ISDIN Fotoprotector Isdin Gel Cream SPF 50
80/100 overall score
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About this sunscreen
ISDIN Fotoprotector Gel Cream SPF 50 is a hybrid sunscreen layering Octocrylene, Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane (avobenzone), Bis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine, and Methylene Bis-Benzotriazolyl Tetramethylbutylphenol. It dries to a matte, lightweight finish with low white cast and works well as a makeup base, and it is low on the pore-clogging scale, though it rates high on the stinging scale, so keep it clear of the eyes. With a score of 80.2/100 and excellent protection, it is a strong gel-cream pick.
Ingredient & SPF scores
βοΈ
UV protection
Excellent
100
- +16 Octocrylene at #3, UV filter
- +28.5 Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane at #5, UV filter (UVA1 +15.2)
- +45.6 Bis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine at #7, UV filter (UVA1 +15.2)
- +38.4 Methylene Bis-Benzotriazolyl Tetramethylbutylphenol at #12, UV filter (UVA1 +14.4)
- +8.4 Phenylbenzimidazole Sulfonic Acid at #13, UV filter
- β18.3 UVB coverage saturated
- β18.8 UVA2 coverage saturated
- +2 Label claims (SPF 50)
β’οΈ
Health safety
High
67
- +100 Starting score
- β30 Octocrylene at #3 (regulatory/evidence concern)
- β3.5 Avobenzone at #5, stacked (regulatory/evidence concern)
π€§
Allergens
Low
67
- +100 Starting score
- β18 Fragrance
- β12 Opaque "Fragrance", hidden allergens that can't be checked from the label
- β3 Photoallergen-tail UV filters (Octocrylene)
π₯
Eye sting
High
30
- +100 Starting score
- β16 Avobenzone at #5, migrates into eyes with sweat
- β22 Octocrylene at #3, migrates into eyes with sweat
- β1 Ensulizole at #13, migrates into eyes with sweat
- β18 Volatile alcohol at #2
- β5 Alcohol high up speeds filter migration
- β8 Fragrance
π
Fungal acne
Low
82
- +100 Starting score
- β9 1 oils/butters that feed Malassezia (PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil)
- β9 1 long-chain (C12+) esters that feed Malassezia (Laureth-7)
π
Fabric stains
High
30
- +100 Starting score
- β45 Avobenzone at #5, reacts with iron in wash water into rust-yellow stains
- β15 Octocrylene at #3, co-stains alongside avobenzone
- β10 Avobenzone + Octocrylene, the classic staining pair
π§
Moisture
Light
LightNourishing
- β 22 Volatile alcohol at #2
- β 5 Volatile carriers flash off, leaving a dry finish
- β 1 1 strong humectants (Panthenol)
β¨
Finish
Balanced
MatteDewy
- β 5 Volatile carriers flash off, leaving a dry finish
- β 5 Volatile alcohol at #2
- β 2 1 dry-touch emollients reduce greasy shine (Dibutyl Adipate)
- β 6 1 emollient lipids (C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate)
π
Makeup base
Good
PillsPrimer
- β 2 Primer-style base, volatile silicones and dimethicone slip
- β 10 Quick-setting carrier (alcohol at #2), fast, even canvas
- β 4 Dry-touch esters, smooth fast-absorbing base
- β 3.5 Gel polymers prone to pilling under friction (Carbomer, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Polyacrylamide, β¦)
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¨ Panthenol (B5)
Full ingredient list (28)
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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1 Water
Solvent base, the water phase
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Volatile alcohol, a drying solvent that can sting eyes
- β 5 Alcohol high up speeds filter migration
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Legacy UV filter (Octocrylene), high in the list, a primary filter
- β 16 UV protection
- β 22 migrates into eyes with sweat
- β 15 co-stains alongside avobenzone
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Emollient, softens and smooths skin
- 6 β dewy emollient lipid
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Legacy UV filter (Avobenzone)
- β 28.5 UV protection, incl. long-UVA (UVA1)
- β 3.5 stacked (regulatory/evidence concern)
- β 16 migrates into eyes with sweat
- β 45 reacts with iron in wash water into rust-yellow stains
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Emollient, softens and smooths skin
- matte β 2 dry-touch emollient, anti-shine
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Modern UV filter, broad-spectrum and photostable (Tinosorb S)
- β 45.6 UV protection, incl. long-UVA (UVA1)
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Volatile silicone, flashes off for a light finish
- light β 2 volatile carrier, flashes off
- matte β 2 volatile carrier, flashes off
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pH adjuster
-
Volatile silicone, 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
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Modern UV filter, broad-spectrum and photostable (Tinosorb M), low in the list, likely a minor contributor
- β 38.4 UV protection, incl. long-UVA (UVA1)
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Legacy UV filter (Ensulizole), low in the list, likely a minor contributor
- β 8.4 UV protection
- β 1 migrates into eyes with sweat
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14 Panthenol
Soothing, skin-conditioning active
- 1 β nourishing humectant
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15 Carbomer
Thickener and texture, structures the gel or cream
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Humectant, pulls water into the skin
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Antioxidant, protects the formula and skin
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Emulsifier, keeps oil and water blended
- β 9 feeds malassezia
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19 Fragrance
Fragrance
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Emulsifier, keeps oil and water blended
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Preservative, keeps the formula from spoiling
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22 Xanthan Gum
Thickener and texture, structures the gel or cream
-
Thickener and texture, structures the gel or cream
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Chelator, binds stray metal ions to keep the formula stable
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Emollient, softens and smooths skin
- light β 1 volatile carrier, flashes off
- matte β 1 volatile carrier, flashes off
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26 Laureth-7
Emulsifier, keeps oil and water blended
- β 9 feeds malassezia
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27 BHT
Antioxidant, protects the formula and skin
-
Thickener and texture, structures the gel or cream
Is ISDIN Fotoprotector Gel Cream good?
Yes, it scores 80.2/100 with excellent protection. It dries matte and works well as a makeup base, making it a strong daily gel-cream.
Will the ISDIN Fotoprotector Isdin Gel Cream SPF 50 sting my eyes?
It rates high on the stinging scale, so keep it clear of the eye area. That is common for gel-cream facial sunscreens.
Is it mineral or chemical?
It is a hybrid, layering Octocrylene, Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane (avobenzone), Bis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine, and Methylene Bis-Benzotriazolyl Tetramethylbutylphenol.