Aesop Sage and Zinc Facial Hydrating Cream SPF15
Works for
1 of 2 advertised claims delivered
Sun protectionSPF 15 · 1 UV filter · Broad spectrumWeak protectionSPF under 30
This product offers broad spectrum sun protection, but it is weak. We recommend to use a broad spectrum sunscreen with at least SPF 30.
This product can be considered "reef safe" because it does not contain the UV filters (oxybenzone and octinoxate) that can be harmful to coral reefs when present in the water in high concentrations.
MoisturizingSqualane, Caprylic/capric triglyceride + 9 moreGood evidence
“Sage and Zinc Facial Hydrating Cream SPF15”
This product can help improve hydration of the skin with the two types of ingredients.
The first type is called “humectants”:
these ingredients help attract water.
When humectants are on the surface of the skin, they “pull in” the moisture from the outside environment, or from
within deeper layers of the skin. The following ingredients in this product do the job:
glycerin, caprylyl glycol.
This product also contains ingredients called “occlusives”. They help reduce the speed with which our skin loses moisture to the outside environment. These ingredients also help soften the upper layer of the skin, so it feels less tight and nicer to the touch. The following ingredients in this product do the job: caprylic/capric triglyceride, squalane.
Can it cause trouble?
Irritancy6 strong irritants: Lavandula angustifolia oil, Salvia officinalis oil + 4 more — patch-test recommendedHigh risk
Comedogenic2 ingredients rated 2 or more on the 0–5 pore-clogging scale2 flagged
User reviews
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Ingredients
Filter by role to see what each ingredient is doing.
Water~45–55%
Zinc oxide~12–15%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A broad spectrum sunblock (protects from both UVA and UVB rays). Is suitable for most sensitive skins. In small concentrations, can be used as a colorant
More about Zinc oxideCaprylic/capric triglyceride~5.8–7.1%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
A good mix of fatty acids that forms a protective layer on the skin. Improves the shelf life of products. Derived from coconut and glycerin
More about Caprylic/capric triglyceridePeg-100 stearate~4.4–5.4%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps oil and water mix togehter and creates a nice product texture
More about Peg-100 stearateGlycerin~3.1–3.8%
- Irritation risk
- Low
One of the best moisturizing ingredients. Naturally present in skin. It attracts water to the upper layer of the skin working as a humectant
More about GlycerinCetearyl alcohol~2.6–3.2%
- Irritation risk
- Low
- Comedogenicity
- 2/5
A non-drying alcohol. Works as an emollient. Helps water and oil mix together and creates a nice product texture
More about Cetearyl alcoholPotassium cetyl phosphate~2.3–2.8%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Helps oil and water mix together
More about Potassium cetyl phosphateMacadamia ternifolia seed oil~2–2.4%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Plant oil from nuts that helps soften the upper layer of the skin. Contains a high concentration of oleic acid that can weaken skin's barrier function and increase water-loss while enhancing penetration of other ingredients
More about Macadamia ternifolia seed oilSqualane~1.5–1.8%
- Irritation risk
- Low
An oil naturally present in skin. Works as an emollient to soften the skin and form a protective layer on its surface without a greasy feeling.
More about SqualaneHydrogenated palm glycerides~1.1–1.4%
- Irritation risk
- Low
An emollient that softens the skin
More about Hydrogenated palm glyceridesPhenoxyethanol~0.5–1%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A preservative. It helps prevent bacterial growth in cosmetic products
More about PhenoxyethanolTocopheryl acetate~0.7–1.1%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
A more stable but less bio-available form of vitamin E compared to Tocopherol. Might help moisturize and protect the skin from free radicals, but mostly used in low concentrations to stabilize other ingredients.
More about Tocopheryl acetateCitric acid~0.6–0.95%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Can work as an exfoliant but is typically used to adjust the product pH
More about Citric acidOenothera biennis oil~0.65–1%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Helps soften the upper layer of the skin and can support skin barrier function
More about Oenothera biennis oilSilica~0.75–1.15%
Lavandula angustifolia oil~0.55–0.85%
- Irritation risk
- High
An essential oil. Potential allergen and can be irritating. It has some anti-bacterial properties
More about Lavandula angustifolia oil1,2-hexanediol~0.55–0.8%
Salvia officinalis oil~0.55–0.8%
- Irritation risk
- High
Glycine soja oil~0.5–0.7%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
- Comedogenicity
- 2/5
A good emollient that helps soften the skin and helps repair its barrier function. It can clog pores if used in high concentrations.
More about Glycine soja oilDisodium edta~0.45–0.7%
Xanthan gum~0.5–0.75%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Used to create a thicker product consistency
More about Xanthan gumFusanus spicatus wood oil~0.4–0.6%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Tocopherol~0.45–0.65%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Pure form of vitamin E. Can help moisturise and protect the skin from free radicals. Often used to help stabilise other ingredients or the formula itself
More about TocopherolCaprylyl glycol~0.4–0.6%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Helps preserve products and creates a nice product texture
More about Caprylyl glycolEthylhexylglycerin~0.3–0.6%
Magnesium aluminum silicate~0.3–0.6%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Might be helpful in restoring skin barrier function and, when combined with zinc carbonate and malonic acid, reducing fine lines and wrinkles by stimulating elastin production. Also helps stabilize the product formulation
More about Magnesium aluminum silicateSodium citrate~0.3–0.55%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Helps to control the skin's pH level. Maintains the skin's natural film of amino-lactic acids and oils. Helps to preserve products
More about Sodium citrateGlycine soja seed extract~0.3–0.55%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
An emollient that helps soften the skin. Might be somewhat helpful in evening the skin tone.
More about Glycine soja seed extractDaucus carota sativa root extract~0.2–0.4%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Carrot extract. Might have anti-oxidant properties and be used to add orange color
More about Daucus carota sativa root extractBeta-carotene~0.15–0.3%
Linalool~0.1–0.2%
Farnesol~0.1–0.15%
Limonene~0.05–0.1%
- Irritation risk
- High
A common frangrance that can easily irritate skin, especially if exposed to air, light or heat
More about LimoneneGeraniol~0.05–0.1%
Ingredient list view
Water, Zinc oxide, Caprylic/capric triglyceride, Peg-100 stearate, Glycerin, Cetearyl alcohol, Potassium cetyl phosphate, Macadamia ternifolia seed oil, Squalane, Hydrogenated palm glycerides, Phenoxyethanol, Tocopheryl acetate, Citric acid, Unknown, Oenothera biennis oil, Silica, Lavandula angustifolia oil, 1,2-hexanediol, Salvia officinalis oil, Glycine soja oil, Disodium edta, Xanthan gum, Fusanus spicatus wood oil, Tocopherol, Caprylyl glycol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Magnesium aluminum silicate, Sodium citrate, Glycine soja seed extract, Daucus carota sativa root extract, Beta-carotene, Linalool, Farnesol, Limonene, Geraniol
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Product summary
"Aesop - Sage and Zinc Facial Hydrating Cream SPF15" offers broad spectrum protection. It means that it protects from both UVA and UVB rays (you can remember UVB as "burning" sunlight - they cause sunburn. You can remember UVA rays as "aging" - they do not lead to sunburn, but they cause photodamage and contribute to early signs of skin aging and hyperpigmentation). On the negative side, the SPF of it is not high enough. We recommend to use a sunscreen with at least SPF 30 daily.
Its formula is also hydrating, so you might not need an additional moistruizer during the day.
Sunscreen filters
It is a mineral sunscreen. It uses zinc oxide for sun protection. Zinc oxide almost never irritates the skin or stings eyes, but it can leave a white cast.
Irritation risk
This sunscreen contains a bunch of common irritants, including ingredients that do not provide any known benefit for the skin. It might not be the best choice if your skin is sensitive. We assess the overall irritancy of this product to be high. For a detailed overview of all potential irritants: click here
You can see the detailed formula review with the breakdown of all actives in the product and the full ingredient list with estimated concentrations in the tables below.
About the brand
According to Cruelty-Free Kitty "Aesop" is cruelty free and so is its parent company.
Price
The product retails for 96.13A$ in Australia, for 84.71$ in the United States and from 30.00£ up to 60.05£ in the United Kingdom.
For a detailed price comparison: click here.
Sources cited in this review
Every concentration estimate and effectiveness label is anchored to one of these 13 studies and safety reviews.
- 1A review of inorganic UV filters zinc oxide and titanium dioxideonlinelibrary.wiley.com
- 2
- 3
- 4
- 5
- 6
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