MDSolarSciences Gleam + Glow SPF 50
70/100 overall score
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About this sunscreen
MDSolarSciences Gleam + Glow SPF 50 is a hybrid sunscreen using chemical filters Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane, Octocrylene and Ethylhexyl Salicylate alongside Polysilicone-15. It wears with a dewy, glowy finish, feels lightweight, and keeps white cast low, though it may sting somewhat near the eyes. It is low on pore-clogging ingredients. Scoring 69.8/100 with good protection, it is a comfortable pick for those who prefer a radiant rather than matte look.
Ingredient & SPF scores
βοΈ
UV protection
Good
59
- +30 Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane at #1, UV filter (UVA1 +16)
- +16 Octocrylene at #2, UV filter
- +8 Ethylhexyl Salicylate at #3, UV filter
- +9.6 Polysilicone-15 at #12, UV filter
- Γ0.9 Limited long-UVA1 coverage
- +2 Label claims (SPF 50)
β’οΈ
Health safety
High
67
- +100 Starting score
- β30 Octocrylene at #2 (regulatory/evidence concern)
- β3.5 Avobenzone at #1, stacked (regulatory/evidence concern)
π€§
Allergens
Low
95
- +100 Starting score
- β2 Essential oils (Lavandula Angustifolia Oil)
- β3 Photoallergen-tail UV filters (Octocrylene)
π»
White cast
Low
99
- +100 Starting score
- β2 Titanium Dioxide as pigment (CI 77891) at #56
- +1 Iron-oxide undertone, partial masking
π₯
Eye sting
Medium
45
- +100 Starting score
- β24 Avobenzone at #1, migrates into eyes with sweat
- β22 Octocrylene at #2, migrates into eyes with sweat
- β9 Octisalate at #3, migrates into eyes with sweat
π΄
Comedogenic
Low
99
- +100 Starting score
- β1 Olea Europaea Fruit Oil at #25, moderate comedogenic signal
π
Fungal acne
High
32
- +100 Starting score
- β50 5 oils/butters that feed Malassezia (Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Olea Europaea Fruit Oil, Macadamia Oil)
- β18 2 long-chain (C12+) esters that feed Malassezia (Sodium Stearoyl Glutamate, Sodium Lauroyl Lactylate)
π
Fabric stains
High
0
- +100 Starting score
- β50 Avobenzone at #1, reacts with iron in wash water into rust-yellow stains
- β15 Octocrylene at #2, co-stains alongside avobenzone
- β10 Avobenzone + Octocrylene, the classic staining pair
- β40 Iron-oxide pigments at #57, makeup-like collar marks (washable)
- +15 Penalties exceed the scale, floored at 0
π§
Moisture
Nourishing
LightNourishing
- β 10 Glycerin at #6, the anchor humectant
- β 2 Sodium Hyaluronate at #31, hyaluronic family
- β 2 2 strong humectants (Panthenol, Sorbitol)
- β 8 4 emollient lipids (Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Olea Europaea Fruit Oil, Macadamia Oil, β¦)
- β 8 Ceramide barrier lipids with cholesterol/phytosphingosine partners
β¨
Finish
Dewy
MatteDewy
- β 1 1 dry-touch emollients reduce greasy shine (Coco-Caprylate/Caprate)
- β 11 4 emollient lipids (Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Zea Mays Oil, Macadamia Oil, β¦)
π
Makeup base
Okay
PillsPrimer
- β 1 Primer-style base, volatile silicones and dimethicone slip
- β 1 Dry-touch esters, smooth fast-absorbing base
- β 1.5 Gel polymers prone to pilling under friction (Carbomer, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Sodium Polyacrylate)
- β 2 Occlusives/waxes float the foundation
- β 3 Humectant syrup tackiness
π
Water resistance
Not resistant
Non-water-resistantWater-resistant
- +7 1 film-forming polymers that lock the formula on for 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.
- β¨ Ceramides
Full ingredient list (61)
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
-
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
-
Legacy UV filter (Octisalate), high in the list, a primary filter
- β 8 UV protection
- β 9 migrates into eyes with sweat
-
4 Water
Solvent base, the water phase
-
Emollient, softens and smooths skin
-
6 Glycerin
Humectant, pulls water into the skin
- 10 β nourishing the anchor humectant
-
Botanical extract
- 4 β nourishing emollient lipid
- 6 β dewy emollient lipid
- β 24 feeds malassezia
-
Emollient, softens and smooths skin
-
Plant oil, an emollient
- 2 β nourishing emollient lipid
- 3 β dewy emollient lipid
- β 14 feeds malassezia
-
10 Polyester-8
Film former, locks the formula onto skin for water resistance
- β 7 film former
-
Emollient, softens and smooths skin
- matte β 1 dry-touch emollient, anti-shine
-
Modern UV filter, broad-spectrum and photostable (Polysilicone-15), low in the list, likely a minor contributor
- β 9.6 UV protection
-
Emulsifier, keeps oil and water blended
- β 9 feeds malassezia
-
14 Ceramide NP
Soothing, skin-conditioning active
-
15 Ceramide AP
Soothing, skin-conditioning active
-
16 Ceramide EOP
Soothing, skin-conditioning active
-
Soothing, skin-conditioning active
-
18 Allantoin
Soothing, skin-conditioning active
-
19 Panthenol
Soothing, skin-conditioning active
- 1 β nourishing humectant
-
Botanical extract
-
21 Niacinamide
Soothing, skin-conditioning active
-
Botanical extract
-
Botanical extract
-
Plant oil, an emollient
- 1 β nourishing emollient lipid
- 1 β dewy emollient lipid
- β 9 feeds malassezia
-
Botanical extract
- β 1 moderate comedogenic signal
- 1 β nourishing emollient lipid
- 1 β dewy emollient lipid
- β 9 feeds malassezia
-
Botanical extract
-
Plant oil, an emollient
-
28 Caffeine
Antioxidant, protects the formula and skin
-
Supporting ingredient
-
Botanical extract
-
Humectant, pulls water into the skin
- 2 β nourishing hyaluronic family
-
Antioxidant, protects the formula and skin
-
Protein, peptide or amino acid, conditions and hydrates skin
-
Soothing, skin-conditioning active
-
Botanical extract
-
Botanical extract
-
37 Tea Tree Oil
Plant oil, an emollient
-
Botanical extract
-
Emollient, softens and smooths skin
-
Thickener and texture, structures the gel or cream
-
41 Tbhq
Antioxidant, protects the formula and skin
-
Preservative, keeps the formula from spoiling
-
43 Lecithin
Emulsifier, keeps oil and water blended
- β 9 feeds malassezia
-
pH adjuster
-
45 Teprenone
Soothing, skin-conditioning active
-
46 Proline
Protein, peptide or amino acid, conditions and hydrates skin
-
47 Sorbitol
Humectant, pulls water into the skin
- 1 β nourishing humectant
-
Thickener and texture, structures the gel or cream
-
Chelator, binds stray metal ions to keep the formula stable
-
Humectant, pulls water into the skin
-
51 Xanthan Gum
Thickener and texture, structures the gel or cream
-
52 Cholesterol
Soothing, skin-conditioning active
-
53 Carbomer
Thickener and texture, structures the gel or cream
-
Emulsifier, keeps oil and water blended
- β 9 feeds malassezia
-
Colorant or pigment
-
Colorant or pigment
-
57 Ci 77499
Colorant or pigment
- β 40 makeup-like collar marks (washable)
-
58 Ci 77492
Colorant or pigment
-
59 Ci 77491
Colorant or pigment
-
60 Tin Oxide
Colorant or pigment
-
61 Mica
Colorant or pigment
What finish does it have?
It wears with a dewy, glowy finish, so it suits people who prefer a radiant look over a matte one. It feels lightweight and keeps white cast low.
Is this a mineral or chemical sunscreen?
It is a hybrid using chemical filters such as Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane and Octocrylene alongside Polysilicone-15.
Is the MDSolarSciences Gleam + Glow SPF 50 good and does it protect well?
It scores 69.8/100 with good protection. It may sting somewhat near the eyes, but it is low on pore-clogging ingredients, making it a comfortable glowy daily option.