Tropic Skincare GREAT BARRIER Sun Lotion - SPF 50
Works for
Sun protectionSPF 50 · 5 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.
Anti-agingSide benefit · Aloe barbadensis leaf juice, TocopherolWorks 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.
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).
MoisturizingSide benefit the brand mentions · Glycerin, Cetearyl alcohol + 11 moreWorks
“GREAT BARRIER Sun Lotion .”
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, sodium hyaluronate.
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: cocos nucifera fruit extract, cetearyl alcohol.
Can it cause trouble?
Irritancy1 strong irritant: Sodium anisateMedium 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 leaf juice~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 leaf juiceDibutyl adipate~5.3–8%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps soften the upper layer of the skin and create a nice product consistency
More about Dibutyl adipateDiethylamino hydroxybenzoyl hexyl benzoate~4.5–6.8%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Uvinul A Plus. A new generation broad spectrum sunscreen that offers an effective protection especially in the UVA range. It is stable in formulations. Unfortunately, is not approved by the FDA (US) yet
More about Diethylamino hydroxybenzoyl hexyl benzoateEthylhexyl triazone~4–6%
- 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 triazoneBis-ethylhexyloxyphenol methoxyphenyl triazine~3.4–5.1%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Tinosorb S. One of the most effective broad spectrum sunscreen ingredients. Protects from both UVA and UVB rays. It is photostable. Unfortunately, not approved by FDA (US) yet.
More about Bis-ethylhexyloxyphenol methoxyphenyl triazineGlycerin~2–3%
- 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 GlycerinDicaprylyl carbonate~1.6–2.4%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps products spread more easily and works as an emollient to soften skin
More about Dicaprylyl carbonateCetearyl alcohol~1.3–2%
- 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 alcoholIsoamyl laurate~1.1–1.7%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Helps stabilize emulsions and create a nice product texture
More about Isoamyl laurateSodium polyitaconate~0.85–1.25%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Dextrin isostearate~0.55–1.25%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Zinc oxide~0.85–1.3%
- 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~0.5–1.2%
- 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 dioxideScenedesmus deserticola ferment extract~0.35–0.8%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Candelilla/jojoba/rice bran polyglyceryl-3 esters~0.35–0.8%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Help oil and water mix together
More about Candelilla/jojoba/rice bran polyglyceryl-3 estersGlyceryl stearate~0.4–0.9%
- 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 stearateIsoamyl cocoate~0.3–0.75%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Helps oil and water mix together and works as a cleansing agent
More about Isoamyl cocoatePolyhydroxystearic acid~0.3–0.7%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Used to create a thicker product consistency and stabilize the formulation
More about Polyhydroxystearic acidCetearyl glucoside~0.2–0.75%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Helps water and oil in the product mix well together and improves product texture
More about Cetearyl glucosideIsostearic acid~0.2–0.8%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Used to create a nice product texture
More about Isostearic acidStearic acid~0.3–0.75%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps oil and water mix together and works as an emollient
More about Stearic acidSodium stearoyl lactylate~0.15–0.6%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Helps oil and water mix together
More about Sodium stearoyl lactylatePolyglyceryl-3 polyricinoleate~0.15–0.6%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Helps oil and water mix together
More about Polyglyceryl-3 polyricinoleateCaprylic/capric triglyceride~0.15–0.7%
- 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 triglycerideAlthaea officinalis root extract~0.15–0.55%
- Irritation risk
- High
A plant extract that can help attract water to the upper layer of the skin and might help to reduce inflammation
More about Althaea officinalis root extractTocopherol~0.15–0.55%
- 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 TocopherolSodium hyaluronate~0.15–0.5%
- Irritation risk
- Low
One of the best moisturizing ingredients. Attracts water into the upper layer of the skin
More about Sodium hyaluronateCocos nucifera fruit extract~0.2–0.75%
- Irritation risk
- Low
- Comedogenicity
- 3/5
An emollient. Found to be as effective as a moisturizer for dry skin as mineral oil. Could be comedogenic
More about Cocos nucifera fruit extractXanthan gum~0.15–0.55%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Used to create a thicker product consistency
More about Xanthan gumSodium levulinate~0.15–0.6%
Sodium anisate~0.15–0.5%
Propanediol~0.15–0.55%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Acts as a solvent for other ingredients. Speeds up the absorption of other ingredients into the skin
More about PropanediolInulin lauryl carbamate~0.1–0.45%
Alumina~0.15–0.7%
- Irritation risk
- Low
The same compound that is used safely in dental implants and bone cements. In cosmetics, it is used to improve the consistency of products
More about AluminaSodium gluconate~0.1–0.3%
Lecithin~0.15–0.65%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Used mostly for creating emulsions - helping oil and water mix together. Helps soften the upper layer of the skin
More about LecithinIngredient list view
Aloe barbadensis leaf juice, Dibutyl adipate, Diethylamino hydroxybenzoyl hexyl benzoate, Ethylhexyl triazone, Bis-ethylhexyloxyphenol methoxyphenyl triazine, Glycerin, Dicaprylyl carbonate, Cetearyl alcohol, Isoamyl laurate, Sodium polyitaconate, Dextrin isostearate, Zinc oxide, Titanium dioxide, Scenedesmus deserticola ferment extract, Candelilla/jojoba/rice bran polyglyceryl-3 esters, Glyceryl stearate, Isoamyl cocoate, Polyhydroxystearic acid, Cetearyl glucoside, Isostearic acid, Stearic acid, Sodium stearoyl lactylate, Polyglyceryl-3 polyricinoleate, Caprylic/capric triglyceride, Althaea officinalis root extract, Tocopherol, Sodium hyaluronate, Cocos nucifera fruit extract, Xanthan gum, Sodium levulinate, Sodium anisate, Propanediol, Inulin lauryl carbamate, Alumina, Sodium gluconate, Lecithin
Compare prices
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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.
| Tropic SkincareGREAT BARRIER Sun Lotion - SPF 50YOUR PRODUCT | SCINICEnjoy Super Mild Sun Essence SPF 50+ PA++++ | Beauty of JoseonRelief Sun Aqua-Fresh : Rice + B5 | UltrasunSun Protection Extreme Very High Sun Protection for Sensitive Skin SPF50+ | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Match | — | 40% | 39% | 39% |
| Price | — | $9.14 | $12.39 | $25.08 |
| Shared key ingredients | — | 5 of 10 | 5 of 10 | 6 of 10 |
| Key difference | — | Niacinamide | Ferulic Acid | Arginine |
| Irritancy | Medium | Low | Low | Low |
| SPF | SPF 50 | SPF 50 | SPF 50 | SPF 50 |
| Drying alcohol | — | — | — | Contains drying alcohol |
| View product | Shop | Shop | Shop |
More alternatives: Derma Face sun lotion SPF 30Mustela Very High Protection Sun Lotion Baby-Children-Family SPF50+
Product summary
We believe that "Tropic Skincare - GREAT BARRIER Sun Lotion - SPF 50" can provide reliable sun protection based on the ingredients listed. 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).
Its formula is also hydrating, so you might not need an additional moistruizer during the day. Like all broad-spectrum sunscreens, this product helps prevent early signs of aging.
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: tinosorb s, uvinul a plus and uvinul t. As for the mineral filters, this sunscreen uses both tinosorb s, uvinul a plus and uvinul t.
Irritation risk
There are some common irritants in this product, including ingredients that do not have benefits for the skin. We assess the overall irritancy of this sunscreen to be medium. 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 28.00£ 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 11 studies and safety reviews.
- 1
- 2A review of inorganic UV filters zinc oxide and titanium dioxideonlinelibrary.wiley.com
- 3
- 4
- 5
- 6
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