Ren Skincare SPF30 Mattifying Face Sunscreen
Works for
0 of 1 advertised claim delivered
Sun protectionSPF 30 · 1 UV filter · Broad spectrumWeak protectionLow zinc dose
This product uses a single UV filter (zinc oxide) in a relatively low concentration and might not be able to provide a reliable sun protection.
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-oxidationNot advertised by the brand · 6 ingredients credited for this claimModerate support
This product contains antioxidants (vaccinium macrocarpon seed oil) that might be able to help neutralize free radicals in skin to lessen the damage it gets from the UV light (sun). There is not enough evidence to confirm their effectiveness in skin though.
MoisturizingNot advertised by the brand · 14 ingredients credited for this claimGood support
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, glucose.
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: caprylic/capric triglyceride, helianthus annuus seed oil.
Can it cause trouble?
Irritancy9 strong irritants: Citrus nobilis peel oil, Cinnamomum camphora linalooliferum leaf oil + 7 more — patch-test recommendedHigh risk
Comedogenic1 ingredient rated 2 or more on the 0–5 pore-clogging scale1 flagged
User reviews
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Ingredients
Filter by role to see what each ingredient is doing.
Water~45–55%
Zinc oxide~11–14%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A broad spectrum sunblock (protects from both UVA and UVB rays). Is suitable for most sensitive skins. In small concentrations, can be used as a colorant
More about Zinc oxideCaprylic/capric triglyceride~5.8–7.1%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
A good mix of fatty acids that forms a protective layer on the skin. Improves the shelf life of products. Derived from coconut and glycerin
More about Caprylic/capric triglycerideAloe barbadensis leaf juice~3.8–4.6%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Traditionally used to treat sunburns, dermatitis and inflammation, but evidence for its effectiveness is lacking. The extract can contain humectants that help attract water into the skin
More about Aloe barbadensis leaf juiceGlycerin~3.1–3.8%
- 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 GlycerinCaprylyl caprylate/caprate~2.7–3.2%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps soften the upper layer of the skin
More about Caprylyl caprylate/capratePropanediol~2.4–2.9%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Acts as a solvent for other ingredients. Speeds up the absorption of other ingredients into the skin
More about PropanediolArachidyl alcohol~2–2.5%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Used to soften the upper layer of the skin and create a thicker product consistency
More about Arachidyl alcoholCetearyl alcohol~1.5–1.8%
- 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 alcoholCoco-glucoside~1.2–1.5%
- 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-glucosideOryza sativa starch~1–1.2%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Pongamia glabra seed oil~0.7–1.05%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A plant oil that helps soften the upper layer of the skin
More about Pongamia glabra seed oilMicrocrystalline cellulose~0.8–1.15%
Behenyl alcohol~0.7–1.05%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Non-drying alcohol that helps water and oil mix together. Also serves as an emollient
More about Behenyl alcoholPhenoxyethanol~0.6–0.95%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A preservative. It helps prevent bacterial growth in cosmetic products
More about PhenoxyethanolArachidyl glucoside~0.6–0.9%
Isostearic acid~0.7–1%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Used to create a nice product texture
More about Isostearic acidLecithin~0.6–0.9%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Used mostly for creating emulsions - helping oil and water mix together. Helps soften the upper layer of the skin
More about LecithinPolyglyceryl-3 polyricinoleate~0.55–0.85%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Helps oil and water mix together
More about Polyglyceryl-3 polyricinoleatePolyhydroxystearic acid~0.55–0.8%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Used to create a thicker product consistency and stabilize the formulation
More about Polyhydroxystearic acidPassiflora edulis fruit extract~0.5–0.7%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Ethylhexylglycerin~0.45–0.7%
Glyceryl oleate~0.45–0.7%
- Irritation risk
- High
Helps oil and water mix together. Can be irritating
More about Glyceryl oleateVaccinium macrocarpon seed oil~0.5–0.75%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
A plant oil that can help neutralize free radicals, soften the upper layer of the skin, and support skin's barrier function
More about Vaccinium macrocarpon seed oilXanthan gum~0.5–0.7%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Used to create a thicker product consistency
More about Xanthan gumCellulose gum~0.45–0.7%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Used to create thicker product consistency and stabilize emulsions
More about Cellulose gumSodium chloride~0.5–0.7%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Used to stabilize mixtures of oil and water, and create thicker, gel-like product textures
More about Sodium chlorideHippophae rhamnoides oil~0.5–0.75%
- Irritation risk
- High
A good emollient. Contains various ingredients including vitamins and fatty acids that could work in the skin to neutralize free radicals and minimize moisture loss - if enough of these compounds is able to penetrate the skin in an active form.
More about Hippophae rhamnoides oilCitrus nobilis peel oil~0.4–0.65%
- 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 oilAnthemis nobilis flower oil~0.35–0.6%
- Irritation risk
- High
An essential oil that is used as a fragrance and can be irritating. It might have some anti-oxidant effect in skin
More about Anthemis nobilis flower oilCinnamomum camphora linalooliferum leaf oil~0.35–0.65%
- Irritation risk
- High
Pelargonium graveolens flower oil~0.45–0.65%
- Irritation risk
- High
An essential oil. Can be irritating. Can become an allergen with oxidation
More about Pelargonium graveolens flower oilGlucose~0.4–0.6%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps attract water to the upper layer of the skin. Could be helpful in restoring the skin barrier function
More about GlucoseParfum~0.35–0.6%
- Irritation risk
- High
An aromatic blend of unspecified and possibly irritating ingredients
More about ParfumHelianthus annuus seed oil~0.4–0.6%
- 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 oilTocopherol~0.35–0.65%
- 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 TocopherolRosmarinus officinalis leaf extract~0.25–0.5%
- Irritation risk
- High
Can be helpful in reducing inflammation in skin, including inflamed acne. It can be irritating
More about Rosmarinus officinalis leaf extractHydrogenated palm glycerides citrate~0.3–0.55%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps soften the upper layer of the skin
More about Hydrogenated palm glycerides citrateCitric acid~0.2–0.35%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Can work as an exfoliant but is typically used to adjust the product pH
More about Citric acidSodium hydroxide~0.2–0.35%
Citronellol~0.15–0.25%
Geraniol~0.1–0.2%
Limonene~0.1–0.15%
- Irritation risk
- High
A common frangrance that can easily irritate skin, especially if exposed to air, light or heat
More about LimoneneLinalool~0.05–0.15%
Ingredient list view
Water, Zinc oxide, Caprylic/capric triglyceride, Aloe barbadensis leaf juice, Glycerin, Caprylyl caprylate/caprate, Propanediol, Arachidyl alcohol, Cetearyl alcohol, Coco-glucoside, Oryza sativa starch, Pongamia glabra seed oil, Microcrystalline cellulose, Behenyl alcohol, Phenoxyethanol, Arachidyl glucoside, Isostearic acid, Lecithin, Polyglyceryl-3 polyricinoleate, Polyhydroxystearic acid, Passiflora edulis fruit extract, Ethylhexylglycerin, Glyceryl oleate, Vaccinium macrocarpon seed oil, Xanthan gum, Cellulose gum, Sodium chloride, Hippophae rhamnoides oil, Citrus nobilis peel oil, Anthemis nobilis flower oil, Cinnamomum camphora linalooliferum leaf oil, Pelargonium graveolens flower oil, Glucose, Parfum, Helianthus annuus seed oil, Tocopherol, Rosmarinus officinalis leaf extract, Hydrogenated palm glycerides citrate, Citric acid, Sodium hydroxide, Citronellol, Geraniol, Limonene, Linalool
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Product summary
We are worried that "Ren Skincare - SPF30 Mattifying Face Sunscreen" might not be able to provide reliable sun protection because it uses a single UV filter (zinc oxide) in a relatively weak concentration.
It contains good moisturizing ingredients and can double as a hydrating day cream.
Sunscreen filters
This product is a mineral sunscreen. It uses zinc oxide for sun protection. Zinc oxide almost never irritates the skin or stings eyes, but it can leave a white cast.
Irritation risk
This product contains a bunch of common irritants, including ingredients that do not provide any known benefit for the skin. It might not be the best choice if your skin is sensitive. We assess the overall irritancy of this product 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 16.00$ in the United States, for 17.50CA$ in Canada and for 10.00£ 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 28 studies and safety reviews.
- 1A review of inorganic UV filters zinc oxide and titanium dioxideonlinelibrary.wiley.com
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