
Highlights
WHAT IS IT?
Sunscreen with 12 ingredients
FEATURES
Broad spectrum UVA/UVB and blue ray protection, Contains UV filters and vitamin C, Non-greasy, Non-sticky, Suitable for all skin types, Reduces pigmentation, Nourishes skin
BEST FOR
sensitive
CHECKS
Toxin-free, Fragrance-free, Non-greasy
Who Is It For?
All Genders All AgesWhat Does It Help With?
Sun Damage Protection Pigmentation Reduction Skin Nourishment Protection From Blue Rays Suitable For Dry Sensitive Oily And Acne-prone SkinBudget
Affordable (under $30)How To Use
Which routine should it be used in?
Instructions:
Key Information
What CIRCLE SKINCARE Says
Product Description:
CIRCLE SKINCARE Smart Defence sunscreen is formulated with the best UV filter ingredients which provides broad spectrum protection against harmful UVA/UVB rays. The SPF 40 Smart Defence sunscreen with PA++++ grading is designed to give your skin the best protection from UVA/UVB rays. Formulated with an effective combination of UV filters and vitamin C this sunscreen protects from sun damage, reduces pigmentation and makes the skin nourished and supple. This sunscreen also gives protection against harmful blue rays which are emitted by various electronic devices. These blue rays damage and dehydrate the skin making it dull and lifeless. This sunscreen comes with a non-greasy and non-sticky formula which penetrates deep layers of skin without making your skin heavy and oily. This sunscreen is suitable for all skin types and can be applied under makeup as well. When used regularly gives visible results after 4 to 6 weeks. CIRCLE SKINCARE Smart Defence sunscreen is the perfect find for anyone looking for toxin-free, fragrance-free, non-greasy, with broad spectrum protection against UVA/UVB rays and blue rays. This sunscreen is safe and effective for dry, sensitive, oily and acne-prone skin as well.
About the Brand:
Ingredients Overview
Ingredients List
Aqua,Ethylhexylmethoxycinnamate,Butyl-Methoxydibenzoylmethane, Benzophenone-3,Phospholipids,1-3-Butyleneglycol,Methylmethacrylatecrosspolymer,Acrylates-C10-30-Alkylacrylatecrosspolymer,Ethylhexylglycerine,Phenoxyethanol,3-O-Ethylascorbicacid,Sodiumhydroxide,Sodiumgluconate
Key Ingredients
Ethylhexylmethoxycinnamate,Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane,Benzophenone-3,3-O-Ethylascorbicacid (Vitamin C)
Ingredients Details
Benzophenone-3
Common Name(s): Oxybenzone,2-hydroxy-4-methoxybenzophenone,uva+uvb filter
CAS Number: 131-57-7
DESCRIPTION
What It Does: Provides combined uva and uvb filtration in a single chemical uv filter molecule.
Why It's Used: Combined uva+uvb filter historically used for broad-spectrum coverage in a single ingredient, now increasingly restricted.
How It Works: Benzophenone chromophore absorbs uvb (305nm) and uva-ii (326nm) via two separate nโฯ* transitions. water-soluble allows aqueous phase formulation. single filter providing partial broad-spectrum coverage.
Typically Found In: Sunscreens (being phased out in many markets)
TECHNICAL DETAILS
Primary Category: Active ingredient โ chemical uva/uvb filter
Secondary Functions: Skin conditioning
Application Areas:
Facial Skincare
Body Care
Hair Care
Beard Care
Color Cosmetics (Makeup)
Dietary/Oral Supplements
Typical Concentration Range: Up to 6% (eu), 6% (us fda)
SOURCING & ETHICS
Vegan Status: Yes โ synthetic
Halal Status: Yes
Source Notes: Commercially produced for cosmetic use. verify vegan/halal status with supplier.
SKIN COMPATIBILITY
Irritancy Rating: 1/5 โ very low
Comedogenicity Rating: 0/5 โ non-comedogenic
Sensitivity Concerns: Well-tolerated by most skin types.
Safe for Sensitive Skin: Yes
SAFETY & COMPATIBILITY
Safety Profile: Eu max 6%. coral reef/aquatic toxicity โ banned hawaii, palau, some us states. potential endocrine activity at high systemic exposure. ewg score: 7. use declining due to regulatory pressure.
Works Well With: Standard skincare actives
Avoid Combining With: No known significant incompatibilities
SCIENTIFIC NOTE
Benzophenone-3's declining use reflects evolving understanding of environmental and endocrine impacts: discovered in coral bleaching studies, its restriction in hawaii (2018) sparked a global trend in marine-safe sunscreen formulations that is reshaping the industry away from bp-3 toward mineral filters and marine-safer organic alternatives.
Last Verified: Cosing database,fda uv filter otc monograph,hawaii bp-3 restriction law
Primary Sources: 2026-03-12
Phenoxyethanol
Common Name(s): 2-phenoxyethanol,rose ether,ethylene glycol monophenyl ether
CAS Number: 122-99-6
DESCRIPTION
What It Does: Prevents microbial contamination and spoilage in cosmetic formulations.
Why It's Used: The benchmark cosmetic preservative โ eu-permitted up to 1%, effective against virtually all cosmetically relevant microorganisms, and excellent tolerability.
How It Works: Phenol ring provides broad antimicrobial activity via disruption of bacterial and fungal cell membranes and inhibition of enzymatic activity. effective against gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria, yeasts (candida), and molds (aspergillus). activity ph range: 3-9.
Typically Found In: All cosmetic formulations as primary preservative
TECHNICAL DETAILS
Primary Category: Functional ingredient โ broad-spectrum preservative
Secondary Functions: Skin conditioning
Application Areas:
Facial Skincare
Body Care
Hair Care
Beard Care
Color Cosmetics (Makeup)
Dietary/Oral Supplements
Typical Concentration Range: 0.1%โ1% (eu max 1%)
SOURCING & ETHICS
Vegan Status: Yes โ synthetic
Halal Status: Yes
Source Notes: Commercially produced for cosmetic use. verify vegan/halal status with supplier.
SKIN COMPATIBILITY
Irritancy Rating: 1/5 โ very low
Comedogenicity Rating: 0/5 โ non-comedogenic
Sensitivity Concerns: Well-tolerated by most skin types.
Safe for Sensitive Skin: Yes
SAFETY & COMPATIBILITY
Safety Profile: Eu cosmetics regulation max 1%. sccs assessed as safe at โค1%. avoid use around eyes in baby products per some country regulations. ewg score: 4.
Works Well With: Standard skincare actives
Avoid Combining With: No known significant incompatibilities
SCIENTIFIC NOTE
Phenoxyethanol's widespread adoption as the primary cosmetic preservative followed the phaseout of parabens from many formulations in the 2000s-2010s. despite having a comparable or better safety profile to parabens, it is often cited in 'free-from' formulations โ a consumer perception issue rather than a scientific safety concern.
Last Verified: Cosing database,sccs opinion on phenoxyethanol,cir safety assessment
Primary Sources: 2026-03-12
Phospholipids
Common Name(s): Lecithin/phospholipid,cell membrane lipid,emulsifier barrier repair
CAS Number: N/a
DESCRIPTION
What It Does: Stabilises o/w and w/o emulsions through biomimetic phospholipid bilayer formation, supplements sc barrier lipids for barrier repair, and forms liposomes and lamellar delivery vehicles for encapsulated active delivery.
Why It's Used: Phospholipids are uniquely bifunctional: they provide conventional emulsification and form genuine liposomal bilayer vesicles for encapsulated active delivery โ a dual function unavailable from synthetic emulsifiers.
How It Works: The phosphocholine head group provides strong h-bonding hydrophilicity while the dual fatty acid tails provide lipophilic anchoring โ this wedge-shaped geometry spontaneously forms closed bilayer vesicles (liposomes) that encapsulate actives for sustained release and enhanced sc penetration.
Typically Found In: Emulsions,liposomal delivery,barrier repair
TECHNICAL DETAILS
Primary Category: Functional ingredient โ emollient
Secondary Functions: Barrier sealing,softening
Application Areas:
Facial Skincare
Body Care
Hair Care
Beard Care
Color Cosmetics (Makeup)
Dietary/Oral Supplements
Typical Concentration Range: 1%โ15%
SOURCING & ETHICS
Vegan Status: Conditional
Halal Status: Yes
Source Notes: Plant-derived, synthetic or animal-derived. verify source.
SKIN COMPATIBILITY
Irritancy Rating: 1/5 โ very low
Comedogenicity Rating: 1/5 โ low; formulation-dependent
Sensitivity Concerns: Non-irritating.
Safe for Sensitive Skin: Yes
SAFETY & COMPATIBILITY
Safety Profile: Excellent safety profile. ewg score: 1.
Works Well With: Humectants,ceramides,actives as carrier
Avoid Combining With: No significant incompatibilities
SCIENTIFIC NOTE
Phospholipid's wedge-shaped geometry (large head relative to two acyl tails) preferentially forms spherical bilayer vesicles (liposomes) rather than flat lamellar phases โ this curvature preference enables self-assembly of drug delivery liposomes simply by hydration of the phospholipid film.
Last Verified: Cosing database,lecithin phospholipid liposomal delivery review
Primary Sources: 2026-03-12