Vitamin C Brightening Fluid SPF 50

Balance Active Formula

Where to buy Possibly in stock

About this product

The Balance Active Formula Vitamin C Brightening Fluid SPF 50 is a sunscreen. Our analysis of its 20 ingredients (15 low-risk) rates it Excellent (93/100). Based on its ingredients, it looks well-suited to sensitive skin.

Vegan-friendly Reef-safe

Summarised from our ingredient analysis — not brand marketing copy.

At a glance

Type
Sunscreen
Ingredients
20
Low-risk
15
Fragrance
Fragrance-free
Origin
United Kingdom
SPF
50 · blocks 98.0% UVB
Data updated
May 2026

The evidence

Quick Product Notes

Paraben-Free Sulfate-Free Alcohol-Free Silicone-Free EU Allergen-Free Fungal Acne (Malassezia) Safe

Notable Effects & Ingredients

No Notable Effects & Ingredients

Ingredients Related to Skin Types

Good   Bad — tap a skin type to see which ingredients · estimated from ingredient functions
Dry Skin 3/4
Good for dry skin
C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate Polyglyceryl-3 Stearate Propylene Glycol Dicaprylate/Dicaprate
Caution for dry skin
Microcrystalline Cellulose Sodium Stearoyl Glutamate Polyglyceryl-3 Stearate Triethanolamine
Oily/Acne-Prone Skin 0/1
Caution for oily/acne-prone skin
Propylene Glycol Dicaprylate/Dicaprate
Sensitive Skin 2/2
Good for sensitive skin
Ascorbyl Glucoside Hydroxyacetophenone
Caution for sensitive skin
Phenoxyethanol Triethanolamine

Ingredients list

20 total
Lower hazard (1) Higher hazard (5)
All20 Skin Conditioning8 Uv Absorber5 Uv Filter5 Emollient3 Emulsifying3 Solvent2 Antimicrobial2 Antioxidant2
EWG CIR Ingredient Name & Cosmetic Functions Notes
1
Water
(Solvent)
1
A
C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate
(Skin Conditioning, Emollient, Antimicrobial)
2
Diethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl Benzoate
(Uv Absorber, Uv Filter)
4
Ethylhexyl Salicylate
(Uv Absorber, Uv Filter)
Bis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine
(Skin Conditioning, Uv Absorber, Uv Filter)
1
B
Propylene Glycol Dicaprylate/Dicaprate
(Skin Conditioning Agent Occlusive, Emollient)
1
Propanediol
(Solvent, Viscosity Decreasing Agent, Viscosity Controlling)
1
A
Niacinamide
(Hair Conditioning, Skin Conditioning, Smoothing)
3
Phenylbenzimidazole Sulfonic Acid
(Uv Absorber, Uv Filter)
2
Diethylhexyl Butamido Triazone
(Uv Absorber, Uv Filter)
1
B
Polyglyceryl-3 Stearate
(Skin Conditioning, Emollient, Emulsifying, Surfactant)
5
B
Triethanolamine
(Fragrance, Ph Adjuster, Emulsifying, Surfactant, Buffering Agent, Masking)
4
A
Phenoxyethanol
(Fragrance, Preservative)
Paraben
Paraben
1
B
Sodium Stearoyl Glutamate
(Hair Conditioning, Skin Conditioning, Surfactant Cleansingagent, Emulsifying)
1
Hydroxyacetophenone
(Antioxidant)
1
A
Microcrystalline Cellulose
(Abrasive, Absorbent, Anticaking Agent, Bulking Agent, Emulsion Stabilising, Slip Modifier, Viscosity Increasing Agent)
2
A
Chlorphenesin
(Cosmetic Biocide, Antimicrobial, Preservative)
Sphingomonas Ferment Extract
(Skin Conditioning)
1
Ascorbyl Glucoside
(Antioxidant)
1
A
Disodium EDTA
(Chelating Agent, Viscosity Controlling)

My Ingredient Notes

No personal ingredient notes yet. Save ingredients to your profile to get good/bad alerts here.

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Key ingredients

Chemical UV Filter
Absorbs UV rays to help prevent sun damage.
Antioxidants
Shields skin from free radical damage.
Vitamin C
Brightens, evens tone, and supports collagen.
Niacinamide
Strengthens, smooths, and brightens skin.

Benefits

Redness ReducingSoothes visible redness and calms irritation.
BrighteningRestores radiance to dull, tired skin.
Reduces IrritationEases discomfort and supports skin resilience.
Scar HealingImproves the look of marks and scars.
Barrier RepairStrengthen and restore your skin's natural barrier.
Acne FightingFights acne and helps prevent breakouts.
Anti-AgingSoftens lines and helps skin look youthful.
HydratingBoosts hydration and relieves dry, tight skin.

Concerns

Contains paraben
May not suit dry skin
May not suit oily/acne-prone skin

Ingredients explained

Water
Solvent
Low-hazard ingredient.Read moreShow less
EWG 1 Solvent
C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate
Skin conditioning, Emollient
Low-hazard ingredient.Read moreShow less
EWG 1 CIR A Skin conditioningEmollientAntimicrobial
Diethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl Benzoate
Uv absorber, Uv filter
Low-hazard ingredient.Read moreShow less
EWG 2 Uv absorberUv filter
Ethylhexyl Salicylate
Uv absorber, Uv filter
Low-to-moderate hazard.Read moreShow less
EWG 4 Uv absorberUv filter
Bis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine
Skin conditioning, Uv absorber
Limited public safety data.Read moreShow less
EWG N/A Skin conditioningUv absorberUv filter
Propylene Glycol Dicaprylate/Dicaprate
Skin-conditioning agent - occlusive, Emollient
Low-hazard ingredient.Read moreShow less
EWG 1 CIR B Skin-conditioning agent - occlusiveEmollient
Propanediol
Solvent, Viscosity decreasing agent
Low-hazard ingredient.Read moreShow less
EWG 1 SolventViscosity decreasing agentViscosity controlling
Niacinamide
Hair conditioning, Skin conditioning
Low-hazard ingredient.Read moreShow less
EWG 1 CIR A Hair conditioningSkin conditioningSmoothing
Phenylbenzimidazole Sulfonic Acid
Uv absorber, Uv filter
Low-to-moderate hazard.Read moreShow less
EWG 3 Uv absorberUv filter
Diethylhexyl Butamido Triazone
Uv absorber, Uv filter
Low-hazard ingredient.Read moreShow less
EWG 2 Uv absorberUv filter
Polyglyceryl-3 Stearate
Skin conditioning, Emollient
Low-hazard ingredient.Read moreShow less
EWG 1 CIR B Skin conditioningEmollientEmulsifyingSurfactant
Sodium Stearoyl Glutamate
Hair conditioning, Skin conditioning
Low-hazard ingredient.Read moreShow less
EWG 1 CIR B Hair conditioningSkin conditioningSurfactant - cleansingagentEmulsifying
Hydroxyacetophenone
Antioxidant
Low-hazard ingredient.Read moreShow less
EWG 1 Antioxidant
Microcrystalline Cellulose
Abrasive, Absorbent
Low-hazard ingredient.Read moreShow less
EWG 1 CIR A AbrasiveAbsorbentAnticaking agentBulking agentEmulsion stabilisingSlip modifierViscosity increasing agent
Chlorphenesin
Cosmetic biocide, Antimicrobial
Low-hazard ingredient.Read moreShow less
EWG 2 CIR A Cosmetic biocideAntimicrobialPreservative
+ 3 more — see the full ingredients list above
Triethanolamine
Fragrance, Ph adjuster
Moderate-hazard ingredient.Read moreShow less
EWG 5 CIR B FragrancePh adjusterEmulsifyingSurfactantBuffering agentMasking
Phenoxyethanol
Fragrance, Preservative
Low-to-moderate hazard.Read moreShow less
EWG 4 CIR A FragrancePreservative Paraben

How to use

How to use

  • 1 Morning only: Apply as the last step of your AM routine, after moisturiser, and reapply every ~2 hours of sun exposure.

General guidance from this product's category and active ingredients — always follow the directions on the package.

Trust & honesty

Effective levels — general guide

The concentrations these actives are typically effective at in research — not a measurement of this product.

Vitamin C (ascorbic) 5–20%

L-ascorbic acid is usually used at 5–20% (around 10–15% is common). Above ~20% adds little and tends to irritate more; it also needs a low pH to work.

Ascorbyl Glucoside

Niacinamide 2–5% (up to 10%)

Most research uses 2–5%; some formulas go to 10%. Very high levels can cause flushing in sensitive skin.

Niacinamide

INCI lists don't disclose amounts, and we don't claim to know this product's levels — these are the ranges these ingredients are usually effective at, so you can tell a real formula from "fairy-dusting" a marketed active. How we estimate this.

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