SOS SERUM SKINCARE SOS H20 Day Serum — SOS SERUM SKINCARE
Works for
0 of 3 advertised claims delivered
Sun protectionSPF 30 · 4 UV filters · Partial spectrumWeak protection
This product does not offer good protection against UVA rays.
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.
Evens skin toneNo ingredient credited for this claimLimited evidence
“Anti-ageing ingredients that have been shown to reduce wrinkles, improve skin firmness, tone and significantly improve skin hydration.”
This product contains ingredients () that could help reduce hyperpigmentation (for example, post-acne marks or age spots) in theory, but there is not enough evidence that they actually work.
The biggest effect for evening out skin tone in this product comes from sun protection. Sun damage is the main factor causing age spots, darkening of post-acne marks and other discolorations. This is why sun protection is the best strategy for maintaining an even skin tone. We, however, do not recommend using this product as a sunscreen because the protection it offers is not strong enough).
Anti-agingHyaluronic acidLimited evidence
“Anti-ageing ingredients that have been shown to reduce wrinkles, improve skin firmness, tone and significantly improve skin hydration.”
This product does not contain ingredients that are able to reduce fine lines and wrinkles or help with skin elasticity, but it can improve the look of the skin temporarily through moisturization. Well-moisturized skin might also be able to repair the sun damage better.This ingredient - hyaluronic acid - could be helpful for preventing or repairing signs of aging in theory, but there is no evidence that it actually works.
The biggest anti-aging effect in this product comes from sun protection. Sun damage is the main factor causing early signs of skin aging. We, however, do not recommend using this product as a sunscreen because the protection it offers is not strong enough).
MoisturizingNot advertised by the brand · Caprylic/capric triglyceride, Glycerin + 4 moreGood evidence
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, glyceryl glucoside.
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, vitis vinifera seed oil.
Can it cause trouble?
Irritancy6 flagged ingredientsLow 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.
Water~45–55%
Vitis vinifera seed oil~9.4–11.5%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
A great emollient that can also have anti-oxidant properties
More about Vitis vinifera seed oilGlycerin~4.1–5.1%
- 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 GlycerinCaprylic/capric triglyceride~3.2–3.9%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
A 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 triglycerideStearalkonium hectorite~2.2–2.6%
Sodium polyacrylate~1.9–2.3%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Used to create a gel-like product texture, as well as to stabilize emulsions
More about Sodium polyacrylateEthylhexyl salicylate~2–2.5%
- 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 salicylateEthylhexyl triazone~1.9–2.3%
- 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 triazoneCetearyl alcohol~1.3–1.6%
- Irritation risk
- Low
- Comedogenicity
- 2/5
A non-drying alcohol. Works as an emollient. Helps water and oil mix together and creates a nice product texture
More about Cetearyl alcoholGlyceryl glucoside~0.95–1.15%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Can help to restore skin barrier function and soften its upper layer
More about Glyceryl glucosideTuber magnatum extract~0.65–1%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Vitis vinifera fruit meristem cell culture~0.55–0.85%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Citric acid~0.45–0.7%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Can work as an exfoliant but is typically used to adjust the product pH
More about Citric acidZinc oxide~0.6–0.9%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A 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 oxideTitanium dioxide~0.35–0.65%
- 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 dioxideHyaluronic acid~0.15–0.3%
- Irritation risk
- Low
One of the best moisturizing ingredients. Attracts water into the upper layer of the skin. Naturally present in skin. Typically has large molecule size unless advertised otherwise on the product label. Helps support skin's barrier function and may help to reduce inflammation
More about Hyaluronic acidXanthan gum~0.1–0.2%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Used to create a thicker product consistency
More about Xanthan gumBenzyl alcohol~0.1–0.15%
- Irritation risk
- High
A preservative. Can be used to mask unpleasant smell. Can be irritating
More about Benzyl alcoholDehydroacetic acid~0.1–0.15%
Ingredient list view
Water, Vitis vinifera seed oil, Glycerin, Caprylic/capric triglyceride, Stearalkonium hectorite, Sodium polyacrylate, Ethylhexyl salicylate, Ethylhexyl triazone, Cetearyl alcohol, Glyceryl glucoside, Tuber magnatum extract, Vitis vinifera fruit meristem cell culture, Citric acid, Zinc oxide, Titanium dioxide, Hyaluronic acid, Xanthan gum, Benzyl alcohol, Dehydroacetic acid
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Product summary
"SOS SERUM SKINCARE - SOS H20 Day Serum — SOS SERUM SKINCARE" does not provide enough UVA protection. UVA rays do not cause sunburn, but still damage the skin, leading to early signs of aging and pigmentation issues.
It contains good moisturizing ingredients and can double as a hydrating day cream.
Sunscreen filters
This is a "mixed" sunscreen in the sense that it uses both mineral and organic (so-called "chemical") sun filters. The organic filters in the product are: octisalate and uvinul t. As for the mineral filters, this sunscreen uses both octisalate and uvinul t.
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 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.
Sources cited in this review
Every concentration estimate and effectiveness label is anchored to one of these 11 studies and safety reviews.
- 1
- 2
- 3
- 4A review of inorganic UV filters zinc oxide and titanium dioxideonlinelibrary.wiley.com
- 5
- 6
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