Piz Buin Allergy Sun Sensitive Skin Lotion - Very High SPF50+
Works for
Sun protectionSPF 50 · 6 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-agingSide benefit the brand mentions · Ascorbyl palmitateWorks well
“The advanced cream combines ultra-high level, broad spectrum protection with an exclusive anti-irritant shield complex Calmanelle® and plant-derived antioxidant Feverfew PFETM, which help strengthen skin resilience and improve cell tolerance to the sun, alleviating prickly heat sensations and blotchiness.”
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 toneSide benefit · No ingredient credited for this claimWorks well
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).
MoisturizingSide benefit the brand mentions · C12-15 alkyl benzoate, Glycerin + 8 moreWorks
“The lightweight, creamy formula rapidly absorbs, providing long lasting moisturisation to leave your skin feeling soft and comfortable while helping to prevent peeling.”
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, butylene glycol.
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: dimethicone, c12-15 alkyl benzoate.
Can it cause trouble?
Irritancy1 strong irritant: ParfumMedium risk
Comedogenic1 ingredient rated 2 or more on the 0–5 pore-clogging scale1 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%
Ethylhexyl salicylate~5.7–7%
- 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 salicylateC12-15 alkyl benzoate~4.4–5.4%
- 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 benzoateOctocrylene~3.6–4.4%
- 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 OctocryleneGlycerin~2.4–2.9%
- 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 GlycerinCyclohexasiloxane~1.9–2.4%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A silicone that serves as an emollient. Helps create a nice non-greasy feels
More about CyclohexasiloxaneButylene glycol~1.6–2%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Used 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 glycolVp/eicosene copolymer~1.5–1.8%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Used to improve the product adherence to the skin, for example, to pro-long the protective effect of sunscreens. Can be irritating to very sensitive skin
More about Vp/eicosene copolymerButyl methoxydibenzoylmethane~1.6–2%
- 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 methoxydibenzoylmethaneDimethicone~1–1.2%
- 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 DimethiconeCetearyl alcohol~0.75–1.15%
- Irritation risk
- Low
- Comedogenicity
- 2/5
A non-drying alcohol. Works as an emollient. Helps water and oil mix together and creates a nice product texture
More about Cetearyl alcoholMethylene bis-benzotriazolyl tetramethylbutylphenol~0.75–1.1%
- 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 tetramethylbutylphenolStyrene/acrylates copolymer~0.55–0.8%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Used to create an even product consistency. Can help boost efficiency of sunscreen filters
More about Styrene/acrylates copolymerDiethylamino hydroxybenzoyl hexyl benzoate~0.65–0.95%
- 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 benzoateBis-ethylhexyloxyphenol methoxyphenyl triazine~0.6–0.85%
- 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 triazineChrysanthemum parthenium flower extract~0.4–0.6%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Hydroxyphenyl propamidobenzoic acid~0.35–0.65%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Might help to reduce inflammation in skin, but solid research is lacking
More about Hydroxyphenyl propamidobenzoic acidAcrylates copolymer~0.35–0.65%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Used to stabilize product formulation, help create an even product layer over skin (for example, in sunscreen) and create a thicker product consistency
More about Acrylates copolymerAcrylates/c10-30 alkyl acrylate crosspolymer~0.3–0.6%
- 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 crosspolymerAcrylates/c12-22 alkyl methacrylate copolymer~0.3–0.55%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Pentylene glycol~0.3–0.6%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Used to preserve products, dissolve other ingredients and create a nice product texture
More about Pentylene glycolCaprylyl glycol~0.3–0.55%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Helps preserve products and creates a nice product texture
More about Caprylyl glycolCyclopentasiloxane~0.3–0.5%
- 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 CyclopentasiloxaneLinseed acid~0.35–0.65%
Propylene glycol~0.25–0.4%
- 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 glycolPotassium lactate~0.25–0.45%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Ppg-5-ceteth-20~0.3–0.5%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
A solvent with some emollient properties
More about Ppg-5-ceteth-20Ceteth-10 phosphate~0.3–0.55%
Dicetyl phosphate~0.25–0.45%
Decyl glucoside~0.3–0.55%
- Irritation risk
- High
Helps oil and water mix together. Can be irritating
More about Decyl glucosideSodium dodecylbenzenesulfonate~0.3–0.55%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Helps oil and water mix together
More about Sodium dodecylbenzenesulfonatePeg-8 laurate~0.25–0.45%
Xanthan gum~0.2–0.4%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Used to create a thicker product consistency
More about Xanthan gumDisodium edta~0.2–0.35%
Sodium hydroxide~0.15–0.3%
Bht~0.15–0.25%
Ascorbyl palmitate~0.1–0.2%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Being a lipid soluble form of vitamin C, it is more stable and can penetrate the skin better than L-Ascorbic acid. It is effective in protecting the skin from free radicals, as well as evening the skin tone, but is less effective in stimulating collagen production compared to L-Ascorbic acid.
More about Ascorbyl palmitatePhenoxyethanol~0.1–0.2%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A preservative. It helps prevent bacterial growth in cosmetic products
More about PhenoxyethanolPotassium sorbate~0.1–0.25%
Parfum~0.05–0.1%
- Irritation risk
- High
An aromatic blend of unspecified and possibly irritating ingredients
More about ParfumIngredient list view
Water, Ethylhexyl salicylate, C12-15 alkyl benzoate, Octocrylene, Glycerin, Cyclohexasiloxane, Butylene glycol, Vp/eicosene copolymer, Butyl methoxydibenzoylmethane, Dimethicone, Cetearyl alcohol, Methylene bis-benzotriazolyl tetramethylbutylphenol, Styrene/acrylates copolymer, Diethylamino hydroxybenzoyl hexyl benzoate, Bis-ethylhexyloxyphenol methoxyphenyl triazine, Chrysanthemum parthenium flower extract, Hydroxyphenyl propamidobenzoic acid, Acrylates copolymer, Acrylates/c10-30 alkyl acrylate crosspolymer, Acrylates/c12-22 alkyl methacrylate copolymer, Pentylene glycol, Caprylyl glycol, Cyclopentasiloxane, Linseed acid, Propylene glycol, Potassium lactate, Ppg-5-ceteth-20, Ceteth-10 phosphate, Dicetyl phosphate, Decyl glucoside, Sodium dodecylbenzenesulfonate, Peg-8 laurate, Xanthan gum, Disodium edta, Sodium hydroxide, Bht, Ascorbyl palmitate, Phenoxyethanol, Potassium sorbate, Parfum
Compare prices
Retailers ranked by price — lowest first.
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.
| Piz BuinAllergy Sun Sensitive Skin Lotion - Very High SPF50+YOUR PRODUCT | RoC SkincareSoleil-Protect High Tolerance Comfort Fluid SPF50+ | Childs FarmChildren's SPF 50+ Sun Lotion, Water Resistant | KruidvatSOLAIT KIDS WATER & FUN SPF50+ SUNMILK | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Match | — | 50% | 46% | 45% |
| Price | — | $24.06 | $13.22 | — |
| Shared key ingredients | — | 6 of 8 | 5 of 8 | 5 of 8 |
| Key difference | — | Methyl Methacrylate Crosspolymer | Panthenol | Panthenol |
| Irritancy | Medium | Low | Low | Low |
| SPF | SPF 50 | SPF 50 | SPF 50 | SPF 50 |
| Drying alcohol | — | — | Contains drying alcohol | — |
| View product | Shop | Shop | Shop |
More alternatives: La Roche-Posay Anthelios Hydrating SPF30 Sun Cream for BodyCetaphil Daily Defence Moisturiser SPF 50
Product summary
We believe that "Piz Buin - Allergy Sun Sensitive Skin Lotion - Very High SPF50+" can provide reliable sun protection based on the ingredients listed. We love that it can protect from both UVA and UVB rays (not all sunscreens with SPF ratings give UVA protection. UVA rays do not cause sunburn, but still damage our skin and lead to early aging).
As a plus, this sunscreen uses some of the new generation UV filters (Tinosorb M). These filters are more stable and more gentle on the skin.
Its formula is also hydrating, so you might not need an additional moistruizer during the day. Like all broad-spectrum sunscreens, this product has an anti-aging benefit.
Sunscreen filters
This is a so-called "chemical" sunscreen. It means that it uses organic UV filters. They typically offer good sun protection and rarely leave a white cast, but they can be irritating for some people with sensitive skin. Here are the exact UV filters in this sunscreen: tinosorb s 0.60% - 0.85%, avobenzone 1.60% - 2.00%, uvinul a plus 0.65% - 0.95%, octisalate 5.00% - 6.10%, tinosorb m 0.75% - 1.10% and octocrylene 3.60% - 4.40%.
Irritation risk
It contains some common irritants, including those without a benefit for the skin. We assess the overall irritancy of it to be medium. For a detailed overview of all potential irritants: click here
You can see the detailed formula review with the breakdown of all actives in the product and the full ingredient list with estimated concentrations in the tables below.
Price
The product retails for 22.60$ in the United States, for 28.60CA$ in Canada and for 16.33£ 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 11 studies and safety reviews.
- 1
- 2
- 3
- 4Final Report on the Safety Assessment of Dimethicone Copolyoljournals.sagepub.com
- 5
- 6
Affiliate links · As an Amazon Associate, WIMJ earns from qualifying purchases.