Works for
1 of 1 advertised claim delivered
Moisturizing7 ingredients credited for this claimStrong support
“Ultrasun, Aftersun Fast-absorbing, non-greasy, non-sticky liposomal after sun gel with AQUARICH® (long-lasting skin hydration), Glycerin and SOD (a free radical scavenger) to moisturise and soothe for up to 24 hours.”
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:
allantoin, 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: dimethicone, neopentyl glycol diheptanoate.
The following ingredients in this product are especially good for supporting the skin barrier and helping with the hydration level: panthenol
Anti-oxidationNot advertised by the brand · 3 ingredients credited for this claimStrong support
This product contains antioxidants (superoxide dismutase) that can help neutralize free radicals in skin. By doing so, they can lessen the damage the skin gets from the UV light (sun).
Anti-agingNot advertised by the brand · No ingredient credited for this claimModerate support
This product contains superoxide dismutase. This ingredient help neutralize free radicals in skin. By doing so, they might be able to prevent early signs of aging (like fine lines and wrinkles), at least to some extent. These ingredients will not be able to "reverse" signs of aging.
Can it cause trouble?
Irritancy6 strong irritants: Alcohol, Menthyl lactate + 4 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.
Water~40–60%
Glycerin~3.9–5.8%
- 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 GlycerinAlcohol~3.7–5.6%
- 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 AlcoholDimethicone~2.8–4.2%
- 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 DimethiconeNeopentyl glycol diheptanoate~2.1–3.1%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps soften the upper layer of the skin and create a nice product consistency
More about Neopentyl glycol diheptanoatePanthenol~1.6–2.4%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps attract water to the upper layer of the skin and can help improve skin barrier function
More about PanthenolAllantoin~1.2–1.8%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps calm down inflammation in skin and can help reduce itching. Helps to repair the skin barrier and keep skin hydrated
More about AllantoinAvena strigosa seed extract~1.2–1.7%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Bisabolol~0.95–1.4%
- Irritation risk
- Low
An active component of chamomile plant that historically has been used to calm down irritated skin. A recent study shows that bisabolol indeed can have some anti-inflammatory effect on skin, even though conclusive data is lacking. Bisabolol has a sweet floral scent and can be added to products for its aromatic properties
More about BisabololLecithin~0.85–1.3%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Used mostly for creating emulsions - helping oil and water mix together. Helps soften the upper layer of the skin
More about LecithinSuperoxide dismutase~0.5–1.15%
- Irritation risk
- Low
An antioxidant enzyme that is naturally present in skin. It can help support skin barrier function and reduce inflammation in skin. It is used in topical medications for inflammatory skin conditions including atopic dermatitis (eczema) and psoriasis. There are three types of natural Superoxide Dismutase in human skin. The compound used in topical treatments and cosmetics are mimics of typically one of these natural variants
More about Superoxide dismutaseTocopheryl acetate~0.4–1%
- 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 acetateCarbomer~0.35–0.8%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps create a thicker or gel-like product texture. It is not a surfactant but can be used in gentle cleansing formulations
More about CarbomerEthylhexylglycerin~0.2–0.8%
Menthyl lactate~0.15–0.65%
Parfum~0.1–0.45%
- Irritation risk
- High
An aromatic blend of unspecified and possibly irritating ingredients
More about ParfumSodium hydroxide~0.1–0.35%
Benzyl salicylate~0.05–0.25%
Hexyl cinnamal~0.05–0.15%
Limonene~0.05–0.15%
- Irritation risk
- High
A common frangrance that can easily irritate skin, especially if exposed to air, light or heat
More about LimoneneIngredient list view
Water, Glycerin, Alcohol, Dimethicone, Neopentyl glycol diheptanoate, Panthenol, Allantoin, Avena strigosa seed extract, Bisabolol, Lecithin, Superoxide dismutase, Tocopheryl acetate, Carbomer, Ethylhexylglycerin, Menthyl lactate, Parfum, Sodium hydroxide, Benzyl salicylate, Hexyl cinnamal, Limonene
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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.
| UltrasunAftersun GelYOUR PRODUCT | endota spaSensitive H20 Gel | Chemist ConfessionsAquafix Hydrating Water Gel | NeutrogenaSoothing Clear Turmeric Gel Moisturizer | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Match | — | 55% | 54% | 54% |
| Price | $18.51 | $86.53+$68.02 | $38.00+$19.49 | $9.99−$8.52 |
| Shared key ingredients | — | 3 of 6 | 4 of 6 | 3 of 6 |
| Key difference | — | Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride | Madecassoside | — |
| Irritancy | High | Medium | Low | Medium |
| Drying alcohol | Contains drying alcohol | — | — | — |
| View product | Shop | Shop | Shop |
Product summary
Judging from the ingredient list, "Ultrasun - Aftersun Gel" works well for improving skin hydration As we expect from a proper moisturizer, the formula includes a combo of effective humectants and emollients. These are the two different types of ingredients that are essential for improving the skin hydration and supporting a healthy skin barrier. Humectants in this product (panthenol, allantoin and glycerin) help to increase the water content in the upper layer of the skin. (These ingredients do so by "capturing" water molecules from the outside air or from within the deeper layers of the skin). Dimethicone and neopentyl glycol diheptanoate in this product help decrease the water evoporation from the skin, so that it stays hydrated for longer. These ingredients also soften the skin and take away the feeling of tightness and dryness.
Ingredient callouts
- Panthenol (pro-vitamin B5) at about 1.60% - 2.40% concentration. In this concentration, Panthenol works effectively to improve the skin barrier and reduce inflammation.
- In addition, this moisturizer contains Allantoin (1.20% - 1.80%). Allantoin is helpful in wound-healing and can help restore the skin barrier faster. It might also be able to improve scars, but the evidence is not very strong for this.
Irritation risk
This moisturizer 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 moisturizer 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 from 14.00£ up to 378.00£ 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 14 studies and safety reviews.
- 1
- 2
- 3Final Report on the Safety Assessment of Dimethicone Copolyoljournals.sagepub.com
- 4Skin moisturizing effects of panthenol-based formulationspdfs.semanticscholar.org
- 5
- 6
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