SkinCeuticals Daily Brightening UV Defense SPF 30
Works for
4 of 4 advertised claims delivered
Sun protectionSPF 30 · 5 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-agingNiacinamide, TocopherolStrong evidence
“Aging, Discoloration, Dehydrated FEATURES.”
This product can help reduce and prevent fine lines and wrinkles, improve skin elasticity and firmness because it contains niacinamide.
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.
This product can also 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.
MoisturizingNiacinamide, Dimethicone + 9 moreStrong evidence
“Dual-action daily hydrating sunscreen protects against UV-induced pigmentation, evens skin tone, and instantly brightens skin.”
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, sodium hyaluronate.
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, caprylyl glycol.
The following ingredients in this product are especially good for supporting the skin barrier and helping with the hydration level: niacinamide
Evens skin toneTranexamic acid, Niacinamide + 1 moreStrong evidence
“Dual-action daily hydrating sunscreen protects against UV-induced pigmentation, evens skin tone, and instantly brightens skin.”
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).
Anti-blemishNot advertised by the brand · NiacinamideStrong evidence
This product can help reduce breakouts and clogged pores because it contains the following ingredient: niacinamide. This ingredient is used for treating acne and can have a noticeable effect.
Can it cause trouble?
Irritancy6 strong irritants: Cymbopogon schoenanthus oil, Citral + 4 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.
Mica~22–33%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Creates an illusion of smoother and more radiant skin tone. Adds shimmer to the skin by reflecting light
More about MicaButyl methoxydibenzoylmethane3%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Avobenzone. An organic, or so-called "chemical" UV filter. Protects against both UVA and UVB rays. Needs to be combined with other filters in a formulation to be stable.
More about Butyl methoxydibenzoylmethaneHomosalate5%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
A weak sunscreen that offers some protection against the sun rays that cause sunburn (UVB), but does not offer meaningful protection against protect against the most aging sun rays (UVA). It loses its effectiveness quickly when exposed to sunlight. It is an organic, or so called "chemical" sunscreen. When used in low concentrations, helps to stabilize the product formulation
More about HomosalateEthylhexyl salicylate5%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Octisalate. A UV filter. It offers some protection against the sun rays that cause sunburn (UVB), but does not protect against the most aging sun rays (UVA). It loses its effectiveness quickly when exposed to sunlight. It is an organic, or so called "chemical" sunscreen
More about Ethylhexyl salicylateOctocrylene7.2%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
A weak sunscreen that protects against the sun rays that cause sunburn (UVB) and is somewhat effective against the UVA rays. It is quite stable and can help stabilize other, more vulnerable, sunscreen ingredients like Avobenzone. It is an organic, or so called "chemical" sunscreen
More about OctocryleneWater~9.3–13.9%
Glycerin~4.3–6.5%
- 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 GlycerinSilica~3.7–5.5%
Dimethicone~2.9–4.4%
- 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 DimethiconeNiacinamide~1.9–2.8%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Is proven to be effective in reducing blemishes, evening out skin tone and helping to improve lines and wrinkles. It helps the skin to repair sun damage, calm down inflammation and keep maintain good levels of moisture. The concentration of about 2% is effective for supporting the skin barrier and evening out the skin tone. Concentration of 4-6% is better for helping with acne and balancing the sebum production
More about NiacinamideAlcohol denat.~1.5–2.2%
- Irritation risk
- High
Produces temporary toning effect. Can help dissolve other ingredients or preserve products
More about Alcohol denat.Titanium dioxide~1.6–2.4%
- 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 dioxidePeg-100 stearate~1.1–1.7%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps oil and water mix togehter and creates a nice product texture
More about Peg-100 stearateGlyceryl stearate~0.95–1.4%
- 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 stearateMica~0.9–1.3%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Creates an illusion of smoother and more radiant skin tone. Adds shimmer to the skin by reflecting light
More about MicaTranexamic acid~0.45–1.05%
- Irritation risk
- Low
An amino acid that is effective in reducing hyperpigmentation and evening out the skin tone. It can also help in skin barrier recovery. It is used to treat melasma, especially with injections and when taken orally
More about Tranexamic acidStearic acid~0.5–1.2%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps oil and water mix together and works as an emollient
More about Stearic acidPhenoxyethanol~0.35–0.85%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A preservative. It helps prevent bacterial growth in cosmetic products
More about PhenoxyethanolCitric acid~0.35–0.8%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Can work as an exfoliant but is typically used to adjust the product pH
More about Citric acidPalmitic acid~0.4–0.95%
- Irritation risk
- Low
An emollient that is naturally present in skin and helps soften it
More about Palmitic acidAmmonium polyacryloyldimethyl taurate~0.35–0.8%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Used to create a thicker product consistency
More about Ammonium polyacryloyldimethyl taurateHydroxyacetophenone~0.3–0.7%
Dicaprylyl carbonate~0.35–0.8%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps products spread more easily and works as an emollient to soften skin
More about Dicaprylyl carbonateSteareth-100~0.2–0.7%
Phenylethyl resorcinol~0.2–0.7%
- Irritation risk
- High
Might help reduce hyperpigmentation in skin and help neutralize free radicals
More about Phenylethyl resorcinolCaprylyl glycol~0.2–0.8%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Helps preserve products and creates a nice product texture
More about Caprylyl glycolXanthan gum~0.15–0.65%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Used to create a thicker product consistency
More about Xanthan gumDimethicone/vinyl dimethicone crosspolymer~0.15–0.65%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Used to stabilize product formulations and create a nice product texture
More about Dimethicone/vinyl dimethicone crosspolymerTrisodium ethylenediamine disuccinate~0.15–0.6%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Used to improve stability of the formulation
More about Trisodium ethylenediamine disuccinateSynthetic fluorphlogopite~0.15–0.7%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A mineral that is used as an optical filter (makes the skin looks nicer through light reflection) and to improve the texture of cosmetic products
More about Synthetic fluorphlogopiteTocopherol~0.15–0.65%
- 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 TocopherolSodium hyaluronate~0.15–0.6%
- Irritation risk
- Low
One of the best moisturizing ingredients. Attracts water into the upper layer of the skin
More about Sodium hyaluronateCymbopogon schoenanthus oil~0.15–0.6%
- Irritation risk
- High
Citral~0.15–0.55%
Myristic acid~0.2–0.7%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
- Comedogenicity
- 3/5
Helps oil and water mix together. Could be comedogenic
More about Myristic acidIron oxides~0.1–0.5%
- Irritation risk
- Low
An umbrella term for the following three colorants: CI 77491, CI 77492, CI 77499. They might be able to offer some protection against visible light, but the degree of the protection is not clear
More about Iron oxidesTin oxide~0.3–0.75%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A colorant that can add a pearl-like appearance to the formulation
More about Tin oxideGeraniol~0.1–0.4%
Limonene~0.1–0.35%
- Irritation risk
- High
A common frangrance that can easily irritate skin, especially if exposed to air, light or heat
More about LimoneneLinalool~0.05–0.3%
Citronellol~0.05–0.25%
Ingredient list view
Mica, Butyl methoxydibenzoylmethane, Homosalate, Ethylhexyl salicylate, Octocrylene, Water, Glycerin, Silica, Dimethicone, Niacinamide, Alcohol denat., Titanium dioxide, Peg-100 stearate, Glyceryl stearate, Mica, Tranexamic acid, Stearic acid, Phenoxyethanol, Citric acid, Palmitic acid, Ammonium polyacryloyldimethyl taurate, Hydroxyacetophenone, Dicaprylyl carbonate, Steareth-100, Phenylethyl resorcinol, Caprylyl glycol, Xanthan gum, Dimethicone/vinyl dimethicone crosspolymer, Trisodium ethylenediamine disuccinate, Synthetic fluorphlogopite, Tocopherol, Sodium hyaluronate, Cymbopogon schoenanthus oil, Citral, Myristic acid, Iron oxides, Tin oxide, Geraniol, Limonene, Linalool, Citronellol
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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.
| SkinCeuticalsDaily Brightening UV Defense SPF 30YOUR PRODUCT | GarnierGreen Labs Canna-B Pore Perfecting Serum Cream, Fragrance Free, with SPF 30 and Niacinamide Vitamin B3 + Cannabis Sativa Seed Oil | La Roche-PosayDouble Repair Face Moisturizer UV SPF 30 | VichyAqualia Thermal UV Defense Moisturizer Sunscreen SPF 30 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Match | — | 93% | 92% | 92% |
| Price | $56.00 | — | $20.99−$35.01 | $32.00−$24.00 |
| Shared key ingredients | — | 6 of 10 | 6 of 10 | 6 of 10 |
| Key difference | — | Capryloyl Salicylic Acid | Ceramide Np | Ceramide Np |
| Irritancy | High | Low | Low | Medium |
| SPF | SPF 30 | SPF 30 | SPF 30 | SPF 30 |
| Drying alcohol | Contains drying alcohol | — | — | — |
| View product | Shop | Shop | Shop |
Product summary
Based on the ingredients included, we believe that "SkinCeuticals - Daily Brightening UV Defense SPF 30" can offer reliable sun protection. It can protect from both UVA and UVB rays. This is great news because not all sunscreens with SPF ratings give UVA protection. (UVA rays do not cause sunburn, but still damage our skin and lead to early aging).
Its formula is also hydrating, so you might not need an additional moistruizer during the day. Like all broad-spectrum sunscreens, this product helps prevent early signs of aging.
Sunscreen filters
This sunscreen uses a mixture of both mineral and organic (so-called "chemical") UV filters. The organic filters in the product are: avobenzone, octisalate, homosalate and octocrylene. As for the mineral filters, this sunscreen uses titanium dioxide.
Irritation risk
There are quite a few common irritants in this product, including ingredients without particular skin benefits. We would not recommend it for sensitive skin. We assess the overall irritancy of it to be high. For a detailed overview of all potential irritants: click here
You can see the detailed formula review with the breakdown of all actives in the product and the full ingredient list with estimated concentrations in the tables below.
Price
The product retails for 56.00$ 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 18 studies and safety reviews.
- 1
- 2
- 3
- 4Final Report on the Safety Assessment of Dimethicone Copolyoljournals.sagepub.com
- 5
- 6
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