The Seaweed Bath Co. Invisible Mineral SPF 50
Works for
Sun protectionSPF 50 · 2 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 · Camellia sinensis leaf extract, Tocopherol + 1 moreWorks well
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 · Camellia sinensis leaf extract, GluconolactoneWorks 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 · Polymethylsilsesquioxane, Squalane + 4 moreWorks
This product can help soften the skin and reduce its moisture loss with emollients and occlusives: squalane.
Keep in mind that this product does not contain effective ingredients to attract water to the upper layer of the skin. This is why an additional product with humectants like glycerin or hyaluronic acid can be helpful (apply it before this product for the best results).
Can it cause trouble?
Irritancy1 strong irritant: Sorbitan sesquioleateMedium risk
Comedogenic3 ingredients rated 2 or more on the 0–5 pore-clogging scale3 flagged
User reviews
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Ingredients
Filter by role to see what each ingredient is doing.
Zinc oxide10%
- 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 oxideC13-15 alkane~24–36%
Dimethicone/vinyl dimethicone crosspolymer~5.9–8.9%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Used to stabilize product formulations and create a nice product texture
More about Dimethicone/vinyl dimethicone crosspolymerButyloctyl salicylate~4.1–6.2%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
A synthetic ester of salicylic acid that is used to help disperse pigments and boost effectiveness of sunscreen ingredients. It is able to absorb UV light (working as an organic, or chemical filter), but is not approved as a sunscreen ingredient on its own
More about Butyloctyl salicylateTridecyl salicylate~2.8–4.2%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Ethylhexyl methoxycrylene~2.2–3.3%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Helps improve stability of sunscreen filters and boost their effectiveness
More about Ethylhexyl methoxycrylenePolymethylsilsesquioxane~1.8–2.7%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A silicone that improves product texture and helps dissolve other ingredients. Can form a non-greasy film on the skin to prevent moisture loss
More about PolymethylsilsesquioxaneSorbitan sesquioleate~1.5–2.3%
- Irritation risk
- High
Used to help oil and water mix together. Can be irritating
More about Sorbitan sesquioleateHydroxyethyl acrylate/sodium acryloyldimethyl taurate copolymer~1.3–2%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
A gelling agent that thickens the product consistency and leaves the skin with a velvety finish
More about Hydroxyethyl acrylate/sodium acryloyldimethyl taurate copolymerSqualane~1.2–1.8%
- Irritation risk
- Low
An oil naturally present in skin. Works as an emollient to soften the skin and form a protective layer on its surface without a greasy feeling.
More about SqualaneBisabolol~0.85–1.25%
- Irritation risk
- Low
An active component of chamomile plant that historically has been used to calm down irritated skin. A recent study shows that bisabolol indeed can have some anti-inflammatory effect on skin, even though conclusive data is lacking. Bisabolol has a sweet floral scent and can be added to products for its aromatic properties
More about BisabololCystoseira tamariscifolia extract~0.55–1.25%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Chondrus crispus~0.5–1.15%
- Irritation risk
- Low
- Comedogenicity
- 3/5
Red algae extract that helps attract water to the upper layer of the skin and create a nicer product consistency
More about Chondrus crispusKousou~0.4–0.95%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Ci 15850~0.35–0.75%
Chondrus crispus~0.2–0.8%
- Irritation risk
- Low
- Comedogenicity
- 3/5
Red algae extract that helps attract water to the upper layer of the skin and create a nicer product consistency
More about Chondrus crispusFucus vesiculosus extract~0.2–0.75%
- Irritation risk
- Low
- Comedogenicity
- 3/5
Camellia sinensis leaf extract~0.15–0.55%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Can contain potent anti-oxidant compounds (abbreviated ECG, GCG, EGC, and EGCG) that might help protect the skin from free radicals. Can help calm down inflammation and has some anti-bacterial properties. Unfortunately, these antioxidants are unstable and lose their effectiveness very quickly in products. The concentration of the antioxidant compounds in the extract also tends to be low to be effective in topical formulation
More about Camellia sinensis leaf extractCyathea medullaris leaf extract~0.1–0.4%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Gluconolactone~0.1–0.3%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
A polyhydroxy acid (PHA) that helps shed the dead cells from the skin surface revealing smoother skin. Is believed to be genter than AHAs. It helps attract water to the upper layer of the skin and can stimulate production of skin's own hyaluronic acid resulting in improved hydration levels. It has been shown to be helpful against acne and clogged pores if used consistently (e.g over a period of 12 weeks) in high enough concentration. It can help reduce fine lines and wrinkles and improve skin tone with long-term application. Can help neutralize free radicals
More about GluconolactoneTocopherol~0.1–0.3%
- 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 TocopherolRibes nigrum~0.1–0.35%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Ingredient list view
Zinc oxide, C13-15 alkane, Dimethicone/vinyl dimethicone crosspolymer, Butyloctyl salicylate, Tridecyl salicylate, Ethylhexyl methoxycrylene, Polymethylsilsesquioxane, Sorbitan sesquioleate, Hydroxyethyl acrylate/sodium acryloyldimethyl taurate copolymer, Squalane, Bisabolol, Cystoseira tamariscifolia extract, Unknown, Chondrus crispus, Kousou, Ci 15850, Chondrus crispus, Fucus vesiculosus extract, Camellia sinensis leaf extract, Cyathea medullaris leaf extract, Gluconolactone, Tocopherol, Ribes nigrum
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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.
| The Seaweed Bath Co.Invisible Mineral SPF 50YOUR PRODUCT | Osea MalibuMarine Screen SPF 50 Mineral Sunscreen | innisfreeDAILY UV DEFENSE MINERAL SUNSCREEN SPF 50 | Dr Dennis GrossAll-Physical Lightweight Wrinkle Defense Broad Spectrum Sunscreen SPF 30 PA++++ | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Match | — | 36% | 35% | 35% |
| Price | $29.99 | $42.00+$12.01 | — | $41.84+$11.85 |
| Shared key ingredients | — | 4 of 7 | 4 of 7 | 3 of 7 |
| Key difference | — | Panthenol | Madecassoside | Ferulic Acid |
| Irritancy | Medium | Low | Low | Low |
| SPF | SPF 50 | SPF 50 | SPF 50 | SPF 30 |
| Drying alcohol | — | — | — | — |
| View product | Shop | Shop | Shop |
More alternatives: Colorescience Sport Stick SPF 50Tatcha US DEV The Silk Sunscreen SPF 50
Product summary
We assess that "Seaweed Bath Co. - Invisible Mineral SPF 50" can provide reliable sun protection based on the ingredient list. 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).
Because it includes good moisturizing ingredients, it can also work as a hydrating day cream. This product prevents early signs of aging by protecting against sun damage (all broad spectrum sunscreens do that).
Sunscreen filters
This sunscreen uses a mixture of both mineral and organic (so-called "chemical") UV filters. Here are the organic filters this product uses: butyloctyl salicylate. As for the mineral filters, this sunscreen uses zinc oxide.
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.
Sources cited in this review
Every concentration estimate and effectiveness label is anchored to one of these 22 studies and safety reviews.
- 1A review of inorganic UV filters zinc oxide and titanium dioxideonlinelibrary.wiley.com
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- 6
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