Sephora Favorites Sun Safety Kit Face Sunscreens Reviews Part III (very good sunscreens)Josie Maran,Dr.Dennis Gross, Peter Thomas Roth

How to read ingredients:

Excellent (very beneficial ingredients, proven research)

Good (mostly beneficial ingredients, not extensive research available or just not quite outstanding properties)

OK (mostly thickeners, emulsifiers, mild preservatives, pH adjusters, all that is necessary formulation wise, but not a skincare per se) 

Bad (anything that shouldn't be in skincare, irritants and fragrance)

Josie Maran Argan Daily Moisturizer SPF 47 (32$ for 60ml)

Reviewed here 

Quick take:

Great all mineral actives sunscreen for dry skin. Very emollient, best for dry skin type. Has some skin beneficial ingredients and no irritants. 

Dr. Dennis Gross Skincare Dark Spot Sun Defense Broad Spectrum SPF 50 (42$ for 50ml)

Sunscreen Value:

Titanium Dioxide 4.9%, Zinc Oxide 4.4%.

Purely physical sunscreen. Suitable for sensitive skin.

Ingredients:

Acrylates/Carbamate Copolymer, Aluminum Hydroxide, Ascorbyl Glucoside, Benzyl Alcohol, BHT, Bis-ethylhexyl Hydroxydimethoxy Benzylmalonate, Boerhavia Diffusa Root Extract, Butylene Glycol, C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate, Caprylyl Glycol, Carbomer, Carthamus Tinctorius (Safflower) Seed Oil, Citric Acid, Citrus Aurantium Dulcis (Orange) Oil, Citrus Aurantium Dulcis (Orange) Peel Extract, Coco-Caprylate/Caprate, Coconut Alkanes, Disodium EDTA, Echium Plantagineum Seed Oil, Glycerin, Glycolic Acid, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Hydroxypropyl Cyclodextrin, Isohexadecane, Isononyl Isononanoate, Isopropyl Titanium Triisostearate, Magnesium Ascorbyl Phosphate, Melatonin, Nordihydroguaiaretic Acid, Oenothera Biennis (Evening Primrose) Oil, Olea Europaea (Olive) Fruit Oil, Oleanolic Acid, Oryza Sativa (Rice) Extract, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-38, PEG-60 Almond Glycerides, Pentylene Glycol, Phenoxyethanol, Phospholipids, Polyhydroxystearic Acid, Polysorbate 60, Potassium Sorbate, Propanediol, Saccharide Isomerate, Sodium Benzoate, Sodium Citrate, Sodium Hyaluronate, Sodium PCA, Sphingolipids, Stearic Acid, Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate, Tocopherol, Water, Xanthan Gum, Zinc PCA. 

This is very loaded formula full of antioxidants and skin repairing ingredients. The only problem is presence of orange oil and orange peel extract which can be irritating (but potentially the effect can be lessened by all good components also present in this formulation). Not great for sensitive skin.

Fragrance:

Light citrus fragrance. Actually much lighter than I expected, seeing orange oil that high on the ingredient list.

Texture/Wear:

Medium weight lotion moisturizer with easy to spread texture. Absorbed quickly and didn't leave white cast. Definitely a great texture for all mineral sunscreen.

Verdict:

Good physical sunscreens are very rare on the market. This is definitely one of the best choices in the high end segment (even though there is one drawback to this formulation).

Peter Thomas Roth Max Sheer All Day Moisture Defense® Lotion SPF 30 (42$ for 50ml)

Sunscreen Value:

Octinoxate 7.5%, Octisalate 5.0%, Meradimate 5.0%, Oxybenzone 3.5%, Avobenzone 1.0%

Purely chemical sunscreen with sufficient UVA and UVB protection.

Ingredients:

Water, Propylene Glycol, Glyceryl Stearate, Peg-100 Stearate, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate, Stearic Acid, Gingko Biloba Leaf Extract, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Retinyl Palmitate (Vit A), Tocopheryl Acetate (Vit E), Ascorbic Acid (Vit C), Phospholipids, Ceramide 3, Dimethicone, Panthenol (Vit B5), Triethanolamine, Carbomer, Allantoin, Cetyl Alcohol, Tetrasodium Edta, Phenoxyethanol, Methylparaben, Butylparaben, Propylparaben, Ethylparaben, Isobutylparaben.

Great formula with no irritants and a nice array of antioxidants and barrier repairing ingredients. No flaws whatsoever.

 

Fragrance:

This is a fragrance free product. 

Texture/Wear:

This formula is very emollient. It will work the best as a winter time moisturizer for normal/combination skin types or warm weather sunscreen for people with dry skin.  

Verdict:

Great sunscreen if you don't have sensitivity to chemical sunscreen actives (like I do). A bit on the pricey side, but relatively affordable. One of the most outstanding formulas in the high end segment. Highly recommended.