NINE LESS MELA-PRO Tranexamic Acid Sun Screen SPF 50+/PA++++
Works for
3 of 3 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.
Evens skin tone3 ingredients 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-aging1 ingredient credited for this claimStrong support
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.
MoisturizingNot advertised by the brand · 12 ingredients credited for this claimGood support
This product can help soften the skin and reduce its moisture loss with emollients and occlusives: caprylic/capric triglyceride, dimethicone.
Keep in mind that this product does not contain effective ingredients to attract water to the upper layer of the skin. This is why an additional product with humectants like glycerin or hyaluronic acid can be helpful (apply it before this product for the best results).
Can it cause trouble?
Irritancy2 strong irritants: Sorbitan sesquioleate, ParfumMedium 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%
Caprylic/capric triglyceride~6.7–8.2%
- 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 triglycerideGlycereth-26~4.2–5.2%
Ethylhexyl methoxycinnamate~3.7–4.5%
- 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 methoxycinnamateEthylhexyl salicylate~3.2–3.9%
- 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 salicylateDimethicone~2.1–2.6%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A silicone that helps to reduce water loss from the surface of the skin. Can temporarily "fill in" lines and wrinkles, absorb oil, and create a nice product finish
More about DimethiconeBis-ethylhexyloxyphenol methoxyphenyl triazine~2.2–2.6%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Tinosorb S. One of the most effective broad spectrum sunscreen ingredients. Protects from both UVA and UVB rays. It is photostable. Unfortunately, not approved by FDA (US) yet.
More about Bis-ethylhexyloxyphenol methoxyphenyl triazineTitanium dioxide~1.9–2.3%
- 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 dioxidePolysorbate 60~1.2–1.5%
Niacinamide~0.95–1.15%
- 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 NiacinamideTranexamic acid~0.65–1%
- Irritation risk
- Low
An amino acid that is effective in reducing hyperpigmentation and evening out the skin tone. It can also help in skin barrier recovery. It is used to treat melasma, especially with injections and when taken orally
More about Tranexamic acidGlyceryl stearate~0.6–0.95%
- 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~0.6–0.9%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps oil and water mix togehter and creates a nice product texture
More about Peg-100 stearateDipropylene glycol~0.45–0.65%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps to dissolve other ingredients in a formulation. Slows down the rate of product drying
More about Dipropylene glycolHydroxyethyl acrylate/sodium acryloyldimethyl taurate copolymer~0.45–0.65%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
A gelling agent that thickens the product consistency and leaves the skin with a velvety finish
More about Hydroxyethyl acrylate/sodium acryloyldimethyl taurate copolymerHydroxyacetophenone~0.45–0.65%
C12-16 alcohols~0.45–0.7%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Helps soften the upper layer of the skin and improve the product's texture
More about C12-16 alcoholsSorbitan sesquioleate~0.35–0.65%
- Irritation risk
- High
Used to help oil and water mix together. Can be irritating
More about Sorbitan sesquioleateCyclopentasiloxane~0.35–0.65%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A silicone that helps improve the product texture and spreadability. Can absorb oil creating a short-term mattifying effect on the skin
More about CyclopentasiloxaneAluminum hydroxide~0.35–0.6%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Is used to add opaque (non-transparent) appearance to formulations. Can be used to coat other ingredients for even dispersion. This is a different ingredient compared to the ones used in antipersperants (aluminium chloride and aluminium chlorohydrate)
More about Aluminum hydroxideCaprylyl glycol~0.3–0.6%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Helps preserve products and creates a nice product texture
More about Caprylyl glycolSodium polyacrylate~0.3–0.55%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Used to create a gel-like product texture, as well as to stabilize emulsions
More about Sodium polyacrylateHydrogenated lecithin~0.25–0.5%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps to retain moisture by creating a protective barrier on the skin. Rich in fatty acids. Improves product texture and helps with the penetration of other ingredients.
More about Hydrogenated lecithinEthylhexyl stearate~0.3–0.5%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps soften the upper layer of the skin
More about Ethylhexyl stearateStearic acid~0.35–0.65%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps oil and water mix together and works as an emollient
More about Stearic acidPalmitic acid~0.3–0.55%
- Irritation risk
- Low
An emollient that is naturally present in skin and helps soften it
More about Palmitic acidHydrogen dimethicone~0.25–0.4%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps the function of sunscreen and pigment ingredients in the formulation
More about Hydrogen dimethiconeXanthan gum~0.2–0.4%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Used to create a thicker product consistency
More about Xanthan gumDimethicone/vinyl dimethicone crosspolymer~0.2–0.35%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Used to stabilize product formulations and create a nice product texture
More about Dimethicone/vinyl dimethicone crosspolymerSorbitan isostearate~0.15–0.3%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps oil and water mix together
More about Sorbitan isostearateTrideceth-6~0.15–0.3%
Disodium edta~0.1–0.2%
Dipotassium glycyrrhizate~0.1–0.15%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A salt derived from licorice. Works as an emollient to soften the upper layer of the skin and can help calm down inflammation. Might be helpful for skin lightening
More about Dipotassium glycyrrhizateParfum~0.05–0.1%
- Irritation risk
- High
An aromatic blend of unspecified and possibly irritating ingredients
More about ParfumIngredient list view
Water, Caprylic/capric triglyceride, Glycereth-26, Ethylhexyl methoxycinnamate, Ethylhexyl salicylate, Dimethicone, Bis-ethylhexyloxyphenol methoxyphenyl triazine, Titanium dioxide, Polysorbate 60, Niacinamide, Tranexamic acid, Glyceryl stearate, Peg-100 stearate, Dipropylene glycol, Hydroxyethyl acrylate/sodium acryloyldimethyl taurate copolymer, Hydroxyacetophenone, C12-16 alcohols, Sorbitan sesquioleate, Cyclopentasiloxane, Aluminum hydroxide, Caprylyl glycol, Sodium polyacrylate, Hydrogenated lecithin, Ethylhexyl stearate, Stearic acid, Palmitic acid, Hydrogen dimethicone, Xanthan gum, Dimethicone/vinyl dimethicone crosspolymer, Sorbitan isostearate, Trideceth-6, Disodium edta, Dipotassium glycyrrhizate, Parfum
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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.
| NINE LESSMELA-PRO Tranexamic Acid Sun Screen SPF 50+/PA++++YOUR PRODUCT | SkinMedicaTotal Defense and Repair SPF 50 | Doctor.GBrightening UP Sun Plus SPF50+ PA+++ | AltruistSunscreen Fluid SPF50 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Match | — | 88% | 87% | 86% |
| Price | — | $61.20 | $16.75 | $11.90 |
| Shared key ingredients | — | 4 of 9 | 5 of 9 | 4 of 9 |
| Key difference | — | Knotgrass Extract | Kappaphycus Alvarezii Extract | Panthenol |
| Irritancy | Medium | Low | Low | Low |
| SPF | SPF 50 | SPF 50 | SPF 50 | SPF 50 |
| Drying alcohol | — | — | — | — |
| View product | Shop | Shop | Shop |
Product summary
We believe that "NINE LESS - MELA-PRO Tranexamic Acid Sun Screen SPF 50+/PA++++" can provide reliable sun protection based on the ingredients listed. We love that it can protect from both UVA and UVB rays (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 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: tinosorb s, octinoxate and octisalate. As for the mineral filters, this sunscreen uses titanium dioxide.
Irritation risk
There are some common irritants in this product, including ingredients that do not have benefits for the skin. We assess the overall irritancy of this product to be medium. 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 13 studies and safety reviews.
- 1
- 2
- 3Final Report on the Safety Assessment of Dimethicone Copolyoljournals.sagepub.com
- 4
- 5
- 6Effect of tranexamic acid on melasma: a clinical trial with histological evaluationonlinelibrary.wiley.com
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