
1 of 1 advertised claim delivered
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.
This product contains antioxidants (asiaticoside, madecassoside) that can help neutralize free radicals in skin. By doing so, they can lessen the damage the skin gets from the UV light (sun).
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).
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, hyaluronic acid.
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: ceramide np, c12-15 alkyl benzoate.
The following ingredients in this product are especially good for supporting the skin barrier and helping with the hydration level: ceramide np, madecassoside, niacinamide
This product can help reduce and prevent fine lines and wrinkles, improve skin elasticity and firmness because it contains adenosine, niacinamide.
These ingredients in the product can also be helpful, even though there is less evidence for their effectiveness: asiaticoside, madecassoside.
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.
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.


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Enhances the product texture and makes it more spreadable. Helps reduce water loss from the outer layer of skin. Extands the shelf life by preventing bacteria growth
More about C12-15 alkyl benzoateA 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 PolymethylsilsesquioxaneActs as a solvent for other ingredients. Speeds up the absorption of other ingredients into the skin
More about PropanediolOctisalate. 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 salicylateA 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 HomosalateA silicone that helps improve the product texture and spreadability. Can absorb oil creating a short-term mattifying effect on the skin
More about CyclopentasiloxaneTinosorb 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 tetramethylbutylphenolA UV filter. Effective against UVB rays, but does not protect against the most aging UVA light
More about Polysilicone-15Is 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 NiacinamideTinosorb 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 triazineOne 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 GlycerinUvinul 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 benzoateHelps to dissolve other ingredients in a formulation. Slows down the rate of product drying
More about Dipropylene glycolHelps oil and water mix together. Can be irritating
More about Decyl glucosideAn aromatic blend of unspecified and possibly irritating ingredients
More about ParfumMaintains the texture of skincare products. Allows the product to spread evenly. Helps oil and water mix together
More about Acrylates/c10-30 alkyl acrylate crosspolymerUsed to create a thicker product consistency
More about Sodium acrylate/sodium acryloyldimethyl taurate copolymerHelps preserve products and creates a nice product texture
More about Caprylyl glycolImproves the texture of the product and helps soften the skin. Helps oil and water mix together and can be used as a cleansing agent
More about IsohexadecaneMight 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 AdenosineHelps oil and water mix together and can enhance the penetration of other ingredients into the skin. It can be irritating
More about Propylene glycolUsed to create a thicker product consistency
More about Xanthan gumHelps oil and water mix together
More about Sorbitan oleateUsed 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 glycolA type of lipid similar to ceramides naturally present in skin. Helps to soften the upper layer of the skin and supports the skin barrier function to keep it hydrated. Can help to prevent inflammation in skin
More about Ceramide npCan help attract water to the upper layer of the skin. In crystal form, it can work as a gentle exfoliant, gentler than the salt scrub. Helps stabilize the emulsion
More about SucroseHelps attract water to the upper layer of the skin, calm down inflammation and irritation, restore the barrier function and support wound healing. It can be helpful in reducing fine lines and wrinkles
More about Beta-glucanA 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 glycyrrhizateSeaweed extract that helps the skin to attract water and make it more smooth for touch. Also shows promise of anti-aging properties, but good research is lacking at the moment
More about Laminaria digitata extractA plant extract that can help to attract water to the upper layer of the skin and might have some anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory properties
More about Chlorella vulgaris extractA "broth" with parts of dead cells of lactobacteria. Might be helpful supporting diverse microbiome in skin, but evidence is lacking
More about Lactobacillus ferment lysateOne of the best moisturizing ingredients. Attracts water into the upper layer of the skin
More about Sodium hyaluronateAn antioxidant that is typically derived from plant Centella Asiatica. It can help neutralize free radicals in skin and support skin barrier function. It could, however, itself be irritating. It is often unstable in formulations
More about MadecassosideAn active compound of Centella Asiatica plant extract. In combination with other active compounds of Centella Asiatica extract (madecasosside, asiatic acid and madecassic acid), asiaticoside has been shown to be helpful in wound-healing, restoring skin barrier function and supporting collagen production in skin. It can, however, itself be irritating
More about AsiaticosideOne of the best moisturizing ingredients. Attracts water into the upper layer of the skin. Naturally present in skin. Typically has large molecule size unless advertised otherwise on the product label. Helps support skin's barrier function and may help to reduce inflammation
More about Hyaluronic acidOne of the best moisturizing ingredients. Attracts water into the upper layer of the skin. A version of it is naturally present in skin
More about Hydrolyzed hyaluronic acidAttracts water into the upper layer of the skin
More about Hydrolyzed sodium hyaluronateUsed to preserve products, dissolve other ingredients and create a nice product texture
More about Pentylene glycolAn active compound of Centella Asiatica plant extract. In combination with other active compounds of Centella Asiatica extract (asiaticoside, madecasosside and asiatic acid), madecassic acid has been shown to be helpful in wound-healing, restoring skin barrier function and supporting collagen production in skin. It can, however, itself be irritating
More about Madecassic acidAttracts water into the upper layer of the skin
More about Sodium hyaluronate crosspolymerAn active compound of Centella Asiatica plant extract. In combination with other active compounds of Centella Asiatica extract (asiaticoside, madecasosside and madecassic acid) asiatic acid has been shown to be helpful in wound-healing, restoring skin barrier function and supporting collagen production in skin. It can, however, itself be irritating
More about Asiatic acidA type of hyaluronic acid that works as an excellent moisturizer by attracting water into the upper layer of the skin. Is typically feels less sticky on the skin compared to the usual hyaluronic acid
More about Sodium acetylated hyaluronateWater, C12-15 alkyl benzoate, Polymethylsilsesquioxane, Propanediol, Ethylhexyl salicylate, Homosalate, Cyclopentasiloxane, Methylene bis-benzotriazolyl tetramethylbutylphenol, Polysilicone-15, Niacinamide, Bis-ethylhexyloxyphenol methoxyphenyl triazine, Polysorbate 60, Glycerin, Diethylamino hydroxybenzoyl hexyl benzoate, Dipropylene glycol, Decyl glucoside, Hydroxyacetophenone, Parfum, Acrylates/c10-30 alkyl acrylate crosspolymer, Tromethamine, Sodium acrylate/sodium acryloyldimethyl taurate copolymer, Caprylyl glycol, Isohexadecane, Disodium edta, Adenosine, Polysorbate 80, Propylene glycol, Xanthan gum, Sorbitan oleate, Butylene glycol, Ceramide np, Sucrose, Beta-glucan, Dipotassium glycyrrhizate, Castanea crenata shell extract, Oryza sativa bran extract, Coix lacryma-jobi ma-yuen seed extract, Laminaria digitata extract, 1,2-hexanediol, Chlorella vulgaris extract, Lactobacillus ferment lysate, Sodium hyaluronate, Lactococcus ferment extract, Bifida ferment extract, Taraxacum officinale leaf extract, Madecassoside, Asiaticoside, Ethylhexylglycerin, Hyaluronic acid, Hydrolyzed hyaluronic acid, Hydroxypropyltrimonium hyaluronate, Hydrolyzed sodium hyaluronate, Potassium hyaluronate, Pentylene glycol, Madecassic acid, Sodium hyaluronate crosspolymer, Asiatic acid, Sodium acetylated hyaluronate
Retailers ranked by price — lowest first.
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.
| OttieWater Barrier SunscreenYOUR PRODUCT | ISNTREEHyaluronic Acid Watery Sun Gel | ARTOISLa Tulipe Sun Essence | Dr. BioECO Sun Moisturizer | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Match | — | 86% | 83% | 81% |
| Price | $14.89 | $13.84−$1.05 | $14.90 | $17.20+$2.31 |
| Shared key ingredients | — | 16 of 24 | 15 of 24 | 12 of 24 |
| Key difference | — | Centella Asiatica Extract | Centella Asiatica Extract | Centella Asiatica Extract |
| Irritancy | Medium | Low | Medium | Medium |
| SPF | SPF 50 | SPF 50 | SPF 50 | SPF 50 |
| Drying alcohol | — | — | — | Contains drying alcohol |
| View product | Shop | Shop | Shop |
We believe that "Ottie - Water Barrier Sunscreen" can provide reliable sun protection based on the ingredients listed. It can protect from both UVA and UVB rays. This is great news because not all sunscreens with SPF ratings give UVA protection. (UVA rays do not cause sunburn, but still damage our skin and lead to early aging).
As a plus, this sunscreen uses some of the new generation UV filters (Tinosorb M). These filters are more stable and more gentle on the skin.
Because it includes good moisturizing ingredients, it can also work as a hydrating day cream. This product prevents early signs of aging by protecting against sun damage (all broad spectrum sunscreens do that).
This is a so-called "chemical" sunscreen. It means that it uses organic UV filters. They typically offer good sun protection and rarely leave a white cast, but they can be irritating for some people with sensitive skin. The UV filters in this sunscreen are: tinosorb s 1.10% - 1.30%, uvinul a plus 0.65% - 0.95%, octisalate 3.20% - 3.90%, homosalate 2.50% - 3.10%, tinosorb m 1.90% - 2.40% and polysilicone-15 1.50% - 1.90%.
This product contains some common irritants, including those without a benefit for the skin. We assess the overall irritancy of this sunscreen to be medium. For a detailed overview of all potential irritants: click here
You can see the detailed formula review with the breakdown of all actives in the product and the full ingredient list with estimated concentrations in the tables below.
The product retails for 21.17$ in the United States.
For a detailed price comparison: click here.
Every concentration estimate and effectiveness label is anchored to one of these 39 studies and safety reviews.
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