ULTA Sun Care Sun Protection Mist SPF 30
Works for
2 of 2 advertised claims delivered
Sun protectionSPF 30 · 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.
Anti-agingAloe barbadensis leaf juiceStrong evidence
“Ulta's Sun Care Sun Protection Mist SPF 30 has an ultra-fine mist that goes on evenly, works at any angle, and gives you broad spectrum UVA/UVB coverage plus environmental protection.”
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 toneNot advertised by the brand · No ingredient credited for this claimStrong evidence
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-oxidationNot advertised by the brand · Camellia oleifera leaf extract, Tocopheryl acetateStrong evidence
This product contains antioxidants (camellia oleifera leaf extract) that can help neutralize free radicals in skin. By doing so, they can lessen the damage the skin gets from the UV light (sun).
MoisturizingNot advertised by the brand · Glycerin, Cyclopentasiloxane + 1 moreGood evidence
This product contains good ingredients to attract water to the upper layer of the skin. These ingredients are called "humectants": glycerin, aloe barbadensis leaf juice.
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. If the air is dry, humectants can speed up the moisture loss from the skin. This is why it is a good idea to use another product on top of this one to help "seal in" the moisture (look for ingredients like dimethicone, squalane, oils and butters).
Can it cause trouble?
Irritancy3 strong irritants: Benzophenone-3, Parfum + 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.
Butyl methoxydibenzoylmethane3%
- 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 methoxydibenzoylmethaneEthylhexyl salicylate5%
- 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 salicylateOctocrylene2.75%
- 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 OctocryleneHomosalate7.5%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
A weak sunscreen that offers some protection against the sun rays that cause sunburn (UVB), but does not offer meaningful protection against 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. When used in low concentrations, helps to stabilize the product formulation
More about HomosalateBenzophenone-32%
- Irritation risk
- High
Same as oxybenzone. Protects in the UVB and short UVA range. In small concentrations, used to stabilize product formulation. Can be irritating. Is shown to be harmful to coral reefs - consider avoiding bathing in coral reef areas when wearing a product with this ingredient. It can penetrate the skin and get absorbed into bloodstream faster than other popular filters available in the US. The study that produced this finding did not address any potential health effects of the absorption
More about Benzophenone-3Acrylates/dimethicone copolymer~23–35%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Used to stabilize product formulation, help create an even product layer over skin (for example, in sunscreen), evenly disperse pigements and create a nice product consistency
More about Acrylates/dimethicone copolymerAloe barbadensis leaf juice~7.4–11%
- 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 juiceCamellia oleifera leaf extract~4.7–7%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A plant extract that can help neutralize free radicals and reduce inflammation, even though it is not usually used in sufficient concentration in cosmetics
More about Camellia oleifera leaf extractCyclopentasiloxane~3.8–5.7%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A silicone that helps improve the product texture and spreadability. Can absorb oil creating a short-term mattifying effect on the skin
More about CyclopentasiloxaneDiethylhexyl 2,6-naphthalate~2.9–4.3%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Parfum~1.6–2.4%
- Irritation risk
- High
An aromatic blend of unspecified and possibly irritating ingredients
More about ParfumGlycerin~1.3–2%
- 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 GlycerinPolyester-8~1.1–1.7%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Used to stabilize product formulations and individual ingredients (for example, sunscreens). Can be an allergen
More about Polyester-8Sd alcohol 40-b~0.5–1.2%
- 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 Sd alcohol 40-bTocopheryl acetate~0.35–0.85%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
A more stable but less bio-available form of vitamin E compared to Tocopherol. Might help moisturize and protect the skin from free radicals, but mostly used in low concentrations to stabilize other ingredients.
More about Tocopheryl acetateVa/butyl maleate/isobornyl acrylate copolymer~0.2–0.75%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Water~0.1–0.45%
Ingredient list view
Butyl methoxydibenzoylmethane, Ethylhexyl salicylate, Octocrylene, Homosalate, Benzophenone-3, Acrylates/dimethicone copolymer, Aloe barbadensis leaf juice, Camellia oleifera leaf extract, Cyclopentasiloxane, Diethylhexyl 2,6-naphthalate, Parfum, Glycerin, Polyester-8, Sd alcohol 40-b, Tocopheryl acetate, Va/butyl maleate/isobornyl acrylate copolymer, Water
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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.
| ULTASun Care Sun Protection Mist SPF 30YOUR PRODUCT | WalgreensSport Broad Spectrum SPF 90 Sunscreen Aerosol Can | |
|---|---|---|
| Match | — | 50% |
| Price | — | — |
| Shared key ingredients | — | 5 of 7 |
| Key difference | — | Butyloctyl Salicylate |
| Irritancy | High | Medium |
| SPF | SPF 30 | SPF 90 |
| Drying alcohol | Contains drying alcohol | Contains drying alcohol |
| View product | Shop |
Product summary
Based on the ingredient list, we assess that "ULTA - Sun Care Sun Protection Mist 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
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: oxybenzone 2.00% (declared), avobenzone 3.00% (declared), octisalate 5.00% (declared), homosalate 7.50% (declared) and octocrylene 2.75% (declared).
Irritation risk
It contains some common irritants, including those without a benefit for the skin. 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.
Sources cited in this review
Every concentration estimate and effectiveness label is anchored to one of these 6 studies and safety reviews.
- 1
- 2
- 3
- 4On Photostability of Oxybenzonecore.ac.uk
- 5
- 6
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