Replenix Sheer Physical Sunscreen Cream SPF 50
Works for
0 of 1 advertised claim delivered
Sun protectionSPF 50 · 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-agingNot advertised by the brand · 5 ingredients credited for this claimStrong support
This product can help reduce and prevent fine lines and wrinkles, improve skin elasticity and firmness because it contains ascorbic acid.
These ingredients in the product can also be helpful, even though there is less evidence for their effectiveness: resveratrol.
Keep in mind that it typically takes at least 6 weeks to notice any results because the changes that are needed to improve fine lines and elasticity happen in the deeper layers of the skin. No topical anti-aging product can “erase” wrinkles or fully reverse signs of aging.
Anti-oxidationNot advertised by the brand · 6 ingredients credited for this claimStrong support
This product contains antioxidants (ascorbic acid, resveratrol, ubiquinone) that can help neutralize free radicals in skin. By doing so, they can lessen the damage the skin gets from the UV light (sun).
The following ingredients - emblica officinalis fruit extract also can have an antioxidant effect, but there is less evidence to confirm their effectiveness in skin.
Evens skin toneNot advertised by the brand · 4 ingredients credited for this claimStrong support
This product can help reduce hypepigmentation and even out the skin tone because it contains the following effective ingredients: ascorbic acid.
The following ingredient (ingredients) in this product might be helpful, but there is no evidence to confirm that it actually can help even out the skin tone: emblica officinalis fruit extract, resveratrol.
Keep in mind that you would need to apply any topical skincare targetted at hypigmentation consistently for a couple of months to get a result. No topical skincare product can help get rid of hyperpigmentation (including post-acne marks and age spots) instantly.
This product can also help with skin tone because it offers sun protection. Sun damage is the main factor causing age spots, darkening of post-acne marks and other discolorations. This is why sun protection is the best strategy for maintaining an even skin tone. We, however, do not recommend using this product as a sunscreen because the protection it offers is not strong enough).
Can it cause trouble?
Irritancy1 strong irritant: Retinyl palmitateMedium 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.
Zinc oxide13.75%
- 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 oxideAcrylates crosspolymer-4~23–35%
Ascorbic acid~5.7–8.5%
- 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 acidAscorbyl palmitate~3.7–5.5%
- 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 palmitateBiotin~2.7–4%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Might have some moisturising properties. Is not effective when applied topically beyond some moisturizing effect
More about BiotinCamellia sinensis polyphenols~2.1–3.1%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Cetearyl alcohol~1.6–2.4%
- 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 alcoholCeteth-10 phosphate~1.5–2.2%
Cetyl peg/ppg-10/1 dimethicone~1.1–1.6%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A type of silicone that helps water and oil mix together. Can help to soften upper layer of the skin
More about Cetyl peg/ppg-10/1 dimethiconeCyclopentasiloxane~0.9–1.3%
- 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 CyclopentasiloxaneDicetyl phosphate~0.55–1.3%
Disodium edta~0.45–1%
Emblica officinalis fruit extract~0.35–0.8%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
A plant extract that might be helping in neutralizing free radicals in skin. It could help reduce hyperpigmentation. There is some research to confirm its effectiveness in skin
More about Emblica officinalis fruit extractGlyceryl isostearate~0.35–0.85%
Lauryl peg/ppg-18/18 methicone~0.2–0.75%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Helps oil and water mix together. It might be irritating for some people
More about Lauryl peg/ppg-18/18 methiconeNeopentyl glycol diheptanoate~0.2–0.75%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps soften the upper layer of the skin and create a nice product consistency
More about Neopentyl glycol diheptanoatePhenoxyethanol~0.15–0.65%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A preservative. It helps prevent bacterial growth in cosmetic products
More about PhenoxyethanolPhospholipids~0.15–0.6%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Emollients that are naturaly present in skin. In addition, they help water and oil mix together in the product
More about PhospholipidsPolyhydroxystearic acid~0.15–0.55%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Used to create a thicker product consistency and stabilize the formulation
More about Polyhydroxystearic acidPotassium cetyl phosphate~0.1–0.5%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Helps oil and water mix together
More about Potassium cetyl phosphatePotassium hydroxide~0.1–0.4%
Water~0.1–0.3%
Retinyl palmitate~0.05–0.25%
- Irritation risk
- High
Three steps removed from the active form of vitamin A - retinoic acid. To have an effect in the skin, it first needs to be converted twice to become the retinoic acid. This means it is less potent than retinol, but could also be less irritating. Once converted to the retinoic acid in the skin, it helps against all signs of aging, improves skin cell turnover and helps fight blemishes and clogged pores. However, in many cosmetic formulations, it is used in a concentration that is too low to have the full effect
More about Retinyl palmitateResveratrol~0.05–0.25%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Helps neutralize free radicals in skin and might help reduce fine lines and wrinkles, as well as even out the skin tone
More about ResveratrolTocopheryl acetate~0.05–0.2%
- 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 acetateUbiquinone~0.05–0.15%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Coenzyme Q10. It helps neutralize free radicals in skin, improves skin hydration and might be helpful agains fine lines and wrinkles. It can be an allergen
More about UbiquinoneXanthan gum~0.01–0.1%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Used to create a thicker product consistency
More about Xanthan gumIngredient list view
Zinc oxide, Acrylates crosspolymer-4, Ascorbic acid, Ascorbyl palmitate, Biotin, Camellia sinensis polyphenols, Cetearyl alcohol, Ceteth-10 phosphate, Cetyl peg/ppg-10/1 dimethicone, Cyclopentasiloxane, Dicetyl phosphate, Disodium edta, Emblica officinalis fruit extract, Glyceryl isostearate, Lauryl peg/ppg-18/18 methicone, Neopentyl glycol diheptanoate, Phenoxyethanol, Phospholipids, Polyhydroxystearic acid, Potassium cetyl phosphate, Potassium hydroxide, Water, Retinyl palmitate, Resveratrol, Tocopheryl acetate, Ubiquinone, Xanthan gum
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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.
| ReplenixSheer Physical Sunscreen Cream SPF 50YOUR PRODUCT | Dr Dennis GrossSheer Mineral Sun Spray Broad Spectrum SPF 50 Protection | CetaphilSheer Mineral Sunscreen Broad Spectrum SPF 50 | TopixCitrix Vitamin C Antioxidant Sunscreen SPF 40 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Match | — | 94% | 81% | 80% |
| Price | $38.00 | $42.00+$4.00 | $31.60−$6.40 | $76.85+$38.85 |
| Shared key ingredients | — | 6 of 6 | 1 of 6 | 3 of 6 |
| Key difference | — | Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract | Oatmeal Extract | Tea Extract |
| Irritancy | Medium | Medium | Low | Medium |
| SPF | SPF 50 | SPF 50 | SPF 50 | SPF 40 |
| Drying alcohol | — | — | — | — |
| View product | Shop | Shop | Shop |
Product summary
We are worried that "Replenix - Sheer Physical Sunscreen Cream SPF 50" might not be able to provide reliable sun protection because it uses a single UV filter (zinc oxide) in a relatively weak concentration.
This product prevents early signs of aging by protecting against sun damage (all broad spectrum sunscreens do that).
Sunscreen filters
It is a mineral sunscreen. It uses zinc oxide for sun protection. Zinc oxide almost never irritates the skin or stings eyes, but it can leave a white cast.
Irritation risk
There are actives in this product that can be irritating. We assess the overall irritancy of this sunscreen to be medium. For a detailed overview of all potential irritants: click here
You can see the detailed formula review with the breakdown of all actives in the product and the full ingredient list with estimated concentrations in the tables below.
Price
The product retails for 38.00$ 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 13 studies and safety reviews.
- 1A review of inorganic UV filters zinc oxide and titanium dioxideonlinelibrary.wiley.com
- 2
- 3
- 4
- 5
- 6Emblicamdedge.com
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