Derma Photo Block Gel Spf 50
49/100 overall score
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About this sunscreen
Derma Photo Block Gel SPF 50 is a chemical sunscreen that relies on Avobenzone as its listed UV filter. It has a balanced, lightweight finish with low white cast, does not commonly sting and carries low breakout risk. A single-filter formula offers limited broad-spectrum balance, and the protection here is rated weak. With a score of 49.0 out of 100, it is a basic gel best treated as light daily coverage rather than robust sun defense.
Ingredient & SPF scores
☀️
UV protection
Weak
28
- +28.5 Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane at #4, UV filter (UVA1 +15.2)
- ×0.9 Limited long-UVA1 coverage
- +2 Label claims (SPF 50)
☢️
Health safety
High
77
- +100 Starting score
- −10 Avobenzone at #4 (regulatory/evidence concern)
- −13 Propylparaben at #11, endocrine-scrutinized preservative
🔥
Eye sting
Low
61
- +100 Starting score
- −16 Avobenzone at #4, migrates into eyes with sweat
- −18 Volatile alcohol at #2
- −5 Alcohol high up speeds filter migration
🔴
Comedogenic
Low
83
- +100 Starting score
- −17 Isopropyl Myristate at #5, heavy comedogenic ester
🍄
Fungal acne
Medium
52
- +100 Starting score
- −48 2 long-chain (C12+) esters that feed Malassezia (Isopropyl Myristate, Ceteareth-25)
👕
Fabric stains
Medium
55
- +100 Starting score
- −45 Avobenzone at #4, reacts with iron in wash water into rust-yellow stains
💧
Moisture
Balanced
LightNourishing
- ← 22 Volatile alcohol at #2
- → 16 Glycerin at #3, the anchor humectant
✨
Finish
Balanced
MatteDewy
- ← 5 Volatile alcohol at #2
- → 4 1 slippy emollient esters (Isopropyl Myristate)
💄
Makeup base
Okay
PillsPrimer
- → 10 Quick-setting carrier (alcohol at #2), fast, even canvas
- ← 7 Gel polymers prone to pilling under friction (Carbomer)
- ← 2 Occlusives/waxes float the foundation
- ← 3.5 Humectant syrup tackiness (partly offset by the base)
🌊
Water resistance
Not resistant
Non-water-resistantWater-resistant
Nothing flagged in the ingredient list.
How we rate water resistance →Full ingredient list (12)
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
-
2 Alcohol
Volatile alcohol, a drying solvent that can sting eyes
- ↑ 5 high up speeds filter migration
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3 Glycerin
Humectant, pulls water into the skin
- 16 → nourishing the anchor humectant
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Legacy UV filter (Avobenzone)
- ↑ 28.5 UV protection, incl. long-UVA (UVA1)
- ↑ 16 migrates into eyes with sweat
- ↑ 45 reacts with iron in wash water into rust-yellow stains
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Emollient, softens and smooths skin
- ↑ 17 heavy comedogenic ester
- 4 → dewy slippy emollient ester
- ↑ 24 feeds malassezia
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Emulsifier, keeps oil and water blended
- ↑ 24 feeds malassezia
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7 Carbomer
Thickener and texture, structures the gel or cream
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Filter booster, photostabilizes the UV filters or lifts their SPF
-
Preservative, keeps the formula from spoiling
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pH adjuster
-
Preservative, keeps the formula from spoiling
- ↓ 13 endocrine-scrutinized preservative
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Chelator, binds stray metal ions to keep the formula stable
Is Derma Photo Block Gel SPF 50 good?
It scores 49.0 out of 100 and protection is rated weak, since the listed formula relies on Avobenzone alone. It works as light daily cover rather than robust sun defense.
Is the Derma Photo Block Gel Spf 50 mineral or chemical?
It is a chemical sunscreen, with Avobenzone listed as its UV filter. A single-filter formula offers limited broad-spectrum balance.
Is it good for acne-prone skin?
Breakout risk is rated low and the gel feels lightweight with low white cast, so it is generally comfortable for acne-prone skin. It also does not commonly sting.