Dr. Sheth's

Ceramide & Vitamin C Oil Free Sunscreen SPF 50+

Excellent ceramide barrier repair complex

Hybrid Chemical DominantLotion
42
Needs ReviewOverall Rating
Based on formula analysis

Skin Type Match

48%

Matte · Lightweight · Comedogenic

Pros
  • Matte dry finish
  • Lightweight breathable feel
  • Strong UV protection
Cons
  • Pore clogging risk
  • Poor photostability
  • Severe eye sting
View other sunscreens for Oily Skin

Performance Scores

SPF Level

Excellent

Label claims SPF 50+, supported by the prominent placement of multiple UVB-absorbing chemical and hybrid filters in the active ingredients.

Broad Spectrum

Excellent

Avobenzone (peak 357 nm), Ecamsule (peak 344 nm), and Bisoctrizole (peak 360 nm) provide highly overlapping and robust protection across the entire UVA spectrum.

Sweat Resistance

Poor

The inclusion of Polyester-7 and silicone polymers provides mild film-forming properties, but without clinical testing or a formal label claim, reliable water resistance cannot be verified.

Photo Stability

Poor

Photobiology literature confirms that without robust primary stabilizers like Octocrylene, the combination of Avobenzone and Octinoxate leads to rapid mutual degradation under UV exposure.

Visible Light

Poor

Complete absence of iron oxide color indices (e.g., CI 77491, CI 77492, CI 77499) and pigment-grade non-white minerals in the ingredient list.

Irritation Risk

High Risk

Propylene glycol is a documented penetration enhancer and mild irritant at high concentrations, while capsaicinoids in capsicum extract induce neurogenic inflammation and erythema.

Pore Clogging

High Risk

Clinical comedogenicity scales, including Dr. James Fulton's dermatological assays, rate Laminaria Digitata and the Cetearyl Alcohol/Ceteareth-20 emulsifier blend as 4/5 or 5/5 for comedogenicity.

White Cast

Low Risk

Formulations relying predominantly on soluble organic filters with only low concentrations of particulate filters typically leave minimal visible residue on skin.


Ingredients Analysis

Active Filters

Ecamsule ChemicalUVA II / UVA I
Avobenzone ChemicalUVA I / UVA II

Rapidly degrades under UV exposure losing significant UVA protection capacity unless stabilized by other filters.

Ensulizole ChemicalUVB

In vitro studies suggest it can generate reactive oxygen species upon UV exposure which may lead to cellular damage though real world impact is debated.

Octinoxate ChemicalUVB

Studies indicate potential estrogenic and thyroid disrupting activity in animal models and human cell lines.

Bisoctrizole HybridBroad Spectrum UV
Octisalate ChemicalUVB

Clinical trials demonstrate systemic absorption into the bloodstream exceeding the FDA threshold requiring further safety testing.

Zinc Oxide MineralBroad Spectrum UV / High Energy Visible

Key Inactive Ingredients

Water WaterSolvent
Propylene Glycol GlycolSolvent

Recognized as a frequent cause of allergic contact dermatitis especially in individuals with eczema or compromised skin barriers.

Isododecane Oil BasedSolvent
Glycerin GlycerinHumectant
Tapioca Starch Mattifying AgentSensory Modifier
Cyclopentasiloxane SiliconeEmollient

The European Union is restricting this ingredient to a maximum concentration of one tenth of a percent in leave on cosmetics effective June 2027.

PEG/PPG-18/18 Dimethicone Silicone EmulsifierEmulsifier

Because it contains polyethylene glycol and polypropylene glycol it carries a risk of trace contamination with dioxane and ethylene oxide which are toxic byproducts of the manufacturing process [2.1].

Triethanolamine BasepH Adjuster

May react with nitrosating agents in formulations to form nitrosamines which are potential carcinogens.

Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride Fatty Acid EsterEmollient
Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/VP Copolymer PolymericThickener
Decyl Glucoside CleansingSurfactant

Named Contact Allergen of the Year in 2017 due to increasing reports of allergic contact dermatitis, though it remains safe and mild for the vast majority of users.

Xanthan Gum GumThickener
Dimethicone SiliconeEmollient
Niacinamide VitaminAntioxidant
Kelp Extract Botanical ExtractSkin Conditioning

Kelpandalgaeextractsarenaturallyhighiniodine, whichcanpenetrateandirritatethepore, potentiallytriggeringbreakoutsinacneproneindividuals[2.14].

Hydrogenated Lecithin NonionicEmulsifier
Cetyl-PG Hydroxyethyl Palmitamide CeramideSkin Conditioning

Subject to EU Cosmetics Regulation Annex III limits on secondary amine impurities to prevent the formation of potential nitrosamines [2.2].

Ceramide EOP CeramideSkin Conditioning
Ceramide NG CeramideSkin Conditioning
Ceramide NP CeramideSkin Conditioning
Ceramide AS CeramideSkin Conditioning
Ceramide AP CeramideSkin Conditioning
Cholesterol MiscellaneousOther
1,2-Hexanediol GlycolSolvent
Ethyl Ascorbic Acid VitaminAntioxidant

Although generally well tolerated, there are documented case reports of allergic contact dermatitis and skin sensitization linked to this specific vitamin C derivative [1.7].

Dicaprylyl Carbonate Synthetic OilEmollient
Dimethicone Crosspolymer Silicone ElastomerSensory Modifier
Glyceryl Stearate NonionicEmulsifier
Cetearyl Olivate NonionicEmulsifier
Sorbitan Olivate NonionicEmulsifier
Cetearyl Alcohol WaxEmollient

Historically rated as mildly comedogenic in animal models but modern dermatological consensus indicates it is unlikely to clog pores in typical cosmetic formulations.

Ceteareth-20 NonionicEmulsifier

As an ethoxylated compound, it may contain trace amounts of 1,4 dioxane and ethylene oxide, which are potential carcinogens formed during the manufacturing process.

Phenoxyethanol PhenoxyethanolPreservative

Generally well tolerated but can cause contact dermatitis or skin irritation in rare cases, particularly in sensitive individuals.

Ethylhexylglycerin MultifunctionalPreservative

Recognized as a rare but emerging cause of allergic contact dermatitis, particularly in leave-on cosmetic products.

Xylitylglucoside OtherHumectant
Anhydroxylitol PolyolHumectant
Xylitol PolyolHumectant
Sodium Polyacrylate PolymericThickener
Licorice Root Extract Botanical ExtractSkin Conditioning
Capsicum Extract Botanical ExtractSkin Conditioning

Contains capsaicinoids that are recognized skin and eye irritants requiring careful formulation at low concentrations to avoid burning or dermatitis [1.1].

Aloe Vera Extract Botanical ExtractSkin Conditioning

Unpurified whole leaf aloe extracts may contain anthraquinones like aloin which have shown carcinogenic potential in oral animal studies but cosmetic grade aloe is decolorized to safely limit these compounds to below 50 parts per million [1.3].

Hyaluronic Acid Hyaluronic AcidHumectant
Biosaccharide Gum-4 Natural PolymerFilm Former
Chamomile Flower Extract Botanical ExtractSkin Conditioning

As a member of the daisy family chamomile extract can occasionally cause allergic contact dermatitis in sensitized individuals [3.4].

Allantoin OtherHumectant
Sodium Gluconate OtherChelating Agent
BHT SyntheticAntioxidant

Some animal studies suggest high oral doses may cause endocrine disruption, though regulatory bodies consider it safe at the low concentrations used in cosmetics.

Polyester-7 Synthetic PolymerFilm Former
Neopentyl Glycol Diheptanoate Fatty Acid EsterEmollient