Derma Essentia Sunscreen SPF 50 Gel
57/100 overall score
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About this sunscreen
Derma Essentia Sunscreen SPF 50 Gel is a chemical sunscreen using an older filter mix of ethylhexyl methoxycinnamate, avobenzone and benzophenone-3 (oxybenzone). It has a balanced, lightweight finish with low white cast and low pore-clogging risk, though some may notice mild sting. Protection is rated only moderate and the score is a modest 57.1/100, so its dated filters and benzophenone-3 content keep it mid-pack despite the high label SPF.
Ingredient & SPF scores
☀️
UV protection
Moderate
46
- +18 Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate at #3, UV filter
- +28.5 Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane at #4, UV filter (UVA1 +15.2)
- +20.9 Benzophenone-3 at #5, UV filter
- −1.7 UVA2 coverage saturated
- ×0.9 Limited long-UVA1 coverage
- ×0.75 Avobenzone + octinoxate degrade each other in sunlight
- +2 Label claims (SPF 50)
☢️
Health safety
Low
14
- +100 Starting score
- −70 Oxybenzone at #5 (regulatory/evidence concern)
- −12.6 Octinoxate at #3, stacked (regulatory/evidence concern)
- −3.5 Avobenzone at #4, stacked (regulatory/evidence concern)
- +0 2 endocrine-scrutinized filters together
🤧
Allergens
Low
64
- +100 Starting score
- −18 Fragrance
- −12 Opaque "Fragrance", hidden allergens that can't be checked from the label
- −6 Photoallergen-tail UV filters (Benzophenone-3)
🔥
Eye sting
Medium
49
- +100 Starting score
- −16 Avobenzone at #4, migrates into eyes with sweat
- −11 Oxybenzone at #5, migrates into eyes with sweat
- −16 Octinoxate at #3, migrates into eyes with sweat
- −8 Fragrance
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Fungal acne
Low
79
- +100 Starting score
- −12 1 polysorbate/sorbitan emulsifiers that feed Malassezia (Polysorbate 20)
- −9 1 oils/butters that feed Malassezia (Lecithin)
👕
Fabric stains
Medium
35
- +100 Starting score
- −45 Avobenzone at #4, reacts with iron in wash water into rust-yellow stains
- −20 Oxybenzone at #5, yellow stains on white cotton
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Moisture
Balanced
LightNourishing
- → 4 Glycerin at #8, the anchor humectant
- → 1 Humectant polyols
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Makeup base
Okay
PillsPrimer
- ← 1 Gel polymers prone to pilling under friction (Carbomer, Sodium Acrylates Copolymer)
🌊
Water resistance
Not resistant
Non-water-resistantWater-resistant
Nothing flagged in the ingredient list.
How we rate water resistance →Skincare extras
Beneficial actives this formula contains. Informational only, not part of the rating: their effect depends on a concentration the label does not disclose.
- ✨ Aloe vera
Full ingredient list (27)
What each ingredient does and how it moves each rating: green helps, red hurts, ↑ / ↓ give the direction, and ← / → shift a slider toward its ends (finish, moisture, makeup base). Auto-derived from our scoring rules and the ingredient's position.
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1 Water
Solvent base, the water phase
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2 Water
Solvent base, the water phase
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Legacy UV filter (Octinoxate), high in the list, a primary filter
- ↑ 18 UV protection
- ↓ 12.6 stacked (regulatory/evidence concern)
- ↑ 16 migrates into eyes with sweat
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Legacy UV filter (Avobenzone)
- ↑ 28.5 UV protection, incl. long-UVA (UVA1)
- ↓ 3.5 stacked (regulatory/evidence concern)
- ↑ 16 migrates into eyes with sweat
- ↑ 45 reacts with iron in wash water into rust-yellow stains
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Legacy UV filter (Oxybenzone)
- ↑ 20.9 UV protection
- ↑ 11 migrates into eyes with sweat
- ↑ 20 yellow stains on white cotton
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Emulsifier, keeps oil and water blended
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Humectant, pulls water into the skin
- 1 → nourishing humectant polyol
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8 Glycerin
Humectant, pulls water into the skin
- 4 → nourishing the anchor humectant
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Soothing, skin-conditioning active
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Supporting ingredient
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11 Glycerin
Humectant, pulls water into the skin
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12 Water
Solvent base, the water phase
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Humectant, pulls water into the skin
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Botanical extract
-
Botanical extract
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Botanical extract
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Botanical extract
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Chelator, binds stray metal ions to keep the formula stable
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Thickener and texture, structures the gel or cream
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20 Carbomer
Thickener and texture, structures the gel or cream
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pH adjuster
-
Preservative, keeps the formula from spoiling
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Emulsifier, keeps oil and water blended
- ↑ 12 feeds malassezia
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24 Fragrance
Fragrance
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Thickener and texture, structures the gel or cream
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26 Lecithin
Emulsifier, keeps oil and water blended
- ↑ 9 feeds malassezia
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27 Colour
Supporting ingredient
Is the Derma Essentia Sunscreen SPF 50 Gel any good?
It scores 57.1/100, which is mid-pack. Despite the high label SPF, its protection is rated only moderate and it uses older filters including benzophenone-3.
Is the Derma Essentia Sunscreen SPF 50 Gel mineral or chemical?
It is chemical, using an older blend of ethylhexyl methoxycinnamate, avobenzone and benzophenone-3 (oxybenzone).
Is it good for oily skin?
It has a balanced, lightweight finish and is low on pore-clogging risk, which generally suits oily skin, though some may notice mild sting.