Avène
Very High Protection Spray Sun Cream SPF50+
face neck body sunscreen
Avène
face neck body sunscreen
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General, ingredient-based — not your personalized match.
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Take the skin testOffering up to six hours of skin-quenching comfort, Avène’s Very High Protection Spray Sun Cream SPF50+ protects, hydrates and soothes sun-sensitive skin types. Featuring just four optimal efficacy sun filters, the sunscreen spray provides broad-spectrum UVA/UVB protection; while provitamin E defends against free radicals and urban pollutants. The brand’s Thermal Spring Water helps to soften and smooth, leaving you with a satin-skin-like finish that’s not sticky or slippery (meaning less time spent wiping away sand stuck to our sun cream!). Plus, its easy-to-use spray applicator ensures quicker coverage in all those hard-to-reach areas.
Very High Protection Spray Sun Cream SPF50+ is a lightweight sunscreen from Avène, a brand based in France. It is rated SPF 50+. Its job is UV protection, with the rest of the formula working on hydration and soothing. The ingredient list runs to 30 ingredients, each broken down in full below.
By its ingredient list the formula reads as light: water and humectants lead, with emollients kept lower in the order. Hydration is handled by Glycerin, Butylene Glycol and C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate, humectants that pull water into the upper layers of skin rather than sealing it there.
It is a chemical (organic-filter) sunscreen, using Tinosorb M, Tinosorb S, Uvasorb HEB and Avobenzone. Between them those filters cover UVB, UVA II and UVA I, so the formula is broad-spectrum in the meaningful sense: it reaches past 340 nm, where the ageing wavelengths sit. The formula contains a photounstable filter alongside a stabiliser, which is the standard and effective way to keep it from degrading in sunlight.
Hydration: High. Ingredients that pull and hold water in the upper layers of skin, and here that comes from Glycerin, Butylene Glycol, C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate and Diisopropyl Adipate.
Soothing: High. Ingredients aimed at visible redness and reactivity, and here that comes from Avena Sativa Seed Water, C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate, Sodium Benzoate and Tocopherol.
On richness alone it suits Balanced, Combination (oily) and Oily skin best, and is the least natural fit for Dry and Combination (dry) skin. Nothing in the list is flagged as a common irritant, which is a reasonable starting point for reactive skin — though a patch test is still the only way to know.
The formula contributes little or nothing on barrier support, antioxidant protection, oil control and brightening and tone. That is not a fault — most products are not meant to do everything — but if one of those is your priority, this is not the product that will address it.
Reading the full list, the formula is essential-oil-free, no drying alcohol, paraben-free, silicone-free, microplastic-free and sulfate-free. Those claims come from the ingredient list itself, not from the packaging. It does contain fragrance, worth knowing if your skin reacts to any of them.
Use it in the morning. In a routine it goes final morning step, before makeup. Apply about two finger-lengths for the face and neck — under-application is the single most common reason sunscreen underperforms. Reapply every two hours of sun exposure, and after swimming or towelling off. Let it set for a couple of minutes before makeup so it does not pill.
This summary is generated from the product's ingredient list. It is not a review, it is not the brand's own marketing claims, and it does not replace advice from a dermatologist.
Drawn purely from the ingredient list
Scored on how rich or light the formula reads from its INCI order.
No ingredient in this formula carries a common-irritant flag, making it a reasonable option for reactive skin. A patch test is still recommended, as individual skin reactivity varies.
Based on the curated benefits documented for this product's ingredients.
Attracts and locks in moisture to keep skin plump and dewy
Boosts collagen and cell turnover to reduce fine lines and wrinkles
Brightens and balances complexion for a more uniform appearance
Calms redness, irritation, and inflammation for sensitive skin
None of the ingredients in this formula are associated with these benefits. This is not unusual, as most products are designed to target a limited number of concerns.
Chemical (organic) filter system · broad-spectrum through UVA I
A hybrid: it absorbs like an organic filter and scatters like a mineral one, because it is dispersed as microfine particles rather than dissolved.
One of the most photostable filters in use, and it stabilises avobenzone and octinoxate alongside it. Oil-soluble, cosmetically light, no white cast.
A photostable, highly efficient UVB filter, usually paired with a dedicated UVA one.
The workhorse UVA filter, and the fragile one: it loses a large share of its protection within an hour of sun unless the formula pairs it with a stabiliser such as octocrylene or Tinosorb S.
The actives, UV filters and benefit-carrying ingredients in this formula, in the order they are listed.
2nd on the list, which puts it at an estimated 5–20% of the formula.
Benzoic acid, C12-15 alkyl esters
4th on the list, which puts it at an estimated 2–10% of the formula.
2,2'-Methylene-bis-(6-(2H-benzotriazol-2-yl)-4-(1,1,3,3-tetramethylbutyl)phenol)
5th on the list, which puts it at an estimated 2–10% of the formula.
Diisopropyl adipate
6th on the list, which puts it at an estimated 2–10% of the formula.
Aqua (EU),Deionized Water,Distilled Water,Micromatrix Fractile AN,Onsen-Sui (JPN),Purified Water
7th on the list, which puts it at an estimated 1–5% of the formula.
2,2'-[6-(4-Methoxyphenyl)-1,3,5-triazine-2,4-diyl]bis[5-[(2-ethylhexyl)oxy]-phenol]
8th on the list, which puts it at an estimated 1–5% of the formula.
Benzoic acid, 4,4'-[[6-[[4-[[(1,1-dimethylethyl)amino]carbonyl]phenyl]amino]-1,3,5-triazine-2,4-diyl]diimino]bis-, -bis(2-ethylhexyl)ester
10th on the list, which puts it at an estimated 1–5% of the formula.
Glycerine ;Glycerol (INN); Glycerol (RIFM); Glycerolum (EP); Glycyl Alcohol; 1,2,3-Propanetriol; 1,2,3-Trihydroxypropane
11th on the list, which puts it at an estimated 1–3% of the formula.
1-[4-(1,1-Dimethylethyl)phenyl]-3-(4-methoxyphenyl)propane-1,3-dione
14th on the list, which puts it at an estimated 1–3% of the formula.
Butane-1,3-diol (CAS No. 107-88-0/ EC No. 203-529-7) (R)-(-)-butane-1,3-diol” (CAS No. 6290-03-5/ EC No. 228-532-0)
15th on the list, which puts it at an estimated 1–3% of the formula.
Decanoic acid, ester with 1,2,3-propanetriol octanoate; Glycerides, mixed decanoyl and octanoyl
19th on the list, below the 1% line — present at under 1%, which for most ingredients is the level they work at.
Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil is the oil expressed from the seeds of the Sunflower, Helianthus annuus L., Compositae
23rd on the list, below the 1% line — present at under 1%, which for most ingredients is the level they work at.
Propane-1,2-diol
Each axis is scored from the ingredients present and how high up the list they sit.
Ingredients that pull and hold water in the upper layers of skin
Lipids and repair signals that support skin barrier integrity
Ingredients that mop up free radicals from UV and pollution
Ingredients that moderate sebum or absorb shine
Ingredients that act on uneven tone and post-inflammatory marks
Ingredients aimed at visible redness and reactivity
Retinoids, acids and enzymes that speed surface turnover
Peptides and growth factors that signal for collagen support
A photounstable filter is present, paired with a stabiliser
"Active" here means an ingredient carrying a recorded active type or a recognised UV filter.
Solvents, emollients, texture agents and preservatives — the formula that carries the actives.
Read from the full ingredient list. A brand's own claim may differ.
Parfum
Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil
Judged by the same curated rules our routine checker uses. It reads the ingredients, not the label.
Nothing in this formula belongs to a group our rules can put in conflict, so it layers freely. Order still matters — thinnest texture first.
This product is the "Protect" step.
Flags to check, not verdicts. None of this is medical advice — if you are pregnant, breastfeeding or treating a skin condition, ask a doctor.
Most ingredients do more than one job, so these counts add up to more than the 30 ingredients on the label.
Softens and smooths by filling gaps between skin cells
Dissolves and carries everything else
Sets the thickness, spread and stability of the formula
Keeps the product free of microbial growth
Lifts oil and dirt, or holds oil and water together
Absorbs or scatters ultraviolet light
Draws water into the upper layers of skin
Binds trace metals that would otherwise spoil the formula
Forms a film that slows water loss
Sets the acidity the formula needs to work
Changes how the product smells or looks
Neutralises free radicals from UV and pollution
Every ingredient on the label, in order, with what it does and roughly how much of it is likely to be there.
1st on the list, which puts it at an estimated 30–80% of the formula.
Avena Sativa Seed Water is an aqueous solution of the steam distillates obtained from the seeds of Avena sativa.
2nd on the list, which puts it at an estimated 5–20% of the formula.
Benzoic acid, C12-15 alkyl esters
3rd on the list, which puts it at an estimated 5–20% of the formula.
Alcohols, coco, mixed esters with octanoic and decanoic acids
4th on the list, which puts it at an estimated 2–10% of the formula.
2,2'-Methylene-bis-(6-(2H-benzotriazol-2-yl)-4-(1,1,3,3-tetramethylbutyl)phenol)
5th on the list, which puts it at an estimated 2–10% of the formula.
Diisopropyl adipate
6th on the list, which puts it at an estimated 2–10% of the formula.
Aqua (EU),Deionized Water,Distilled Water,Micromatrix Fractile AN,Onsen-Sui (JPN),Purified Water
7th on the list, which puts it at an estimated 1–5% of the formula.
2,2'-[6-(4-Methoxyphenyl)-1,3,5-triazine-2,4-diyl]bis[5-[(2-ethylhexyl)oxy]-phenol]
8th on the list, which puts it at an estimated 1–5% of the formula.
Benzoic acid, 4,4'-[[6-[[4-[[(1,1-dimethylethyl)amino]carbonyl]phenyl]amino]-1,3,5-triazine-2,4-diyl]diimino]bis-, -bis(2-ethylhexyl)ester
9th on the list, which puts it at an estimated 1–5% of the formula.
Octadecanoic acid, 12-hydroxy-, homopolymer, ester with oxybis(propanediol)
10th on the list, which puts it at an estimated 1–5% of the formula.
Glycerine ;Glycerol (INN); Glycerol (RIFM); Glycerolum (EP); Glycyl Alcohol; 1,2,3-Propanetriol; 1,2,3-Trihydroxypropane
11th on the list, which puts it at an estimated 1–3% of the formula.
1-[4-(1,1-Dimethylethyl)phenyl]-3-(4-methoxyphenyl)propane-1,3-dione
12th on the list, which puts it at an estimated 1–3% of the formula.
D-Glucoside, Decyl
13th on the list, which puts it at an estimated 1–3% of the formula.
Benzoic acid
14th on the list, which puts it at an estimated 1–3% of the formula.
Butane-1,3-diol (CAS No. 107-88-0/ EC No. 203-529-7) (R)-(-)-butane-1,3-diol” (CAS No. 6290-03-5/ EC No. 228-532-0)
15th on the list, which puts it at an estimated 1–3% of the formula.
Decanoic acid, ester with 1,2,3-propanetriol octanoate; Glycerides, mixed decanoyl and octanoyl
16th on the list, which puts it at an estimated 1–3% of the formula.
Octane-1,2-diol
17th on the list, below the 1% line — present at under 1%, which for most ingredients is the level they work at.
Disodium dihydrogen ethylenediaminetetraacetate
18th on the list, below the 1% line — present at under 1%, which for most ingredients is the level they work at.
Parfum is a term for ingredient labelling used to identify that a product contains a material or a combination of materials normally added to a cosmetic to produce or to mask a particular odour. According to Article 19 of the Cosmetics Regulation, 'Perfume and aromatic compositions and their raw materials shall be referred to by the terms ‘parfum’ or ‘aroma’. '
19th on the list, below the 1% line — present at under 1%, which for most ingredients is the level they work at.
Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil is the oil expressed from the seeds of the Sunflower, Helianthus annuus L., Compositae
20th on the list, below the 1% line — present at under 1%, which for most ingredients is the level they work at.
Decanoic acid, 2-hydroxy-, (DL)-
21st on the list, below the 1% line — present at under 1%, which for most ingredients is the level they work at.
D-Glucose homopolymer, dodecyl ether
22nd on the list, below the 1% line — present at under 1%, which for most ingredients is the level they work at.
2-oxo-1,3-thiazolidine
23rd on the list, below the 1% line — present at under 1%, which for most ingredients is the level they work at.
Propane-1,2-diol
24th on the list, below the 1% line — present at under 1%, which for most ingredients is the level they work at.
Sodium benzoate
25th on the list, below the 1% line — present at under 1%, which for most ingredients is the level they work at.
Trisodium citrate
26th on the list, below the 1% line — present at under 1%, which for most ingredients is the level they work at.
Sodium carboxymethyl ether of Lauryl Glucoside
27th on the list, below the 1% line — present at under 1%, which for most ingredients is the level they work at.
Hexa-2,4-dienoic acid
28th on the list, below the 1% line — present at under 1%, which for most ingredients is the level they work at.
3,4-Dihydro-2,5,7,8-tetramethyl-2-(4,8,12-trimethyltridecyl)-2H-benzopyran-6-ol; .alpha.-tocopherol; Vitamin E
29th on the list, below the 1% line — present at under 1%, which for most ingredients is the level they work at.
Tocopheryl Glucoside
30th on the list, below the 1% line — present at under 1%, which for most ingredients is the level they work at.
Xanthan gum
Products in the same category that share this formula's distinguishing ingredients.
Avène
Shares 11 key ingredients with Very High Protection Spray Sun Cream SPF50+: C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate, Methylene Bis-benzotriazolyl Tetramethylbutylphenol, Water, Bis-ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine, Diethylhexyl Butamido Triazone
La Roche-Posay
Shares 8 key ingredients with Very High Protection Spray Sun Cream SPF50+: Water, C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate, Bis-ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine, Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane, Methylene Bis-benzotriazolyl Tetramethylbutylphenol
Round Lab
Shares 7 key ingredients with Very High Protection Spray Sun Cream SPF50+: Water, Butylene Glycol, Diisopropyl Adipate, C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate, Bis-ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine
Benton
Shares 7 key ingredients with Very High Protection Spray Sun Cream SPF50+: Water, Methylene Bis-benzotriazolyl Tetramethylbutylphenol, Diethylhexyl Butamido Triazone, Caprylic/capric Triglyceride, Glycerin
JUMISO
Shares 7 key ingredients with Very High Protection Spray Sun Cream SPF50+: Water, C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate, Glycerin, Bis-ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine, Methylene Bis-benzotriazolyl Tetramethylbutylphenol
Avène
Shares 7 key ingredients with Very High Protection Spray Sun Cream SPF50+: C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate, Water, Diisopropyl Adipate, Bis-ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine, Glycerin
AVENA SATIVA SEED WATER, C12-15 ALKYL BENZOATE, COCO-CAPRYLATE/CAPRATE, METHYLENE BIS-BENZOTRIAZOLYL TETRAMETHYLBUTYLPHENOL, DIISOPROPYL ADIPATE, WATER, BIS-ETHYLHEXYLOXYPHENOL METHOXYPHENYL TRIAZINE, DIETHYLHEXYL BUTAMIDO TRIAZONE, POLYGLYCERYL-2 DIPOLYHYDROXYSTEARATE, GLYCERIN, BUTYL METHOXYDIBENZOYLMETHANE, DECYL GLUCOSIDE, BENZOIC ACID, BUTYLENE GLYCOL, CAPRYLIC/CAPRIC TRIGLYCERIDE, CAPRYLYL GLYCOL, DISODIUM EDTA, PARFUM, HELIANTHUS ANNUUS SEED OIL, HYDROXYCAPRIC ACID, LAURYL GLUCOSIDE, OXOTHIAZOLIDINE, PROPYLENE GLYCOL, SODIUM BENZOATE, SODIUM CITRATE, SODIUM LAURYL GLUCOSE CARBOXYLATE, SORBIC ACID, TOCOPHEROL, TOCOPHERYL GLUCOSIDE, XANTHAN GUM.
Before exposure to the sun, apply generously to the face, neck and body. Reapply frequently to maintain protection, especially after sweating, swimming or wiping.
Judged on how rich the formula reads from its ingredient list, it suits Balanced, Combination (oily), Oily skin best. It is the least natural fit for Dry, Combination (dry) skin.
No ingredient in this formula carries a common-irritant flag, making it a reasonable option for reactive skin. A patch test is still recommended, as individual skin reactivity varies.
2 ingredients could feed malassezia: Polyglyceryl-2 Dipolyhydroxystearate, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil. That describes the yeast's food supply, not a prediction that they will cause a breakout.
Nothing in this formula is on the standard pregnancy-caution list. That is not medical clearance — check anything you use daily with your doctor or midwife.
No — it contains Parfum.
No. Reading the full ingredient list, this formula is no drying alcohol.
Yes. Reading the full ingredient list, this formula is silicone-free.
No. Reading the full ingredient list, this formula is essential-oil-free.
Yes. Reading the full ingredient list, this formula is paraben-free.
It layers well with Vitamin C (L-ascorbic acid), Retinoids (retinol, retinal), AHAs (glycolic, lactic), BHA (salicylic acid), PHAs (gluconolactone), Benzoyl peroxide.
Use it in the morning, final morning step, before makeup.
It lists 30 ingredients, of which 4 are recorded as actives.
Avène, a brand based in France.
It filters UV with Tinosorb M (methylene bis-benzotriazolyl tetramethylbutylphenol), Tinosorb S (bis-ethylhexyloxyphenol methoxyphenyl triazine), Uvasorb HEB (diethylhexyl butamido triazone), Avobenzone (butyl methoxydibenzoylmethane).
Yes. Its filters cover UVB, UVA II and UVA I, so protection reaches past 340 nm into the deep-UVA range associated with ageing and pigmentation.
Unlikely. It filters with organic (chemical) filters only, which dissolve into the formula rather than sitting on the surface, so they do not leave a white cast.
It contains none of the filters named in the Hawaii and Key West reef legislation (oxybenzone and octinoxate). "Reef safe" is not a regulated term, so treat that as a fact about the filter list rather than a certification.
Yes. Let it set for a couple of minutes before foundation so it does not pill, and reapply over makeup with a stick or powder rather than rubbing more in.
Every two hours of sun exposure, and immediately after swimming, sweating heavily or towelling off.
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