The Organic Pharmacy Cellular Protection SPF50 Sun Cream
Works for
Sun protectionSPF 50 · 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 toneNot advertised by the brand · Lactic acidWorks 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 the brand mentions · Butyrospermum parkii butter, Tocopherol + 1 moreWorks well
“No nano particles just finely micronized minerals protect the skin form pre-mature aging and sun damage.”
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 · Caprylic/capric triglyceride, Glycerin + 11 moreWorks
“Lightweight in texture, this broad-spectrum SPF strives to shield the complexion from harmful UVA and UVB rays as it nourishes and hydrates thirsty skin.”
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, aloe barbadensis extract.
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: butyrospermum parkii butter, caprylic/capric triglyceride.
Can it cause trouble?
Irritancy9 strong irritants: Alcohol, Parfum + 7 more — patch-test recommendedHigh risk
Comedogenic2 ingredients rated 2 or more on the 0–5 pore-clogging scale2 flagged
User reviews
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Ingredients
Filter by role to see what each ingredient is doing.
Aloe barbadensis extract~23–34%
- 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 extractZinc oxide~11–17%
- 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 oxideCaprylic/capric triglyceride~5.8–8.8%
- 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 triglycerideAlcohol~4.1–6.1%
- Irritation risk
- High
Can be drying and contribute to skin irritation. Used in formulars to dissolve other ingredients, create a thinner product consistency or for its antibacterial properties
More about AlcoholWater~3.1–4.7%
Glycerin~2.4–3.7%
- 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 GlycerinBehenyl alcohol~2.1–3.2%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Non-drying alcohol that helps water and oil mix together. Also serves as an emollient
More about Behenyl alcoholCetearyl alcohol~1.7–2.5%
- 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~1.2–1.8%
- Irritation risk
- Low
An emollient that softens the skin and forms a protective layer on its surface. Helps water and oil mix together
More about Glyceryl stearateButyrospermum parkii butter~0.95–1.4%
- Irritation risk
- Low
- Comedogenicity
- 3/5
A great moisturising ingredient that softens the skin and reduces water loss from its upper layer. It also can be helpful in protecting skin from free radicals
More about Butyrospermum parkii butterCalendula officinalis extract~0.5–1.15%
- Irritation risk
- High
A plant extract that might help neutralize free radicals in skin
More about Calendula officinalis extractHelianthus annuus seed oil~0.45–1.05%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A great emollient due to its high linoleic acid content. One of the most effective plant oils in helping skin hydration and repairing skin barrier function
More about Helianthus annuus seed oilRosa canina fruit oil~0.45–1%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
A great emollient. Contains vitamin E (tocopherol) which may give it some anti-oxidant properties. Can contain volatile compounds and can be irritating
More about Rosa canina fruit oilTitanium dioxide~0.45–1.05%
- 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 dioxidePhospholipids~0.35–0.85%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Emollients that are naturaly present in skin. In addition, they help water and oil mix together in the product
More about PhospholipidsParfum~0.3–0.7%
- Irritation risk
- High
An aromatic blend of unspecified and possibly irritating ingredients
More about ParfumXanthan gum~0.35–0.8%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Used to create a thicker product consistency
More about Xanthan gumCitrus grandis seed extract~0.15–0.65%
- Irritation risk
- High
Lactic acid~0.15–0.6%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
An exfoliating and moisturizing alpha-hydroxy acid (AHA). Typically causes less irritation than other AHAs, for example, glycolic acid. At high concentrations (about 15%), lactic acid can help reduce lines and wrinkles. Recent studies show that lactic acid can support the "good" bacteria living on skin's surface (healthy skin microbiome)
More about Lactic acidGlycine soja sterols~0.2–0.7%
- Irritation risk
- Low
An emollient that helps soften the skin
More about Glycine soja sterolsSilica~0.3–0.75%
Tocopherol~0.15–0.5%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Pure 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 TocopherolLimonene~0.05–0.25%
- Irritation risk
- High
A common frangrance that can easily irritate skin, especially if exposed to air, light or heat
More about LimoneneLinalool~0.05–0.25%
Hexyl cinnamal~0.05–0.25%
Geraniol~0.05–0.2%
Citral~0.05–0.2%
Eugenol~0.05–0.2%
Ingredient list view
Aloe barbadensis extract, Zinc oxide, Caprylic/capric triglyceride, Alcohol, Water, Glycerin, Behenyl alcohol, Cetearyl alcohol, Glyceryl stearate, Butyrospermum parkii butter, Calendula officinalis extract, Helianthus annuus seed oil, Rosa canina fruit oil, Titanium dioxide, Phospholipids, Parfum, Xanthan gum, Citrus grandis seed extract, Lactic acid, Glycine soja sterols, Silica, Tocopherol, Limonene, Linalool, Hexyl cinnamal, Geraniol, Citral, Eugenol
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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.
| The Organic PharmacyCellular Protection SPF50 Sun CreamYOUR PRODUCT | PatykaCrème Solaire Teintée SPF50 | REVOLUTION SKINCARESPF 30 Mineral Protect Sunscreen | The INKEY List CASPF30 Sunscreen 100% Mineral UV Filters | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Match | — | 43% | 43% | 41% |
| Price | — | $25.00 | $20.02 | $20.01 |
| Shared key ingredients | — | 5 of 8 | 5 of 8 | 5 of 8 |
| Key difference | — | Haematococcus Pluvialis Extract | Panthenol | Panthenol |
| Irritancy | High | Medium | Low | Low |
| SPF | SPF 50 | SPF 50 | SPF 30 | SPF 30 |
| Drying alcohol | Contains drying alcohol | — | — | — |
| View product | Shop | Shop | Shop |
More alternatives: EltaMD UV Active Broad-Spectrum SPF50+ CreamThe Ordinary Mineral UV Filters SPF 30 with Antioxidants
Product summary
"The Organic Pharmacy - Cellular Protection SPF50 Sun Cream" uses a single UV filter (zinc oxide) in a relatively low concentration and might not be able to provide reliable sun protection.
It also works as a moisturizer, so you do not have to use an additional hydrating product.
Sunscreen filters
This sunscreen is a mineral sunscreen. It uses zinc oxide for sun protection. Zinc oxide almost never irritates the skin or stings eyes, but it can leave a white cast.
Irritation risk
There are quite a few common irritants in this product, including ingredients without particular skin benefits. We would not recommend it for sensitive skin. We assess the overall irritancy of this product to be high. For a detailed overview of all potential irritants: click here
You can see the detailed formula review with the breakdown of all actives in the product and the full ingredient list with estimated concentrations in the tables below.
Price
The product retails for 69.00$ in the United States, for 86.30CA$ in Canada and for 39.95£ in the United Kingdom.
For a detailed price comparison: click here.
Sources cited in this review
Every concentration estimate and effectiveness label is anchored to one of these 16 studies and safety reviews.
- 1A review of inorganic UV filters zinc oxide and titanium dioxideonlinelibrary.wiley.com
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