All scans / Sunscreens / Sun Pharma Photostable Gold Matte Finish Sunscreen Gel SPF 55

[ DEMYTHSKIN_SCORE · SUNSCREEN ]

Sun Pharma Photostable Gold Matte Finish Sunscreen Gel SPF 55 ingredients: is it worth it?

This is a bare-bones silicone-heavy UVB-only sunscreen gel that nails texture but fails hard on modern, broad-spectrum photoprotection.

[ SCAN_RESULT ]
Sun Pharma Photostable Gold Matte Finish Sunscreen Gel SPF 55
— Sun
Pharma Photostable Gold Matte Finish Sunscreen Gel SPF 55
Sun Protection
Does it work?
2.6/ 5.0
Underpowered
Is it safe?
4.1/ 5.0
Gentle
THE VERDICT

This is a bare-bones silicone-heavy UVB-only sunscreen gel that nails texture but fails hard on modern, broad-spectrum photoprotection.

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The efficacy score is dragged down because the only declared UV filter is ethylhexyl methoxycinnamate, which primarily covers UVB and offers limited UVA protection, with no evidence of additional filters like avobenzone, Tinosorb, or zinc to secure robust UVA coverage, especially for an SPF 55 claim. The rest of the formula is essentially a silicone elastomer base (dimethicone, cyclopentasiloxane, dimethicone crosspolymer, caprylyl methicone, PEG-12 dimethicone, PPG-20 crosspolymer) that can give a matte, elegant feel but contributes little beyond occlusion and slip. There are no meaningful skin-benefit co-actives (no antioxidants, no barrier lipids, no humectant system beyond a bit of propylene glycol), so this performs purely as a film-forming UVB shield rather than a comprehensive photoprotective skincare step. Safety is reasonably high due to the absence of alcohol and fragrance in the verified list and the generally inert nature of silicones, but Diazolidinyl Urea is a formaldehyde-releasing preservative, which slightly dents the safety score compared with more modern preservative systems.

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DemythSkin rates Sun Pharma Photostable Gold Matte Finish Sunscreen Gel SPF 55 2.6/5 for efficacy and 4.1/5 for safety.

GRADED AS SUNSCREEN — SUN PROTECTION

ACTIVE INGREDIENTS BY TIER

◄ DRIVES RESULTSWORKS AGAINST YOU ►
Doing the work · 2 ingredients
S

Gold Standards

High clinical proof | Skin-transformative
None detected
A

Reliable

Proven results
None detected
B

Potent

Developing evidence
PPG-20 CrosspolymerPPG
Not doing the work · 2 ingredients
C

Overhyped | Marketing

Hype | Limited data
None detected
D

Documented Irritants

Evidence-backed flag
Diazolidinyl UreaEthylhexyl Methoxycinnamate
FORMULATION BASE (6)⌄
DimethiconePropylene GlycolCyclopentasiloxaneDimethicone CrosspolymerCaprylyl MethiconePEG-12 Dimethicone
FULL INGREDIENT LIST⌄

Dimethicone Propylene Glycol Diazolidinyl Urea Composition: Cyclopentasiloxane, Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Dimethicone, Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Caprylyl Methicone, PEG-12 Dimethicone, PPG-20 Crosspolymer, Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate, Cyclopentasiloxane, PPG

WHAT EACH INGREDIENT DOES (10)⌄
Dimethicone
Silicone emollient, skin protectant
Propylene Glycol
Humectant and solvent
Diazolidinyl Urea
Preservative, antimicrobial
Cyclopentasiloxane
Volatile silicone, texture enhancer
Dimethicone Crosspolymer
Silicone elastomer, thickener
Caprylyl Methicone
Lightweight silicone emollient
PEG-12 Dimethicone
Silicone-based emulsifier
PPG-20 Crosspolymer
Polymer for texture and stability
Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate
UVB filter (octinoxate)
PPG
Solvent and slip agent

EXTERNAL CITATIONS

Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate: Sunscreen chemicals: UV filters and their efficacy, safety, and regulatory status. J Am Acad Dermatol. Ethylhexyl methoxycinnamate is a UVB filter with minimal UVA coverage.

Dimethicone: Dimethicone is widely used as an inert, occlusive skin protectant improving barrier function and feel (Cosmetic Ingredient Review Expert Panel assessment).

Diazolidinyl Urea: Safety Assessment of Diazolidinyl Urea. Int J Toxicol. Classified as a formaldehyde-releasing preservative with sensitization potential in some users.

DISCLAIMER: THIS ANALYSIS IS FOR INFORMATION ONLY. NOT MEDICAL ADVICE. AI-GENERATED DATA BASED ON PUBLICLY AVAILABLE INGREDIENT LISTS. VERIFY WITH A MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL.

[ 01 · FAQ ]

Sun Pharma Photostable Gold Matte Finish Sunscreen Gel SPF 55: common questions

Is Sun Pharma Photostable Gold Matte Finish Sunscreen Gel SPF 55 worth it?

Sun Pharma Photostable Gold Matte Finish Sunscreen Gel SPF 55 scores 2.6 out of 5.0 for efficacy (Underpowered) and 4.1 out of 5.0 for safety (Gentle) on DemythSkin's independent ingredient analysis. This is a bare-bones silicone-heavy UVB-only sunscreen gel that nails texture but fails hard on modern, broad-spectrum photoprotection.

What are the key active ingredients in Sun Pharma Photostable Gold Matte Finish Sunscreen Gel SPF 55?

Sun Pharma Photostable Gold Matte Finish Sunscreen Gel SPF 55 contains no gold-standard actives. Its formula is built on supporting and base ingredients rather than clinically transformative actives.

Does Sun Pharma Photostable Gold Matte Finish Sunscreen Gel SPF 55 contain fragrance or known irritants?

DemythSkin flags these ingredients in Sun Pharma Photostable Gold Matte Finish Sunscreen Gel SPF 55 as documented irritants: Diazolidinyl Urea, Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate.

How is Sun Pharma Photostable Gold Matte Finish Sunscreen Gel SPF 55 scored?

DemythSkin grades every product on two independent scores: efficacy (whether the ingredients have clinical evidence of working) and safety (irritation and sensitisation risk). Ingredients are graded S through D against a database of over 3,000 compounds. Brand and price are not part of the score, and no brand pays for one.

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