Works for
2 of 2 advertised claims delivered
Sun protectionSPF 50 · 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.
Moisturizing13 ingredients credited for this claimStrong support
“Brand from South Korea Nacific. Benefits A vegan sun essence features SPF50+/PA++++ that protects and moisturizes your face without leaving any white cast.”
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).
The following ingredients in this product are especially good for supporting the skin barrier and helping with the hydration level: niacinamide
Anti-agingNot advertised by the brand · 3 ingredients credited for this claimStrong support
This product can help reduce and prevent fine lines and wrinkles, improve skin elasticity and firmness because it contains adenosine, niacinamide.
Keep in mind that it typically takes at least 6 weeks to notice any results because the changes that are needed to improve fine lines and elasticity happen in the deeper layers of the skin. No topical anti-aging product can “erase” wrinkles or fully reverse signs of aging.
This product can also 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.
Evens skin toneNot advertised by the brand · 1 ingredient credited for this claimStrong support
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-blemishNot advertised by the brand · 1 ingredient credited for this claimStrong support
This product can help reduce breakouts and clogged pores because it contains the following ingredient: niacinamide. This ingredient is used for treating acne and can have a noticeable effect.
Can it cause trouble?
Irritancy7 strong irritants: Calendula officinalis flower extract, Oenothera biennis flower extract + 5 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.
Water~45–55%
Dibutyl adipate~6.3–7.8%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps soften the upper layer of the skin and create a nice product consistency
More about Dibutyl adipatePropanediol~4.2–5.1%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Acts as a solvent for other ingredients. Speeds up the absorption of other ingredients into the skin
More about PropanediolDiethylamino hydroxybenzoyl hexyl benzoate~3.6–4.4%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Uvinul A Plus. A new generation broad spectrum sunscreen that offers an effective protection especially in the UVA range. It is stable in formulations. Unfortunately, is not approved by the FDA (US) yet
More about Diethylamino hydroxybenzoyl hexyl benzoatePolymethylsilsesquioxane~2.3–2.9%
- 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 PolymethylsilsesquioxaneEthylhexyl triazone~2.5–3%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Uvinul T. A UV filter. Effective against UVB rays. It is photostable. Can increase water resistance properties of the sunscreen. Unfortunately, not approved by the FDA (US) yet
More about Ethylhexyl triazoneNiacinamide~1.6–2%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Is proven to be effective in reducing blemishes, evening out skin tone and helping to improve lines and wrinkles. It helps the skin to repair sun damage, calm down inflammation and keep maintain good levels of moisture. The concentration of about 2% is effective for supporting the skin barrier and evening out the skin tone. Concentration of 4-6% is better for helping with acne and balancing the sebum production
More about NiacinamideMethylene bis-benzotriazolyl tetramethylbutylphenol~1.9–2.3%
- 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 tetramethylbutylphenolCoco-caprylate/caprate~1.2–1.5%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps to soften the upper layer of the skin without creating a greasy texture
More about Coco-caprylate/caprateCaprylyl methicone~0.95–1.15%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A type of silicone that helps to soften the upper layer of the skin and create a nice product finish on the skin
More about Caprylyl methiconeDiethylhexyl butamido triazone~1.1–1.4%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Uvasorb HEB. A UV filter. Is effective against UVB and UVA II rays (but not UVA I). It is photostable. Unfortunately, is not approved by FDA (US) yet
More about Diethylhexyl butamido triazoneGlycerin~0.6–0.95%
- 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 GlycerinButylene glycol~0.5–0.8%
- 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 glycol1,2-hexanediol~0.45–0.7%
Nymphaea alba flower extract~0.4–0.65%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Calendula officinalis flower extract~0.4–0.6%
- Irritation risk
- High
A plant extract that has some anti-oxidant and anti-bacterial properties. Can be irritating
More about Calendula officinalis flower extractOenothera biennis flower extract~0.45–0.65%
Ulmus davidiana root extract~0.35–0.65%
- Irritation risk
- High
A plant root extract that helps attract water to the upper layer of the skin. It might have an anti-inflammatory effect and could help neturalize free radicals in skin
More about Ulmus davidiana root extractPinus palustris leaf extract~0.3–0.6%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Pueraria lobata root extract~0.3–0.55%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Citrus aurantium dulcis peel oil~0.3–0.5%
- Irritation risk
- High
An essentil oil from orange peel. Potential allergen and can be irritating
More about Citrus aurantium dulcis peel oilCymbopogon martini oil~0.25–0.5%
- Irritation risk
- High
Aromatic plant oil used in cosmetics as a fragrance. A likely irritant
More about Cymbopogon martini oilRosa damascena flower oil~0.25–0.45%
- Irritation risk
- High
Used as a fragrance. Can be irritating
More about Rosa damascena flower oilPentylene glycol~0.3–0.55%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Used to preserve products, dissolve other ingredients and create a nice product texture
More about Pentylene glycolBehenyl alcohol~0.3–0.6%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Non-drying alcohol that helps water and oil mix together. Also serves as an emollient
More about Behenyl alcoholPoly c10-30 alkyl acrylate~0.25–0.5%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Polyglyceryl-3 methylglucose distearate~0.3–0.5%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Helps water and oil mix together
More about Polyglyceryl-3 methylglucose distearateDecyl glucoside~0.3–0.6%
- Irritation risk
- High
Helps oil and water mix together. Can be irritating
More about Decyl glucosideTromethamine~0.25–0.45%
Carbomer~0.25–0.45%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps create a thicker or gel-like product texture. It is not a surfactant but can be used in gentle cleansing formulations
More about CarbomerAcrylates/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 crosspolymerSodium stearoyl glutamate~0.3–0.55%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Helps oil and water mix together
More about Sodium stearoyl glutamatePolyacrylate crosspolymer-6~0.2–0.4%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Ethylhexylglycerin~0.2–0.35%
Adenosine~0.15–0.3%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Might help improve cell turnover and reduce inflammation in skin. One study shows that the ingredients might be able to help reduce dynamic wrinkles (for example, in the corners of the eyes or on the forehead)
More about AdenosineXanthan gum~0.15–0.3%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Used to create a thicker product consistency
More about Xanthan gumT-butyl alcohol~0.1–0.25%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Used to dissolve other ingredients and to improve smell of products. It could be irritating
More about T-butyl alcoholTocopherol~0.1–0.2%
- 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 TocopherolLimonene~0.05–0.1%
- Irritation risk
- High
A common frangrance that can easily irritate skin, especially if exposed to air, light or heat
More about LimoneneGeraniol~0.05–0.1%
Ingredient list view
Water, Dibutyl adipate, Propanediol, Diethylamino hydroxybenzoyl hexyl benzoate, Polymethylsilsesquioxane, Ethylhexyl triazone, Niacinamide, Methylene bis-benzotriazolyl tetramethylbutylphenol, Coco-caprylate/caprate, Caprylyl methicone, Diethylhexyl butamido triazone, Glycerin, Butylene glycol, 1,2-hexanediol, Nymphaea alba flower extract, Calendula officinalis flower extract, Oenothera biennis flower extract, Ulmus davidiana root extract, Pinus palustris leaf extract, Pueraria lobata root extract, Citrus aurantium dulcis peel oil, Cymbopogon martini oil, Rosa damascena flower oil, Pentylene glycol, Behenyl alcohol, Poly c10-30 alkyl acrylate, Polyglyceryl-3 methylglucose distearate, Decyl glucoside, Tromethamine, Carbomer, Acrylates/c10-30 alkyl acrylate crosspolymer, Sodium stearoyl glutamate, Polyacrylate crosspolymer-6, Ethylhexylglycerin, Adenosine, Xanthan gum, T-butyl alcohol, Tocopherol, Limonene, Geraniol
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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.
| NACIFICSun EssenceYOUR PRODUCT | innisfreeHyaluron Moist Sunscreen Mini | Holika HolikaAloe Soothing Essence Waterproof Sun Cream SPF50+ | BarrCentella Soothing Sun Essence | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Match | — | 100% | 100% | 100% |
| Price | $16.50 | $12.98−$3.52 | $23.05+$6.55 | $18.80+$2.30 |
| Shared key ingredients | — | 8 of 8 | 8 of 8 | 8 of 8 |
| Key difference | — | Madecassoside | Phytosphingosine | Panthenol |
| Irritancy | High | Medium | Medium | Low |
| SPF | SPF 50 | SPF 50 | SPF 50 | SPF 50 |
| Drying alcohol | — | — | — | — |
| View product | Shop | Shop | Shop |
Product summary
Based on the ingredient list, we assess that "NACIFIC - Sun Essence" can provide reliable sun protection. It can protect from both UVA and UVB rays. This is great news because not all sunscreens with SPF ratings give UVA protection. (UVA rays do not cause sunburn, but still damage our skin and lead to early aging).
As a plus, this sunscreen uses some of the new generation UV filters (Tinosorb M). These filters are more stable and more gentle on the skin.
Its formula is also hydrating, so you might not need an additional moistruizer during the day. This product prevents early signs of aging by protecting against sun damage (all broad spectrum sunscreens do that).
Sunscreen filters
This is a so-called "chemical" sunscreen. It means that it uses organic UV filters. They typically offer good sun protection and rarely leave a white cast, but they can be irritating for some people with sensitive skin. These are the sun protection ingredients in this sunscreen: uvinul a plus 3.60% - 4.40%, uvasorb heb 1.10% - 1.40%, uvinul t 2.50% - 3.00% and tinosorb m 1.90% - 2.30%.
Irritation risk
There are quite a few common irritants in this product, including ingredients without particular skin benefits. We would not recommend it for sensitive skin. We assess the overall irritancy of this sunscreen to be high. For a detailed overview of all potential irritants: click here
You can see the detailed formula review with the breakdown of all actives in the product and the full ingredient list with estimated concentrations in the tables below.
Price
The product retails from 16.50$ up to 34.99$ 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 20 studies and safety reviews.
- 1
- 2
- 3Safety Assessment of Alkyl Esters as Used in Cosmeticscir-safety.org
- 4
- 5
- 6
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