ZO Skin Health Sheer Fluid Broad Spectrum Sunscreen SPF 50
Works for
1 of 1 advertised claim delivered
Sun protectionSPF 50 · 1 UV filterBroad 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 · 4 ingredients credited for this claimStrong evidence
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 · 2 ingredients credited for this claimStrong evidence
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).
MoisturizingNot advertised by the brand · 13 ingredients credited for this claimGood evidence
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, butylene 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: dimethicone, helianthus annuus seed oil.
Can it cause trouble?
Irritancy2 strong irritants: Retinyl palmitate, Rosmarinus officinalis leaf extractMedium risk
ComedogenicClean of flagged comedogenic ingredientsNone flagged
User reviews
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Ingredients
Filter by role to see what each ingredient is doing.
Zinc oxide22%
- 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 oxideDimethicone~23–35%
- 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 DimethiconeWater~8.3–12.5%
C12-15 alkyl benzoate~4.1–6.2%
- 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 benzoateDicaprylyl carbonate~3.1–4.6%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps products spread more easily and works as an emollient to soften skin
More about Dicaprylyl carbonateCetyl peg/ppg-10/1 dimethicone~2.4–3.6%
- 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 dimethiconeSilica~2.2–3.2%
Glycerin~1.8–2.6%
- 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 GlycerinButylene glycol~1.4–2.1%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Used to create a nice product texture and help delivery of other ingredients. Might be somewhat helpful in attracting water to the upper layer of the skin
More about Butylene glycolArgania spinosa kernel oil~1.2–1.8%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
An emollient that helps soften the upper layer of the skin. Might have some weak anti-oxidant properties
More about Argania spinosa kernel oilTocopheryl acetate~1–1.5%
- 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 acetatePolysorbate 20~0.85–1.25%
Dimethicone crosspolymer~0.55–1.25%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Used to create a thicker product texture. Helps soften the upper layer of the skin and might be able to prevent moisture loss from its surface
More about Dimethicone crosspolymerEthyl ferulate~0.5–1.15%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Triethoxycaprylylsilane~0.5–1.1%
- 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 TriethoxycaprylylsilaneBisabolol~0.45–1.05%
- 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 BisabololPhenoxyethanol~0.5–1%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A preservative. It helps prevent bacterial growth in cosmetic products
More about PhenoxyethanolPolymethyl methacrylate~0.4–0.9%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Is used to enhance product texture and can help to optically mask skin imperfections
More about Polymethyl methacrylateCaprylyl glycol~0.35–0.8%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Helps preserve products and creates a nice product texture
More about Caprylyl glycolChlorphenesin~0.16–0.32%
Sodium chloride~0.2–0.75%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Used to stabilize mixtures of oil and water, and create thicker, gel-like product textures
More about Sodium chlorideHelianthus annuus seed oil~0.2–0.75%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A great emollient due to its high linoleic acid content. One of the most effective plant oils in helping skin hydration and repairing skin barrier function
More about Helianthus annuus seed oilSodium citrate~0.15–0.6%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Helps to control the skin's pH level. Maintains the skin's natural film of amino-lactic acids and oils. Helps to preserve products
More about Sodium citrateMelanin~0.15–0.5%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Pentylene glycol~0.15–0.6%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Used to preserve products, dissolve other ingredients and create a nice product texture
More about Pentylene glycol1,2-hexanediol~0.1–0.4%
Ascorbic acid~0.1–0.4%
- Irritation risk
- High
The most well-researched antioxidant that works in skin. Helps neutralize free radicals supporting collagen production, helping to even out the skin tone and preventing early signs of aging
More about Ascorbic acidRetinyl palmitate~0.1–0.3%
- Irritation risk
- High
Three steps removed from the active form of vitamin A - retinoic acid. To have an effect in the skin, it first needs to be converted twice to become the retinoic acid. This means it is less potent than retinol, but could also be less irritating. Once converted to the retinoic acid in the skin, it helps against all signs of aging, improves skin cell turnover and helps fight blemishes and clogged pores. However, in many cosmetic formulations, it is used in a concentration that is too low to have the full effect
More about Retinyl palmitateBeta-glucan~0.1–0.35%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps attract water to the upper layer of the skin, calm down inflammation and irritation, restore the barrier function and support wound healing. It can be helpful in reducing fine lines and wrinkles
More about Beta-glucanRosmarinus officinalis leaf extract~0.05–0.25%
- Irritation risk
- High
Can be helpful in reducing inflammation in skin, including inflamed acne. It can be irritating
More about Rosmarinus officinalis leaf extractTocopherol~0.05–0.25%
- 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 TocopherolEthylhexylglycerin~0.05–0.15%
Iron oxides~0.05–0.15%
- Irritation risk
- Low
An umbrella term for the following three colorants: CI 77491, CI 77492, CI 77499. They might be able to offer some protection against visible light, but the degree of the protection is not clear
More about Iron oxidesIngredient list view
Zinc oxide, Dimethicone, Water, C12-15 alkyl benzoate, Dicaprylyl carbonate, Cetyl peg/ppg-10/1 dimethicone, Silica, Glycerin, Butylene glycol, Argania spinosa kernel oil, Tocopheryl acetate, Polysorbate 20, Dimethicone crosspolymer, Ethyl ferulate, Triethoxycaprylylsilane, Bisabolol, Phenoxyethanol, Polymethyl methacrylate, Caprylyl glycol, Chlorphenesin, Sodium chloride, Helianthus annuus seed oil, Sodium citrate, Melanin, Pentylene glycol, 1,2-hexanediol, Ascorbic acid, Retinyl palmitate, Beta-glucan, Rosmarinus officinalis leaf extract, Tocopherol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Iron oxides
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Product summary
We assess that "ZO Skin Health - Sheer Fluid Broad Spectrum Sunscreen SPF 50" can provide reliable sun protection based on the ingredient list. We love that it can protect from both UVA and UVB rays (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).
This sunscreen should also be hydrating enough to use without an additional moisturizer during the day. This product prevents early signs of aging by protecting against sun damage (all broad spectrum sunscreens do that).
Sunscreen filters
This product is a mineral sunscreen. It uses zinc oxide for sun protection. Zinc oxide almost never irritates the skin or stings eyes, but it 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.
Sources cited in this review
Every concentration estimate and effectiveness label is anchored to one of these 28 studies and safety reviews.
- 1A review of inorganic UV filters zinc oxide and titanium dioxideonlinelibrary.wiley.com
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Affiliate links · As an Amazon Associate, WIMJ earns from qualifying purchases.