Dr Dennis Gross Instant Radiance Sun Defense Sunscreen Broad Spectrum Spf 40
82/100 overall score
Sign in to see this product's score for your skin.
About this sunscreen
Dr Dennis Gross Instant Radiance Sun Defense Sunscreen SPF 40 is a pure mineral sunscreen using titanium dioxide and zinc oxide for broad-spectrum protection. It feels lightweight with a balanced finish and low white cast, and it does not commonly sting, making it friendly for sensitive skin. It is an okay base under makeup. With good protection and a score of 82.2/100, it is a reliable everyday mineral option.
Ingredient & SPF scores
βοΈ
UV protection
Good
74
- +33 Titanium Dioxide at #1, UV filter (UVA1 +5)
- +41 Zinc Oxide at #2, UV filter (UVA1 +18)
- β1 UVA2 coverage saturated
- +1 Label claims (SPF 40)
π€§
Allergens
Low
97
- +100 Starting score
- β1 1 declared fragrance allergens
- β2 Essential oils (Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Oil)
π»
White cast
Low
86
- +100 Starting score
- β6 Zinc Oxide, 4.4% declared
- β7 Titanium Dioxide, 4.9% declared
- β10 Zinc Oxide + Titanium Dioxide together
- β2 Titanium Dioxide as pigment (CI 77891) at #58
- β8 Pure mineral formula (9.3% total declared)
- +16.5 Iron-oxide undertone, partial masking
- +1.6 PHSA dispersant, fights agglomeration
- +1 Coated minerals (Aluminum Hydroxide)
πͺ¨
Heavy feel
Low
72
- +100 Starting score
- β8 Zinc Oxide, 4.4% declared
- β10 Titanium Dioxide, 4.9% declared
- β10 Both minerals in the top 3, dual mineral paste
π΄
Comedogenic
Low
96
- +100 Starting score
- β4 Olea Europaea Fruit Oil at #9, moderate comedogenic signal
π
Fungal acne
Medium
42
- +100 Starting score
- β24 2 polysorbate/sorbitan emulsifiers that feed Malassezia (Polysorbate 60, Sorbitan Isostearate)
- β32 3 oils/butters that feed Malassezia (Olea Europaea Fruit Oil, Oenothera Biennis Oil, Hydrogenated Lecithin)
- β2 1 ubiquitous fatty ingredients (Stearic Acid), weak Malassezia signal
π
Fabric stains
Medium
40
- +100 Starting score
- β40 Iron-oxide pigments at #60, makeup-like collar marks (washable)
- β15 Titanium Dioxide at #1, white marks, worst on dark fabric (washable)
- β5 Both minerals present, heavier deposit
π§
Moisture
Hydrating
LightNourishing
- β 3 Volatile carriers flash off, leaving a dry finish
- β 5 Zinc Oxide at #2, mild sebum absorbent
- β 2 Titanium Dioxide at #1, mild sebum absorbent
- β 10 Glycerin at #4, the anchor humectant
- β 2 Sodium Hyaluronate at #19, hyaluronic family
- β 2 2 strong humectants (Sodium PCA, Saccharide Isomerate)
- β 2 Humectant polyols
- β 3 2 emollient lipids (Olea Europaea Fruit Oil, Oenothera Biennis Oil)
β¨
Finish
Balanced
MatteDewy
- β 3 Volatile carriers flash off, leaving a dry finish
- β 2 1 dry-touch emollients reduce greasy shine (Isononyl Isononanoate)
- β 7 3 emollient lipids (Olea Europaea Fruit Oil, Oenothera Biennis Oil, C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate)
π
Makeup base
Okay
PillsPrimer
- β 1 Quick-setting carrier, fast, even canvas
- β 3 Dry-touch esters, smooth fast-absorbing base
- β 2.5 Gel polymers prone to pilling under friction (Carbomer, Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer)
- β 1.5 Humectant syrup tackiness (partly offset by the base)
- β 7.5 High mineral load at #1 greys under foundation (tinted)
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¨ Vitamin C
- β¨ Vitamin E
Full ingredient list (60)
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.
-
Mineral UV filter (Titanium Dioxide), high in the list, a primary filter
- β 33 UV protection, incl. long-UVA (UVA1)
- β 7 4.9% declared
- β 10 4.9% declared
- β 15 white marks, worst on dark fabric (washable)
- light β 2 mild sebum absorbent
- pills β 7.5 High mineral load greys under foundation (tinted)
-
Mineral UV filter (Zinc Oxide), high in the list, a primary filter
- β 41 UV protection, incl. long-UVA (UVA1)
- β 6 4.4% declared
- β 8 4.4% declared
- light β 5 mild sebum absorbent
-
3 Water
Solvent base, the water phase
-
4 Glycerin
Humectant, pulls water into the skin
- 10 β nourishing the anchor humectant
-
Humectant, pulls water into the skin
- 1 β nourishing humectant polyol
-
Emollient, softens and smooths skin
- matte β 2 dry-touch emollient, anti-shine
-
Humectant, pulls water into the skin
- 1 β nourishing humectant polyol
-
Botanical extract
-
Botanical extract
- β 4 moderate comedogenic signal
- 2 β nourishing emollient lipid
- 3 β dewy emollient lipid
- β 14 feeds malassezia
-
Emollient, softens and smooths skin
- 3 β dewy emollient lipid
-
Volatile hydrocarbon, flashes off for a light finish
- light β 2 volatile carrier, flashes off
- matte β 2 volatile carrier, flashes off
-
Thickener and texture, structures the gel or cream
-
Antioxidant, protects the formula and skin
-
14 Melatonin
Supporting ingredient
-
Antioxidant, protects the formula and skin
-
16 Tocopherol
Antioxidant, protects the formula and skin
-
Antioxidant, protects the formula and skin
-
Supporting ingredient
-
Humectant, pulls water into the skin
- 2 β nourishing hyaluronic family
-
Protein, peptide or amino acid, conditions and hydrates skin
-
Botanical extract
-
Plant oil, an emollient
- 1 β nourishing emollient lipid
- 1 β dewy emollient lipid
- β 9 feeds malassezia
-
Botanical extract
-
Emulsifier, keeps oil and water blended
-
Supporting ingredient
-
Humectant, pulls water into the skin
- 1 β nourishing humectant
-
Botanical extract
-
pH adjuster
-
29 Sodium PCA
Humectant, pulls water into the skin
- 1 β nourishing humectant
-
Supporting ingredient
-
Emulsifier, keeps oil and water blended
-
Emulsifier, keeps oil and water blended
- β 9 feeds malassezia
-
Thickener and texture, structures the gel or cream
-
Filter booster, photostabilizes the UV filters or lifts their SPF
-
Emollient, softens and smooths skin
-
Supporting ingredient
-
37 Xanthan Gum
Thickener and texture, structures the gel or cream
-
38 Citric Acid
pH adjuster
-
Chelator, binds stray metal ions to keep the formula stable
-
Humectant, pulls water into the skin
-
pH adjuster
-
Preservative, keeps the formula from spoiling
-
Volatile hydrocarbon, flashes off for a light finish
- light β 1 volatile carrier, flashes off
- matte β 1 volatile carrier, flashes off
-
Emollient, softens and smooths skin
-
pH adjuster
-
46 Tromethamine
pH adjuster
-
47 BHT
Antioxidant, protects the formula and skin
-
Emulsifier, keeps oil and water blended
- β 12 feeds malassezia
-
49 Carbomer
Thickener and texture, structures the gel or cream
-
Emollient, softens and smooths skin
-
Emulsifier, keeps oil and water blended
- β 12 feeds malassezia
-
52 Stearic Acid
Emollient, softens and smooths skin
- β 2 minor malassezia feeder
-
Preservative, keeps the formula from spoiling
-
Preservative, keeps the formula from spoiling
-
Preservative, keeps the formula from spoiling
-
Preservative, keeps the formula from spoiling
-
Plant oil, an emollient
-
Colorant or pigment
-
59 Mica
Colorant or pigment
-
60 Iron Oxides
Colorant or pigment
- β 40 makeup-like collar marks (washable)
Does Dr Dennis Gross Sun Defense SPF 40 leave a white cast?
White cast is low despite being a mineral formula. It uses titanium dioxide and zinc oxide but is tuned to wear with a balanced finish.
Is the Dr Dennis Gross Instant Radiance Sun Defense Sunscreen Broad Spectrum Spf 40 mineral or chemical?
It is a pure mineral sunscreen, using only titanium dioxide and zinc oxide as UV filters.
Is it good for sensitive skin?
It does not commonly sting and has a low pore-clogging profile, so it is generally a comfortable choice for sensitive and reactive skin.