Ultrasun Sports Medium SPF20 Clear Gel Formula
Works for
Sun protectionSPF 20 · 4 UV filters · Broad spectrumWeak protectionSPF under 30
This product offers broad spectrum sun protection, but it is weak. We recommend to use a broad spectrum sunscreen with at least SPF 30.
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.
MoisturizingC12-15 alkyl benzoate, Diisopropyl adipate + 8 moreWorks
“Ultra pigmented for 24 hours of intense colour and hydration”
This product contains good ingredients to attract water to the upper layer of the skin. These ingredients are called "humectants": glycerin.
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).
Evens skin toneAscorbyl tetraisopalmitateNot delivered
“first formula left the lab. To provide crucial sun protection for all, no matter skin type, skin tone, age or lifestyle.”
This product contains ingredients () that could help reduce hyperpigmentation (for example, post-acne marks or age spots) in theory, but there is not enough evidence that they actually work.
The biggest effect for evening out skin tone in this product comes from sun protection. Sun damage is the main factor causing age spots, darkening of post-acne marks and other discolorations. This is why sun protection is the best strategy for maintaining an even skin tone. We, however, do not recommend using this product as a sunscreen because the protection it offers is not strong enough).
Anti-oxidationSide benefit · Vitis vinifera seed extract, Ubiquinone + 3 moreWorks well
This product contains antioxidants (ubiquinone, vitis vinifera seed 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).
Anti-agingSide benefit · Vitis vinifera seed extract, Ubiquinone + 2 moreMay help
This product contains vitis vinifera seed extract. This ingredient might be able to help reduce and prevent fine lines and wrinkles, improve skin elasticity and firmness, but there is not enough evidence that it actually works. The biggest anti-aging effect in this product comes from sun protection. Sun damage is the main factor causing early signs of skin aging. We, however, do not recommend using this product as a sunscreen because the protection it offers is not strong enough).
Can it cause trouble?
Irritancy2 strong irritants: Alcohol, Alcohol denat.Medium risk
ComedogenicClean of flagged comedogenic ingredientsNone flagged
User reviews
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Ingredients
Filter by role to see what each ingredient is doing.
Alcohol~23–35%
- 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 AlcoholC12-15 alkyl benzoate~4.7–7%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Enhances the product texture and makes it more spreadable. Helps reduce water loss from the outer layer of skin. Extands the shelf life by preventing bacteria growth
More about C12-15 alkyl benzoatePhenoxyethyl caprylate~4.6–6.8%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Ethylhexyl salicylate~4–6%
- 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 salicylateOctyldodecanol~2.8–4.1%
- Irritation risk
- Low
An emollient that helps to soften the skin and create a pleasant product texture and stabilize the formulation
More about OctyldodecanolDiisopropyl adipate~2.1–3.1%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps soften the upper layer of the skin
More about Diisopropyl adipateDibutyl adipate~1.6–2.5%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps soften the upper layer of the skin and create a nice product consistency
More about Dibutyl adipateBis-ethylhexyloxyphenol methoxyphenyl triazine~1.7–2.5%
- 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 triazineEthylhexyl triazone~1.4–2.1%
- 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 triazoneDiethylamino hydroxybenzoyl hexyl benzoate~1.2–1.7%
- 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 benzoateAlcohol denat.~0.55–1.35%
- Irritation risk
- High
Produces temporary toning effect. Can help dissolve other ingredients or preserve products
More about Alcohol denat.Va/butyl maleate/isobornyl acrylate copolymer~0.55–1.3%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Vitis vinifera seed extract~0.5–1.15%
- Irritation risk
- Low
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
More about Vitis vinifera seed extractGlycerin~0.45–1.1%
- 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 GlycerinHydroxypropyl methylcellulose~0.45–1%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Used to create a thicker product consistency and stabilize the formulation
More about Hydroxypropyl methylcelluloseWater~0.35–0.8%
Tocopheryl acetate~0.3–0.75%
- 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 acetate2,6-dimethyl-7-octen-2-ol~0.15–0.7%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Lecithin~0.35–0.8%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Used mostly for creating emulsions - helping oil and water mix together. Helps soften the upper layer of the skin
More about LecithinSodium chloride~0.15–0.65%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Used to stabilize mixtures of oil and water, and create thicker, gel-like product textures
More about Sodium chlorideCaprylic/capric triglyceride~0.2–0.8%
- 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 triglycerideAscorbyl tetraisopalmitate~0.2–0.75%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
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)
More about Ascorbyl tetraisopalmitateTocopherol~0.1–0.5%
- 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 TocopherolUbiquinone~0.1–0.45%
- Irritation risk
- 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
More about UbiquinoneIngredient list view
Alcohol, C12-15 alkyl benzoate, Phenoxyethyl caprylate, Ethylhexyl salicylate, Octyldodecanol, Diisopropyl adipate, Dibutyl adipate, Bis-ethylhexyloxyphenol methoxyphenyl triazine, Ethylhexyl triazone, Diethylamino hydroxybenzoyl hexyl benzoate, Alcohol denat., Va/butyl maleate/isobornyl acrylate copolymer, Vitis vinifera seed extract, Glycerin, Hydroxypropyl methylcellulose, Water, Tocopheryl acetate, 2,6-dimethyl-7-octen-2-ol, Lecithin, Sodium chloride, Caprylic/capric triglyceride, Ascorbyl tetraisopalmitate, Tocopherol, Ubiquinone
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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.
| UltrasunSports Medium SPF20 Clear Gel FormulaYOUR PRODUCT | ISNTREEHyaluronic Acid Watery Sun Gel SPF50+ PA++++ | OrjenaAqua UV Perfect Sun Gel SPF50+ PA++++ | Coco & EveDaily Water Gel SPF50+ Sunscreen | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Match | — | 36% | 36% | 36% |
| Price | — | $11.94 | — | — |
| Shared key ingredients | — | 3 of 7 | 3 of 7 | 3 of 7 |
| Key difference | — | Niacinamide | Niacinamide | Avobenzone |
| Irritancy | Medium | Low | Low | Low |
| SPF | SPF 20 | SPF 50 | SPF 50 | SPF 50 |
| Drying alcohol | Contains drying alcohol | — | — | — |
| View product | Shop | Shop | Shop |
More alternatives: Q+A Niacinamide SPF 50 Balancing Daily SunscreenAvène Intense Protect Ultra Water Resistant Fluid SPF50+
Product summary
"Ultrasun - Sports Medium SPF20 Clear Gel Formula" offers broad spectrum protection. It means that it protects from both UVA and UVB rays (you can remember UVB as "burning" sunlight - they cause sunburn. You can remember UVA rays as "aging" - they do not lead to sunburn, but they cause photodamage and contribute to early signs of skin aging and hyperpigmentation). On the negative side, the SPF of this sunscreen is not high enough. We recommend to use a sunscreen with at least SPF 30 daily.
This product should also be hydrating enough to use without an additional moisturizer during the day.
Sunscreen filters
This sunscreen uses so-called "chemical", or organic UV filters (organic simply means that their molecules contain atoms of carbon). These filters typically give good sun protection and rarely leave a white cast, but they can be irritating for sensitive skin. These are the sun protection ingredients in this sunscreen: tinosorb s 1.70% - 2.50%, uvinul a plus 1.20% - 1.70%, octisalate 4.00% - 6.00% and uvinul t 1.40% - 2.10%.
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 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 24.84£ 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 10 studies and safety reviews.
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