Below is every ingredient in Dermalogica Protection 50 Sport Face Body Sunscreen Spf 50 explained, its standout actives, and the side effects reported in research for those actives — analysed for Indian skin.
Flags derived from the ingredient list using dermatology reference data (fungal-acne substrate, comedogenicity, EU allergens). General guidance, not a diagnosis.
Answers are derived from the printed ingredient list and dermatology reference data — general guidance, not a diagnosis or a therapeutic claim.
Dipotassium glycyrrhizate is a water-soluble salt derived from licorice root (glycyrrhizic acid) used in skincare for its anti-inflammatory, soothing, and antioxidant properties. It is commonly added to formulations to calm irritation, redness, and sensitivity.
Aggregated from the active ingredients in this product.
| Reported effect | How often | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Irritation or sensitivity | Very rare | Purified water itself is essentially non-irritating; rare reactions relate to impurities or hardness minerals rather than water itself |
| Transepidermal water loss from excess evaporation | Uncommon | Water-heavy products without occlusives may evaporate and contribute to skin dryness in some individuals |
| Mild transient stinging or irritation | Uncommon | More likely on broken or compromised skin or at high concentrations. |
| Allergic contact dermatitis | Rare | Documented in patch-test studies but considered a relatively weak sensitizer. |
| Redness or itching | Rare | Typically resolves after discontinuation. |
| Skin irritation | Rare | Generally well tolerated; mild irritation possible in sensitive individuals. |
| Comedogenicity / breakouts | Uncommon | Low comedogenic potential but may contribute to clogged pores in acne-prone skin. |
| Contact urticaria | Very rare | Isolated reports of hive-like reactions tied to benzoate moiety. |
| Mild contact irritation or transient redness | Rare | Generally well tolerated; mild irritation possible in sensitive skin. |
| Comedogenicity / pore congestion | Rare | Low comedogenic potential, but possible in acne-prone individuals. |
| Mild skin irritation | Rare | Generally considered non-irritating; occasional mild reactions reported. |
| Contact allergy/sensitization | Very rare | Silicones are low-allergenicity; documented allergic reactions are exceptional. |
| Eye irritation | Rare | Possible transient stinging if product enters the eyes. |
| Clogged pores / comedogenicity | Rare | Possible in acne-prone individuals at high concentrations, though typically considered low risk |
Frequencies reflect typical cosmetic use reported in the literature, not a guarantee for your skin.
| Ingredient | What it does |
|---|---|
| Water/Aqua/Eau Solvent/vehicle | Water is the most common base ingredient in skincare formulations, serving as a solvent for water-soluble actives and as the continuous phase in emulsions. It is considered inert and non-active, providing hydration to the formula rather than direct therapeutic effect. |
| Butylene Glycol Humectant / solvent | Butylene glycol is a small diol commonly used in skincare as a humectant, solvent, and viscosity-reducing agent that helps dissolve other ingredients and improve skin feel. It is widely regarded as safe and non-sensitizing for the majority of users at cosmetic concentrations. |
| C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate Emollient / texture enhancer | C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate is a lightweight ester emollient widely used in skincare and cosmetics to improve spreadability, provide a smooth non-greasy skin feel, and act as a solvent and mild antimicrobial booster. It is considered a base/formulation ingredient rather than a treatment active. |
| Ca+J23Rthamus Tinctorius (Safflower) Oleosomes Emollient / delivery carrier | Safflower oleosomes are intact lipid-storage micro-vesicles extracted from safflower seeds, consisting of an oil core surrounded by a phospholipid and oleosin protein membrane. They function as natural emollients and can encapsulate and gradually release active ingredients in topical formulations. |
| Cyclopentasiloxane Emollient/silicone | Cyclopentasiloxane is a volatile cyclic silicone widely used in skincare and cosmetics to impart a smooth, silky feel and spreadability before evaporating, leaving no greasy residue. It also serves as a carrier and helps reduce tackiness in formulations. |
| Aluminum Starch Octenylsuccinate Absorbent / texture enhancer | Aluminum Starch Octenylsuccinate is a modified starch derivative used in cosmetic formulations to absorb oil and moisture, impart a smooth powdery feel, and reduce greasiness. It functions as an anticaking agent, viscosity controller, and skin-conditioning agent rather than a biological active. |
| Cetearyl Phosphate Emulsifier | Cetearyl Phosphate is a phosphate ester of cetearyl alcohol used as an anionic oil-in-water emulsifier and emulsion stabilizer in creams and lotions. It helps blend oil and water phases and improve texture, functioning as a formulation base ingredient rather than a treatment active. |
| Polyglyceryl-2 Stearate Emulsifier | Polyglyceryl-2 Stearate is a polyglycerol ester of stearic acid used as a non-ionic, oil-in-water emulsifier and emollient in creams and lotions. It helps stabilize formulations and improve skin feel without active therapeutic effects. |
| Dimethyl Capramide Solvent/penetration enhancer | Dimethyl Capramide is a fatty acid amide derived from capric acid used in cosmetic formulations primarily as a solvent and penetration enhancer, helping to dissolve actives and improve their delivery into the skin. It functions as a formulation aid rather than a therapeutic active. |
| Vp/Eicosene Copolymer Film-former / binder | VP/Eicosene Copolymer is a synthetic copolymer of vinylpyrrolidone and eicosene used in cosmetics as a film-forming agent, binder, and emulsion stabilizer. It improves water resistance and wear of products like sunscreens, color cosmetics, and lip products. |
| Artemisia Pallens Flower Oil Fragrance/aromatic oil | Artemisia Pallens Flower Oil (davana oil) is an essential oil derived from the flowers of Artemisia pallens, used in skincare and perfumery primarily as a fragrance and aromatic component. It contributes scent rather than a verified therapeutic skin benefit. |
| Cananga Odorata Flower Oil Fragrance/aromatic oil | Cananga Odorata Flower Oil (ylang-ylang oil) is an essential oil distilled from the flowers of the Cananga odorata tree, used in cosmetics primarily as a fragrance and aromatic ingredient. It contains volatile aromatic compounds such as linalool, benzyl benzoate, and geranyl acetate. |
| Citrus Aurantium Dulcis (Orange) Peel Oil Fragrance/essential oil | Citrus Aurantium Dulcis (Orange) Peel Oil is a volatile essential oil cold-pressed from sweet orange peel, used in skincare primarily as a natural fragrance and masking agent. It is rich in d-limonene and contributes citrus scent rather than a measurable therapeutic skin benefit. |
| Citrus Paradisi (Grapefruit) Peel Oil Fragrance/masking agent | Citrus Paradisi (Grapefruit) Peel Oil is a cold-pressed essential oil derived from grapefruit peel, used primarily as a natural fragrance and masking ingredient in cosmetic formulations. It contains limonene and other terpenes along with phototoxic furanocoumarins. |
| Pelargonium Graveolens Flower Oil Fragrance/aromatic oil | Pelargonium Graveolens Flower Oil (geranium oil) is an essential oil derived from geranium flowers, used in skincare primarily for its scent and as a botanical additive with mild antimicrobial and astringent properties. It is generally considered a fragrance/sensory ingredient rather than a proven treatment active. |
| Tagetes Minuta Flower Oil Fragrance/essential oil | Tagetes Minuta Flower Oil is an aromatic essential oil derived from the marigold plant Tagetes minuta, used in cosmetics primarily for its fragrance and as a botanical additive. It contains photoreactive compounds and is subject to regulatory concentration limits due to phototoxicity concerns. |
| Sodium Hyaluronate Humectant / hydrator | Sodium hyaluronate is the sodium salt of hyaluronic acid, a glycosaminoglycan that attracts and binds water to the skin to improve hydration and surface plumpness. Its lower molecular weight allows better penetration than native hyaluronic acid. |
| Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate Key active Anti-inflammatory/soothing agent | Dipotassium glycyrrhizate is a water-soluble salt derived from licorice root (glycyrrhizic acid) used in skincare for its anti-inflammatory, soothing, and antioxidant properties. It is commonly added to formulations to calm irritation, redness, and sensitivity. |
| Caprylic/Capric Glycerides Emollient / skin-conditioning agent | Caprylic/Capric Glycerides are a mixture of mono-, di-, and triglycerides derived from coconut or palm-derived medium-chain fatty acids (caprylic and capric acids) combined with glycerin. They function as an emollient, solvent, and skin-conditioning agent that softens skin and improves the spreadability and texture of formulations. |
| Arachidyl Alcohol Emollient / emulsion stabilizer | Arachidyl alcohol is a fatty alcohol (C20) derived from natural oils that functions as an emollient, thickener, and co-emulsifier to stabilize creams and lotions. It improves texture and helps maintain emulsion consistency in skincare formulations. |
| Behenyl Alcohol Emollient / Thickener | Behenyl alcohol is a fatty alcohol derived from behenic acid that functions as an emollient, thickening agent, and emulsion stabilizer in cosmetic and skincare formulations. It helps soften the skin and improve product texture and stability. |
| Arachidyl Glucoside Emulsifier / surfactant | Arachidyl Glucoside is a non-ionic, plant-derived emulsifier created from fatty alcohols and glucose, used to stabilize oil-in-water emulsions and improve texture. It functions as a formulation aid rather than a treatment active. |
| Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer Rheology modifier / emulsion stabilizer | Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer is a synthetic crosslinked acrylic polymer used to thicken, gel, and stabilize emulsions in skincare and cosmetic formulations. It helps suspend ingredients and provides a smooth, consistent texture without acting as a treatment active. |
| Xanthan Gum Thickener/stabilizer | Xanthan gum is a polysaccharide produced by bacterial fermentation, used in skincare as a thickening, gelling, and emulsion-stabilizing agent. It improves product texture and suspension of ingredients without contributing active treatment effects. |
| Disodium Edta Chelating agent | Disodium EDTA is a chelating agent used in cosmetics to bind metal ions, improving product stability, preventing rancidity, and enhancing the efficacy of preservatives. It is a formulation/base ingredient rather than a treatment active. |
| Sodium Hydroxide pH adjuster | Sodium hydroxide (lye) is a strong alkaline compound used in small amounts to adjust and stabilize the pH of cosmetic formulations. At regulated low concentrations in finished products it is considered safe, though it is corrosive in concentrated form. |
| Ethylhexylglycerin Preservative booster / skin-conditioning agent | Ethylhexylglycerin is a multifunctional glyceryl ether used in cosmetics primarily as a preservative-enhancing agent and emollient, often paired with phenoxyethanol to broaden antimicrobial efficacy. It also acts as a deodorizing agent and humectant in skincare formulations. |
| Phenoxyethanol Preservative | Phenoxyethanol is a widely used broad-spectrum preservative that protects cosmetic and skincare formulations from bacterial and fungal contamination. It is typically used at concentrations up to 1% and serves as a formulation/base ingredient rather than an active treatment. |
Key active = does the main work. Ingredient explanations are drawn from public databases & literature.
Peer-reviewed papers on the active ingredients in this product, via PubMed.