SPF 40 Defense Day Cream

Dr. Denese SkinScience

Where to buy Possibly in stock

About this product

The Dr. Denese SkinScience SPF 40 Defense Day Cream is a moisturizer. Our analysis of its 50 ingredients (44 low-risk) rates it Excellent (99/100). Based on its ingredients, it looks well-suited to dry skin.

Vegan-friendly Reef-safe

Summarised from our ingredient analysis — not brand marketing copy.

At a glance

Type
Moisturizers
Ingredients
50
Low-risk
44
Fragrance
Fragrance-free
Origin
United States
SPF
40 · blocks 97.5% UVB
Data updated
Jun 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 12/2
Good for dry skin
Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate Bis-Diglyceryl Polyacyladipate-2 Argania Spinosa Kernel Oil Octyldodecyl Neopentanoate Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride Sodium PCA Sodium Hyaluronate Histidine Dimethicone Cyclopentasiloxane Sodium Lactate PCA
Caution for dry skin
Alumina Lauryl PEG-9 Polydimethylsiloxyethyl Dimethicone
Oily/Acne-Prone Skin No data
Sensitive Skin 5/15
Good for sensitive skin
Zinc Oxide Melanin Ascorbyl Palmitate Dimethicone Tocopheryl Acetate
Caution for sensitive skin
Glycine Valine Serine Sodium Chloride Ascorbyl Palmitate Aspartic Acid Alanine Arginine Isoleucine Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride Threonine Phenylalanine Proline Histidine Phenoxyethanol

Ingredients list

50 total
Lower hazard (1) Higher hazard (4)
All50 Skin Conditioning47 Hair Conditioning16 Fragrance13 Antistatic Agent11 Masking8 Humectant7 Emollient6 Cosmetic Colorant5
EWG CIR Ingredient Name & Cosmetic Functions Notes
1
3
Titanium/Titanium Dioxide
(Cosmetic Colorant, Opacifying)
2
3
Zinc Oxide
(Bulking Agent, Cosmetic Colorant, Skin Protecting, Sunscreen Agent)
Good for Oily Skin
Good for Oily Skin
1
Water
(Solvent)
3
A
Cyclopentasiloxane
(Hair Conditioning, Skin Conditioning, Emollient, Solvent)
Silicone
Silicone
3
A
Dimethicone
(Antifoaming Agent, Skin Protecting, Emollient, Skin Conditioning)
Silicone
Silicone
1
B
Octyldodecyl Neopentanoate
(Skin Conditioning, Emollient)
1
Propanediol
(Solvent, Viscosity Decreasing Agent, Viscosity Controlling)
3
A
Lauryl PEG-9 Polydimethylsiloxyethyl Dimethicone
(Hair Conditioning, Skin Conditioning, Surfactant)
1
A
Argania Spinosa Kernel Oil
(Emollient, Skin Conditioning)
Fungal Acne
Fungal Acne Trigger
1
A
Bis-Diglyceryl Polyacyladipate-2
(Skin Conditioning, Emollient)
3
A
Dimethicone/PEG-10/15 Crosspolymer
(Film Forming, Opacifying)
3
A
PEG-10 Dimethicone
(Hair Conditioning, Skin Conditioning)
3
A
PEG/PPG-18/18 Dimethicone
(Emulsifying)
1
A
Sodium Hyaluronate
(Skin Conditioning, Humectant)
Good for Dry Skin
Good for Dry Skin
Hydrolyzed Sodium Hyaluronate
(Skin Conditioning)
Bisabolol
(Fragrance, Skin Conditioning, Soothing)
1
Melanin
(Skin Conditioning, Skin Protecting)
1
A
Phospholipids
(Skin Conditioning)
Retinyl Palmitate
(Skin Conditioning, Skin Conditioning Miscellaneous)
A
Pantothenic Acid
(Antistatic Agent, Hair Conditioning, Skin Conditioning)
1
A
Ascorbyl Palmitate
(Antioxidant, Masking)
Fungal Acne
Fungal Acne Trigger
3
Tocopheryl Acetate
(Antioxidant, Skin Conditioning)
Bad for Oily Skin
Bad for Oily Skin
1
B
Sodium PCA
(Hair Conditioning, Humectant, Antistatic Agent, Skin Conditioning)
Good for Dry Skin
Good for Dry Skin
3
B
Sodium Lactate
(Buffering Agent, Exfoliant, Humectant, Keratolytic)
1
A
Arginine
(Fragrance, Hair Conditioning, Skin Conditioning, Antistatic Agent, Masking)
1
A
Aspartic Acid
(Fragrance, Hair Conditioning, Skin Conditioning, Antistatic Agent, Masking)
3
B
PCA
(Humectant, Moisturising)
1
A
Glycine
(Buffering Agent, Fragrance, Hair Conditioning, Skin Conditioning Agent Miscellaneous, Antistatic Agent, Skin Conditioning)
1
A
Alanine
(Fragrance, Hair Conditioning, Skin Conditioning, Antistatic Agent, Masking)
1
A
Serine
(Fragrance, Hair Conditioning, Skin Conditioning, Antistatic Agent, Masking)
1
A
Valine
(Fragrance, Hair Conditioning, Skin Conditioning, Antistatic Agent, Masking)
1
A
Proline
(Fragrance, Hair Conditioning, Skin Conditioning)
1
A
Threonine
(Fragrance, Hair Conditioning, Skin Conditioning, Antistatic Agent, Hair Waving Or Straightening)
1
A
Isoleucine
(Fragrance, Hair Conditioning, Skin Conditioning, Antistatic Agent)
1
A
Histidine
(Fragrance, Hair Conditioning, Skin Conditioning, Antistatic Agent, Humectant)
1
A
Phenylalanine
(Fragrance, Hair Conditioning, Skin Conditioning)
2
A
Alumina
(Abrasive, Absorbent, Anticaking Agent, Bulking Agent, Opacifying, Viscosity Controlling)
1
Hydrogen Dimethicone
(Film Forming)
1
Triethoxycaprylylsilane
(Binding Agent, Binding)
1
A
Disteardimonium Hectorite
(Stabilising, Viscosity Controlling)
1
A
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
(Emollient, Masking, Perfuming, Skin Conditioning, Solvent)
Hydroxymethoxyphenyl Decanone
(Skin Conditioning)
1
A
Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate
(Flavoring Agent, Skin Conditioning, Humectant)
1
Sodium Chloride
(Bulking Agent, Masking, Oral Care Agent, Viscosity Controlling)
1
A
Disodium EDTA
(Chelating Agent, Viscosity Controlling)
4
A
Phenoxyethanol
(Fragrance, Preservative)
Paraben
Paraben
1
A
Ethylhexylglycerin
(Deodorant, Skin Conditioning)
1
CI 77492
(Colorant, Cosmetic Colorant)
1
2
CI 77491
(Colorant, Cosmetic Colorant)
2
CI 77499
(Colorant, Cosmetic Colorant)

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

Antioxidants
Shields skin from free radical damage.
Mineral UV Filter
Reflects UV rays using mineral barriers.
Retinoid
Visibly reduces the signs of aging.
Vitamin C
Brightens, evens tone, and supports collagen.
Vitamin E
Protects skin and soothes irritation.
Hyaluronic Acid
Hydrates by attracting and holding water.
Exfoliators
Removes dead skin cells to smoothe texture.
Show all 7 key ingredients

Benefits

HydratingBoosts hydration and relieves dry, tight skin.
Barrier RepairStrengthen and restore your skin's natural barrier.
Scar HealingImproves the look of marks and scars.
Reduces IrritationEases discomfort and supports skin resilience.
BrighteningRestores radiance to dull, tired skin.
Redness ReducingSoothes visible redness and calms irritation.
Anti-AgingSoftens lines and helps skin look youthful.
Good For Oily SkinBalances oil and helps reduce shine.

Concerns

Contains paraben
Contains silicone
Not fungal acne (malassezia) safe
May not suit sensitive skin

Ingredients explained

Titanium/Titanium Dioxide
Cosmetic colorant, Opacifying
Low-to-moderate hazard.Read moreShow less
EWG 1–3 Cosmetic colorantOpacifying
Water
Solvent
Low-hazard ingredient.Read moreShow less
EWG 1 Solvent
Octyldodecyl Neopentanoate
Skin conditioning, Emollient
Low-hazard ingredient.Read moreShow less
EWG 1 CIR B Skin conditioningEmollient
Propanediol
Solvent, Viscosity decreasing agent
Low-hazard ingredient.Read moreShow less
EWG 1 SolventViscosity decreasing agentViscosity controlling
Lauryl PEG-9 Polydimethylsiloxyethyl Dimethicone
Hair conditioning, Skin conditioning
Low-to-moderate hazard.Read moreShow less
EWG 3 CIR A Hair conditioningSkin conditioningSurfactant
Bis-Diglyceryl Polyacyladipate-2
Skin conditioning, Emollient
Low-hazard ingredient.Read moreShow less
EWG 1 CIR A Skin conditioningEmollient
Dimethicone/PEG-10/15 Crosspolymer
Film forming, Opacifying
Low-to-moderate hazard.Read moreShow less
EWG 3 CIR A Film formingOpacifying
PEG-10 Dimethicone
Hair conditioning, Skin conditioning
Low-to-moderate hazard.Read moreShow less
EWG 3 CIR A Hair conditioningSkin conditioning
PEG/PPG-18/18 Dimethicone
Emulsifying
Low-to-moderate hazard.Read moreShow less
EWG 3 CIR A Emulsifying
Hydrolyzed Sodium Hyaluronate
Skin conditioning
Limited public safety data.Read moreShow less
EWG N/A Skin conditioning
Bisabolol
Fragrance, Skin conditioning
Limited public safety data.Read moreShow less
EWG N/A FragranceSkin conditioningSoothing
Melanin
Skin conditioning, Skin protecting
Low-hazard ingredient.Read moreShow less
EWG 1 Skin conditioningSkin protecting
Phospholipids
Skin conditioning
Low-hazard ingredient.Read moreShow less
EWG 1 CIR A Skin conditioning
Retinyl Palmitate
Skin conditioning, Skin conditioning miscellaneous
Limited public safety data.Read moreShow less
EWG N/A Skin conditioningSkin conditioning miscellaneous
Pantothenic Acid
Antistatic agent, Hair conditioning
Limited public safety data.Read moreShow less
EWG N/A CIR A Antistatic agentHair conditioningSkin conditioning
+ 26 more — see the full ingredients list above
Zinc Oxide
Bulking agent, Cosmetic colorant
Low-to-moderate hazard.Read moreShow less
EWG 2–3 Bulking agentCosmetic colorantSkin protectingSunscreen agent Good for Oily Skin
Cyclopentasiloxane
Hair conditioning, Skin conditioning
Low-to-moderate hazard.Read moreShow less
EWG 3 CIR A Hair conditioningSkin conditioningEmollientSolvent Silicone
Dimethicone
Antifoaming agent, Skin protecting
Low-to-moderate hazard.Read moreShow less
EWG 3 CIR A Antifoaming agentSkin protectingEmollientSkin conditioning Silicone
Argania Spinosa Kernel Oil
Emollient, Skin conditioning
Low-hazard ingredient.Read moreShow less
EWG 1 CIR A EmollientSkin conditioning Fungal-acne trigger
Sodium Hyaluronate
Skin conditioning, Humectant
Low-hazard ingredient.Read moreShow less
EWG 1 CIR A Skin conditioningHumectant Good for Dry Skin
Ascorbyl Palmitate
Antioxidant, Masking
Low-hazard ingredient.Read moreShow less
EWG 1 CIR A AntioxidantMasking Fungal-acne trigger
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant, Skin conditioning
Potentially comedogenic - can block poresRead moreShow less
EWG 3 AntioxidantSkin conditioning Bad for Oily Skin
Sodium PCA
Hair conditioning, Humectant
Low-hazard ingredient.Read moreShow less
EWG 1 CIR B Hair conditioningHumectantAntistatic agentSkin conditioning Good for Dry Skin
Phenoxyethanol
Fragrance, Preservative
Low-to-moderate hazard.Read moreShow less
EWG 4 CIR A FragrancePreservative Paraben

How to use

How to use

  • 1 Where it fits: Apply near the end of your routine, after thinner serums.
  • 2 Morning only: Apply as the last step of your AM routine, after moisturiser, and reapply every ~2 hours of sun exposure.
  • 3 Wear SPF the next day: Acids and retinoids increase sun sensitivity — daily sunscreen is a must while using this.

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

Trust & honesty

Pregnancy & breastfeeding

Contains ingredients some choose to avoid or double-check while pregnant or nursing.

Often avoided
Retinoids (Vitamin A) (Retinyl Palmitate)

Topical retinoids (retinol, retinaldehyde, retinyl esters) are widely advised against in pregnancy as a precaution. The strongest evidence is for ORAL retinoids; topical absorption is low, but most clinicians err on the side of caution.

This is general information, not medical advice. Pregnancy guidance varies and depends on concentration and your individual situation — always check with your doctor, midwife or pharmacist. How we flag this.

Effective levels — general guide

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

Retinoids (Vitamin A) 0.01–1%

Most studied between 0.1% and 1%. Higher is not automatically better — irritation climbs with dose, so a well-formulated lower strength is often the sweet spot.

Retinyl Palmitate

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 Palmitate

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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