Dermalogica Solar Defense Booster Spf 50
67/100 overall score
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About this sunscreen
Dermalogica Solar Defense Booster SPF 50 is a chemical sunscreen using older-generation filters Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane and Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate alongside mineral Titanium Dioxide. It is lightweight with a balanced finish and very low white cast, though it may sting sensitive eyes for some users. With a score around 67 and moderate protection, it is a flexible booster you can mix into moisturizer or wear on its own for everyday cover.
Ingredient & SPF scores
βοΈ
UV protection
Moderate
41
- +30 Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane at #1, UV filter (UVA1 +16)
- +18 Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate at #2, UV filter
- +9.9 Titanium Dioxide at #39, UV filter (UVA1 +1.5)
- Γ0.9 Limited long-UVA1 coverage
- Γ0.75 Avobenzone + octinoxate degrade each other in sunlight
- +2 Label claims (SPF 50)
β’οΈ
Health safety
High
61
- +100 Starting score
- β36 Octinoxate at #2 (regulatory/evidence concern)
- β3.5 Avobenzone at #1, stacked (regulatory/evidence concern)
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Allergens
Low
98
- +100 Starting score
- β2 Essential oils (Lavandula Angustifolia Oil)
π₯
Eye sting
Medium
60
- +100 Starting score
- β24 Avobenzone at #1, migrates into eyes with sweat
- β16 Octinoxate at #2, migrates into eyes with sweat
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Fungal acne
Medium
49
- +100 Starting score
- β42 2 polysorbate/sorbitan emulsifiers that feed Malassezia (Polysorbate 60, Polysorbate 80)
- β9 1 oils/butters that feed Malassezia (Lecithin)
π
Fabric stains
Medium
48
- +100 Starting score
- β50 Avobenzone at #1, reacts with iron in wash water into rust-yellow stains
- β2 Titanium Dioxide at #39, white marks, worst on dark fabric (washable)
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Moisture
Balanced
LightNourishing
- β 3 1 sebum-absorbing powders (Nylon-12)
- β 1 Humectant polyols
- β 1 1 emollient lipids (Squalane)
β¨
Finish
Balanced
MatteDewy
- β 3 1 sebum-absorbing powders (Nylon-12)
- β 7 2 emollient lipids (Squalane, C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate)
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Makeup base
Okay
PillsPrimer
- β 3 1 soft-focus powders in moderation
- β 2 Dry-touch esters, smooth fast-absorbing base
- β 3 Gel polymers prone to pilling under friction (Carbomer, Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/VP Copolymer)
π
Water resistance
Not resistant
Non-water-resistantWater-resistant
Nothing flagged in the ingredient list.
How we rate water resistance βSkincare extras
Beneficial actives this formula contains. Informational only, not part of the rating: their effect depends on a concentration the label does not disclose.
- β¨ Centella asiatica
- β¨ Vitamin C
Full ingredient list (39)
What each ingredient does and how it moves each rating: green helps, red hurts, β / β give the direction, and β / β 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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Legacy UV filter (Avobenzone), high in the list, a primary filter
- β 30 UV protection, incl. long-UVA (UVA1)
- β 3.5 stacked (regulatory/evidence concern)
- β 24 migrates into eyes with sweat
- β 50 reacts with iron in wash water into rust-yellow stains
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Legacy UV filter (Octinoxate), high in the list, a primary filter
- β 18 UV protection
- β 16 migrates into eyes with sweat
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3 Water
Solvent base, the water phase
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Humectant, pulls water into the skin
- 1 β nourishing humectant polyol
-
Supporting ingredient
-
Emollient, softens and smooths skin
- 6 β dewy emollient lipid
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Emulsifier, keeps oil and water blended
- β 30 feeds malassezia
-
Thickener and texture, structures the gel or cream
-
Supporting ingredient
-
10 Nylon-12
Mattifying powder, absorbs oil and blurs the finish
- light β 3 sebum-absorbing powder
- matte β 3 sebum-absorbing powder
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Soothing, skin-conditioning active
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Botanical extract
-
Antioxidant, protects the formula and skin
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Botanical extract
-
Botanical extract
-
Supporting ingredient
-
Botanical extract
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Plant oil, an emollient
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19 Lecithin
Emulsifier, keeps oil and water blended
- β 9 feeds malassezia
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20 Tocopherol
Antioxidant, protects the formula and skin
-
21 Allantoin
Soothing, skin-conditioning active
-
Thickener and texture, structures the gel or cream
-
Supporting ingredient
-
Antioxidant, protects the formula and skin
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Supporting ingredient
-
Emulsifier, keeps oil and water blended
-
Emollient, softens and smooths skin
-
28 Squalane
Emollient, softens and smooths skin
- 1 β nourishing emollient lipid
- 1 β dewy emollient lipid
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29 Carbomer
Thickener and texture, structures the gel or cream
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30 Sodium Dna
Supporting ingredient
-
Emulsifier, keeps oil and water blended
- β 12 feeds malassezia
-
Supporting ingredient
-
Chelator, binds stray metal ions to keep the formula stable
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Preservative, keeps the formula from spoiling
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35 BHT
Antioxidant, protects the formula and skin
-
Humectant, pulls water into the skin
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pH adjuster
-
Preservative, keeps the formula from spoiling
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Mineral UV filter (Titanium Dioxide), low in the list, likely a minor contributor
- β 9.9 UV protection, incl. long-UVA (UVA1)
- β 2 white marks, worst on dark fabric (washable)
Is the Dermalogica Solar Defense Booster Spf 50 mineral or chemical?
It is mainly chemical, using Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane and Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate along with mineral Titanium Dioxide.
Does the Dermalogica Solar Defense Booster Spf 50 leave a white cast?
White cast is unlikely. The ghost-mode rating is low, so it should stay nearly invisible on most skin tones.
Is it good?
It is a fair everyday option. It scores around 67 out of 100 with moderate protection and can be worn alone or mixed into moisturizer.