Urban Skin Rx SheerGlow Even Tone Daily Defense Mineral Moisturizer SPF 30
Works for
Sun protectionSPF 30 · 2 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.
Evens skin toneGluconolactoneWorks well
“SheerGlow™ Even Tone Daily Defense Mineral Moisturizer SPF 30”
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-agingGluconolactoneWorks well
“Helps prevent visible signs of aging, uneven skin tone and enlarged pores”
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.
MoisturizingSide benefit the brand mentions · Caprylic/capric triglyceride, Phenyl trimethicone + 6 moreWorks
“SheerGlow™ Even Tone Daily Defense Mineral Moisturizer SPF 30”
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, caprylyl glycol.
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, dimethicone.
Can it cause trouble?
Irritancy3 strong irritants: Citrus reticulata peel oil, Limonene + 1 more — patch-test recommendedHigh risk
Comedogenic1 ingredient rated 2 or more on the 0–5 pore-clogging scale1 flagged
User reviews
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Ingredients
Filter by role to see what each ingredient is doing.
Zinc oxide11.6%
- 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 oxideWater~45–55%
Butyloctyl salicylate~9.5–11.6%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
A synthetic ester of salicylic acid that is used to help disperse pigments and boost effectiveness of sunscreen ingredients. It is able to absorb UV light (working as an organic, or chemical filter), but is not approved as a sunscreen ingredient on its own
More about Butyloctyl salicylateCaprylic/capric triglyceride~5.3–6.5%
- 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 triglyceridePhenyl trimethicone~3.2–3.9%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A type of silicone that can decrease loss of moisture from the skin surface. It helps create a nice product texture
More about Phenyl trimethiconeGlycerin~2.4–3%
- 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 GlycerinDimethicone~2–2.5%
- 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 DimethiconeCetearyl olivate~1.7–2.1%
Hydrolyzed wheat protein/pvp crosspolymer~1.6–2%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Polyester-8~1.4–1.7%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Used to stabilize product formulations and individual ingredients (for example, sunscreens). Can be an allergen
More about Polyester-8Sorbitan olivate~1.2–1.4%
Carthamus tinctorius oleosomes~1–1.2%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps soften the upper layer of the skin
More about Carthamus tinctorius oleosomesCetearyl alcohol~0.95–1.15%
- 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 alcoholPotassium cetyl phosphate~0.7–1.1%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Helps oil and water mix together
More about Potassium cetyl phosphatePropanediol~0.65–1%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Acts as a solvent for other ingredients. Speeds up the absorption of other ingredients into the skin
More about PropanediolPolyhydroxystearic acid~0.6–0.9%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Used to create a thicker product consistency and stabilize the formulation
More about Polyhydroxystearic acidCaprylyl glycol~0.6–0.9%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Helps preserve products and creates a nice product texture
More about Caprylyl glycolCetearyl glucoside~0.55–0.85%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Helps water and oil in the product mix well together and improves product texture
More about Cetearyl glucosideXanthan gum~0.5–0.75%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Used to create a thicker product consistency
More about Xanthan gumBisabolol~0.4–0.65%
- 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 BisabololTrisodium ethylenediamine disuccinate~0.4–0.65%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Used to improve stability of the formulation
More about Trisodium ethylenediamine disuccinateCaprylhydroxamic acid~0.35–0.65%
Citrus reticulata peel oil~0.3–0.55%
- Irritation risk
- High
An essential oil used for fragrance. Can be an allergen and irritant
More about Citrus reticulata peel oilGluconolactone~0.3–0.55%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
A polyhydroxy acid (PHA) that helps shed the dead cells from the skin surface revealing smoother skin. Is believed to be genter than AHAs. It helps attract water to the upper layer of the skin and can stimulate production of skin's own hyaluronic acid resulting in improved hydration levels. It has been shown to be helpful against acne and clogged pores if used consistently (e.g over a period of 12 weeks) in high enough concentration. It can help reduce fine lines and wrinkles and improve skin tone with long-term application. Can help neutralize free radicals
More about GluconolactoneLimonene~0.25–0.45%
- Irritation risk
- High
A common frangrance that can easily irritate skin, especially if exposed to air, light or heat
More about LimoneneSodium hydroxide~0.25–0.45%
Citric acid~0.2–0.4%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Can work as an exfoliant but is typically used to adjust the product pH
More about Citric acidPhenoxyethanol~0.15–0.3%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A preservative. It helps prevent bacterial growth in cosmetic products
More about PhenoxyethanolCitrus grandis fruit extract~0.1–0.25%
- Irritation risk
- High
Disodium edta~0.1–0.25%
Potassium sorbate~0.1–0.25%
Sodium benzoate~0.1–0.2%
Ethylhexylglycerin~0.05–0.1%
Ingredient list view
Zinc oxide, Water, Butyloctyl salicylate, Caprylic/capric triglyceride, Phenyl trimethicone, Glycerin, Dimethicone, Cetearyl olivate, Hydrolyzed wheat protein/pvp crosspolymer, Polyester-8, Sorbitan olivate, Carthamus tinctorius oleosomes, Cetearyl alcohol, Potassium cetyl phosphate, Propanediol, Polyhydroxystearic acid, Caprylyl glycol, Cetearyl glucoside, Xanthan gum, Bisabolol, Trisodium ethylenediamine disuccinate, Caprylhydroxamic acid, Citrus reticulata peel oil, Gluconolactone, Limonene, Sodium hydroxide, Citric acid, Phenoxyethanol, Citrus grandis fruit extract, Disodium edta, Potassium sorbate, Sodium benzoate, Ethylhexylglycerin
Compare prices
Retailers ranked by price — lowest first.
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.
| Urban Skin RxSheerGlow Even Tone Daily Defense Mineral Moisturizer SPF 30YOUR PRODUCT | Rodan + FieldsREVERSE Brightening Defense Fluid Lotion SPF 50 | Ethical ZincSPF50+ Daily Wear Light Sunscreen | Salt & StoneLightweight Sheer Daily Sunscreen SPF 40 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Match | — | 62% | 62% | 61% |
| Price | $34.00 | — | — | — |
| Shared key ingredients | — | 5 of 8 | 4 of 8 | 4 of 8 |
| Key difference | — | Niacinamide | — | — |
| Irritancy | High | Low | Low | Low |
| SPF | SPF 30 | SPF 50 | SPF 50 | SPF 40 |
| Drying alcohol | — | — | — | — |
| View product | Shop | Shop | Shop |
More alternatives: BABOR Protect RX Mineral SPF30 SunscreenUltra Violette Velvet Screen SPF 40 100% Mineral Zinc Oxide Blurring Facial Sunscreen
Product summary
Based on the ingredient list, we assess that "Urban Skin Rx - SheerGlow™ Even Tone Daily Defense Mineral Moisturizer SPF 30" can provide reliable sun protection. It can protect from both UVA and UVB rays. This is great news because not all sunscreens with SPF ratings give UVA protection. (UVA rays do not cause sunburn, but still damage our skin and lead to early aging).
Because it includes good moisturizing ingredients, it can also work as a hydrating day cream. This product prevents early signs of aging by protecting against sun damage (all broad spectrum sunscreens do that).
Sunscreen filters
This is a "mixed" sunscreen in the sense that it uses both mineral and organic (so-called "chemical") sun filters. Here are the organic filters this product uses: butyloctyl salicylate. As for the mineral filters, this sunscreen uses zinc oxide.
Irritation risk
This sunscreen contains some common irritants, including those without a benefit for the skin. We assess the overall irritancy of this sunscreen to be medium. For a detailed overview of all potential irritants: click here
You can see the detailed formula review with the breakdown of all actives in the product and the full ingredient list with estimated concentrations in the tables below.
Price
The product retails for 34.00$ in the United States.
For a detailed price comparison: click here.
Sources cited in this review
Every concentration estimate and effectiveness label is anchored to one of these 22 studies and safety reviews.
- 1A review of inorganic UV filters zinc oxide and titanium dioxideonlinelibrary.wiley.com
- 2
- 3
- 4
- 5
- 6
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