SANA Soy Isoflavones Whitening & Acne Care Sunscreen SPF 40 PA++++
Works for
Sun protectionSPF 40 · 1 UV filter · Broad spectrumWeak protectionLow filter 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-agingTocopherolNot delivered
“Sana is a renowned Japanese skincare brand that specializes in facial anti-aging products enriched with soy isoflavones, a key ingredient known for its beneficial effects on the skin.”
This product does not contain ingredients that are able to reduce fine lines and wrinkles or help with skin elasticity, but it can improve the look of the skin temporarily through moisturization. Well-moisturized skin might also be able to repair the sun damage better.
The biggest anti-aging effect in this product comes from sun protection. Sun damage is the main factor causing early signs of skin aging. We, however, do not recommend using this product as a sunscreen because the protection it offers is not strong enough).
Evens skin toneSide benefit · Stearyl glycyrrhetinateMay help
The following ingredient (ingredients) in this product might be helpful, but there is no evidence to confirm that it actually works: stearyl glycyrrhetinate.
The biggest effect for evening out skin tone in this product comes from 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).
MoisturizingSide benefit · Stearyl glycyrrhetinate, Cyclopentasiloxane + 5 moreWorks
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, sucrose.
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: methicone, cyclopentasiloxane.
Can it cause trouble?
Irritancy3 flagged ingredientsLow risk
ComedogenicClean of flagged comedogenic ingredientsNone flagged
User reviews
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Ingredients
Filter by role to see what each ingredient is doing.
Albutin~44–54%
Stearyl glycyrrhetinate~6.8–8.3%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
A fatty acid derived from licorice. Works as an emollient and can help calm down inflammation
More about Stearyl glycyrrhetinateWater~4.6–5.6%
Cyclopentasiloxane~3.5–4.3%
- 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 CyclopentasiloxaneButylene glycol~2.8–3.4%
- 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 glycolZinc oxide~3.1–3.7%
- 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 oxideGlycerin~2–2.5%
- 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 GlycerinNeopentyl glycol~1.7–2%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Polyethylene~1.6–2%
Soymilk~1.2–1.4%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Water~1–1.2%
Silica~1.1–1.3%
Sucrose~0.7–1.05%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Can help attract water to the upper layer of the skin. In crystal form, it can work as a gentle exfoliant, gentler than the salt scrub. Helps stabilize the emulsion
More about SucroseAlcohol~0.7–1.05%
- 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 AlcoholXanthan gum~0.6–0.9%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Used to create a thicker product consistency
More about Xanthan gumCitric acid~0.55–0.85%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Can work as an exfoliant but is typically used to adjust the product pH
More about Citric acidGlycerin~0.6–0.9%
- 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 GlycerinTocopherol~0.5–0.75%
- 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 TocopherolPotassium polyacrylate~0.45–0.7%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Mica~0.3–0.55%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Creates an illusion of smoother and more radiant skin tone. Adds shimmer to the skin by reflecting light
More about MicaMethicone~0.3–0.55%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A type of silicone that helps soften the upper layer of the skin and reduces the water loss from the skin surface
More about MethiconeAluminum hydroxide~0.25–0.45%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Is used to add opaque (non-transparent) appearance to formulations. Can be used to coat other ingredients for even dispersion. This is a different ingredient compared to the ones used in antipersperants (aluminium chloride and aluminium chlorohydrate)
More about Aluminum hydroxideHydrogen~0.15–0.25%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Phenoxyethanol~0.1–0.25%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A preservative. It helps prevent bacterial growth in cosmetic products
More about PhenoxyethanolIngredient list view
Albutin, Stearyl glycyrrhetinate, Water, Cyclopentasiloxane, Butylene glycol, Zinc oxide, Glycerin, Neopentyl glycol, Polyethylene, Soymilk, Unknown, Water, Silica, Sucrose, Unknown, Alcohol, Xanthan gum, Citric acid, Glycerin, Tocopherol, Potassium polyacrylate, Mica, Unknown, Methicone, Aluminum hydroxide, Hydrogen, Unknown, Phenoxyethanol
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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.
| SANASoy Isoflavones Whitening & Acne Care Sunscreen SPF 40 PA++++YOUR PRODUCT | NassifMD DermaceuticalsProtect & Hydrate Daily Mineral Sunscreen SPF 44 - Plump & Hydrate with Hyaluronic Acid! | Nivea JapanSun Protect Water Milk Mild SPF 50+ PA+++ | ShiseidoAnessa Moisture UV Sunscreen Mild Milk For Sensitive Skin A SPF 35 PA+++ | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Match | — | 29% | 29% | 29% |
| Price | — | $45.00 | $11.60 | $40.07 |
| Shared key ingredients | — | 5 of 7 | 4 of 7 | 3 of 7 |
| Key difference | — | Dimethicone | Cyclomethicone | Tinosorb S |
| Irritancy | Low | Low | Low | Low |
| SPF | SPF 40 | SPF 44 | SPF 50 | SPF 35 |
| Drying alcohol | Contains drying alcohol | — | — | — |
| View product | Shop | Shop | Shop |
More alternatives: Maelove Sun Protector SPF 30Verdio UV Barrier Milk SPF50+ PA++++
Product summary
"SANA - Soy Isoflavones Whitening & Acne Care Sunscreen SPF 40 PA++++" uses a single UV filter (zinc oxide) in a relatively low concentration and might not be able to provide reliable sun protection.
It contains good moisturizing ingredients and can double as a hydrating day cream.
Sunscreen filters
This sunscreen 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
It contains some common irritants, including those without a benefit for the skin. We assess the overall irritancy of this product to be low. 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.
Sources cited in this review
Every concentration estimate and effectiveness label is anchored to one of these 9 studies and safety reviews.
- 1A review of inorganic UV filters zinc oxide and titanium dioxideonlinelibrary.wiley.com
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