NYDG Skincare Chem-Free Active Defense SPF30
Works for
1 of 1 advertised claim delivered
Sun protectionSPF 30 · 2 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.
Anti-agingNot advertised by the brand · 1 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.
Anti-oxidationNot advertised by the brand · 3 ingredients credited for this claimStrong support
This product contains antioxidants (tocopherol) that can help neutralize free radicals in skin. By doing so, they can lessen the damage the skin gets from the UV light (sun).
Evens skin toneNot advertised by the brand · No 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).
MoisturizingNot advertised by the brand · 9 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?
Irritancy11 flagged ingredientsLow risk
ComedogenicClean of flagged comedogenic ingredientsNone flagged
User reviews
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Ingredients
Filter by role to see what each ingredient is doing.
Squalane~25–37%
- Irritation risk
- Low
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 SqualaneTocopherol~7.5–11.3%
- 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 TocopherolZinc oxide17.5%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A broad spectrum sunblock (protects from both UVA and UVB rays). Is suitable for most sensitive skins. In small concentrations, can be used as a colorant
More about Zinc oxideWater~4.5–6.8%
Isononyl isononanoate~3.7–5.6%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Forms a protective film on the surface of the skin to prevent moisture loss. Gives a velvety feel to products while reducing tackiness
More about Isononyl isononanoateCaprylic/capric triglyceride~2.9–4.3%
- 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 triglycerideDimethicone~2.4–3.5%
- 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 DimethiconeHexylene glycol~1.5–2.3%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Helps create a more spreadable product texture
More about Hexylene glycolButyloctyl salicylate~1.4–2.1%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
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 salicylateCetyl peg/ppg-10/1 dimethicone~1.2–1.7%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A type of silicone that helps water and oil mix together. Can help to soften upper layer of the skin
More about Cetyl peg/ppg-10/1 dimethiconeArgania spinosa kernel extract~0.95–1.4%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Tocopheryl acetate~0.6–1.35%
- 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 acetatePolyhydroxystearic acid~0.55–1.25%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Used to create a thicker product consistency and stabilize the formulation
More about Polyhydroxystearic acidSqualane~0.55–1.3%
- Irritation risk
- Low
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 SqualanePolyglyceryl-3 ricinoleate~0.5–1.15%
Phenoxyethanol~0.45–1%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A preservative. It helps prevent bacterial growth in cosmetic products
More about PhenoxyethanolLecithin~0.45–1.1%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Used mostly for creating emulsions - helping oil and water mix together. Helps soften the upper layer of the skin
More about LecithinSodium chloride~0.35–0.85%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Used to stabilize mixtures of oil and water, and create thicker, gel-like product textures
More about Sodium chlorideIsostearic acid~0.35–0.85%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Used to create a nice product texture
More about Isostearic acidHexyl laurate~0.35–0.85%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Helps soften the upper layer of the skin and create a nice product consistency
More about Hexyl laurateEthylhexylglycerin~0.15–0.5%
Bisabolol~0.1–0.45%
- Irritation risk
- Low
An active component of chamomile plant that historically has been used to calm down irritated skin. A recent study shows that bisabolol indeed can have some anti-inflammatory effect on skin, even though conclusive data is lacking. Bisabolol has a sweet floral scent and can be added to products for its aromatic properties
More about BisabololCaprylyl glycol~0.15–0.55%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Helps preserve products and creates a nice product texture
More about Caprylyl glycolPolysorbate 60~0.1–0.3%
Chlorphenesin~0.05–0.25%
Disodium edta~0.05–0.25%
Ingredient list view
Squalane, Tocopherol, Zinc oxide, Water, Isononyl isononanoate, Caprylic/capric triglyceride, Dimethicone, Hexylene glycol, Butyloctyl salicylate, Cetyl peg/ppg-10/1 dimethicone, Argania spinosa kernel extract, Unknown, Tocopheryl acetate, Polyhydroxystearic acid, Squalane, Polyglyceryl-3 ricinoleate, Phenoxyethanol, Lecithin, Sodium chloride, Isostearic acid, Hexyl laurate, Ethylhexylglycerin, Bisabolol, Caprylyl glycol, Polysorbate 60, Chlorphenesin, Disodium edta
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Product summary
The ingredient list suggests that "NYDG Skincare - Chem-Free Active Defense SPF30" can provide reliable sun protection. 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: butyloctyl salicylate. As for the mineral filters, this sunscreen uses zinc oxide.
Irritation risk
This product does not contain known common irritants and is suitable for sensitive skin. We assess the overall irritancy of it to be low. 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 98.00$ 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 11 studies and safety reviews.
- 1Vitamin E in dermatologyncbi.nlm.nih.gov
- 2Vitamin E and Skin Healthlpi.oregonstate.edu
- 3A review of inorganic UV filters zinc oxide and titanium dioxideonlinelibrary.wiley.com
- 4
- 5
- 6
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