SkinCeuticals Oil Shield UV Defense Sunscreen SPF 50
Works for
2 of 3 advertised claims delivered
Sun protectionSPF 50 · 9 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-aging1 ingredient credited for this claimStrong support
“Featuring high SPF50 UV protection, the formula helps to protect against sun damage which can lead to premature 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.
Anti-blemishNo ingredient credited for this claimNo support
“Formulated with silica silicate, this daily SPF also absorbs excess sebum, helping to prevent against blemishes and maintain a matte texture throughout the day for those who tend to produce more oil.”
Effective ingredients missing or their concentration is too low.
Evens skin toneNot advertised by the brand · No ingredient credited for this claimStrong support
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 contains good ingredients to attract water to the upper layer of the skin. These ingredients are called "humectants": glycerin, butylene glycol.
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. If the air is dry, humectants can speed up the moisture loss from the skin. This is why it is a good idea to use another product on top of this one to help "seal in" the moisture (look for ingredients like dimethicone, squalane, oils and butters).
Can it cause trouble?
Irritancy18 flagged ingredientsLow risk
Comedogenic1 ingredient rated 2 or more on the 0–5 pore-clogging scale1 flagged
User reviews
Be the first — your take helps the next person decide.
Ingredients
Filter by role to see what each ingredient is doing.
Water~45–55%
Silica~6.7–8.2%
Isononyl isononanoate~4.1–5%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Forms a protective film on the surface of the skin to prevent moisture loss. Gives a velvety feel to products while reducing tackiness
More about Isononyl isononanoateBis-ethylhexyloxyphenol methoxyphenyl triazine~3.5–4.3%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Tinosorb S. One of the most effective broad spectrum sunscreen ingredients. Protects from both UVA and UVB rays. It is photostable. Unfortunately, not approved by FDA (US) yet.
More about Bis-ethylhexyloxyphenol methoxyphenyl triazineHomosalate~3.2–4%
- 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 triazone~2.5–3.1%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Uvinul T. A UV filter. Effective against UVB rays. It is photostable. Can increase water resistance properties of the sunscreen. Unfortunately, not approved by the FDA (US) yet
More about Ethylhexyl triazoneButyl methoxydibenzoylmethane~2.1–2.6%
- 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 methoxydibenzoylmethanePhenylbenzimidazole sulfonic acid~2–2.4%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Ensulizole. A UV filter that is effective against UVB rays. Does not protect against UVA light. It is photostable and can be used to help stabilize other sunscreen ingredients. It is water-soluble meaning that it can help create lighter sunscreen formulations
More about Phenylbenzimidazole sulfonic acidDiisopropyl sebacate~1.2–1.5%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps soften the upper layer of the skin without creatng a greasy finish
More about Diisopropyl sebacateTriethanolamine~1–1.2%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Used to adjust pH of the product and can help improve the product's smell
More about TriethanolamineTitanium dioxide~1.1–1.4%
- 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 dioxideGlycerin~0.65–1%
- 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 GlycerinAluminum starch octenylsuccinate~0.55–0.85%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Used to thicken the product's consistency
More about Aluminum starch octenylsuccinateOctocrylene~0.75–1.15%
- 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 OctocryleneCaprylyl methicone~0.5–0.75%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A type of silicone that helps to soften the upper layer of the skin and create a nice product finish on the skin
More about Caprylyl methiconePentylene glycol~0.55–0.8%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Used to preserve products, dissolve other ingredients and create a nice product texture
More about Pentylene glycolMethylene bis-benzotriazolyl tetramethylbutylphenol~0.65–1%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Tinosorb M. A UV filter. Is effective against both UVA and UVB rays. It also provides some protection against visible light. It is photostable and can also be used to improve photostability of other sunscreen ingredients. Its physical properties help to create lightweight sunscreen formulations. It can leave a slight white cast. Unfortunately, it is not approved by the FDA (US) yet
More about Methylene bis-benzotriazolyl tetramethylbutylphenolTitanium dioxide~0.55–0.85%
- 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 dioxidePotassium cetyl phosphate~0.45–0.7%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Helps oil and water mix together
More about Potassium cetyl phosphateTerephthalylidene dicamphor sulfonic acid~0.55–0.85%
- 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 acidStearic acid~0.5–0.75%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps oil and water mix together and works as an emollient
More about Stearic acidPhenoxyethanol~0.35–0.65%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A preservative. It helps prevent bacterial growth in cosmetic products
More about PhenoxyethanolPalmitic acid~0.4–0.6%
- Irritation risk
- Low
An emollient that is naturally present in skin and helps soften it
More about Palmitic acidPeg-100 stearate~0.45–0.65%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps oil and water mix togehter and creates a nice product texture
More about Peg-100 stearateGlyceryl stearate~0.4–0.6%
- 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 stearateAmmonium acryloyldimethyltaurate/vp copolymer~0.3–0.55%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Increases thickness of a product. Texture enhancer for oil-in-water emulsions
More about Ammonium acryloyldimethyltaurate/vp copolymerSodium methyl stearoyl taurate~0.65–0.95%
Stearyl alcohol~0.35–0.65%
- Irritation risk
- Low
An emollient that helps soften the skin
More about Stearyl alcoholCaprylyl glycol~0.3–0.55%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Helps preserve products and creates a nice product texture
More about Caprylyl glycolTocopherol~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 TocopherolPoloxamer 338~0.3–0.55%
Polyglyceryl-10 laurate~0.3–0.5%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Helps water and oil mix together
More about Polyglyceryl-10 laurateButylene glycol~0.25–0.45%
- 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 glycolAcrylates/c10-30 alkyl acrylate crosspolymer~0.25–0.4%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Maintains the texture of skincare products. Allows the product to spread evenly. Helps oil and water mix together
More about Acrylates/c10-30 alkyl acrylate crosspolymerCellulose~0.25–0.45%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Can be used to help absorb oil as well as add volume and imporve texture of products.
More about CelluloseAluminum hydroxide~0.2–0.4%
- 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 hydroxideSilica silylate~0.2–0.35%
Disodium edta~0.1–0.25%
Myristic acid~0.15–0.3%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
- Comedogenicity
- 3/5
Helps oil and water mix together. Could be comedogenic
More about Myristic acidT-butyl alcohol~0.05–0.15%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Used to dissolve other ingredients and to improve smell of products. It could be irritating
More about T-butyl alcoholIngredient list view
Water, Silica, Isononyl isononanoate, Bis-ethylhexyloxyphenol methoxyphenyl triazine, Homosalate, Ethylhexyl triazone, Butyl methoxydibenzoylmethane, Phenylbenzimidazole sulfonic acid, Diisopropyl sebacate, Triethanolamine, Titanium dioxide, Glycerin, Aluminum starch octenylsuccinate, Octocrylene, Caprylyl methicone, Pentylene glycol, Methylene bis-benzotriazolyl tetramethylbutylphenol, Titanium dioxide, Potassium cetyl phosphate, Terephthalylidene dicamphor sulfonic acid, Stearic acid, Phenoxyethanol, Palmitic acid, Peg-100 stearate, Glyceryl stearate, Ammonium acryloyldimethyltaurate/vp copolymer, Sodium methyl stearoyl taurate, Stearyl alcohol, Caprylyl glycol, Tocopherol, Poloxamer 338, Polyglyceryl-10 laurate, Butylene glycol, Acrylates/c10-30 alkyl acrylate crosspolymer, Cellulose, Aluminum hydroxide, Silica silylate, Disodium edta, Myristic acid, T-butyl alcohol
Compare prices
Retailers ranked by price — lowest first.
Product summary
Based on the ingredients included, we believe that "SkinCeuticals - Oil Shield UV Defense Sunscreen SPF 50" 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).
As a plus, this sunscreen uses some of the new generation UV filters (Tinosorb M). These filters are more stable and more gentle on the skin.
This sunscreen should also be hydrating enough to use without an additional moisturizer during the day. Like all broad-spectrum sunscreens, this product helps prevent early signs of aging.
Sunscreen filters
This is a "mixed" sunscreen in the sense that it uses both mineral and organic (so-called "chemical") sun filters. Here are the organic filters this product uses: tinosorb s, avobenzone, uvinul t, homosalate, tinosorb m, octocrylene, ensulizole and terephthalylidene dicamphor sulfonic acid. As for the mineral filters, this sunscreen uses titanium dioxide.
Irritation risk
This product does not contain known common irritants and is suitable for sensitive skin. We assess the overall irritancy of this sunscreen 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.
Price
The product retails from 39.99£ up to 41.00£ in the United Kingdom and for 46.45€ in Germany.
For a detailed price comparison: click here.
Sources cited in this review
Every concentration estimate and effectiveness label is anchored to one of these 8 studies and safety reviews.
- 1
- 2
- 3Vitamin E in dermatologyncbi.nlm.nih.gov
- 4Vitamin E and Skin Healthlpi.oregonstate.edu
- 5
- 6
Affiliate links · As an Amazon Associate, WIMJ earns from qualifying purchases.