Works for
1 of 1 advertised claim delivered
Sun protectionSPF 30 · 1 UV filterBroad 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 toneNot advertised by the brand · 1 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).
Anti-agingNot advertised by the brand · No ingredient credited for this claimStrong support
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.
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:
diglycerin, 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: squalane, punica granatum seed oil.
Anti-oxidationNot advertised by the brand · 1 ingredient credited for this claimModerate support
This product contains antioxidants (pinus pinaster bark extract) that might be able to help neutralize free radicals in skin to lessen the damage it gets from the UV light (sun). There is not enough evidence to confirm their effectiveness in skin though.
Can it cause trouble?
Irritancy5 strong irritants: Sorbitan sesquioleate, Citrus aurantium bergamia fruit oil + 3 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.
Zinc oxide20%
- 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 oxideWater~40–60%
Sunflower seed oil glyceride~5.9–8.9%
Squalane~3.8–5.7%
- 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 SqualaneDicaprylyl carbonate~2.5–3.8%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps products spread more easily and works as an emollient to soften skin
More about Dicaprylyl carbonateCetearyl olivate~1.8–2.7%
Sorbitan olivate~1.4–2.1%
Glycerin~1.4–2.1%
- 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 GlycerinShea butter cetyl esters~1.2–1.8%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Sorbitan sesquioleate~1–1.5%
- Irritation risk
- High
Used to help oil and water mix together. Can be irritating
More about Sorbitan sesquioleatePolyhydroxystearic acid~0.85–1.25%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Used to create a thicker product consistency and stabilize the formulation
More about Polyhydroxystearic acidDiglycerin~0.5–1.15%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps attract water to the upper layer of the skin
More about DiglycerinPinus pinaster bark extract~0.45–1%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
A plant extract that might help neutralize free radicals and reduce hyperpigmentation, but evidence of effectiveness of topical application is lacking. It can be an INCI name for the trademarked ingredient Pycnogenol (but could also be a different type of this plant's bark extract)
More about Pinus pinaster bark extractPunica granatum seed oil~0.4–0.95%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps soften the upper layer of the skin
More about Punica granatum seed oilPhenethyl alcohol~0.35–0.85%
Pentylene glycol~0.35–0.8%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Used to preserve products, dissolve other ingredients and create a nice product texture
More about Pentylene glycolPropanediol~0.3–0.75%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Acts as a solvent for other ingredients. Speeds up the absorption of other ingredients into the skin
More about PropanediolAloe barbadensis leaf juice powder~0.15–0.65%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Traditionally used to treat sunburns, dermatitis and inflammation, but evidence for its effectiveness is lacking. The extract can contain humectants that help attract water into the skin
More about Aloe barbadensis leaf juice powderPanthenol~0.15–0.5%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps attract water to the upper layer of the skin and can help improve skin barrier function
More about PanthenolXanthan gum~0.1–0.5%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Used to create a thicker product consistency
More about Xanthan gumLauroyl lysine~0.1–0.45%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps soften the upper layer of the skin and creates a nice product texture
More about Lauroyl lysineVetiveria zizanoides root oil~0.05–0.25%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Juniperus virginiana wood oil~0.05–0.15%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Citrus aurantium bergamia fruit oil~0.05–0.15%
- Irritation risk
- High
A plant oil with a high content of volatile compounds that can irritate the skin and lead to allergic reactions. Can lead to photosensitivity
More about Citrus aurantium bergamia fruit oilSalvia officinalis oil~0.05–0.1%
- Irritation risk
- High
Limonene~0.01–0.05%
- Irritation risk
- High
A common frangrance that can easily irritate skin, especially if exposed to air, light or heat
More about LimoneneLinalool~0.01–0.05%
Ingredient list view
Zinc oxide, Water, Unknown, Sunflower seed oil glyceride, Squalane, Dicaprylyl carbonate, Cetearyl olivate, Sorbitan olivate, Glycerin, Shea butter cetyl esters, Sorbitan sesquioleate, Polyhydroxystearic acid, Diglycerin, Pinus pinaster bark extract, Punica granatum seed oil, Phenethyl alcohol, Pentylene glycol, Propanediol, Aloe barbadensis leaf juice powder, Panthenol, Xanthan gum, Lauroyl lysine, Vetiveria zizanoides root oil, Juniperus virginiana wood oil, Citrus aurantium bergamia fruit oil, Salvia officinalis oil, Limonene, Linalool
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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.
| Taos AERSPF 30YOUR PRODUCT | The INKEY List CASPF30 Sunscreen 100% Mineral UV Filters | DCLSkincare Super Sheer SPF50 Broad Spectrum Protection Sunscreen | SkinMedicaTotal Defense and Repair SPF 50 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Match | — | 59% | 57% | 57% |
| Price | $9.50 | $14.99+$5.49 | $60.81+$51.31 | $61.20+$51.70 |
| Shared key ingredients | — | 4 of 6 | 4 of 6 | 4 of 6 |
| Key difference | — | Butyrospermum Parkii Butter | Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate | Niacinamide |
| Irritancy | High | Low | Low | Low |
| SPF | SPF 30 | SPF 30 | SPF 50 | SPF 50 |
| Drying alcohol | — | — | — | — |
| View product | Shop | Shop | Shop |
Product summary
The ingredient list suggests that "Taos AER - SPF 30" can provide reliable sun protection. It can protect from both UVA and UVB rays. This is great news because not all sunscreens with SPF ratings give UVA protection. (UVA rays do not cause sunburn, but still damage our skin and lead to early aging).
Because it includes good moisturizing ingredients, it can also work as a hydrating day cream. Like all broad-spectrum sunscreens, this product has an anti-aging benefit.
Sunscreen filters
It is a mineral sunscreen. It uses zinc oxide for sun protection. Zinc oxide almost never irritates the skin or stings eyes, but it can leave a white cast.
Irritation risk
It contains a bunch of common irritants, including ingredients that do not provide any known benefit for the skin. It might not be the best choice if your skin is sensitive. We assess the overall irritancy of this sunscreen to be high. For a detailed overview of all potential irritants: click here
You can see the detailed formula review with the breakdown of all actives in the product and the full ingredient list with estimated concentrations in the tables below.
Price
The product retails for 30.40$ 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 14 studies and safety reviews.
- 1A review of inorganic UV filters zinc oxide and titanium dioxideonlinelibrary.wiley.com
- 2
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- 6
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