Clear Skin Argan Stem Cell BB Benefit Balm Un-Tinted SPF 30
Efficacy measures how well the formula delivers the claims the brand advertises · 2 of 3 advertised claims delivered
Based on the ingredient list, we assess that "Andalou Naturals - Clear Skin Argan Stem Cell BB Benefit Balm Un-Tinted SPF 30" can provide reliable sun protection.
Product summary
Based on the ingredient list, we assess that "Andalou Naturals - Clear Skin Argan Stem Cell BB Benefit Balm Un-Tinted SPF 30" can provide reliable sun protection. 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).
Because it includes good moisturizing ingredients, it can also work 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 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
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.
About the brand
According to Cruelty-Free Kitty "Andalou Naturals" is cruelty free and so is its parent company.
Price
The product retails for 19.99$ in the United States.
For a detailed price comparison: click here.
Sun protection
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.
UV spectrum
Zinc Oxide
FilterCoverageWhat it doesEst. amount
Zinc OxideA broad spectrum sunblock (protects from both UVA and UVB rays). Is suitable for most sensitive skins. In small concentrations, can be used as a colorant20%
Reef-safe
No oxybenzone or octinoxate — the two filters banned in Hawaii, Florida Keys and Aruba.
Product claims breakdown
Anti-aging1 ingredient contributes at the levels belowStrong evidence
1 ingredient contributes at the levels below
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.
CAMELLIA SINENSIS LEAF EXTRACTRole: Key activeCan 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~0.1–0.45%
Zinc oxideRole: Key activeA broad spectrum sunblock (protects from both UVA and UVB rays). Is suitable for most sensitive skins. In small concentrations, can be used as a colorant20%
Caprylic/capric triglycerideRole: Key activeA good mix of fatty acids that forms a protective layer on the skin. Improves the shelf life of products. Derived from coconut and glycerin~4.1–6.2%
GlycerinRole: Key activeOne of the best moisturizing ingredients. Naturally present in skin. It attracts water to the upper layer of the skin working as a humectant~2.9–4.4%
Simmondsia chinensis seed oilRole: Key activeSoftens 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.~2.4–3.6%
Helianthus annuus seed oilRole: Key activeA 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~1.3–1.9%
Hydrogenated castor oilRole: Key activeA 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~0.8–1.25%
DimethiconeRole: Key activeA 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~0.6–1.35%
Sodium hyaluronateRole: Key activeOne of the best moisturizing ingredients. Attracts water into the upper layer of the skin~0.4–0.9%
Borago officinalis seed oilRole: Key activeA plant oil that is effective in reducing irritation in skin, restore the barrier function and support its hydration~0.15–0.6%
Anti-blemish1 ingredient contributes at the levels belowWeak evidence
1 ingredient contributes at the levels below
Effective ingredients missing or their concentration is too low.
CAMELLIA SINENSIS LEAF EXTRACTRole: Key activeCan 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~0.1–0.45%
Zinc oxideRole: Key activeA broad spectrum sunblock (protects from both UVA and UVB rays). Is suitable for most sensitive skins. In small concentrations, can be used as a colorant20%
Caprylic/capric triglycerideRole: Key activeA good mix of fatty acids that forms a protective layer on the skin. Improves the shelf life of products. Derived from coconut and glycerin~4.1–6.2%
GlycerinRole: Key activeOne of the best moisturizing ingredients. Naturally present in skin. It attracts water to the upper layer of the skin working as a humectant~2.9–4.4%
Simmondsia chinensis seed oilRole: Key activeSoftens 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.~2.4–3.6%
Helianthus annuus seed oilRole: Key activeA 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~1.3–1.9%
Hydrogenated castor oilRole: Key activeA 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~0.8–1.25%
DimethiconeRole: Key activeA 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~0.6–1.35%
Sodium hyaluronateRole: Key activeOne of the best moisturizing ingredients. Attracts water into the upper layer of the skin~0.4–0.9%
Borago officinalis seed oilRole: Key activeA plant oil that is effective in reducing irritation in skin, restore the barrier function and support its hydration~0.15–0.6%
Evens skin toneBrand does not advertise this — the formula doesQuiet bonus
Brand does not advertise this — the formula does
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).
CAMELLIA SINENSIS LEAF EXTRACTRole: Key activeCan 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~0.1–0.45%
Zinc oxideRole: Key activeA broad spectrum sunblock (protects from both UVA and UVB rays). Is suitable for most sensitive skins. In small concentrations, can be used as a colorant20%
Caprylic/capric triglycerideRole: Key activeA good mix of fatty acids that forms a protective layer on the skin. Improves the shelf life of products. Derived from coconut and glycerin~4.1–6.2%
GlycerinRole: Key activeOne of the best moisturizing ingredients. Naturally present in skin. It attracts water to the upper layer of the skin working as a humectant~2.9–4.4%
Simmondsia chinensis seed oilRole: Key activeSoftens 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.~2.4–3.6%
Helianthus annuus seed oilRole: Key activeA 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~1.3–1.9%
Hydrogenated castor oilRole: Key activeA 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~0.8–1.25%
DimethiconeRole: Key activeA 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~0.6–1.35%
Sodium hyaluronateRole: Key activeOne of the best moisturizing ingredients. Attracts water into the upper layer of the skin~0.4–0.9%
Borago officinalis seed oilRole: Key activeA plant oil that is effective in reducing irritation in skin, restore the barrier function and support its hydration~0.15–0.6%
Irritancy16 flagged ingredients — patch-test recommendedHigh risk
16 flagged ingredients — patch-test recommended
We flagged 16 ingredients with irritancy potential. Severity depends on your sensitivity threshold; the table lists the worst offenders first.
IngredientFunctionIrritationEst. amount
Hibiscus sabdariffa flower extractA plant extract that can be irritating. It might contain a compound anthocyanin that could be helpful in neutralizing free radicalsHigh~0.1–0.35%est.
Citrus aurantium dulcis peel oilAn essentil oil from orange peel. Potential allergen and can be irritatingHigh~0.05–0.1%est.
Cymbopogon martini oilAromatic plant oil used in cosmetics as a fragrance. A likely irritantHigh~0.01–0.05%est.
Aloe barbadensis leaf juiceTraditionally 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 skinLow~23–35%est.
Caprylic/capric triglycerideA good mix of fatty acids that forms a protective layer on the skin. Improves the shelf life of products. Derived from coconut and glycerinLow~4.1–6.2%est.
Simmondsia chinensis seed oilSoftens 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.Low~2.4–3.6%est.
Polyhydroxystearic acidUsed to create a thicker product consistency and stabilize the formulationLow~1.6–2.4%est.
Hydrogenated castor oilA 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 consistencyLow~0.8–1.25%est.
Serenoa serrulata fruit extractA plant extract that might help calm down inflammation in skin but evidence of effectiveness is lackingLow~0.15–0.7%est.
Magnesium ascorbyl phosphateA derivative of vitamin C that is more stable, but less bioavailable than the pure form of vitamin C. It does not penetrate the skin well, but has been shown to convert to pure vitamin C once in skin. It can be helpful in stimulating collagen production and lightening the skin tone, but the required concentration is likely to be very highLow~0.15–0.65%est.
Cucumis sativus fruit extractMight be somewhat helpful in reducing hyperpigmentation and neutralizing free radicals but its typical concentration in a product is too low for having an effectLow~0.1–0.45%est.
ComedogenicZea mays starch ~0.1–0.45% — rinse-off or low %Some risk
Zea mays starch ~0.1–0.45% — rinse-off or low %
These ingredients have a comedogenic rating ≥ 2. In leave-on products at higher concentrations they can clog pores for acne-prone skin types.
IngredientFunctionRatingEst. amount
~ marks concentrations estimated from label position and typical use levels
Ingredients
Filter by role to see what each ingredient is doing.
Zinc oxide20%
Aloe barbadensis leaf juice~23–35%
Water~8.3–12.4%
Caprylic/capric triglyceride~4.1–6.2%
Glycerin~2.9–4.4%
Simmondsia chinensis seed oil~2.4–3.6%
Polyglyceryl-2 oleate~1.9–2.8%
Polyhydroxystearic acid~1.6–2.4%
Polyglyceryl-2 stearate~1.3–2%
Helianthus annuus seed oil~1.3–1.9%
Punica granatum seed oil~1–1.5%
Hydrogenated castor oil~0.8–1.25%
Dimethicone~0.6–1.35%
Magnesium sulfate~0.55–1.25%
Sorbitan sesquioleate~0.5–1.1%
Unknown~0%
Argania spinosa extract~0.4–1%
Malus domestica fruit cell culture extract~0.4–0.95%
Unknown~0%
Sodium hyaluronate~0.4–0.9%
Salix alba extract~0.2–0.8%
Unknown~0%
Brassica campestris extract~0.2–0.75%
Unknown~0%
Serenoa serrulata fruit extract~0.15–0.7%
Magnesium ascorbyl phosphate~0.15–0.65%
Borago officinalis seed oil~0.15–0.6%
Cucumis sativus fruit extract~0.1–0.45%
Zea mays starch~0.1–0.45%
Camellia sinensis leaf extract~0.1–0.45%
Hibiscus sabdariffa flower extract~0.1–0.35%
Tocopherol~0.05–0.3%
Phenethyl alcohol~0.05–0.25%
Ethylhexylglycerin~0.05–0.2%
Citrus aurantium dulcis peel oil~0.05–0.1%
Cymbopogon martini oil~0.01–0.05%
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