Vanicream Sunscreen Broad Spectrum SPF 50
Works for
1 of 1 advertised claim delivered
Sun protectionSPF 50 · 2 UV filtersBroad spectrum
This product offers a good level of protection against both UVB and UVA rays.
It is a mineral sunscreen. In other words, it contains non-organic UV filters. It will probably not sting your eyes but might leave a white cast.
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.
Anti-agingNot advertised by the brand · 1 ingredient credited for this claimStrong support
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 support
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 · 2 ingredients credited for this claimStrong support
This product contains antioxidants (ubiquinone) that can help neutralize free radicals in skin. By doing so, they can lessen the damage the skin gets from the UV light (sun).
The following ingredients - squalene also can have an antioxidant effect, but there is less evidence to confirm their effectiveness in skin.
MoisturizingNot advertised by the brand · 14 ingredients credited for this claimGood support
This product can help soften the skin and reduce its moisture loss with emollients and occlusives: dimethicone, phenyl trimethicone.
Keep in mind that this product does not contain effective ingredients to attract water to the upper layer of the skin. This is why an additional product with humectants like glycerin or hyaluronic acid can be helpful (apply it before this product for the best results).
Can it cause trouble?
Irritancy6 flagged ingredientsLow 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.
C20-40 alcohols~22–33%
Caprylyl glycol~4.2–6.3%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Helps preserve products and creates a nice product texture
More about Caprylyl glycolCetyl peg/ppg-10/1 dimethicone~3.2–4.8%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A type of silicone that helps water and oil mix together. Can help to soften upper layer of the skin
More about Cetyl peg/ppg-10/1 dimethiconeCocoglycerides~3.5–5.3%
- Irritation risk
- High
Help soften the upper layer of the skin and make it easier for oil and water mix together. Recently, a rising number of allergic reactions to cocoglycerides and other coconut-derived surfactants has been reported. As there is a significant overlap between frequent irritants and allergens, we flag this ingredient for attention of those with very sensitive, reactive skin
More about CocoglyceridesDicaprylyl carbonate~2.9–4.3%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps products spread more easily and works as an emollient to soften skin
More about Dicaprylyl carbonateDimethicone~2.2–3.3%
- 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 Dimethicone1,2-hexanediol~0.55–1.3%
Hydrogenated castor oil~1.3–2%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
A plant oil that can help soften the skin. It might be helpful in calming down inflammation, but solid research is lacking. Is often used in lip products to create the needed product consistency
More about Hydrogenated castor oilHydrogenated polyisobutene~1.3–1.9%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Used to improve the product consistency and soften the upper layer of the skin
More about Hydrogenated polyisobuteneMagnesium chloride~0.85–1.25%
Octadecene~0.55–1.25%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Peg-30 dipolyhydroxystearate~0.45–1.05%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Helps oil and water mix together
More about Peg-30 dipolyhydroxystearatePentylene glycol~0.45–1.1%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Used to preserve products, dissolve other ingredients and create a nice product texture
More about Pentylene glycolPhenyl trimethicone~0.4–0.9%
- 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 trimethiconeWater~0.35–0.8%
Silica~0.5–1.15%
Silica dimethyl silylate~0.4–0.9%
Squalene~0.35–0.85%
- Irritation risk
- Low
- Comedogenicity
- 2/5
An oil that is naturally part of skin sebum that helps to soften its upper layer, reduce water loss and neutralize free radicals. It might be comedogenic. Avoid applying large concentrations (or pure oil) before sun exposure as oxidized squalene can clog pores and lead to skin irritation. Today squalene is mostly derived from vegetable oils or synthetized by yeast
More about SqualeneStearyl dimethicone~0.35–0.8%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps soften the upper layer of the skin
More about Stearyl dimethiconeTridecyl salicylate~0.15–0.7%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Triethoxycaprylylsilane~0.15–0.65%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A type of silicone that helps oil and water mix well together. Helps to disperse other ingredients, e.g. pigments, evenly in a formulation
More about TriethoxycaprylylsilaneUbiquinone~0.15–0.7%
- 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 UbiquinoneTitanium dioxide5%
- Irritation risk
- Low
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
More about Titanium dioxideZinc oxide7%
- 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 oxideC20-40 alcohols~0.2–0.8%
Caprylyl glycol~0.2–0.75%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Helps preserve products and creates a nice product texture
More about Caprylyl glycolCetyl peg/ppg-10/1 dimethicone~0.15–0.65%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A type of silicone that helps water and oil mix together. Can help to soften upper layer of the skin
More about Cetyl peg/ppg-10/1 dimethiconeCocoglycerides~0.2–0.8%
- Irritation risk
- High
Help soften the upper layer of the skin and make it easier for oil and water mix together. Recently, a rising number of allergic reactions to cocoglycerides and other coconut-derived surfactants has been reported. As there is a significant overlap between frequent irritants and allergens, we flag this ingredient for attention of those with very sensitive, reactive skin
More about CocoglyceridesDicaprylyl carbonate~0.2–0.75%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps products spread more easily and works as an emollient to soften skin
More about Dicaprylyl carbonateDimethicone~0.3–0.7%
- 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 DimethiconeHexanediol~0.15–0.6%
Hydrogenated castor oil~0.2–0.8%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
A plant oil that can help soften the skin. It might be helpful in calming down inflammation, but solid research is lacking. Is often used in lip products to create the needed product consistency
More about Hydrogenated castor oilHydrogenated polyisobutene~0.2–0.75%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Used to improve the product consistency and soften the upper layer of the skin
More about Hydrogenated polyisobuteneMagnesium chloride~0.15–0.6%
Octadecene~0.15–0.6%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Peg-30 dipolyhydroxystearate~0.15–0.65%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Helps oil and water mix together
More about Peg-30 dipolyhydroxystearatePentylene glycol~0.2–0.8%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Used to preserve products, dissolve other ingredients and create a nice product texture
More about Pentylene glycolPhenyl trimethicone~0.15–0.65%
- 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 trimethiconeWater~0.15–0.55%
Silica~0.35–0.8%
Silica dimethyl silylate~0.15–0.65%
Squalane~0.15–0.65%
- Irritation risk
- Low
An oil naturally present in skin. Works as an emollient to soften the skin and form a protective layer on its surface without a greasy feeling.
More about SqualaneStearyl dimethicone~0.15–0.7%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps soften the upper layer of the skin
More about Stearyl dimethiconeTridecyl salicylate~0.1–0.45%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Triethoxycaprylylsilane~0.1–0.35%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A type of silicone that helps oil and water mix well together. Helps to disperse other ingredients, e.g. pigments, evenly in a formulation
More about TriethoxycaprylylsilaneUbiquinone~0.1–0.35%
- 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
C20-40 alcohols, Caprylyl glycol, Cetyl peg/ppg-10/1 dimethicone, Cocoglycerides, Dicaprylyl carbonate, Dimethicone, 1,2-hexanediol, Hydrogenated castor oil, Hydrogenated polyisobutene, Magnesium chloride, Octadecene, Peg-30 dipolyhydroxystearate, Pentylene glycol, Phenyl trimethicone, Water, Silica, Silica dimethyl silylate, Squalene, Stearyl dimethicone, Tridecyl salicylate, Triethoxycaprylylsilane, Ubiquinone, Titanium dioxide, Zinc oxide, C20-40 alcohols, Caprylyl glycol, Cetyl peg/ppg-10/1 dimethicone, Cocoglycerides, Dicaprylyl carbonate, Dimethicone, Hexanediol, Hydrogenated castor oil, Hydrogenated polyisobutene, Magnesium chloride, Octadecene, Peg-30 dipolyhydroxystearate, Pentylene glycol, Phenyl trimethicone, Water, Silica, Silica dimethyl silylate, Squalane, Stearyl dimethicone, Tridecyl salicylate, Triethoxycaprylylsilane, Ubiquinone
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Product summary
Based on the ingredients included, we believe that "Vanicream - Sunscreen Broad Spectrum SPF 50" 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).
It contains good moisturizing ingredients and can double as a hydrating day cream. Like all broad-spectrum sunscreens, this product helps prevent early signs of aging.
Sunscreen filters
This sunscreen is a mineral sunscreen. It uses titanium dioxide and zinc oxide for sun protection. Both titanium dioxide and zinc oxide almost never irritate even the most sensitive skin and eyes, but can leave a white cast.
Irritation risk
There are actives in this product that can be irritating. We assess the overall irritancy of this product 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 17.95$ 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 15 studies and safety reviews.
- 1
- 2Final Report on the Safety Assessment of Dimethicone Copolyoljournals.sagepub.com
- 3
- 4
- 5
- 6
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