
3 of 3 advertised claims delivered
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.
“Refines skin texture & corrects skin tone”
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).
“Reduces the appearance of lines and wrinkles”
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.
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, butylene 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: caprylic/capric triglyceride, squalane.
The following ingredients in this product are especially good for supporting the skin barrier and helping with the hydration level: niacinamide
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.
This product contains antioxidants (polygonum aviculare extract, tocopherol, ubiquinone) that can help neutralize free radicals in skin. By doing so, they can lessen the damage the skin gets from the UV light (sun).
The following ingredients - camellia sinensis leaf extract also can have an antioxidant effect, but there is less evidence to confirm their effectiveness in skin.


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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 HomosalateOctinoxate. 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 methoxycinnamateOctisalate. 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 salicylateCan 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 extractPure 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 TocopherolA 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 oxideA good mix of fatty acids that forms a protective layer on the skin. Improves the shelf life of products. Derived from coconut and glycerin
More about Caprylic/capric triglycerideA 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 salicylateUsed to create an even product consistency. Can help boost efficiency of sunscreen filters
More about Styrene/acrylates copolymerIs 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 NiacinamideAn emollient that softens the skin and forms a protective layer on its surface. Helps water and oil mix together
More about Glyceryl stearateHelps oil and water mix togehter and creates a nice product texture
More about Peg-100 stearateA non-drying alcohol. Works as an emollient. Helps water and oil mix together and creates a nice product texture
More about Cetearyl alcoholAn 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 SqualaneA plant extract that contains a flavanol Juglanin. It can help neutralize free radicals in skin and reduce inflammation
More about Polygonum aviculare extractA green micro-algae extract that might help neutralize free radicals in skin, but solid evidence is lacking. It helps to soften the upper layer of the skin
More about Dunaliella salina extractCoenzyme Q10. It helps neutralize free radicals in skin, improves skin hydration and might be helpful agains fine lines and wrinkles. It can be an allergen
More about UbiquinoneOne 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 GlycerinCan 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 extractA more stable but less bio-available form of vitamin E compared to Tocopherol. Might help moisturize and protect the skin from free radicals, but mostly used in low concentrations to stabilize other ingredients.
More about Tocopheryl acetatePure 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 TocopherolNon-drying alcohol. Used to stabilize other ingredients and is an emollient
More about Batyl alcoholEnhances the product texture and makes it more spreadable. Helps reduce water loss from the outer layer of skin. Extands the shelf life by preventing bacteria growth
More about C12-15 alkyl benzoateUsed 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 glycolHelps oil and water mix together. Has some emollient properties
More about Ceteareth-20Used to create a thicker product consistency and stabilize the formulation
More about Polyhydroxystearic acidUsed to create a nice product texture
More about Isostearic acidUsed to stabilize product formulation, help create an even product layer over skin (for example, in sunscreen) and create a thicker product consistency
More about Acrylates copolymerUsed to create a thicker product consistency
More about Xanthan gumHelps preserve products and creates a nice product texture
More about Caprylyl glycolA preservative. It helps prevent bacterial growth in cosmetic products
More about PhenoxyethanolHomosalate, Ethylhexyl methoxycinnamate, Ethylhexyl salicylate, Camellia sinensis leaf extract, Unspecified form of vitamin c, Tocopherol, Zinc oxide, Water, Caprylic/capric triglyceride, Butyloctyl salicylate, Styrene/acrylates copolymer, Niacinamide, Silica, Glyceryl stearate, Peg-100 stearate, Cetearyl alcohol, Squalane, Polygonum aviculare extract, Physalis angulata extract, Dunaliella salina extract, Ubiquinone, Glycerin, Camellia sinensis leaf extract, Melanin, Tocopheryl acetate, Tocopherol, Hydroxyacetophenone, Batyl alcohol, C12-15 alkyl benzoate, Butylene glycol, Ceteareth-20, Polyhydroxystearic acid, Isostearic acid, Acrylates copolymer, Xanthan gum, Ethylhexylglycerin, Disodium edta, Caprylyl glycol, Sorbic acid, Phenoxyethanol
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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.
| SkinMedicaTotal Defense + Repair SPF 50+YOUR PRODUCT | DRMTLGYBroad Spectrum SPF 45 | My ZenVitamin E Daily Sunscreen SPF 45 | CeraVeHydrating Sheer Sunscreen Broad Spectrum SPF 30 for Face & Body | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Match | — | 80% | 76% | 74% |
| Price | — | $13.97 | — | $17.99 |
| Shared key ingredients | — | 5 of 12 | 5 of 12 | 6 of 12 |
| Key difference | — | Octyldodecyl Neopentanoate | Hyaluronic Acid | Ceramide Ap |
| Irritancy | Low | Low | Low | Low |
| SPF | SPF 50 | SPF 45 | SPF 45 | SPF 30 |
| Drying alcohol | — | — | — | — |
| View product | Shop | Shop | Shop |
Based on the ingredient list, we assess that "SkinMedica - Total Defense + Repair SPF 50+" can provide reliable sun protection. We love that it can protect from both UVA and UVB rays (not all sunscreens with SPF ratings give UVA protection. UVA rays do not cause sunburn, but still damage our skin and lead to early aging).
Because it includes good moisturizing ingredients, it can also work as a hydrating day cream. This product prevents early signs of aging by protecting against sun damage (all broad spectrum sunscreens do that).
This is a "mixed" sunscreen in the sense that it uses both mineral and organic (so-called "chemical") sun filters. Here are the organic filters this product uses: butyloctyl salicylate, octinoxate, octisalate and homosalate. As for the mineral filters, this sunscreen uses zinc oxide.
There are actives in this product that can be irritating. We assess the overall irritancy of it to be low. For a detailed overview of all potential irritants: click here
You can see the detailed formula review with the breakdown of all actives in the product and the full ingredient list with estimated concentrations in the tables below.
The product retails from 65.28$ up to 76.11$ in the United States.
For a detailed price comparison: click here.
Every concentration estimate and effectiveness label is anchored to one of these 18 studies and safety reviews.
Affiliate links · As an Amazon Associate, WIMJ earns from qualifying purchases.