Aclaris Photon 360 Tint Sunscreen Gel — Efficacy 4.4/5.0, Safety 3.5/5.0 | DemythSkin
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[ DemythSkin Verdict ]
Aclaris Photon 360 Tint Sunscreen Gel
Aclaris

Aclaris Photon 360 Tint Sunscreen Gel

SunscreenSun Protection
Efficacy
Strong
4.4 / 5.0
Safety
Caution
3.5 / 5.0
System Verdict
This is a high-coverage, highly occlusive hybrid sunscreen that protects well but is heavy, comedogenic-leaning, and chemically noisy for daily facial use. The efficacy score is driven by a robust mix of mineral filters (zinc oxide, titanium dioxide) plus multiple organic UV filters (octocrylene, ethylhexyl methoxycinnamate, ethylhexyl salicylate, butyl methoxydibenzoylmethane, benzophenone-3), providing broad-spectrum UVB and UVA1 coverage and decent photostability when octocrylene stabilizes the UVA filter. However, the silicone- and wax-rich base with isopropyl myristate and fractionated coconut oil makes this a dense, occlusive gel that is more suitable for short outdoor exposures or body use than for acne-prone or very sensitive facial skin, and the inclusion of benzophenone-3 adds avoidable irritation and sensitization risk without improving protection enough to justify its presence. Hydration and comfort are modestly supported by glycerin, allantoin, and vitamin E, but there are no advanced modern filters or elegant low-irritation vehicles here, keeping the formula firmly in “functional but dated” territory rather than clinically optimal.
Active Ingredients Detected
S Tier: Gold StandardsHigh Clinical Proof | Skin-Transformative
Zinc OxideTitanium Dioxide
A Tier: Good BasicsProven Results
Thermus Thermophillus FermentGlycerinEthylhexyl SalicylateButyl MethoxydibenzoylmethaneAllantoin
B Tier: Supporting IngredientsPromising Ingredients
BeeswaxPolymethylsilsesquioxaneOctocryleneMelaninVitamin ETalc
D Tier: Potential IrritantsBe Cautious
Ethylhexyl MethoxycinnamateBenzophenone-3Fractionated Coconut Oil
What Each Ingredient Does
Cyclopentasiloxane
Silicone emollient base
Beeswax
Thickener and film former
Zinc Oxide
Mineral UV filter (UVB/UVA)
Polymethylsilsesquioxane
Texture enhancer and film former
Titanium Dioxide
Mineral UV filter (UVB/UVA-PF)
Dimethicone
Silicone emollient and skin protectant
Isopropyl Myristate
Emollient and slip agent
Thermus Thermophillus Ferment
Marketing antioxidant/soothing ferment
Glycerin
Humectant for hydration
Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate
Chemical UVB filter
Octocrylene
UVB filter and photostabilizer
Ethylhexyl Salicylate
UVB filter and solvent
Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane
Chemical UVA filter (UVA1)
Melanin
Tint/color and antioxidant marketing
Benzophenone-3
Broad-spectrum UV filter
Dimethicone Crosspolymer
Gel-forming and texture modifier
Fractionated Coconut Oil
Light emollient and dispersant
Allantoin
Soothing and skin protectant
Vitamin E
Antioxidant and emollient
Talc
Absorbent and texture modifier
Iron Oxides (Ci 77499 & Ci 77492)
Pigments for tint and coverage
Full Ingredient List (INCI)

Cyclopentasiloxane , Beeswax , Zinc Oxide , Polymethylsilsesquioxane , Titanium Dioxide , Dimethicone , Isopropyl Myristate , Thermus Thermophillus Ferment , Glycerin , Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate , Octocrylene , Ethylhexyl Salicylate , Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane , Melanin , Benzophenone-3 , Dimethicone Crosspolymer , Fractionated Coconut Oil , Allantoin , Vitamin E , Talc , Iron Oxides (Ci 77499 & Ci 77492)

Frequently Asked

Is Aclaris Photon 360 Tint Sunscreen Gel worth it?

Aclaris Photon 360 Tint Sunscreen Gel scores 4.4 out of 5.0 for efficacy (Strong) and 3.5 out of 5.0 for safety (Caution) on DemythSkin's independent ingredient analysis. This is a high-coverage, highly occlusive hybrid sunscreen that protects well but is heavy, comedogenic-leaning, and chemically noisy for daily facial use. The efficacy score is driven by a robust mix of mineral filters

What are the key active ingredients in Aclaris Photon 360 Tint Sunscreen Gel?

Aclaris Photon 360 Tint Sunscreen Gel contains these gold-standard actives with strong clinical evidence: Zinc Oxide, Titanium Dioxide.

Does Aclaris Photon 360 Tint Sunscreen Gel contain fragrance or known irritants?

DemythSkin flags these ingredients in Aclaris Photon 360 Tint Sunscreen Gel as potential irritants: Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate, Benzophenone-3, Fractionated Coconut Oil.

How is Aclaris Photon 360 Tint Sunscreen Gel scored?

DemythSkin grades every product on two independent axes: efficacy (whether the ingredients have clinical evidence of working) and safety (irritation and sensitisation risk). Ingredients are classified S through D against a database of over 3,000 compounds. No brand pays for a score.

Analyze on DemythSkin →

Analysis last updated: 2026-08-16. DemythSkin is an independent ingredient analyzer. Scores are computed by a deterministic rubric from published clinical evidence — no brand pays for a score.