Cancer Council Sensitive Sunscreen SPF50+ Ingredients Explained

Name: Sensitive Sunscreen SPF50+
Brand: Cancer Council
Rating: 3.0 (1 reviews)

3.0 from 1 ratings

Updated on December 19, 2023 Submitted by GabrielaCruzAedo

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Overview

What it is

Sunscreen with 7 ingredients that contains ceramides and SPF

Cool Features

It is vegan and fungal acne (malassezia) safe

Suited For

It has ingredients that are good for fighting acne, anti aging, dry skin and sensitive skin

Free From

It doesn't contain any harsh alcohols, common allergens, fragrances, oils, parabens, silicones or sulfates

Fun facts

Cancer Council is from Australia. This product is used in 17 routines created by our community.

We independently verify ingredients and our claims are backed by peer-reviewed research. Does this product need an update? Let us know.

Ingredient List (7)

Zinc Oxide 5%, Bis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine 2.5%, Methylene Bis-Benzotriazolyl Tetramethylbutylphenol 2.5%, 4-Methylbenzylidene Camphor 1%, Ceramide AP, 1,2-Hexanediol, Caprylyl Glycol

You should know

Here's our breakdown of the notable ingredients, benefits, and concerns we determined from the ingredients in this product. Click any item to learn more.

Notable Ingredients

Chemical UV Filter (3)

Mineral UV Filter (2)

Ceramides

Benefits

Hydrating

Redness Reducing

Reduces Irritation

Anti-Aging

Acne Fighting

Ingredient Info

Click any item below to learn more and view relevant ingredients.

alcohol-free

silicon-free

fragrance-free

sulfate-free

paraben-free

oil-free

fungal-acne safe

reef-safe

eu-allergen-free

vegan

cruelty-free

spf rating

Ingredients Overview

Here's our quick-to-read summary of the ingredients in this product. Keep scrolling if you'd like to learn more about what each ingredient does!

Ingredient

Com. / Irr. Rating

Features

Cosmetic Colorant, Skin Protecting, UV Absorber, UV Filter

1 / 0

Skin Conditioning, UV Absorber, UV Filter

UV Filter

UV Absorber, UV Filter

Skin Conditioning

Skin Conditioning, Solvent

Emollient, Humectant, Skin Conditioning

Ingredients Explained

This product contains 7 ingredients. Click on any ingredient to learn more about it

Zinc Oxide 5%

What it does: Cosmetic Colorant, Skin Protecting, UV Absorber, UV Filter

Community Rating: Liked

Zinc Oxide is a mineral broad-spectrum UV filter; it is the broadest UVA and UVB reflector approved by the FDA. While it is most commonly man-made for cosmetics, it can naturally occur in zincite, a rare mineral.

Today, traditional and nano-sized zinc oxide can be found in beauty products. Nano-sized zinc oxide can enhance a product's UV protection. While it is not believed to have a negative effect on skin, nano-zinc oxide can be harmful to coral reefs.

More about harmful reef ingredients here.

Zinc Oxide also has antibacterial and calming properties. It is not water soluble.

Zinc has been used throughout history as an ingredient in paint and medicine. An Indian text from 500BC is believed to list zinc oxide as a salve for open wound. The Ancient Greek physician Dioscorides has also mentioned the use of zinc as an ointment in 1AD.

Learn more about Zinc Oxide

Bis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine 2.5%

What it does: Skin Conditioning, UV Absorber, UV Filter

Community Rating: Liked

You might know this ingredient as Tinosorb S or Bemotrizinol. It is a UV filter that covers both UVA and UVB rays.

Bemotrizinol has two peak UV absorption peaks ( 310 and 340 nm) and is able to absorb both UV-A and UV-B rays. Skin exposed to UV causes free-radical molecules to form. This ingredient works by preventing the UV from reaching your skin.

It is highly photostable and helps prevent the photodegration of other sunscreen ingredients such as avobenzone.

Bemotrizinol is not approved in the US but is allowed in the EU, Australia, and Asia.

In fact, it is the most effective UV absorber at maximum concentration (measured by SPF) permitted by in the EU.

It is oil-soluble.

Learn more about Bis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine

Methylene Bis-Benzotriazolyl Tetramethylbutylphenol 2.5%

What it does: UV Filter

Community Rating: Liked

Methylene Bis-Benzotriazolyl Tetramethylbutylphenol (Tinosorb M) is a hybrid and broad-spectrum UV ingredient. It is both a UV absorber and filter.

UV absorbers are an agent that absorbs UV rays. They protect your skin by using chemical reactions to convert UV rays into heat and energy. UV filters physically reduce the amount of UV rays from reaching your skin.

Tinosorb M covers a range of 280-400 nm and is photostable. This ingredient is neither oil or water soluble.

Tinosorb M, similarly to Tinosorb S, is not available in the US. However, it is available in the EU and Asia.

Learn more about Methylene Bis-Benzotriazolyl Tetramethylbutylphenol

4-Methylbenzylidene Camphor 1%

What it does: UV Absorber, UV Filter

Community Rating: Very Disliked

An organic camphor derivative that offers UV-B (290-320 nm) protection.

UV absorbers are an agent that absorbs UV rays. They protect your skin by using chemical reactions to convert UV rays into heat and energy. UV absorbers may absorb both UVA and UVB rays.

UVB (290-320 nm) rays emit more energy than UVA rays. They are capable of damaging DNA in skin cells. UVB causes sunburns and are thought to be linked to skin cancer.

4-Methylbenzylidene Camphor is approved in the EU and Canada. It is not approved in the US and Japan.

There are concerns about this ingredient being an endocrine disruptor. We recommend speaking with a professional if you have any concerns.

Learn more about 4-Methylbenzylidene Camphor

Ceramide AP

What it does: Skin Conditioning

Community Rating: Loved

Ceramide AP is a type of Ceramide.

Ceramides are intercellular lipids naturally found in our skin that bonds dead skin cells together to create a barrier. Having a strong skin barrier leads to more firm and hydrated skin.

They are known for their ability to hold water and thus are a great ingredient for dry skin. By bolstering the skin ceramides act as a barrier against irritating ingredients. This can help with inflammation as well.

If you would like to eat ceramides, sweet potatoes contain a small amount.

Read more about other common types of ceramides here: Ceramide NP Ceramide EOP

Learn more about Ceramide AP

1,2-Hexanediol

What it does: Skin Conditioning, Solvent

Community Rating: Mixed

1,2-Hexanediol is a multi-tasker ingredient. It acts as a preservative to increase shelf-life and can aid other preservatives in preventing microbe growth. 1,2-Hexanediol also helps the skin retain moisture as a humectant.

In products that are water-based, this ingredient can help stabilize perfumes and fragrances. It can also help make the texture of products softer and more smooth.

Caprylyl Glycol

What it does: Emollient, Humectant, Skin Conditioning

Community Rating: Liked

Caprylyl Glycol is a humectant and emollient, meaning it attracts and preserves moisture.

It is a common ingredient in many products, especially those designed to hydrate skin. The primary benefits are retaining moisture, skin softening, and promoting a healthy skin barrier.

Though Caprylyl Glycol is an alcohol derived from fatty acids, it is not the kind that can dry out skin.

This ingredient is also used as a preservative to extend the life of products. It has slight antimicrobial properties.

Learn more about Caprylyl Glycol

Embed Ingredients

Here's what our community thinks of the 7 ingredients in this product ✨

71% are loved or liked

14% have mixed ratings

14% are disliked or very disliked

0% have no rating yet

When to use

Here's some more info on how this product is used by our community.

Directions

Apply to dry, clean skin and rub in 20 minutes before heading outside. On an average sized adult, approximately 35mL should be applied. This is the equivalent of 1 teaspoon of sunscreen to each arm, leg, front of body, back of body and face (including neck and ears).