SkinCeuticals Brightening UV Defense SPF 30
Works for
3 of 3 advertised claims delivered
Sun protectionSPF 30 · 4 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.
Anti-aging1 ingredient credited for this claimStrong support
“photo-ageing”
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 toneNo ingredient credited for this claimStrong support
“Formulated with a HyperBright Complex, this corrective and protective sunscreen helps protect against the occurrence of future brown spots and pigmentation.”
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 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, caprylyl glycol.
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: dimethicone, cetyl alcohol.
Can it cause trouble?
Irritancy1 strong irritant: Mentha piperita extractMedium risk
Comedogenic1 ingredient rated 2 or more on the 0–5 pore-clogging scale1 flagged
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Ingredients
Filter by role to see what each ingredient is doing.
Water~45–55%
Ethylhexyl methoxycinnamate~7–8.5%
- Irritation risk
- High
Octinoxate. When used in higher concentrations, works as a sunscreen protecting the skin from UVB rays. When used in lower concentration, helps to preserve the product formulation. Is shown to be harmful to coral reefs - consider avoiding bathing in coral reef areas when wearing a product with this ingredient. It can be irritating
More about Ethylhexyl methoxycinnamateGlycerin~4.6–5.7%
- 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 GlycerinCyclopentasiloxane~3.3–4.1%
- 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 CyclopentasiloxaneTerephthalylidene dicamphor sulfonic acid~3.4–4.1%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Ecamsule, Mexoryl SX. A UV filter. Is effective mostly against the UVA rays. It is legally marketed in the US with the FDA approval since 2006, even though the ingredient is not on the official FDA list of the approved sunscreen active ingredients. It is photostable
More about Terephthalylidene dicamphor sulfonic acidPropylene glycol~2.1–2.5%
- 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 glycolDrometrizole trisiloxane~2.2–2.7%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Mexoryl XL. A UV filter. Effective in the UVB and UVA range. It is stable. Unfortunately, not approved in the US yet
More about Drometrizole trisiloxaneAlcohol denat.~1.5–1.9%
- Irritation risk
- High
Produces temporary toning effect. Can help dissolve other ingredients or preserve products
More about Alcohol denat.Triethanolamine~1.3–1.6%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Used to adjust pH of the product and can help improve the product's smell
More about TriethanolamineTitanium dioxide~1.4–1.7%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Works as a UV filter when used in high concentrations. It is photostable and is effective mostly against the UVB light, with some protection in the UVA range. In small concentrations, used for its ability to improve the color of cosmetic products. Is usually well tolerated by the skin
More about Titanium dioxideStearic acid~0.95–1.15%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps oil and water mix together and works as an emollient
More about Stearic acidPotassium cetyl phosphate~0.65–0.95%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Helps oil and water mix together
More about Potassium cetyl phosphateNylon-12~0.7–1%
Palmitic acid~0.55–0.85%
- Irritation risk
- Low
An emollient that is naturally present in skin and helps soften it
More about Palmitic acidPeg-100 stearate~0.55–0.85%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps oil and water mix togehter and creates a nice product texture
More about Peg-100 stearateGlyceryl stearate~0.55–0.8%
- 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 stearateCetyl alcohol~0.5–0.8%
- 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 alcoholDimethicone~0.5–0.75%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A silicone that helps to reduce water loss from the surface of the skin. Can temporarily "fill in" lines and wrinkles, absorb oil, and create a nice product finish
More about DimethiconePhenoxyethanol~0.4–0.6%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A preservative. It helps prevent bacterial growth in cosmetic products
More about PhenoxyethanolMethylparaben~0.15–0.3%
Sodium cocoyl sarcosinate~0.45–0.7%
Caprylyl glycol~0.4–0.6%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Helps preserve products and creates a nice product texture
More about Caprylyl glycolCarbomer~0.3–0.55%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps create a thicker or gel-like product texture. It is not a surfactant but can be used in gentle cleansing formulations
More about CarbomerTocopherol~0.3–0.55%
- 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 TocopherolTromethamine~0.3–0.55%
Ethylparaben~0.2–0.4%
Acrylamide/sodium acryloyldimethyltaurate copolymer~0.3–0.5%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps water and oil mix together and create gel-like textures
More about Acrylamide/sodium acryloyldimethyltaurate copolymerAluminum hydroxide~0.3–0.6%
- 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 hydroxideIsohexadecane~0.4–0.65%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Improves the texture of the product and helps soften the skin. Helps oil and water mix together and can be used as a cleansing agent
More about IsohexadecaneXanthan gum~0.25–0.45%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Used to create a thicker product consistency
More about Xanthan gumDisodium edta~0.2–0.4%
Polysorbate 80~0.2–0.4%
Zea mays kernel extract~0.2–0.35%
- Irritation risk
- Low
- Comedogenicity
- 3/5
Mentha piperita extract~0.2–0.4%
Ingredient list view
Water, Ethylhexyl methoxycinnamate, Glycerin, Cyclopentasiloxane, Terephthalylidene dicamphor sulfonic acid, Propylene glycol, Drometrizole trisiloxane, Alcohol denat., Triethanolamine, Titanium dioxide, Stearic acid, Potassium cetyl phosphate, Nylon-12, Palmitic acid, Peg-100 stearate, Glyceryl stearate, Cetyl alcohol, Dimethicone, Phenoxyethanol, Methylparaben, Sodium cocoyl sarcosinate, Caprylyl glycol, Carbomer, Tocopherol, Tromethamine, Ethylparaben, Acrylamide/sodium acryloyldimethyltaurate copolymer, Aluminum hydroxide, Isohexadecane, Xanthan gum, Disodium edta, Polysorbate 80, Zea mays kernel extract, Mentha piperita extract
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Product summary
Based on the ingredient list, we assess that "SkinCeuticals - Brightening UV Defense SPF 30" 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).
Because it includes good moisturizing ingredients, it can also work as a hydrating day cream. Like all broad-spectrum sunscreens, this product helps prevent early signs of aging.
Sunscreen filters
This sunscreen uses a mixture of both mineral and organic (so-called "chemical") UV filters. The organic filters in the product are: mexoryl xl, octinoxate and terephthalylidene dicamphor sulfonic acid. As for the mineral filters, this sunscreen uses titanium dioxide.
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 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.
Price
The product retails from 45.95£ up to 50.00£ 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 10 studies and safety reviews.
- 1
- 2Surfactants and experimental irritant contact dermatitisncbi.nlm.nih.gov
- 3Propylene Glycolpubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
- 4Skin-sensitizing and irritant properties of propylene glycolonlinelibrary.wiley.com
- 5
- 6Final Report on the Safety Assessment of Dimethicone Copolyoljournals.sagepub.com
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