Physicians Formula Vitamin C Brightening Facial Oil Stick SPF 30
Works for
2 of 2 advertised claims delivered
Sun protectionSPF 30 · 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 toneAscorbic acid, Tetrahexyldecyl ascorbateStrong evidence
“Vitamin C Brightening Facial Oil Stick SPF 30”
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-agingNot advertised by the brand · Tocopherol, Ascorbic acid + 1 moreStrong 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.
MoisturizingNot advertised by the brand · Helianthus annuus seed oil, Terminalia ferdinandiana seed oil + 4 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:
terminalia ferdinandiana seed oil.
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: helianthus annuus seed oil, terminalia ferdinandiana seed oil.
Can it cause trouble?
Irritancy2 strong irritants: Citrus nobilis peel oil, 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.
Butyl methoxydibenzoylmethane3%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Avobenzone. An organic, or so-called "chemical" UV filter. Protects against both UVA and UVB rays. Needs to be combined with other filters in a formulation to be stable.
More about Butyl methoxydibenzoylmethaneEthylhexyl methoxycinnamate7.5%
- 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 salicylate5%
- 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 salicylateOctocrylene8%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
A weak sunscreen that protects against the sun rays that cause sunburn (UVB) and is somewhat effective against the UVA rays. It is quite stable and can help stabilize other, more vulnerable, sunscreen ingredients like Avobenzone. It is an organic, or so called "chemical" sunscreen
More about OctocrylenePropylene glycol dicaprylate/dicaprate~22–33%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Neopentyl glycol diheptanoate~5.3–7.9%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps soften the upper layer of the skin and create a nice product consistency
More about Neopentyl glycol diheptanoateOctyldodecanol~4.5–6.7%
- Irritation risk
- Low
An emollient that helps to soften the skin and create a pleasant product texture and stabilize the formulation
More about OctyldodecanolDibutyl lauroyl glutamide~3.8–5.7%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Helps improve the product texture and soften the upper layer of the skin
More about Dibutyl lauroyl glutamideDibutyl ethylhexanoyl glutamide~2.6–4%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Helps improve the product texture and soften the upper layer of the skin
More about Dibutyl ethylhexanoyl glutamideTetrahexyldecyl ascorbate~1.9–2.9%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Being a lipid soluble form of vitamin C, it is more stable than ascorbic acid, but still degrades quickly and needs to be stabilized in a formulation with another ingredient. It is claimed to penetrate skin better than pure vitamin C and have the the similar benefits, but solid studies of its effectiveness are lacking. Is likely to require a higher concentration in a product than pure vitamin C to be effective. It might be able to help reduce pore clogging.
More about Tetrahexyldecyl ascorbateAscorbic acid~1.5–2.3%
- Irritation risk
- High
The most well-researched antioxidant that works in skin. Helps neutralize free radicals supporting collagen production, helping to even out the skin tone and preventing early signs of aging
More about Ascorbic acidCitrus nobilis peel oil~1.1–1.7%
- Irritation risk
- High
A plant oil with high content of volatile compounds that, especially when exposed to air, can cause allergic reactions and irritate the skin
More about Citrus nobilis peel oilTerminalia ferdinandiana seed oil~1–1.6%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps soften the upper layer of the skin
More about Terminalia ferdinandiana seed oilParfum~0.55–1.25%
- Irritation risk
- High
An aromatic blend of unspecified and possibly irritating ingredients
More about ParfumPhenoxyethanol~0.4–0.95%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A preservative. It helps prevent bacterial growth in cosmetic products
More about PhenoxyethanolTocopherol~0.35–0.85%
- 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 TocopherolHelianthus annuus seed oil~0.35–0.85%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A great emollient due to its high linoleic acid content. One of the most effective plant oils in helping skin hydration and repairing skin barrier function
More about Helianthus annuus seed oilBht~0.15–0.55%
Triethoxycaprylylsilane~0.1–0.35%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A type of silicone that helps oil and water mix well together. Helps to disperse other ingredients, e.g. pigments, evenly in a formulation
More about TriethoxycaprylylsilaneCi 77491~0.1–0.35%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A red colorant made of iron oxide. Typically is not irritating
More about Ci 77491Ci 45370~0.05–0.3%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Ingredient list view
Butyl methoxydibenzoylmethane, Ethylhexyl methoxycinnamate, Ethylhexyl salicylate, Octocrylene, Propylene glycol dicaprylate/dicaprate, Neopentyl glycol diheptanoate, Octyldodecanol, Dibutyl lauroyl glutamide, Dibutyl ethylhexanoyl glutamide, Tetrahexyldecyl ascorbate, Ascorbic acid, Citrus nobilis peel oil, Terminalia ferdinandiana seed oil, Parfum, Phenoxyethanol, Tocopherol, Helianthus annuus seed oil, Bht, Triethoxycaprylylsilane, Ci 77491, Ci 45370
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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.
| Physicians FormulaVitamin C Brightening Facial Oil Stick SPF 30YOUR PRODUCT | Solar SenseSPF50 Clear Zinc Broad Spectrum Stick | B.Tansun safe AF...SPF50 lotion | Ocean PotionDab-on Spot Stick Sunscreen SPF 50 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Match | — | 67% | 60% | 59% |
| Price | $9.88 | $7.98−$1.90 | $10.69+$0.81 | — |
| Shared key ingredients | — | 3 of 8 | 3 of 8 | 3 of 8 |
| Key difference | — | Retinyl Palmitate | Agran Oil | Cyclopentasiloxane |
| Irritancy | Medium | Medium | Medium | Medium |
| SPF | SPF 30 | SPF 50 | SPF 50 | SPF 50 |
| Drying alcohol | — | — | — | Contains drying alcohol |
| View product | Shop | Shop | Shop |
Product summary
We assess that "Physicians Formula - Vitamin C Brightening Facial Oil Stick SPF 30" can provide reliable sun protection based on the ingredient list. It can protect from both UVA and UVB rays. This is great news because not all sunscreens with SPF ratings give UVA protection. (UVA rays do not cause sunburn, but still damage our skin and lead to early aging).
Its formula is also hydrating, so you might not need an additional moistruizer during the day. Like all broad-spectrum sunscreens, this product helps prevent early signs of aging.
Sunscreen filters
This sunscreen uses so-called "chemical", or organic UV filters (organic simply means that their molecules contain atoms of carbon). These filters typically give good sun protection and rarely leave a white cast, but they can be irritating for sensitive skin. The UV filters in this sunscreen are: avobenzone 3.00% (declared), octinoxate 7.50% (declared), octisalate 5.00% (declared) and octocrylene 8.00% (declared).
Irritation risk
This moisturizer contains some common irritants, including those without a benefit for the skin. We assess the overall irritancy of this moisturizer to be high. For a detailed overview of all potential irritants: click here
You can see the detailed formula review with the breakdown of all actives in the product and the full ingredient list with estimated concentrations in the tables below.
Price
The product retails for 39.18A$ in Australia and from 9.88$ up to 14.85$ 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 12 studies and safety reviews.
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- 5Air oxidation increases skin irritation from fragrance terpenesonlinelibrary.wiley.com
- 6
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