Almay Smart Shade CC Primer, SPF 15 Lift
Works for
0 of 1 advertised claim delivered
Sun protectionSPF 15 · 2 UV filters · 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.
MoisturizingNot advertised by the brand · 12 ingredients credited for this claimGood support
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, thermus thermophillus ferment.
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: dimethicone, methicone.
Can it cause trouble?
Irritancy8 flagged ingredientsMedium risk
Comedogenic1 ingredient rated 2 or more on the 0–5 pore-clogging scale1 flagged
User reviews
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Ingredients
Filter by role to see what each ingredient is doing.
Titanium dioxide~29–35%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Works as a UV filter when used in high concentrations. It is photostable and is effective mostly against the UVB light, with some protection in the UVA range. In small concentrations, used for its ability to improve the color of cosmetic products. Is usually well tolerated by the skin
More about Titanium dioxideZinc oxide3.3%
- 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 oxideWater~12–14%
Cyclopentasiloxane~6.6–8%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A silicone that helps improve the product texture and spreadability. Can absorb oil creating a short-term mattifying effect on the skin
More about CyclopentasiloxaneDimethicone~4.8–5.9%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A silicone that helps to reduce water loss from the surface of the skin. Can temporarily "fill in" lines and wrinkles, absorb oil, and create a nice product finish
More about DimethiconePhenyl trimethicone~3.7–4.5%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A type of silicone that can decrease loss of moisture from the skin surface. It helps create a nice product texture
More about Phenyl trimethiconePeg-9 polydimethylsiloxyethyl dimethicone~3.1–3.8%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
A type of silicone that helps water and oil mix together
More about Peg-9 polydimethylsiloxyethyl dimethiconeGlycerin~2.7–3.3%
- 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 GlycerinBoron nitride~2.2–2.7%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps to absord oil and evenly disperse other ingredients (for example, pigment) in product formulation
More about Boron nitrideAdipic acid/neopentyl glycol crosspolymer~1.7–2%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps optically blurr skin imperfections such as fine lines and pores
More about Adipic acid/neopentyl glycol crosspolymerTrimethylsiloxysilicate~1.4–1.7%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A type of silicone that helps create a nice product consistency and support the delivery of other ingredients
More about TrimethylsiloxysilicateButylene glycol~1.1–1.3%
- Irritation risk
- Low
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
More about Butylene glycolDisteardimonium hectorite~1–1.2%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A type of clay that is used to thicken the product consistency
More about Disteardimonium hectoriteDimethicone/peg-10/15 crosspolymer~1.1–1.3%
Alumina~1.2–1.5%
- Irritation risk
- Low
The same compound that is used safely in dental implants and bone cements. In cosmetics, it is used to improve the consistency of products
More about AluminaDimethicone crosspolymer~0.9–1.1%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Used to create a thicker product texture. Helps soften the upper layer of the skin and might be able to prevent moisture loss from its surface
More about Dimethicone crosspolymerMethyl acetylglycyrrhetinoyl hydroxyprolinate~0.8–1.2%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Thermus thermophillus ferment~0.75–1.15%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Might be helpful in neutralising free radicals in skin and have some hydration properties
More about Thermus thermophillus fermentAlpha-glucan oligosaccharide~0.75–1.1%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps attract water to the upper layer of the skin
More about Alpha-glucan oligosaccharidePolymnia sonchifolia root juice~0.7–1.05%
- Irritation risk
- High
A plant extract that helps attract water to the upper layer of the skin and might have some anti-oxidant properties
More about Polymnia sonchifolia root juiceTocopherol~0.65–1%
- 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 TocopherolNiacinamide~0.65–1%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Is proven to be effective in reducing blemishes, evening out skin tone and helping to improve lines and wrinkles. It helps the skin to repair sun damage, calm down inflammation and keep maintain good levels of moisture. The concentration of about 2% is effective for supporting the skin barrier and evening out the skin tone. Concentration of 4-6% is better for helping with acne and balancing the sebum production
More about NiacinamideHydrolyzed triticum monococcum seed extract~0.6–0.95%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Maltodextrin~0.65–0.95%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Used to stabilize the product formulation and can help absorb oil
More about MaltodextrinSodium chloride~0.65–0.95%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Used to stabilize mixtures of oil and water, and create thicker, gel-like product textures
More about Sodium chloridePolyglyceryl-3 diisostearate~0.65–1%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
- Comedogenicity
- 3/5
Helps oil and water mix together
More about Polyglyceryl-3 diisostearateMethicone~0.65–1%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A type of silicone that helps soften the upper layer of the skin and reduces the water loss from the skin surface
More about MethiconeXanthan gum~0.6–0.9%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Used to create a thicker product consistency
More about Xanthan gumTriethoxycaprylylsilane~0.55–0.8%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A type of silicone that helps oil and water mix well together. Helps to disperse other ingredients, e.g. pigments, evenly in a formulation
More about TriethoxycaprylylsilaneIsopropyl titanium triisostearate~0.6–0.9%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Helps water and oil mix together
More about Isopropyl titanium triisostearatePolymethyl methacrylate~0.55–0.8%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Is used to enhance product texture and can help to optically mask skin imperfections
More about Polymethyl methacrylateSodium citrate~0.5–0.75%
- 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 citrateDipropylene glycol~0.45–0.65%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps to dissolve other ingredients in a formulation. Slows down the rate of product drying
More about Dipropylene glycolSodium benzoate~0.25–0.5%
Tetrasodium edta~0.45–0.65%
Phenoxyethanol~0.4–0.6%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A preservative. It helps prevent bacterial growth in cosmetic products
More about PhenoxyethanolMethylparaben~0.15–0.3%
Ethylparaben~0.2–0.4%
Mica~0.3–0.55%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Creates an illusion of smoother and more radiant skin tone. Adds shimmer to the skin by reflecting light
More about MicaCi 77891~0.2–0.35%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Iron oxides~0.2–0.35%
- Irritation risk
- Low
An umbrella term for the following three colorants: CI 77491, CI 77492, CI 77499. They might be able to offer some protection against visible light, but the degree of the protection is not clear
More about Iron oxidesCi 77491~0.15–0.25%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A red colorant made of iron oxide. Typically is not irritating
More about Ci 77491Ingredient list view
Titanium dioxide, Zinc oxide, Water, Cyclopentasiloxane, Dimethicone, Phenyl trimethicone, Peg-9 polydimethylsiloxyethyl dimethicone, Glycerin, Boron nitride, Adipic acid/neopentyl glycol crosspolymer, Trimethylsiloxysilicate, Butylene glycol, Disteardimonium hectorite, Dimethicone/peg-10/15 crosspolymer, Alumina, Dimethicone crosspolymer, Methyl acetylglycyrrhetinoyl hydroxyprolinate, Thermus thermophillus ferment, Alpha-glucan oligosaccharide, Polymnia sonchifolia root juice, Tocopherol, Niacinamide, Unknown, Hydrolyzed triticum monococcum seed extract, Maltodextrin, Sodium chloride, Polyglyceryl-3 diisostearate, Methicone, Xanthan gum, Triethoxycaprylylsilane, Isopropyl titanium triisostearate, Polymethyl methacrylate, Sodium citrate, Dipropylene glycol, Sodium benzoate, Tetrasodium edta, Phenoxyethanol, Methylparaben, Ethylparaben, Mica, Ci 77891, Iron oxides, Ci 77491, Unknown
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Worth comparing, line by line.
Match % combines shared ingredients, the first five ingredients, shared actives and hero ingredients, irritancy (lower counts in the alternative's favour), texture and body area. Only products in the same routine step are compared.
| Almay Smart ShadeCC Primer, SPF 15 LiftYOUR PRODUCT | CeraVeHydrating Mineral Face Sunscreen Lotion SPF 50 with Zinc Oxide | Heliocare360 Pediatric Mineral SPF 50+ | Radical SkincareUV Skin Perfecting Screen SPF 30 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Match | — | 86% | 86% | 85% |
| Price | $12.49 | $18.49+$6.00 | $26.36+$13.87 | $50.24+$37.75 |
| Shared key ingredients | — | 6 of 11 | 5 of 11 | 6 of 11 |
| Key difference | — | Panthenol | 3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid | Ascorbyl Tetraisopalmitate |
| Irritancy | Medium | Low | Low | Low |
| SPF | SPF 15 | SPF 50 | SPF 50 | SPF 30 |
| Drying alcohol | — | — | — | Contains drying alcohol |
| View product | Shop | Shop | Shop |
Product summary
"Almay Smart Shade - CC Primer, SPF 15 Lift" offers broad spectrum protection. It means that it protects from both UVA and UVB rays (you can remember UVB as "burning" sunlight - they cause sunburn. You can remember UVA rays as "aging" - they do not lead to sunburn, but they cause photodamage and contribute to early signs of skin aging and hyperpigmentation). On the negative side, the SPF of this product is not high enough. We recommend to use a sunscreen with at least SPF 30 daily.
Because it includes good moisturizing ingredients, it can also work as a hydrating day cream.
Sunscreen filters
This product is a mineral sunscreen. It uses titanium dioxide and zinc oxide for sun protection. Both titanium dioxide and zinc oxide almost never irritate even the most sensitive skin and eyes, but can leave a white cast.
Irritation risk
There are some common irritants in this product, including ingredients that do not have benefits for the skin. We assess the overall irritancy of this product to be medium. For a detailed overview of all potential irritants: click here
You can see the detailed formula review with the breakdown of all actives in the product and the full ingredient list with estimated concentrations in the tables below.
Price
The product retails for 12.49$ in the United States.
For a detailed price comparison: click here.
Sources cited in this review
Every concentration estimate and effectiveness label is anchored to one of these 14 studies and safety reviews.
- 1A review of inorganic UV filters zinc oxide and titanium dioxideonlinelibrary.wiley.com
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