Pharmaceris S Medi Acne Protect Protection Cream SPF50+
Works for
1 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.
ExfoliationNo ingredient credited for this claimNo evidence
“Pore-diminish refines and unclogs skin pores.”
This product does not contain effective exfoliating ingredients. It might be able to deliver physical exfoliation, that is scrub off some of the dead cells on the surface of the skin. We do not recommend physical exfoliation, because it is not uniform (some bits of skin can get exfoliated too much while others not at all). It can also traumatize the skin and aggrevate acne and other skin conditions.
Anti-agingNot advertised by the brand · No ingredient credited for this claimStrong evidence
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.
Evens skin toneNot advertised by the brand · No ingredient credited for this claimStrong evidence
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 · Glycerin, Arginine + 5 moreGood evidence
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:
arginine, glycerin.
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: arginine, c12-15 alkyl benzoate.
Can it cause trouble?
Irritancy16 flagged ingredientsLow risk
ComedogenicClean of flagged comedogenic ingredientsNone flagged
User reviews
Be the first — your take helps the next person decide.
Ingredients
Filter by role to see what each ingredient is doing.
Water~45–55%
Dibutyl adipate~6.4–7.9%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps soften the upper layer of the skin and create a nice product consistency
More about Dibutyl adipateC12-15 alkyl benzoate~4.5–5.5%
- Irritation risk
- Low
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 benzoateMethylene bis-benzotriazolyl tetramethylbutylphenol~3.7–4.6%
- 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 tetramethylbutylphenolDiethylamino hydroxybenzoyl hexyl benzoate~3.3–4%
- 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 benzoateMethyl methacrylate crosspolymer~2.1–2.5%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps thicken the product consistency
More about Methyl methacrylate crosspolymerGlycerin~1.8–2.2%
- 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 GlycerinPropanediol~1.4–1.8%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Acts as a solvent for other ingredients. Speeds up the absorption of other ingredients into the skin
More about PropanediolEthylhexyl triazone~1.7–2.1%
- 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 triazonePotassium cetyl phosphate~0.95–1.15%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Helps oil and water mix together
More about Potassium cetyl phosphateBis-ethylhexyloxyphenol methoxyphenyl triazine~1.1–1.4%
- 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 triazineAcrylates/c12-22 alkyl methacrylate copolymer~0.6–0.95%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Decyl glucoside~0.6–0.9%
- Irritation risk
- High
Helps oil and water mix together. Can be irritating
More about Decyl glucosideHydroxyacetophenone~0.45–0.7%
Inulin~0.45–0.65%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps attract water to the upper layer of the skin. Is claimed to support the growth of "good" bacteria in skin (as a "prebiotic"), but the research is lacking
More about InulinPiroctone olamine~0.45–0.65%
Triethanolamine~0.45–0.65%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Used to adjust pH of the product and can help improve the product's smell
More about TriethanolamineAcrylates/c10-30 alkyl acrylate crosspolymer~0.35–0.65%
- 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 crosspolymerArginine~0.3–0.55%
- Irritation risk
- Low
An amino acid that is naturally present in skin and helps keep it hydrated. When used together with AHAs, it can reduce their irritating effect on the skin
More about ArginineAlpha-glucan oligosaccharide~0.35–0.6%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps attract water to the upper layer of the skin
More about Alpha-glucan oligosaccharideCitric acid~0.25–0.45%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Can work as an exfoliant but is typically used to adjust the product pH
More about Citric acidCoco-glucoside~0.3–0.55%
- Irritation risk
- High
Used as a cleansing agent (surfactant) in cleansers. Helps water and oil mix together in lotions. Can be irritating
More about Coco-glucosideXanthan gum~0.25–0.4%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Used to create a thicker product consistency
More about Xanthan gumCarbomer~0.2–0.4%
- 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 CarbomerLens esculenta seed extract~0.15–0.3%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Tocopheryl acetate~0.15–0.3%
- 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 acetateDisodium lauryl sulfosuccinate~0.25–0.45%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Used as a cleansing agent. Helps water and oil mix together
More about Disodium lauryl sulfosuccinatePropylene glycol~0.1–0.2%
- Irritation risk
- High
Helps oil and water mix together and can enhance the penetration of other ingredients into the skin. It can be irritating
More about Propylene glycolEthylhexylglycerin~0.1–0.15%
Phenoxyethanol~0.1–0.2%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A preservative. It helps prevent bacterial growth in cosmetic products
More about PhenoxyethanolIngredient list view
Water, Dibutyl adipate, C12-15 alkyl benzoate, Methylene bis-benzotriazolyl tetramethylbutylphenol, Diethylamino hydroxybenzoyl hexyl benzoate, Methyl methacrylate crosspolymer, Glycerin, Propanediol, Ethylhexyl triazone, Potassium cetyl phosphate, Bis-ethylhexyloxyphenol methoxyphenyl triazine, Acrylates/c12-22 alkyl methacrylate copolymer, Decyl glucoside, Hydroxyacetophenone, Inulin, Piroctone olamine, Triethanolamine, Acrylates/c10-30 alkyl acrylate crosspolymer, Arginine, Alpha-glucan oligosaccharide, Citric acid, Coco-glucoside, Xanthan gum, Carbomer, Lens esculenta seed extract, Tocopheryl acetate, Disodium lauryl sulfosuccinate, Propylene glycol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Phenoxyethanol
Compare prices
Retailers ranked by price — lowest first.
Product summary
We believe that "Pharmaceris - S Medi Acne Protect Protection Cream SPF50+" 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.
It also works as a moisturizer, so you do not have to use an additional hydrating product. Like all broad-spectrum sunscreens, this product has an anti-aging benefit.
Sunscreen filters
This sunscreen uses so-called "chemical", or organic UV filters (organic simply means that their molecules contain atoms of carbon). These filters typically give good sun protection and rarely leave a white cast, but they can be irritating for sensitive skin. The UV filters in this sunscreen are: tinosorb s 1.10% - 1.40%, uvinul a plus 3.30% - 4.00%, uvinul t 1.70% - 2.10% and tinosorb m 3.70% - 4.60%.
Irritation risk
This sunscreen contains some common irritants, including those without a benefit for the skin. We assess the overall irritancy of this product 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 from 12.66£ up to 19.00£ in the United Kingdom.
For a detailed price comparison: click here.
Sources cited in this review
Every concentration estimate and effectiveness label is anchored to one of these 8 studies and safety reviews.
- 1
- 2
- 3
- 4
- 5Allergen of the Year—Alkyl Glucosidepracticeupdate.com
- 6Surfactants and experimental irritant contact dermatitisncbi.nlm.nih.gov
Affiliate links · As an Amazon Associate, WIMJ earns from qualifying purchases.