The INKEY List UK Dewy Sunscreen SPF 30
Works for
2 of 2 advertised claims delivered
Sun protectionSPF 30 · 4 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.
Evens skin tone1 ingredient credited for this claimStrong support
“ A broad-spectrum SPF 30 with UVA & UVB protection, this lightweight sunscreen has been formulated to work for all skin tones and blend seamlessly into the skin leaving an undetectable, dewy finish (97% said it looked invisible on their 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).
Anti-agingNot advertised by the brand · 1 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 · 15 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:
glycerin, polyglutamic acid.
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
Comedogenic2 ingredients rated 2 or more on the 0–5 pore-clogging scale2 flagged
User reviews
Be the first — your take helps the next person decide.
Ingredients
Filter by role to see what each ingredient is doing.
Water~45–55%
Octocrylene~5.7–6.9%
- 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 OctocryleneGlycerin~4–4.9%
- 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 GlycerinEthylhexyl salicylate~3.5–4.3%
- 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 salicylateCoco-caprylate/caprate~2.4–2.9%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps to soften the upper layer of the skin without creating a greasy texture
More about Coco-caprylate/caprateButyl methoxydibenzoylmethane~2.6–3.1%
- 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 methoxydibenzoylmethanePhenylbenzimidazole sulfonic acid~2.2–2.7%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Ensulizole. A UV filter that is effective against UVB rays. Does not protect against UVA light. It is photostable and can be used to help stabilize other sunscreen ingredients. It is water-soluble meaning that it can help create lighter sunscreen formulations
More about Phenylbenzimidazole sulfonic acidTriheptanoin~1.4–1.8%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A synthetic triglyceride. Helps soften the upper layer of the skin
More about TriheptanoinSaccharomyces ferment~1.2–1.4%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A product of yeast fermentation. Helps attract water to the upper layer of the skin
More about Saccharomyces fermentCetearyl alcohol~1.1–1.3%
- 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 stearate se~0.75–1.1%
- Irritation risk
- Low
- Comedogenicity
- 2/5
Used to stabilize the product formulations and works as an emollient
More about Glyceryl stearate seTromethamine~0.6–0.95%
Glyceryl caprylate~0.6–0.95%
- Irritation risk
- Low
An emollient that can also help water and oil mix together, as well as prevent bacteria growth in products
More about Glyceryl caprylatePropanediol~0.55–0.85%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Acts as a solvent for other ingredients. Speeds up the absorption of other ingredients into the skin
More about PropanediolC9-12 alkane~0.5–0.75%
Dilinoleic acid/butanediol copolymer~0.5–0.8%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Sodium stearoyl glutamate~0.55–0.8%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Helps oil and water mix together
More about Sodium stearoyl glutamateHydroxyethyl acrylate/sodium acryloyldimethyl taurate copolymer~0.45–0.7%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
A gelling agent that thickens the product consistency and leaves the skin with a velvety finish
More about Hydroxyethyl acrylate/sodium acryloyldimethyl taurate copolymerDimethicone~0.5–0.7%
- 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 DimethiconeSqualane~0.45–0.7%
- 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 SqualaneHectorite~0.35–0.65%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Lauroyl lysine~0.3–0.6%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps soften the upper layer of the skin and creates a nice product texture
More about Lauroyl lysineHydroxyethylcellulose~0.35–0.6%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Used to thicken product formulations and create gel-like textures
More about HydroxyethylcelluloseCaprylhydroxamic acid~0.3–0.55%
Dimethiconol~0.35–0.65%
- 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 DimethiconolPolysorbate 60~0.35–0.6%
Acrylates/c10-30 alkyl acrylate crosspolymer~0.3–0.6%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Maintains the texture of skincare products. Allows the product to spread evenly. Helps oil and water mix together
More about Acrylates/c10-30 alkyl acrylate crosspolymerOryza sativa hull extract~0.3–0.55%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Castor oil/ipdi copolymer~0.3–0.55%
Phenoxyethanol~0.3–0.55%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A preservative. It helps prevent bacterial growth in cosmetic products
More about PhenoxyethanolPolyglutamic acid~0.25–0.5%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps attract water to the upper layer of the skin.
More about Polyglutamic acidSorbitan isostearate~0.25–0.45%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps oil and water mix together
More about Sorbitan isostearateCamellia sinensis leaf extract~0.25–0.45%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Can 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 extractIpomoea batatas root extract~0.2–0.35%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Hydroxyacetophenone~0.15–0.3%
Sodium benzoate~0.1–0.25%
1,2-hexanediol~0.1–0.25%
Caprylyl glycol~0.15–0.25%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Helps preserve products and creates a nice product texture
More about Caprylyl glycolLactobacillus ferment lysate~0.1–0.15%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A "broth" with parts of dead cells of lactobacteria. Might be helpful supporting diverse microbiome in skin, but evidence is lacking
More about Lactobacillus ferment lysateSaccharomyces lysate~0.1–0.15%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Ingredient list view
Water, Octocrylene, Glycerin, Ethylhexyl salicylate, Coco-caprylate/caprate, Butyl methoxydibenzoylmethane, Phenylbenzimidazole sulfonic acid, Triheptanoin, Saccharomyces ferment, Cetearyl alcohol, Glyceryl stearate se, Tromethamine, Glyceryl caprylate, Propanediol, C9-12 alkane, Dilinoleic acid/butanediol copolymer, Sodium stearoyl glutamate, Hydroxyethyl acrylate/sodium acryloyldimethyl taurate copolymer, Dimethicone, Squalane, Hectorite, Lauroyl lysine, Hydroxyethylcellulose, Caprylhydroxamic acid, Dimethiconol, Polysorbate 60, Acrylates/c10-30 alkyl acrylate crosspolymer, Oryza sativa hull extract, Castor oil/ipdi copolymer, Phenoxyethanol, Polyglutamic acid, Sorbitan isostearate, Camellia sinensis leaf extract, Ipomoea batatas root extract, Hydroxyacetophenone, Sodium benzoate, 1,2-hexanediol, Caprylyl glycol, Lactobacillus ferment lysate, Saccharomyces lysate
Compare prices
Retailers ranked by price — lowest first.
Affiliate links · prices updated regularly
Product summary
The ingredient list suggests that "The INKEY List UK - Dewy Sunscreen SPF 30" 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. Like all broad-spectrum sunscreens, this product has an anti-aging benefit.
Sunscreen filters
This is a so-called "chemical" sunscreen. It means that it uses organic UV filters. They typically offer good sun protection and rarely leave a white cast, but they can be irritating for some people with sensitive skin. Here are the exact UV filters in this sunscreen: avobenzone 2.60% - 3.10%, octisalate 3.50% - 4.30%, octocrylene 5.70% - 6.90% and ensulizole 2.20% - 2.70%.
Irritation risk
This product does not contain known common irritants and is suitable for sensitive 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 8 studies and safety reviews.
- 1
- 2Safety Assessment of Alkyl Esters as Used in Cosmeticscir-safety.org
- 3Safety Assessment of Tromethamine as Used in Cosmeticscir-safety.org
- 4
- 5Final Report on the Safety Assessment of Dimethicone Copolyoljournals.sagepub.com
- 6
Affiliate links · As an Amazon Associate, WIMJ earns from qualifying purchases.