sunao UV Protect Cream SPF 32 PA++
Works for
Sun protectionSPF 32 · 2 UV filtersBroad spectrum
This product offers a good level of protection against both UVB and UVA rays.
It is a mineral sunscreen. In other words, it contains non-organic UV filters. It will probably not sting your eyes but might leave a white cast.
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 toneSide benefit · No ingredient credited for this claimWorks well
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-agingSide benefit · No ingredient credited for this claimWorks well
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.
MoisturizingSide benefit the brand mentions · Squalane, Argania spinosa kernel oil + 6 moreWorks
“UV Protect Cream SPF 32 PA++”
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:
arginine, 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: arginine, squalane.
Can it cause trouble?
Irritancy3 strong irritants: Rosmarinus officinalis leaf extract, Salvia officinalis leaf extract + 1 more — patch-test recommendedHigh risk
ComedogenicClean of flagged comedogenic ingredientsNone flagged
User reviews
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Ingredients
Filter by role to see what each ingredient is doing.
Water~45–55%
Squalane~7.2–8.8%
- Irritation risk
- Low
An 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 SqualaneButylene glycol~5.2–6.4%
- 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 glycolTitanium dioxide~4.3–5.3%
- 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 dioxideZinc oxide~4–4.9%
- 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 oxideAluminum hydroxide~2.6–3.2%
- 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 hydroxideBehenyl alcohol~2.3–2.8%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Non-drying alcohol that helps water and oil mix together. Also serves as an emollient
More about Behenyl alcoholIsostearic acid~1.9–2.3%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Used to create a nice product texture
More about Isostearic acidArachidyl alcohol~1.8–2.1%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Used to soften the upper layer of the skin and create a thicker product consistency
More about Arachidyl alcoholPolyhydroxystearic acid~1.3–1.6%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Used to create a thicker product consistency and stabilize the formulation
More about Polyhydroxystearic acidPolygonatum odoratum rhizome extract~0.95–1.2%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Argania spinosa kernel oil~0.8–1.15%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
An emollient that helps soften the upper layer of the skin. Might have some weak anti-oxidant properties
More about Argania spinosa kernel oilRosa canina fruit extract~0.6–0.9%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
A plant extract that might have some anti-oxidant properties, but evidence is lacking
More about Rosa canina fruit extractRosmarinus officinalis leaf extract~0.55–0.85%
- Irritation risk
- High
Can be helpful in reducing inflammation in skin, including inflamed acne. It can be irritating
More about Rosmarinus officinalis leaf extractSalvia officinalis leaf extract~0.6–0.9%
- Irritation risk
- High
Sage leaf extract. It can be irritating
More about Salvia officinalis leaf extractJojoba esters~0.6–0.9%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
An emollient made of jojoba oil. Helps soften the skin and support its barrier function
More about Jojoba estersPolyglyceryl-10 pentastearate~0.55–0.8%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Sodium methyl stearoyl taurate~0.7–1.05%
Sodium stearoyl lactylate~0.45–0.7%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Helps oil and water mix together
More about Sodium stearoyl lactylateArachidyl glucoside~0.45–0.65%
Lavandula angustifolia oil~0.35–0.6%
- Irritation risk
- High
An essential oil. Potential allergen and can be irritating. It has some anti-bacterial properties
More about Lavandula angustifolia oilCaprylhydroxamic acid~0.3–0.6%
Hydroxyethylcellulose~0.3–0.55%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Used to thicken product formulations and create gel-like textures
More about HydroxyethylcelluloseArginine~0.2–0.4%
- Irritation risk
- Low
An amino acid that is naturally present in skin and helps keep it hydrated. When used together with AHAs, it can reduce their irritating effect on the skin
More about ArgininePropanediol~0.2–0.4%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Acts as a solvent for other ingredients. Speeds up the absorption of other ingredients into the skin
More about PropanediolPentylene glycol~0.25–0.45%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Used to preserve products, dissolve other ingredients and create a nice product texture
More about Pentylene glycolXanthan gum~0.15–0.3%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Used to create a thicker product consistency
More about Xanthan gumPhytic acid~0.1–0.25%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
An alpha-hydroxy acid (AHA), but is mostly used to stabilize product formulations in cosmetics
More about Phytic acidSilver oxide~0.15–0.25%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Ingredient list view
Water, Squalane, Butylene glycol, Titanium dioxide, Zinc oxide, Aluminum hydroxide, Behenyl alcohol, Isostearic acid, Arachidyl alcohol, Polyhydroxystearic acid, Polygonatum odoratum rhizome extract, Argania spinosa kernel oil, Rosa canina fruit extract, Unknown, Rosmarinus officinalis leaf extract, Salvia officinalis leaf extract, Jojoba esters, Polyglyceryl-10 pentastearate, Sodium methyl stearoyl taurate, Sodium stearoyl lactylate, Arachidyl glucoside, Lavandula angustifolia oil, Caprylhydroxamic acid, Hydroxyethylcellulose, Arginine, Propanediol, Pentylene glycol, Xanthan gum, Phytic acid, Silver oxide
Compare prices
Retailers ranked by price — lowest first.
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.
| sunaoUV Protect Cream SPF 32 PA++YOUR PRODUCT | BiossanceDaily Hydration Mineral Face Sunscreen SPF 50 + Squalane | Augustinus BaderThe Mineral Sunscreen SPF 50 | CliniqueMoisture Surge CC Cream SPF 30 Medium | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Match | — | 42% | 40% | 40% |
| Price | $45.10 | $36.00−$9.10 | $145.00+$99.90 | $33.83−$11.27 |
| Shared key ingredients | — | 4 of 7 | 5 of 7 | 3 of 7 |
| Key difference | — | Niacinamide | Alanyl Glutamine | Linoleic Acid |
| Irritancy | High | Low | Medium | Low |
| SPF | SPF 32 | SPF 50 | SPF 50 | SPF 30 |
| Drying alcohol | — | — | — | — |
| View product | Shop | Shop | Shop |
More alternatives: Takami Sunscreen Milk UV Protect SPF 35 PA++Peter Thomas Roth Max Mineral Naked Broad Spectrum SPF 45
Product summary
We are worried that "sunao - UV Protect Cream SPF 32 PA++" might not be able to provide reliable sun protection because it uses a single UV filter (zinc oxide) in a relatively weak concentration.
It contains good moisturizing ingredients and can double as a hydrating day cream.
Sunscreen filters
This sunscreen is a mineral sunscreen. It uses zinc oxide for sun protection. Zinc oxide almost never irritates the skin or stings eyes, but it can leave a white cast.
Irritation risk
We assess the overall irritancy of this product to be high. For a detailed overview of all potential irritants: click here
You can see the detailed formula review with the breakdown of all actives in the product and the full ingredient list with estimated concentrations in the tables below.
Price
The product retails for 50.10$ 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 13 studies and safety reviews.
- 1A review of inorganic UV filters zinc oxide and titanium dioxideonlinelibrary.wiley.com
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- 6
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