Works for:
based on ingredients and %- Moisturizing
Doesn't work for:
based on ingredients and %- Anti-aging
- Sun protection
- Evens skin tone
Can it cause trouble?
- Irritation risk: low
- Comedogenic risk ingredients: 3
Key actives
Product Summary
"Algenist - ALIVE Prebiotic Balancing Moisturizer SPF15" "is a broad spectrum sunscreen meaning that it protects both from UVB rays (" burning "- they cause sunburn) and UVA rays (" aging "- they don't cause sunburn but lead to premature aging and pigmentation issues). However, this moisturizer does not offer enough sun protection. We recommend to use a sunscreen with at least SPF 30 daily.
This moisturizer should also be hydrating enough to use without an additional moisturizer during the day.
Sunscreen filters
This moisturizer 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
There are actives in this product that can be irritating. We assess the overall irritancy of this moisturizer to be low. 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.
Price
The product retails from 24.00$ up to 40.00$ in the United States, from 24.00£ up to 701.00£ in the United Kingdom and from 50.40CA$ up to 53.00CA$ in Canada.
For a detailed price comparison: click here.
Moisturizing
What does the product description say?
ALIVE Prebiotic Balancing Moisturizer SPF15
Source: From product name
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, parachlorella beijerinckii exopolysaccharides.
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, simmondsia chinensis seed oil.
Consists of remains of dead bacteria cells. Is likely helpful in attracting water to the upper layer of the skin. Might be helpful in reducing inflammation and neutralizing free radicals in skin
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
Compounds extracted from green algae that could help neutralize free radicals, but evidence of effectiveness in skincare products (topical applicaiton) is missing. Helps moisturize the skin by attracting water to its upper layer
Softens the upper layer of skin and helps restore the healthy skin barrier. Has shown to help calm down inflammation in skin. It is a stable oil, meaning that it retains its properties even when exposed to air.
One of the best moisturizing ingredients. Naturally present in skin. It attracts water to the upper layer of the skin working as a humectant
Helps soften the upper layer of the skin and can help support the skin barrier
A marine extract that helps attract water to the upper layer of the skin. It is claimed to have anti-inflammatory properties but research is lacking
An emollient that softens skin and creates a nice product texture
A non-drying alcohol. Works as an emollient. Helps water and oil mix together and creates a nice product texture
A plant extract that can help to attract water to the upper layer of the skin and might have some anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory properties
Helps preserve products and creates a nice product texture
Used to thicken product formulation. Can help attract water to the upper layer of the skin
An emollient that can also help water and oil mix together, as well as prevent bacteria growth in products
Used to create a nice product texture and help delivery of other ingredients. Might be somewhat helpful in attracting water to the upper layer of the skin
An exfoliating and moisturizing alpha-hydroxy acid (AHA). Typically causes less irritation than other AHAs, for example, glycolic acid. At high concentrations (about 15%), lactic acid can help reduce lines and wrinkles. Recent studies show that lactic acid can support the "good" bacteria living on skin's surface (healthy skin microbiome)
Anti-aging
What does the product description say?
Patented Alguronic Acid utilises naturally sourced algae to reduce fine lines and wrinkles, boosting the effectiveness of other skincare ingredients.
Source: Allbeauty
This product does not contain ingredients that are able to reduce fine lines and wrinkles or help with skin elasticity, but it can improve the look of the skin temporarily through moisturization. Well-moisturized skin might also be able to repair the sun damage better.This ingredient - lactococcus ferment lysate - could be helpful for preventing or repairing signs of aging in theory, but there is no evidence that it actually works.
The biggest anti-aging effect in this product comes from sun protection. Sun damage is the main factor causing early signs of skin aging. We, however, do not recommend using this product as a sunscreen because the protection it offers is not strong enough).
Consists of remains of dead bacteria cells. Is likely helpful in attracting water to the upper layer of the skin. Might be helpful in reducing inflammation and neutralizing free radicals in skin
An exfoliating and moisturizing alpha-hydroxy acid (AHA). Typically causes less irritation than other AHAs, for example, glycolic acid. At high concentrations (about 15%), lactic acid can help reduce lines and wrinkles. Recent studies show that lactic acid can support the "good" bacteria living on skin's surface (healthy skin microbiome)
Evens skin tone
What does the product description say?
Key Benefits Lightweight moisturiser helps revive the skin Works to hydrate and nourish Helps to reveal a smoother, glowing and more even complexion Enriched with SPF15 protection, which helps to safeguard against the sun Contains prebiotic from algae and patented Alguronic Acid to promote balance UK200023667
Source: SpaceNK
This product contains ingredients () that could help reduce hyperpigmentation (for example, post-acne marks or age spots) in theory, but there is not enough evidence that they actually work.
The biggest effect for evening out skin tone in this product comes from sun protection. Sun damage is the main factor causing age spots, darkening of post-acne marks and other discolorations. This is why sun protection is the best strategy for maintaining an even skin tone. We, however, do not recommend using this product as a sunscreen because the protection it offers is not strong enough).
An exfoliating and moisturizing alpha-hydroxy acid (AHA). Typically causes less irritation than other AHAs, for example, glycolic acid. At high concentrations (about 15%), lactic acid can help reduce lines and wrinkles. Recent studies show that lactic acid can support the "good" bacteria living on skin's surface (healthy skin microbiome)
Sun protection
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.
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
How honest is this product?
| Promise | Can it deliver? |
|---|---|
| Sun protection | |
| Moisturizing | |
| Anti-aging | |
| Evens skin tone |
Total Promises Fulfilled score: 56/100.
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Potential irritants
Comedogenic ingredients
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| Product | Similarity | Price | Irritancy |
|---|---|---|---|
 Algenist ALIVE Prebiotic Balancing Moisturizer SPF15 | Current | $24.00 | |
 Nuori Mineral Defence Facial Cream SPF 30 | 32% | $45.00 | |
 Dermaquest CBD BLUE LIGHT DEFENSE SPF 30 SEALED | 31% | - | |
Pipette Mineral Sunscreen Broad Spectrum SPF50 | 31% | $11.97 | |
 Biossance Squalane + Zinc Sheer Mineral Sunscreen | 31% | $23.00 | |
 Horace Mattifying Face Moisturizer SPF30 | 30% | $19.00 |
Key Actives
Potential irritants
Comedogenic ingredients
All ingredients
Ingredient list view
Zinc oxide, Water, Caprylic/capric triglyceride, Coco-caprylate, Glycerin, Glyceryl behenate, Coco-glucoside, Simmondsia chinensis seed oil, Cetearyl alcohol, Glyceryl caprylate, Sodium stearoyl glutamate, Parachlorella beijerinckii exopolysaccharides, Chlorella vulgaris extract, Lactococcus ferment lysate, Alteromonas ferment extract, Caesalpinia spinosa fruit pod extract, Helianthus annuus sprout extract, Caprylyl glycol, Microcrystalline cellulose, Polyglyceryl-3 polyricinoleate, Xanthan gum, Butylene glycol, Isostearic acid, Caprylhydroxamic acid, Algin, Calcium alginate, Propanediol, Maltodextrin, Lactic acid, Sodium benzoate, Sodium chloride
- A review of inorganic UV filters zinc oxide and titanium dioxide
- Risk assessment of zinc oxide, a cosmetic ingredient used as a UV filter of sunscreens
- Characterization of the UVA protection provided by avobenzone, zinc oxide, and titanium dioxide in broad-spectrum sunscreen products
- Ultraviolet Protection Properties of Commercial Sunscreens and Sunscreens Containing Zno Nanorods
- ZnO nanoparticles and organic chemical UV-filters are equally well tolerated by human immune cells
- Glycerol and the skin: holistic approach to its origin and functions
- In Vitro Assessment of Skin Irritation Potential of Surfactant-based Formulations by Using a 3-D Skin Reconstructed Tissue Model and Cytokine Response
- Allergen of the Year—Alkyl Glucoside
- Exopolysaccharides extracted from Parachlorella kessleri inhibit colon carcinoma growth in mice via stimulation of host antitumor immune responses
- Microalgal polysaccharide compositions
- Epidermal and dermal effects of topical lactic acid
- Dual Effects of Alpha-Hydroxy Acids on the Skin