PRODUCT REVIEW

Ultrasun SPF30 Glimmer Max

Works for:

based on ingredients and %

Sun protection
Anti-aging
Anti-oxidation
Evens skin tone
Moisturizing

Doesn't work for:

based on ingredients and %

Anti-blemish

Can it cause trouble?

Key actives

Vitis vinifera seed extract 0.4% - 0.6%Ubiquinone 0.05% - 0.1%

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Buy from Lookfantastic US $38.70

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Cheaper alternatives

Mustela - Very High Protection Sun Lotion SPF50+

Price: $15.14

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Avène - Intense Protect 50+ Sun Cream for Very Sensitive Skin

Price: $21.45

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Product summary

Based on the ingredients included, we believe that "Ultrasun - SPF30 Glimmer Max" can offer 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).

As a plus, this sunscreen uses some of the new generation UV filters (Tinosorb M). These filters are more stable and more gentle on the skin.

It should also be hydrating enough to use without an additional moisturizer during the day. Like all broad-spectrum sunscreens, this product has an anti-aging benefit.

Sunscreen filters

This sunscreen uses a mixture of both mineral and organic (so-called "chemical") UV filters. The organic filters in the product are: tinosorb s, uvinul a plus, octisalate, uvinul t and tinosorb m. As for the mineral filters, this sunscreen uses titanium dioxide.

Irritation risk

This formulation includes some common irritants, including ingredients that do not provide a benefit for the skin. We assess the overall irritancy of this product 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.

Price

The product retails for 38.70$ in the United States, for 49.00CA$ in Canada and for 28.00£ in the United Kingdom.

For a detailed price comparison: click here.

What can the product work for?

Does not work for

Anti-blemish

Sun protection

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.

titanium dioxide 2.5% - 3%

Irritation risk:

UVA I protection: UVA II protection: UVB protection: Photo stable: Ingredient type Mineral

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

methylene bis-benzotriazolyl tetramethylbutylphenol 3.2% - 4%

Irritation risk:

UVA I protection: UVA II protection: UVB protection: Photo stable: Ingredient type Organic

Tinosorb M. A UV filter. Is effective against both UVA and UVB rays. It also provides some protection against visible light. It is photostable and can also be used to improve photostability of other sunscreen ingredients. Its physical properties help to create lightweight sunscreen formulations. It can leave a slight white cast. Unfortunately, it is not approved by the FDA (US) yet

diethylamino hydroxybenzoyl hexyl benzoate 1% - 1.3%

Irritation risk:

UVA I protection: UVA II protection: UVB protection: Photo stable: Ingredient type Organic

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

Anti-aging

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.

These ingredients in the product might also be helpful for reducing and preventing fine lines, wrinkles, and skin elasticity, even though there is no conclusive evidence for their effectiveness: vitis vinifera seed extract.

vitis vinifera seed extract 0.4% - 0.6%

Irritation risk:

Concentration: Effectiveness: MEDIUM

A plant extract that contains resveratrol and other anti-oxidant compounds that can help neutralize free radicals, reduce inflammation in skin and even out its tone. Can be also used to stabilize the product formulation

ubiquinone 0.05% - 0.1%

Irritation risk:

Concentration: Effectiveness: LOW

Coenzyme Q10. It helps neutralize free radicals in skin, improves skin hydration and might be helpful agains fine lines and wrinkles. It can be an allergen

ascorbyl tetraisopalmitate 0.15% - 0.25%

Irritation risk:

Concentration: Insufficient!

A vitamin C derivative. Studies show that is might be effective in reducing hyperpigmentation, but there are no studies confirming that it is effectively converted into the bioavailable form of Vitamin C in skin. It is not clear how this derivative compares in effectiveness to the topical application of bioavailable form of vitamin C (L-ascorbic acid)

Evens 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).

ascorbyl tetraisopalmitate 0.15% - 0.25%

Irritation risk:

Concentration: Insufficient!

Moisturizing

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.

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: caprylic/capric triglyceride, squalane.

squalane 0.5% - 0.8%

Irritation risk: