Piz Buin Mountain Sun Cream - Very High SPF50+
Works for
1 of 1 advertised claim delivered
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-agingNot advertised by the brand · 2 ingredients 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.
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 · 11 ingredients credited for this claimGood support
This product contains good ingredients to attract water to the upper layer of the skin. These ingredients are called "humectants": glycerin, trehalose.
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. If the air is dry, humectants can speed up the moisture loss from the skin. This is why it is a good idea to use another product on top of this one to help "seal in" the moisture (look for ingredients like dimethicone, squalane, oils and butters).
Can it cause trouble?
Irritancy1 strong irritant: ParfumMedium risk
Comedogenic2 ingredients rated 2 or more on the 0–5 pore-clogging scale2 flagged
User reviews
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Ingredients
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Water~45–55%
C12-15 alkyl benzoate~5.5–6.7%
- 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 benzoateEthylhexyl salicylate~4.7–5.8%
- 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 salicylateOctocrylene~3.7–4.5%
- 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~2.5–3%
- 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 GlycerinButylene glycol~2–2.4%
- 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 glycolSilica~1.9–2.3%
Dicaprylyl carbonate~1.4–1.8%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps products spread more easily and works as an emollient to soften skin
More about Dicaprylyl carbonateButyl methoxydibenzoylmethane~1.6–1.9%
- 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 methoxydibenzoylmethaneVp/eicosene copolymer~0.95–1.2%
- 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 copolymerButyrospermum parkii butter~0.7–1.05%
- Irritation risk
- Low
- Comedogenicity
- 3/5
A great moisturising ingredient that softens the skin and reduces water loss from its upper layer. It also can be helpful in protecting skin from free radicals
More about Butyrospermum parkii butterMethylene 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 copolymerCetyl alcohol~0.55–0.8%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A non-drying alcohol that works to soften the skin and stabilize product formulations helping oil and water mix together
More about Cetyl alcoholGlyceryl stearate~0.45–0.7%
- Irritation risk
- Low
An emollient that softens the skin and forms a protective layer on its surface. Helps water and oil mix together
More about Glyceryl stearateChrysanthemum parthenium flower extract~0.4–0.6%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Leontopodium alpinum extract~0.35–0.65%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Caprylyl glycol~0.35–0.65%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Helps preserve products and creates a nice product texture
More about Caprylyl glycolTrehalose~0.3–0.55%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A sugar that attracts water to the upper layer of the skin
More about TrehalosePropylene glycol~0.25–0.5%
- 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 glycolBis-ethylhexyloxyphenol methoxyphenyl triazine~0.45–0.7%
- 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 triazineDiethylamino hydroxybenzoyl hexyl benzoate~0.45–0.7%
- 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 benzoatePeg-75 stearate~0.25–0.45%
Ceteth-20~0.35–0.65%
Steareth-20~0.3–0.6%
Potassium cetyl phosphate~0.25–0.5%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Helps oil and water mix together
More about Potassium cetyl phosphateDecyl glucoside~0.3–0.6%
- Irritation risk
- High
Helps oil and water mix together. Can be irritating
More about Decyl glucosideLinseed acid~0.35–0.65%
Peg-8 laurate~0.25–0.5%
Sodium dodecylbenzenesulfonate~0.3–0.6%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Helps oil and water mix together
More about Sodium dodecylbenzenesulfonateAlcohol~0.2–0.4%
- Irritation risk
- High
Can be drying and contribute to skin irritation. Used in formulars to dissolve other ingredients, create a thinner product consistency or for its antibacterial properties
More about AlcoholAcrylates copolymer~0.25–0.4%
- 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 copolymerXanthan gum~0.2–0.4%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Used to create a thicker product consistency
More about Xanthan gumSodium polyacrylate~0.25–0.45%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Used to create a gel-like product texture, as well as to stabilize emulsions
More about Sodium polyacrylateCetearyl alcohol~0.25–0.45%
- 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 alcoholDisodium edta~0.15–0.25%
Tocopherol~0.15–0.25%
- 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 TocopherolPhenoxyethanol~0.15–0.25%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A preservative. It helps prevent bacterial growth in cosmetic products
More about PhenoxyethanolPotassium sorbate~0.15–0.25%
Parfum~0.05–0.1%
- Irritation risk
- High
An aromatic blend of unspecified and possibly irritating ingredients
More about ParfumIngredient list view
Water, C12-15 alkyl benzoate, Ethylhexyl salicylate, Octocrylene, Glycerin, Butylene glycol, Silica, Dicaprylyl carbonate, Butyl methoxydibenzoylmethane, Vp/eicosene copolymer, Butyrospermum parkii butter, Methylene bis-benzotriazolyl tetramethylbutylphenol, Styrene/acrylates copolymer, Cetyl alcohol, Glyceryl stearate, Chrysanthemum parthenium flower extract, Leontopodium alpinum extract, Caprylyl glycol, Trehalose, Propylene glycol, Bis-ethylhexyloxyphenol methoxyphenyl triazine, Diethylamino hydroxybenzoyl hexyl benzoate, Peg-75 stearate, Ceteth-20, Steareth-20, Potassium cetyl phosphate, Decyl glucoside, Linseed acid, Peg-8 laurate, Sodium dodecylbenzenesulfonate, Alcohol, Acrylates copolymer, Xanthan gum, Sodium polyacrylate, Cetearyl alcohol, Disodium edta, Tocopherol, Phenoxyethanol, Potassium sorbate, Parfum
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Product summary
Based on the ingredient list, we assess that "Piz Buin - Mountain Sun Cream - Very High SPF50+" 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).
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 should also be hydrating enough to use without an additional moisturizer 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: tinosorb s 0.45% - 0.70%, avobenzone 1.60% - 1.90%, uvinul a plus 0.45% - 0.70%, octisalate 4.70% - 5.80%, tinosorb m 0.75% - 1.10% and octocrylene 3.70% - 4.50%.
Irritation risk
This formulation includes some common irritants, including ingredients that do not provide a benefit for the skin. We assess the overall irritancy of this product 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 from 7.49$ up to 10.40$ in the United States, for 13.20CA$ in Canada and for 7.49£ 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
- 4Surfactants and experimental irritant contact dermatitisncbi.nlm.nih.gov
- 5Propylene Glycolpubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
- 6Skin-sensitizing and irritant properties of propylene glycolonlinelibrary.wiley.com
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