Andalou Naturals BB Vitamin C Beauty Balm, Brightening, SPF 30, Sheer Tint
Works for
2 of 2 advertised claims delivered
Sun protectionSPF 30 · 1 UV filterBroad spectrum
This product offers a good level of protection against both UVB and UVA rays.
It is a mineral sunscreen. In other words, it contains non-organic UV filters. It will probably not sting your eyes but might leave a white cast.
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.
Evens skin toneCamellia sinensis leaf extract, Ascorbic acidStrong evidence
“BB Vitamin C Beauty Balm, Brightening, SPF 30, Sheer Tint”
This product offers broad spectrum sun protection. It means that it can prevent hyperpigmentation and help keep the skin tone even (sun damage is the main factor causing age spots, darkening of post-acne marks and other discolorations).
Anti-agingNot advertised by the brand · Lycium barbarum fruit extract, Camellia sinensis leaf extract + 3 moreStrong evidence
This product can help prevent early signs of skin aging because it offers a good level of broad spectrum sun protection. Sun damage is the main cause of premature skin aging, and protecting your skin from the sun is the best anti-aging strategy.
Anti-oxidationNot advertised by the brand · Camellia sinensis leaf extract, Lycium barbarum fruit extract + 3 moreModerate evidence
This product contains antioxidants (camellia sinensis leaf extract, lycium barbarum fruit extract) that might be able to help neutralize free radicals in skin to lessen the damage it gets from the UV light (sun). There is not enough evidence to confirm their effectiveness in skin though.
MoisturizingNot advertised by the brand · Glycerin, Helianthus annuus seed oil + 12 moreGood evidence
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:
galactoarabinan, glycerin.
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, helianthus annuus seed oil.
Can it cause trouble?
Irritancy5 strong irritants: Sorbitan sesquioleate, Parfum + 3 more — patch-test recommendedHigh risk
ComedogenicClean of flagged comedogenic ingredientsNone flagged
User reviews
Ingredients
Filter by role to see what each ingredient is doing.
Zinc oxide20%
- 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~45–55%
Caprylic/capric triglyceride~7.3–9%
- 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 triglyceridePolyglyceryl-3 polyricinoleate~4.3–5.2%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Helps oil and water mix together
More about Polyglyceryl-3 polyricinoleateMagnesium sulfate~2.9–3.6%
Glycerin~2.2–2.7%
- 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 GlycerinSorbitan sesquioleate~1.7–2.1%
- Irritation risk
- High
Used to help oil and water mix together. Can be irritating
More about Sorbitan sesquioleateHydrogenated castor oil~1.7–2.1%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
A plant oil that can help soften the skin. It might be helpful in calming down inflammation, but solid research is lacking. Is often used in lip products to create the needed product consistency
More about Hydrogenated castor oilHydrogenated methyl abietate~1.5–1.9%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Parfum~1.3–1.6%
- Irritation risk
- High
An aromatic blend of unspecified and possibly irritating ingredients
More about ParfumStearyl/octyldodecyl citrate crosspolymer~1.1–1.4%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Caprylhydroxamic acid~0.95–1.15%
Glyceryl caprylate~0.8–1.15%
- Irritation risk
- Low
An emollient that can also help water and oil mix together, as well as prevent bacteria growth in products
More about Glyceryl caprylateAloe barbadensis leaf juice~0.7–1%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Traditionally used to treat sunburns, dermatitis and inflammation, but evidence for its effectiveness is lacking. The extract can contain humectants that help attract water into the skin
More about Aloe barbadensis leaf juiceMalus domestica fruit cell culture extract~0.65–0.95%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Vitis vinifera fruit cell extract~0.6–0.9%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Ascorbic acid~0.6–0.9%
- Irritation risk
- High
The most well-researched antioxidant that works in skin. Helps neutralize free radicals supporting collagen production, helping to even out the skin tone and preventing early signs of aging
More about Ascorbic acidSodium hyaluronate~0.55–0.85%
- Irritation risk
- Low
One of the best moisturizing ingredients. Attracts water into the upper layer of the skin
More about Sodium hyaluronateTocopherol~0.55–0.8%
- 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 TocopherolSimmondsia chinensis seed oil~0.55–0.8%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
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.
More about Simmondsia chinensis seed oilHelianthus annuus seed oil~0.45–0.7%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A great emollient due to its high linoleic acid content. One of the most effective plant oils in helping skin hydration and repairing skin barrier function
More about Helianthus annuus seed oilAronia melanocarpa fruit extract~0.4–0.6%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Lycium barbarum fruit extract~0.4–0.6%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
A plant extract that can help neutralize free radicals in skin and attract water to its upper layer
More about Lycium barbarum fruit extractEuterpe oleracea fruit extract~0.35–0.6%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
A plant extract that can have some anti-oxidant effect in skin
More about Euterpe oleracea fruit extractCamellia sinensis leaf extract~0.4–0.65%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Can contain potent anti-oxidant compounds (abbreviated ECG, GCG, EGC, and EGCG) that might help protect the skin from free radicals. Can help calm down inflammation and has some anti-bacterial properties. Unfortunately, these antioxidants are unstable and lose their effectiveness very quickly in products. The concentration of the antioxidant compounds in the extract also tends to be low to be effective in topical formulation
More about Camellia sinensis leaf extractIsomalt~0.3–0.6%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps attract water to the upper layer of the skin
More about IsomaltLecithin~0.4–0.6%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Used mostly for creating emulsions - helping oil and water mix together. Helps soften the upper layer of the skin
More about LecithinGalactoarabinan~0.3–0.55%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Helps attract water to the upper layer of the skin
More about GalactoarabinanXanthan gum~0.3–0.5%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Used to create a thicker product consistency
More about Xanthan gumEthylhexylglycerin~0.25–0.45%
Sodium benzoate~0.15–0.3%
Citral~0.15–0.25%
Limonene~0.15–0.25%
- Irritation risk
- High
A common frangrance that can easily irritate skin, especially if exposed to air, light or heat
More about LimoneneLinalool~0.1–0.2%
Iron oxides~0.1–0.15%
- 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 oxidesIngredient list view
Zinc oxide, Water, Caprylic/capric triglyceride, Polyglyceryl-3 polyricinoleate, Magnesium sulfate, Glycerin, Sorbitan sesquioleate, Hydrogenated castor oil, Hydrogenated methyl abietate, Parfum, Stearyl/octyldodecyl citrate crosspolymer, Caprylhydroxamic acid, Glyceryl caprylate, Aloe barbadensis leaf juice, Malus domestica fruit cell culture extract, Vitis vinifera fruit cell extract, Ascorbic acid, Sodium hyaluronate, Tocopherol, Simmondsia chinensis seed oil, Helianthus annuus seed oil, Aronia melanocarpa fruit extract, Lycium barbarum fruit extract, Euterpe oleracea fruit extract, Camellia sinensis leaf extract, Isomalt, Lecithin, Galactoarabinan, Xanthan gum, Ethylhexylglycerin, Sodium benzoate, Citral, Limonene, Linalool, Iron oxides
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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.
| Andalou NaturalsBB Vitamin C Beauty Balm, Brightening, SPF 30, Sheer TintYOUR PRODUCT | Pacifica BeautyGlow Baby Super Lit SPF 30 Lotion | Dr. Bailey Skin CareSheer Strength Pure Physical Matte Tinted Creme Sunscreen, SPF 50 | thinksportSunscreen - Safe - Kids - Spf 50 Plus | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Match | — | 88% | 86% | 81% |
| Price | $19.99 | $19.99 | — | $14.93−$5.06 |
| Shared key ingredients | — | 5 of 12 | 4 of 12 | 7 of 12 |
| Key difference | — | Bisabolol | Ceramide Ng | Cetyl Dimethicone |
| Irritancy | High | Medium | Medium | Medium |
| SPF | SPF 30 | SPF 30 | SPF 50 | SPF 50 |
| Drying alcohol | — | — | — | — |
| View product | Shop | Shop | Shop |
Product summary
We believe that "Andalou Naturals - BB Vitamin C Beauty Balm, Brightening, SPF 30, Sheer Tint" can provide reliable sun protection based on the ingredients listed. It can protect from both UVA and UVB rays. This is great news because not all sunscreens with SPF ratings give UVA protection. (UVA rays do not cause sunburn, but still damage our skin and lead to early aging).
It contains good moisturizing ingredients and can double as a hydrating day cream. This product prevents early signs of aging by protecting against sun damage (all broad spectrum sunscreens do that).
Sunscreen filters
This product is a mineral sunscreen. It uses zinc oxide for sun protection. Zinc oxide almost never irritates the skin or stings eyes, but it can leave a white cast.
Irritation risk
We assess the overall irritancy of it to be high. For a detailed overview of all potential irritants: click here
You can see the detailed formula review with the breakdown of all actives in the product and the full ingredient list with estimated concentrations in the tables below.
What our users say
Based on 1 review 100% recommend this product- As for the white cast, the reviewer reported a noticeable whitish residue.
- As for using this sunscreen in the eye area, the reviewer reported that it does not sting eyes.
About the brand
According to Cruelty-Free Kitty "Andalou Naturals" is cruelty free and so is its parent company.
Price
The product retails from 15.96$ up to 23.98$ 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 24 studies and safety reviews.
- 1A review of inorganic UV filters zinc oxide and titanium dioxideonlinelibrary.wiley.com
- 2
- 3
- 4
- 5
- 6Safety Assessment of Magnesium Sulfate as Used in Cosmeticsncbi.nlm.nih.gov
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