A follow-up question from our reader that we wanted to post as it is on a similar topic

Here are the incative ingredients found in my suncream, could you tell me if there are bad ingredients, please?

Water, Alcohol Denat., Butyloctyl Salicylate, Silica, C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate, Polyglyceryl-6 Stearate, Sodium Stearoyl Glutamate, Disostearoyl Polyglyceryl-3 Dimer Dilinoleate, Behenyl Alcohol, Butylene Glycol Dicaprylate/Dicaprate, Cetearyl Alcohol, Copernicia Cerifera (Carnauba) Wax, Dibutyl Adipate, Sodium Hyaluronate, Glycyrrhiza Inflata Root Extract, Glycyrrhetinic Acid, Tocopherol, Dimethicone, Silica Dimethyl Silylate, Diethylhexyl Syringylidenemalonate, Ethylcellulose, Glyceryl Behenate, L-Carnitine, Polyglyceryl-6 Octastearate, Phenoxyethanol, Glycerin, Xanthan Gum, Ethylhexylglycerin, Disodium EDTA, Hydroxyacetophenone, Polyglyceryl-6 Behenate, Cetyl Alcohol, Sodium Ascorbyl Phosphate

Here’s a breakdown of the inactive ingredients in your suncream:

1. Water: Acts as a solvent and base for the formulation.
2. Alcohol Denat.: Often used as a solvent and can have a drying effect on the skin, which may be problematic for sensitive skin types.
3. Butyloctyl Salicylate: An emollient and skin conditioning agent.
4. Silica: Used as an absorbent and anti-caking agent.
5. C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate: An emollient that helps improve the spreadability of the product.
6. Polyglyceryl-6 Stearate: An emulsifier that helps mix oil and water-based ingredients.
7. Sodium Stearoyl Glutamate: An emulsifier and surfactant derived from amino acids.
8. Disostearoyl Polyglyceryl-3 Dimer Dilinoleate: A synthetic compound used as an emulsifier and surfactant.
9. Behenyl Alcohol: A fatty alcohol used as an emollient and thickening agent.
10. Butylene Glycol Dicaprylate/Dicaprate: A synthetic compound that acts as an emollient and skin-conditioning agent.
11. Cetearyl Alcohol: A fatty alcohol used as an emollient and emulsifier.
12. Copernicia Cerifera (Carnauba) Wax: A natural wax derived from the leaves of the carnauba palm, often used as a thickening agent.
13. Dibutyl Adipate: An emollient and plasticizer that helps improve the texture of the product.
14. Sodium Hyaluronate: The sodium salt of hyaluronic acid, a humectant that helps retain moisture in the skin.
15. Glycyrrhiza Inflata Root Extract: Licorice root extract, which has soothing and anti-inflammatory properties.
16. Glycyrrhetinic Acid: Derived from licorice root, it has soothing and anti-inflammatory properties.
17. Tocopherol: Vitamin E, which acts as an antioxidant.
18. Dimethicone: A silicone-based ingredient that acts as an emollient and forms a protective barrier on the skin.
19. Silica Dimethyl Silylate: Used as an anti-caking agent and to improve the texture of the product.
20. Diethylhexyl Syringylidenemalonate: A synthetic compound used as a skin conditioning agent and UV filter.
21. Ethylcellulose: A thickening agent and film-forming agent.
22. Glyceryl Behenate: A synthetic compound used as an emulsifier and thickening agent.
23. L-Carnitine: An amino acid derivative with antioxidant properties.
24. Glycerin: A humectant that helps attract and retain moisture in the skin.
25. Xanthan Gum: A polysaccharide used as a thickening agent and stabilizer.
26. Ethylhexylglycerin: A synthetic compound used as a preservative and skin conditioning agent.
27. Disodium EDTA: A chelating agent that helps stabilize the formulation.
28. Hydroxyacetophenone: An antioxidant and preservative booster.
29. Polyglyceryl-6 Behenate: An emulsifier and thickening agent derived from glycerin.
30. Cetyl Alcohol: A fatty alcohol used as an emollient and emulsifier.
31. Sodium Ascorbyl Phosphate: A stable form of vitamin C, which acts as an antioxidant and helps brighten the skin.

Overall, while some of the ingredients may not be ideal for sensitive skin types, such as alcohol denat., the formulation also contains beneficial ingredients like licorice root extract and sodium hyaluronate, which can help soothe and hydrate the skin. It’s always a good idea to patch test new products on a small area of skin before applying them more widely, especially if you have sensitive or problematic skin.

I bought a sun protective cream. Could you comment on these active ingredients? Active ingredients Avobenzone 3% , Homosalate 10%, Octisalate 5%, Octocrylene 10%

Certainly, here’s a breakdown of the active ingredients in your sun protective cream:

1. Avobenzone (3%): Avobenzone is a commonly used chemical sunscreen ingredient that helps to absorb UVA rays, which are primarily responsible for causing skin aging and damage. It provides broad-spectrum protection against UVA rays.
2. Homosalate (10%): Homosalate is another chemical sunscreen ingredient that primarily absorbs UVB rays, which are responsible for causing sunburn and skin cancer. It provides broad-spectrum protection against UVB rays.
3. Octisalate (5%): Octisalate is a chemical sunscreen ingredient that primarily absorbs UVB rays. It helps to enhance the UV protection of the sunscreen formula.
4. Octocrylene (10%): Octocrylene is a chemical sunscreen ingredient that helps to stabilize other UV filters in the sunscreen formula. It also provides some UVB protection.

These active ingredients work together to provide broad-spectrum protection against both UVA and UVB rays, helping to prevent sunburn, skin aging, and damage caused by sun exposure. It’s important to apply sunscreen liberally and reapply it frequently, especially after swimming or sweating, for maximum protection.

The percentages of the active ingredients in your sun protective cream appear to be within the range commonly used in sunscreens to provide effective protection against both UVA and UVB rays. However, the effectiveness of a sunscreen depends on various factors, including the formulation of the product, how evenly and liberally it is applied to the skin, and how often it is reapplied.

In general, a higher percentage of active ingredients can contribute to better sun protection, but it’s also important to consider other factors such as the SPF (Sun Protection Factor) rating of the sunscreen. SPF indicates the level of protection against UVB rays specifically.

NOTE:

It’s essential to apply sunscreen generously and evenly to all exposed skin areas and to reapply it every two hours or more frequently, especially after swimming, sweating, or towel-drying. Additionally, wearing protective clothing, seeking shade, and avoiding peak sun hours can complement the use of sunscreen for comprehensive sun protection.