SkinCeuticals Sport UV Defense SPF 50
Works for
2 of 2 advertised claims delivered
Sun protectionSPF 50 · 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-aging1 ingredient credited for this claimStrong support
“Dehydrated, Discoloration, Aging FEATURES.”
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 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 · 9 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:
artemia extract, glycerin.
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, dimethiconol.
Can it cause trouble?
Irritancy11 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.
Butyl methoxydibenzoylmethane~23–35%
- 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 methoxydibenzoylmethaneHomosalate~6–9%
- 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 salicylate~5.3–7.9%
- 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 salicylateOctocrylene~4.3–6.4%
- 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~2.8–4.2%
Styrene/acrylates copolymer~2.2–3.2%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Used to create an even product consistency. Can help boost efficiency of sunscreen filters
More about Styrene/acrylates copolymerDimethicone~1.8–2.7%
- 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 DimethiconeIsododecane~1.5–2.2%
- Irritation risk
- Low
An emollient that helps soften the skin and can decrease moisture loss. Helps create a nice product texture
More about IsododecaneButyloctyl salicylate~1.1–1.7%
- 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 salicylatePropanediol~0.9–1.4%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Acts as a solvent for other ingredients. Speeds up the absorption of other ingredients into the skin
More about PropanediolGlycerin~0.6–1.4%
- 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~0.9–1.4%
Isononyl isononanoate~0.5–1.1%
- 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 isononanoateInulin lauryl carbamate~0.4–0.95%
Nylon-12~0.4–0.95%
Caprylyl methicone~0.35–0.85%
- 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 methiconeSynthetic wax~0.4–0.95%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Used to stabilize product formulations and thicken product consistency
More about Synthetic waxPoly c10-30 alkyl acrylate~0.35–0.8%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Phenoxyethanol~0.3–0.75%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A preservative. It helps prevent bacterial growth in cosmetic products
More about PhenoxyethanolPeg-8 laurate~0.35–0.75%
Sucrose tristearate~0.35–0.8%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Helps oil and water mix together
More about Sucrose tristearateCaprylyl glycol~0.35–0.75%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Helps preserve products and creates a nice product texture
More about Caprylyl glycolAmmonium acryloyldimethyltaurate/steareth-25 methacrylate crosspolymer~0.2–0.7%
Stearyl alcohol~0.35–0.85%
- Irritation risk
- Low
An emollient that helps soften the skin
More about Stearyl alcoholPolymethyl methacrylate~0.35–0.8%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Is used to enhance product texture and can help to optically mask skin imperfections
More about Polymethyl methacrylateP-anisic acid~0.15–0.7%
- Irritation risk
- High
Helps preserve products. Can mask unpleasant smell. Could be irritating
More about P-anisic acidChlorphenesin~0.16–0.32%
Dimethiconol~0.2–0.8%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A silicone that makes products more spreadable and keeps skin smooth. Helps to add gloss to skin and may visually fill in fine lines/wrinkles for short time
More about DimethiconolXanthan gum~0.15–0.6%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Used to create a thicker product consistency
More about Xanthan gumDisodium edta~0.15–0.55%
Tocopherol~0.1–0.5%
- 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 TocopherolArtemia extract~0.1–0.45%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Zooplankton extract that can attract water to the upper level of the skin and might have some anti-oxidant effect
More about Artemia extractTriethanolamine~0.1–0.45%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Used to adjust pH of the product and can help improve the product's smell
More about TriethanolamineIngredient list view
Butyl methoxydibenzoylmethane, Homosalate, Ethylhexyl salicylate, Octocrylene, Water, Styrene/acrylates copolymer, Dimethicone, Isododecane, Butyloctyl salicylate, Propanediol, Glycerin, Silica, Isononyl isononanoate, Inulin lauryl carbamate, Nylon-12, Caprylyl methicone, Synthetic wax, Poly c10-30 alkyl acrylate, Phenoxyethanol, Peg-8 laurate, Sucrose tristearate, Caprylyl glycol, Ammonium acryloyldimethyltaurate/steareth-25 methacrylate crosspolymer, Stearyl alcohol, Polymethyl methacrylate, P-anisic acid, Chlorphenesin, Dimethiconol, Xanthan gum, Disodium edta, Tocopherol, Artemia extract, Triethanolamine
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Product summary
Based on the ingredient list, we assess that "SkinCeuticals - Sport UV Defense SPF 50" 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).
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 so-called "chemical", or organic UV filters (organic simply means that their molecules contain atoms of carbon). These filters typically give good sun protection and rarely leave a white cast, but they can be irritating for sensitive skin. These are the sun protection ingredients in this sunscreen: avobenzone 3.00% (declared), butyloctyl salicylate 3.20% - 3.90%, octisalate 5.00% (declared), homosalate 15.00% (declared) and octocrylene 7.00% (declared).
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 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 for 40.00$ 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 10 studies and safety reviews.
- 1
- 2
- 3
- 4Final Report on the Safety Assessment of Dimethicone Copolyoljournals.sagepub.com
- 5
- 6
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