmollientEffect: MediumAn emollient that helps soften the skin but is not effective for restoring its barrier function. Might be helpful to calm down inflammation~1.9–2.9%

Hydrogenated vegetable oilKey active· EmollientEffect: MediumAn oil from a mixture of different vegetables. Helps soften the upper layer of the skin~1.1–1.6%

Jojoba estersKey active· EmollientEffect: HighAn emollient made of jojoba oil. Helps soften the skin and support its barrier function~0.9–1.35%

Helianthus annuus seed waxKey active· EmollientEffect: HighHelps soften the upper layer of the skin and support skin's barrier function while creating a thicker product consistency~0.45–1%

SqualaneKey active· Emollient, OcclusiveEffect: HighAn oil naturally present in skin. Works as an emollient to soften the skin and form a protective layer on its surface without a greasy feeling.~0.4–0.95%

Polyglycerin-3Key active· HumectantEffect: HighHelps to attract water to the upper layer of the skin~0.35–0.75%

Paraffin· OcclusiveEffect: LowPrevents water loss from the skin surface and thickens the product consistency~3.6–5.4%

Octyldodecanol· EmollientEffect: LowAn emollient that helps to soften the skin and create a pleasant product texture and stabilize the formulation~1.4–2.1%

Stearic acid· EmollientEffect: LowHelps oil and water mix together and works as an emollient~0.55–1.25%

Can it cause trouble?

Irritancy

15 flagged ingredients

Low risk

We flag 15 ingredients with irritancy potential; the product's overall irritancy is low. The table lists each ingredient's own rating.

IngredientFunctionIrritationEst. amount

Acacia decurrens flower waxUsed as a fragrance. Can be irritatingHigh~0.3–0.7%est.

Ci 15850A red colorantHigh~0.1–0.4%est.

Ci 45410A red colorantHigh~0.1–0.3%est.

Ci 19140A yellow dyeHigh~0.05–0.3%est.

Butyl methoxydibenzoylmethaneAvobenzone. 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.Medium3%

HomosalateA 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 formulationMedium10%

Persea gratissima oilAn emollient that helps soften the skin and could be helpful in repairing its barrier functionMedium~22–33%est.

Ricinus communis seed oilA plant oil that can help soften the skin. It might be helpful in calming down inflammation, but solid research is lacking. Is often used in lip products to create the needed product consistencyMedium~2.9–4.4%est.

Olea europaea fruit oilAn emollient that helps soften the skin but is not effective for restoring its barrier function. Might be helpful to calm down inflammationMedium~1.9–2.9%est.

Butyloctyl salicylateA 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 ownMedium~1.2–1.8%est.

Jojoba estersAn emollient made of jojoba oil. Helps soften the skin and support its barrier functionMedium~0.9–1.35%est.

Tetrahexyldecyl ascorbateBeing a lipid soluble form of vitamin C, it is more stable than ascorbic acid, but still degrades quickly and needs to be stabilized in a formulation with another ingredient. It is claimed to penetrate skin better than pure vitamin C and have the the similar benefits, but solid studies of its effectiveness are lacking. Is likely to require a higher concentration in a product than pure vitamin C to be effective. It might be able to help reduce pore clogging.Medium~0.35–0.75%est.

Tocopheryl acetateA 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.Medium~0.35–0.75%est.

Sorbitan oleateHelps oil and water mix togetherMedium~0.15–0.65%est.

Ci 42090A colorant (dye)Medium~0.1–0.4%est.

Comedogenic

5 ingredients rated 2 or more on the 0–5 pore-clogging scale

5 flagged

These ingredients have a comedogenic rating of 2 or more on a 0–5 scale; the table shows each one's rating. In leave-on products they can clog pores in acne-prone skin.

IngredientFunctionRatingEst. amount

Butyrospermum parkii butterA great moisturising ingredient that softens the skin and reduces water loss from its upper layer. It also can be helpful in protecting skin from free radicals3/5~5.1–7.6%est.

Ci 45410A red colorant3/5~0.1–0.3%est.

Hydrogenated soybean oil—2/5~4.1–6.1%est.

Hydrogenated vegetable oilAn oil from a mixture of different vegetables. Helps soften the upper layer of the skin2/5~1.1–1.6%est.

Sorbitan oleateHelps oil and water mix together2/5~0.15–0.65%est.

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Ingredients

Filter by role to see what each ingredient is doing.

Butyl methoxydibenzoylmethane3%

UV filterKey activeIrritant · medium

Irritation risk: Medium

Works for

Sun protection

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 methoxydibenzoylmethane

Ethylhexyl salicylate5%

UV filter

Irritation risk: Low

Works for

Sun protection

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 salicylate

Homosalate10%

UV filterKey activeIrritant · medium

Irritation risk: Medium

Works for

Sun protection

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 Homosalate

Persea gratissima oil~22–33%

Key activeIrritant · medium

Irritation risk: Medium

Works for

Moisturizing

An emollient that helps soften the skin and could be helpful in repairing its barrier function

More about Persea gratissima oil

Butyrospermum parkii butter~5.1–7.6%

Key activeComedogenic 3/5

Irritation risk: Low
Comedogenicity: 3/5

Works for

MoisturizingAnti-oxidationAnti-aging

A great moisturising ingredient that softens the skin and reduces water loss from its upper layer. It also can be helpful in protecting skin from free radicals

More about Butyrospermum parkii butter

Hydrogenated soybean oil~4.1–6.1%

Comedogenic 2/5

Irritation risk: Low
Comedogenicity: 2/5

More about Hydrogenated soybean oil

Paraffin~3.6–5.4%

Formula

Irritation risk: Low

Works for

Moisturizing

Prevents water loss from the skin surface and thickens the product consistency

More about Paraffin

Ricinus communis seed oil~2.9–4.4%

Key activeIrritant · medium

Irritation risk: Medium

Works for

MoisturizingAnti-inflammatory

A plant oil that can help soften the skin. It might be helpful in calming down inflammation, but solid research is lacking. Is often used in lip products to create the needed product consistency

More about Ricinus communis seed oil

Olea europaea fruit oil~1.9–2.9%

Key activeIrritant · medium

Irritation risk: Medium

Works for

Moisturizing

An emollient that helps soften the skin but is not effective for restoring its barrier function. Might be helpful to calm down inflammation

More about Olea europaea fruit oil

Octyldodecanol~1.4–2.1%

Formula

Irritation risk: Low

Works for

Moisturizing

An emollient that helps to soften the skin and create a pleasant product texture and stabilize the formulation

More about Octyldodecanol

Butyloctyl salicylate~1.2–1.8%

UV filterKey activeIrritant · medium

Irritation risk: Medium

Works for

Sun protection

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 salicylate

Hydrogenated vegetable oil~1.1–1.6%

Key activeComedogenic 2/5

Irritation risk: Low
Comedogenicity: 2/5

Works for

Moisturizing

An oil from a mixture of different vegetables. Helps soften the upper layer of the skin

More about Hydrogenated vegetable oil

Jojoba esters~0.9–1.35%

Key activeIrritant · medium

Irritation risk: Medium

Works for

Moisturizing

An emollient made of jojoba oil. Helps soften the skin and support its barrier function

More about Jojoba esters

Microcrystalline wax~0.55–1.3%

Formula

Irritation risk: Low

Used to create a thicker product consistency

More about Microcrystalline wax

Stearic acid~0.55–1.25%

Formula

Irritation risk: Low

Works for

CleansingMoisturizing

Helps oil and water mix together and works as an emollient

More about Stearic acid

Helianthus annuus seed wax~0.45–1%

Key active

Irritation risk: Low

Works for

Moisturizing

Helps soften the upper layer of the skin and support skin's barrier function while creating a thicker product consistency

More about Helianthus annuus seed wax

Squalane~0.4–0.95%

Key active

Irritation risk: Low

Works for

Moisturizing

An oil naturally present in skin. Works as an emollient to soften the skin and form a protective layer on its surface without a greasy feeling.

More about Squalane

Polyglycerin-3~0.35–0.75%

Key active

Irritation risk: Low

Works for

Moisturizing

Helps to attract water to the upper layer of the skin

More about Polyglycerin-3

Tetrahexyldecyl ascorbate~0.35–0.75%

Under-dosedIrritant · medium

Irritation risk: Medium

Works for

Anti-oxidationEvens skin toneAnti-aging

Being a lipid soluble form of vitamin C, it is more stable than ascorbic acid, but still degrades quickly and needs to be stabilized in a formulation with another ingredient. It is claimed to penetrate skin better than pure vitamin C and have the the similar benefits, but solid studies of its effectiveness are lacking. Is likely to require a higher concentration in a product than pure vitamin C to be effective. It might be able to help reduce pore clogging.

More about Tetrahexyldecyl ascorbate

Tocopheryl acetate~0.35–0.75%

Irritant · medium

Irritation risk: Medium

Works for

Anti-oxidation

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 acetate

Rhus verniciflua peel wax~0.2–0.75%

Formula

Irritation risk: Low

More about Rhus verniciflua peel wax

Acacia decurrens flower wax~0.3–0.7%

Irritant · high

Irritation risk: High

Used as a fragrance. Can be irritating

More about Acacia decurrens flower wax

Sorbitan oleate~0.15–0.65%

Comedogenic 2/5Irritant · medium

Irritation risk: Medium
Comedogenicity: 2/5

Works for

Cleansing

Helps oil and water mix together

More about Sorbitan oleate

Ci 77891~0.15–0.65%

Formula

Irritation risk: Low

More about Ci 77891

Ci 77491~0.15–0.5%

Formula

Irritation risk: Low

A red colorant made of iron oxide. Typically is not irritating

More about Ci 77491

Ci 77492~0.1–0.45%

Formula

Irritation risk: Low

A colorant. Usually well-tolerated

More about Ci 77492

Ci 77499~0.1–0.45%

Formula

Irritation risk: Low

An iron oxide. Used as a colorant. Is usually well tolerated

More about Ci 77499

Ci 15850~0.1–0.4%

Irritant · high

Irritation risk: High

A red colorant

More about Ci 15850

Ci 42090~0.1–0.4%

Irritant · medium

Irritation risk: Medium

A colorant (dye)

More about Ci 42090

Ci 77861

Not recognized

Ci 45410~0.1–0.3%

Comedogenic 3/5Irritant · high

Irritation risk: High
Comedogenicity: 3/5

A red colorant

More about Ci 45410

Ci 19140~0.05–0.3%

Irritant · high

Irritation risk: High

A yellow dye

More about Ci 19140

Ingredient list view

Butyl methoxydibenzoylmethane, Ethylhexyl salicylate, Homosalate, Persea gratissima oil, Butyrospermum parkii butter, Hydrogenated soybean oil, Paraffin, Ricinus communis seed oil, Olea europaea fruit oil, Octyldodecanol, Butyloctyl salicylate, Hydrogenated vegetable oil, Jojoba esters, Microcrystalline wax, Stearic acid, Helianthus annuus seed wax, Squalane, Polyglycerin-3, Tetrahexyldecyl ascorbate, Tocopheryl acetate, Rhus verniciflua peel wax, Acacia decurrens flower wax, Sorbitan oleate, Ci 77891, Ci 77491, Ci 77492, Ci 77499, Ci 15850, Ci 42090, Unknown, Ci 45410, Ci 19140

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$36.00

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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.

Side-by-side comparison of this product against its closest alternatives
	MDSolarSciencesCheek Crème SPF 30YOUR PRODUCT	Peter Thomas RothMax Matte Shine Control Sunscreen Broad Spectrum SPF 45	CliniqueUV Solutions Hydrating Sunscreen SPF 50 with Hyaluronic Acid	OmbrelleFace Anti-Shine Cream SPF 60
Match	—	32%	32%	31%
Price	$36.00	$34.00−$2.00	$30.20−$5.80	$18.19−$17.81
Shared key ingredients	—	3 of 10	3 of 10	3 of 10
Key difference	—	Ceramide Eos	7-Dehydrocholesterol	Cera Alba
Irritancy	Low	Low	Low	Low
SPF	SPF 30	SPF 45	SPF 50	SPF 60
Drying alcohol	—	—	—	—
	View product	Shop	Shop	Shop

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Sources cited in this review

Every concentration estimate and effectiveness label is anchored to one of these 13 studies and safety reviews.

MDSolarSciencesCheek Crème SPF 30

Buy at MD Solar Sciences$36.00 $36.00as of 11/10 21:19 GMT

Affiliate links · As an Amazon Associate, WIMJ earns from qualifying purchases.

Buy at MD Solar Sciences$36.00 $36.00as of 11/10 21:19 GMT

As an Amazon Associate, WIMJ earns from qualifying purchases.