American Crew All-In-One Face Balm Broad Spectrum SPF 15
Works for
1 of 4 advertised claims delivered
Sun protectionSPF 15 · 4 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.
MoisturizingPanthenol, Polyglyceryl-2 dipolyhydroxystearate + 7 moreStrong evidence
“Daily moisturizer.”
This product contains good ingredients to attract water to the upper layer of the skin. These ingredients are called "humectants": glycerin, caprylyl glycol.
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. If the air is dry, humectants can speed up the moisture loss from the skin. This is why it is a good idea to use another product on top of this one to help "seal in" the moisture (look for ingredients like dimethicone, squalane, oils and butters).
The following ingredients in this product are especially good for supporting the skin barrier and helping with the hydration level: panthenol
Anti-agingNo ingredient credited for this claimLimited evidence
“Anti-aging.”
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.
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).
ExfoliationAllantoinWeak evidence
“Bacilus Ferment (Keratoline): An enzymatic exfoliant that helps prevent ingrown hairs.”
This product does not contain effective exfoliating ingredients. It might be able to deliver physical exfoliation, that is scrub off some of the dead cells on the surface of the skin. We do not recommend physical exfoliation, because it is not uniform (some bits of skin can get exfoliated too much while others not at all). It can also traumatize the skin and aggrevate acne and other skin conditions.
Can it cause trouble?
Irritancy7 strong irritants: Benzophenone-3, Limonene + 5 more — patch-test recommendedHigh risk
ComedogenicClean of flagged comedogenic ingredientsNone flagged
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Ingredients
Filter by role to see what each ingredient is doing.
Water~45–55%
Ethylhexyl methoxycinnamate~6.3–7.7%
- Irritation risk
- High
Octinoxate. When used in higher concentrations, works as a sunscreen protecting the skin from UVB rays. When used in lower concentration, helps to preserve the product formulation. Is shown to be harmful to coral reefs - consider avoiding bathing in coral reef areas when wearing a product with this ingredient. It can be irritating
More about Ethylhexyl methoxycinnamateEthylhexyl salicylate~4.4–5.4%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Octisalate. A UV filter. It offers some protection against the sun rays that cause sunburn (UVB), but does not protect against the most aging sun rays (UVA). It loses its effectiveness quickly when exposed to sunlight. It is an organic, or so called "chemical" sunscreen
More about Ethylhexyl salicylateDicaprylyl carbonate~3.3–4%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps products spread more easily and works as an emollient to soften skin
More about Dicaprylyl carbonateBenzophenone-3~3.1–3.8%
- Irritation risk
- High
Same as oxybenzone. Protects in the UVB and short UVA range. In small concentrations, used to stabilize product formulation. Can be irritating. Is shown to be harmful to coral reefs - consider avoiding bathing in coral reef areas when wearing a product with this ingredient. It can penetrate the skin and get absorbed into bloodstream faster than other popular filters available in the US. The study that produced this finding did not address any potential health effects of the absorption
More about Benzophenone-3Glycerin~2.1–2.5%
- 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 GlycerinOctyldodecanol~1.6–2%
- Irritation risk
- Low
An emollient that helps to soften the skin and create a pleasant product texture and stabilize the formulation
More about OctyldodecanolButyl methoxydibenzoylmethane~2–2.5%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Avobenzone. An organic, or so-called "chemical" UV filter. Protects against both UVA and UVB rays. Needs to be combined with other filters in a formulation to be stable.
More about Butyl methoxydibenzoylmethanePolyglyceryl-2 dipolyhydroxystearate~1.2–1.5%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps to soften the upper layer of the skin
More about Polyglyceryl-2 dipolyhydroxystearateLauryl glucoside~1–1.3%
Sodium polyacrylate~0.75–1.15%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Used to create a gel-like product texture, as well as to stabilize emulsions
More about Sodium polyacrylatePanthenol~0.55–0.85%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps attract water to the upper layer of the skin and can help improve skin barrier function
More about PanthenolPotassium cetyl phosphate~0.5–0.8%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Helps oil and water mix together
More about Potassium cetyl phosphateEuglena gracilis extract~0.45–0.65%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Allantoin~0.35–0.65%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps calm down inflammation in skin and can help reduce itching. Helps to repair the skin barrier and keep skin hydrated
More about AllantoinTocopheryl acetate~0.4–0.6%
- 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 acetateSorbitan stearate~0.4–0.6%
Silica~0.45–0.7%
Bisabolol~0.25–0.45%
- Irritation risk
- Low
An active component of chamomile plant that historically has been used to calm down irritated skin. A recent study shows that bisabolol indeed can have some anti-inflammatory effect on skin, even though conclusive data is lacking. Bisabolol has a sweet floral scent and can be added to products for its aromatic properties
More about BisabololDisodium edta~0.25–0.45%
Propylene glycol~0.2–0.4%
- Irritation risk
- High
Helps oil and water mix together and can enhance the penetration of other ingredients into the skin. It can be irritating
More about Propylene glycolLimonene~0.2–0.35%
- Irritation risk
- High
A common frangrance that can easily irritate skin, especially if exposed to air, light or heat
More about LimoneneBacillus ferment~0.2–0.35%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A product of bacterial fermentation. Can help attract water to the upper layer of the skin
More about Bacillus fermentParfum~0.15–0.3%
- Irritation risk
- High
An aromatic blend of unspecified and possibly irritating ingredients
More about ParfumPolysorbate 20~0.2–0.4%
Farnesol~0.15–0.3%
Hydroxycitronellal~0.15–0.25%
- Irritation risk
- High
A fragrance. A likely allergen and can be irritating
More about HydroxycitronellalBenzyl salicylate~0.15–0.25%
Citronellol~0.15–0.25%
Phenoxyethanol~0.15–0.25%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A preservative. It helps prevent bacterial growth in cosmetic products
More about PhenoxyethanolCaprylyl glycol~0.15–0.25%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Helps preserve products and creates a nice product texture
More about Caprylyl glycol1,2-hexanediol~0.1–0.15%
Ingredient list view
Water, Ethylhexyl methoxycinnamate, Ethylhexyl salicylate, Dicaprylyl carbonate, Benzophenone-3, Glycerin, Octyldodecanol, Butyl methoxydibenzoylmethane, Polyglyceryl-2 dipolyhydroxystearate, Lauryl glucoside, Sodium polyacrylate, Panthenol, Potassium cetyl phosphate, Euglena gracilis extract, Allantoin, Tocopheryl acetate, Sorbitan stearate, Silica, Bisabolol, Disodium edta, Propylene glycol, Limonene, Bacillus ferment, Parfum, Polysorbate 20, Farnesol, Hydroxycitronellal, Benzyl salicylate, Citronellol, Phenoxyethanol, Caprylyl glycol, 1,2-hexanediol
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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.
| American CrewAll-In-One Face Balm Broad Spectrum SPF 15YOUR PRODUCT | Peter Thomas RothMax Sheer Moisture Defense Lotion SPF30 | DCLProfoundly Effective A Cream SPF 30 | NeutrogenaTriple Protect Men's Face Lotion | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Match | — | 59% | 59% | 58% |
| Price | $9.00 | $28.00+$19.00 | $15.81+$6.81 | — |
| Shared key ingredients | — | 5 of 10 | 6 of 10 | 5 of 10 |
| Key difference | — | Retinyl Palmitate | Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate | A Type Of Green Tea Extract |
| Irritancy | High | Medium | Medium | Medium |
| SPF | SPF 15 | SPF 30 | SPF 30 | SPF 20 |
| Drying alcohol | — | — | — | — |
| View product | Shop | Shop | Shop |
Product summary
"American Crew - All-In-One Face Balm Broad Spectrum SPF 15" offers broad spectrum protection. It means that it protects from both UVA and UVB rays (you can remember UVB as "burning" sunlight - they cause sunburn. You can remember UVA rays as "aging" - they do not lead to sunburn, but they cause photodamage and contribute to early signs of skin aging and hyperpigmentation). On the negative side, the SPF of this moisturizer is not high enough. We recommend to use a sunscreen with at least SPF 30 daily.
Its formula is also hydrating, so you might not need an additional moistruizer during the day.
Sunscreen filters
This sunscreen uses so-called "chemical", or organic UV filters (organic simply means that their molecules contain atoms of carbon). These filters typically give good sun protection and rarely leave a white cast, but they can be irritating for sensitive skin. These are the sun protection ingredients in this sunscreen: oxybenzone 3.10% - 3.80%, avobenzone 2.00% - 2.50%, octinoxate 6.30% - 7.70% and octisalate 4.40% - 5.40%.
Irritation risk
This moisturizer contains a bunch of common irritants, including ingredients that do not provide any known benefit for the skin. It might not be the best choice if your skin is sensitive. We assess the overall irritancy of this moisturizer to be high. For a detailed overview of all potential irritants: click here
You can see the detailed formula review with the breakdown of all actives in the product and the full ingredient list with estimated concentrations in the tables below.
Price
The product retails from 9.00$ up to 18.00$ 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 12 studies and safety reviews.
- 1
- 2
- 3On Photostability of Oxybenzonecore.ac.uk
- 4
- 5Skin moisturizing effects of panthenol-based formulationspdfs.semanticscholar.org
- 6
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