PRODUCT REVIEW

Armani Maestro UV Skin Defense Primer SPF50 PA++

Works for:

based on ingredients and %

Evens skin tone
Moisturizing

Doesn't work for:

based on ingredients and %

Sun protection

Can it cause trouble?

Key actives

Tocopherol 0.5% - 1.1%Stearyl glycyrrhetinate 0.45% - 1%

See all ingredients

Find on Amazon US

More options from: £40.96

Add to Compare

Submit an edit

Cheaper alternatives

Paula's choice - Clear Ultra-Light Daily Mattifying Fluid SPF 30+

Price: $38

Find out more

Charlotte Tilbury - INVISIBLE UV FLAWLESS PORELESS PRIMER - SPF 50

Price: $39

Find out more

Product summary

"Armani - Maestro UV Skin Defense Primer SPF50 PA++" is using UV filters in a relatively low concentration. Because of this, it might not be able to provide reliable sun protection.

Its formula is also hydrating, so you might not need an additional moistruizer during the day.

Sunscreen filters

This is a so-called "chemical" sunscreen. It means that it uses organic UV filters. They typically offer good sun protection and rarely leave a white cast, but they can be irritating for some people with sensitive skin. Here are the exact UV filters in this sunscreen: avobenzone 1.10% - 1.60%, octinoxate 2.40% - 3.60% and octisalate 1.50% - 2.30%.

Irritation risk

This sunscreen 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 sunscreen 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 for 40.96£ in the United Kingdom.

For a detailed price comparison: click here.

What can the product work for?

Does not work for

Sun protection

Evens skin tone

The following ingredient (ingredients) in this product might be helpful, but there is no evidence to confirm that it actually works: stearyl glycyrrhetinate.

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).

stearyl glycyrrhetinate 0.45% - 1%

Irritation risk:

Concentration: Effectiveness: MEDIUM

A fatty acid derived from licorice. Works as an emollient and can help calm down inflammation

Moisturizing

This product contains good ingredients to attract water to the upper layer of the skin. These ingredients are called "humectants": glycerin, butylene 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).

polymethylsilsesquioxane 2.6% - 3.9%

Irritation risk:

Concentration: Effectiveness: HIGH

A silicone that improves product texture and helps dissolve other ingredients. Can form a non-greasy film on the skin to prevent moisture loss

glycerin 1.1% - 1.6%

Irritation risk:

Concentration: Effectiveness: HIGH

One of the best moisturizing ingredients. Naturally present in skin. It attracts water to the upper layer of the skin working as a humectant

stearyl glycyrrhetinate 0.45% - 1%

Irritation risk:

Concentration: Effectiveness: MEDIUM

A fatty acid derived from licorice. Works as an emollient and can help calm down inflammation

Sun protection

butyl methoxydibenzoylmethane 1.1% - 1.6%

Irritation risk:

UVA I protection: UVA II protection: UVB protection: Photo stable: Ingredient type Organic

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.

ethylhexyl methoxycinnamate 2.4% - 3.6%

Irritation risk:

UVA I protection: UVA II protection: UVB protection: Photo stable: Ingredient type Organic

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

ethylhexyl salicylate 1.5% - 2.3%

Irritation risk:

UVA I protection: UVA II protection: UVB protection: Photo stable: Ingredient type Organic

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

Honesty check

Buy now

Can it cause trouble?

User reviews (0)

Ingredients & concentrations

All ingredients

Key Actives

tocopherol 0.5% - 1.1%

Irritation risk:

Works for: Anti-oxidation, Moisturizing, Anti-aging, Anti-inflammatory

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

stearyl glycyrrhetinate 0.45% - 1%

Irritation risk:

Works for: Moisturizing, Evens skin tone, Reduces redness, Anti-inflammatory

A fatty acid derived from licorice. Works as an emollient and can help calm down inflammation

Search top rated products by actives

Potential irritants

ethylhexyl methoxycinnamate 2.4% - 3.6%

Irritation risk:

Works for: Sun protection

limonene 0.3% - 0.75%

Irritation risk:

A common frangrance that can easily irritate skin, especially if exposed to air, light or heat

Comodogenic ingredients

We couldn't find any comodogenic ingredients in this product

All ingredients

c12-15 alkyl benzoate 23% - 34%

Irritation risk:

Works for: Moisturizing

Enhances the product texture and makes it more spreadable. Helps reduce water loss from the outer layer of skin. Extands the shelf life by preventing bacteria growth

water 12% - 18%

Irritation risk:

Plain old water

butylene glycol 5% - 7.5%

Irritation risk:

Works for: Moisturizing

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

Ingredient list view

C12-15 alkyl benzoate, Water, Butylene glycol, Methyl methacrylate crosspolymer, Polymethylsilsesquioxane, Ethylhexyl methoxycinnamate, Vinyl dimethicone/methicone silsesquioxane crosspolymer, Isononyl isononanoate, Ethylhexyl salicylate, Glycerin, Butyl methoxydibenzoylmethane, Dicaprylyl carbonate, Pentylene glycol, Polyglyceryl-6 polyricinoleate, Tocopherol, Sodium chloride, Phenoxyethanol, Stearyl glycyrrhetinate, Polyglyceryl-2 isostearate, Limonene, Benzyl salicylate, Benzyl alcohol, Linalool, Parfum, Tetrasodium edta, Bht, Hexyl cinnamal, Unknown

	Armani - Maestro UV Skin Defense Primer SPF50 PA++	Paula's choice - Clear Ultra-Light Daily Mattifying Fluid SPF 30+	Rilastil - SUN SYSTEM COMFORT MATT FORMULA SPF 50+	Charlotte Tilbury - INVISIBLE UV FLAWLESS PORELESS PRIMER - SPF 50	Soltan - Once Face SPF50+	Piz Buin - In Sun Ultra Light Sun Spray SPF 30 High	Philosophy - Brighten My Day Skin Perfecting & Brightening SPF 30 Shield	Institut Esthederm - Brightening Face Sun Protection SPF50+	Uriage - Dépiderm Anti-Brown Spot Daytime Care SPF50+	Shiseido - Urban Environment Oil-Free UV Protector SPF 42 Sunscreen	Vichy - Idéal Soleil Ultra-Light Face Sunscreen Broad Spectrum SPF 50
Price
WIMJ similarity score		34%	34%	34%	34%	34%	33%	33%	33%	33%	33%
SPF	SPF 50	SPF 30	SPF 50	SPF 50	SPF 50	SPF 30	SPF 30	SPF 50	SPF 50	SPF 42	SPF 50
Key ingredients	butyl methoxydibenzoylmethane ethylhexyl methoxycinnamate +5 more	Common: butyl methoxydibenzoylmethane ethylhexyl methoxycinnamate +2 more Other: camellia oleifera leaf extract camellia sinensis leaf extract +6 more	Common: butyl methoxydibenzoylmethane ethylhexyl methoxycinnamate +2 more Other: potassium azeloyl diglycinate cyclopentasiloxane +8 more	Common: butyl methoxydibenzoylmethane ethylhexyl methoxycinnamate +2 more Other: ascorbyl glucoside butyrospermum parkii butter +5 more	Common: butyl methoxydibenzoylmethane glycerin Other: panthenol butyrospermum parkii butter +7 more	Common: butyl methoxydibenzoylmethane glycerin Other: bis-ethylhexyloxyphenol methoxyphenyl triazine diethylamino hydroxybenzoyl hexyl benzoate +2 more	Common: glycerin tocopherol +2 more Other: niacinamide salicylic acid +10 more	Common: ethylhexyl methoxycinnamate glycerin +3 more Other: hexapeptide-2 paraffinum liquidum +9 more	Common: ethylhexyl methoxycinnamate glycerin +1 more Other: ascorbyl tetraisopalmitate bis-ethylhexyloxyphenol methoxyphenyl triazine +4 more	Common: ethylhexyl methoxycinnamate glycerin +2 more Other: dimethicone ectoin +4 more	Common: butyl methoxydibenzoylmethane glycerin +2 more Other: cyclopentasiloxane dimethicone +2 more
Irritancy	IRRITANCY HIGH	IRRITANCY MEDIUM	IRRITANCY MEDIUM	IRRITANCY LOW	IRRITANCY MEDIUM	IRRITANCY MEDIUM	IRRITANCY HIGH	IRRITANCY MEDIUM	IRRITANCY LOW	IRRITANCY MEDIUM	IRRITANCY MEDIUM
Potential Irritants	hexyl cinnamal Has skin benefit? parfum Has skin benefit? +11 more	benzyl alcohol Has skin benefit? sambucus nigra fruit extract Has skin benefit? +11 more	parfum Has skin benefit? ascorbic acid Has skin benefit? +17 more	ethylhexyl methoxycinnamate Has skin benefit? aloe barbadensis leaf extract Has skin benefit? +14 more	panax ginseng root extract Has skin benefit? propylene glycol Has skin benefit? +18 more	parfum Has skin benefit? sodium lauryl sulfate Has skin benefit? +14 more	psidium guajava fruit extract Has skin benefit? carica papaya fruit extract Has skin benefit? +34 more	propylene glycol Has skin benefit? ethylhexyl methoxycinnamate Has skin benefit? +20 more	ci 75470 Has skin benefit? propylene glycol Has skin benefit? +20 more	parfum Has skin benefit? scutellaria baicalensis root extract Has skin benefit? +6 more	p-anisic acid Has skin benefit? parfum Has skin benefit? +13 more
All ingredients	c12-15 alkyl benzoate Has skin benefit? water Has skin benefit? +26 more	water Has skin benefit? ethylhexyl methoxycinnamate Has skin benefit? +27 more	water Has skin benefit? ethylhexyl methoxycinnamate Has skin benefit? +47 more	water Has skin benefit? ethylhexyl methoxycinnamate Has skin benefit? +45 more	water Has skin benefit? c12-15 alkyl benzoate Has skin benefit? +35 more	water Has skin benefit? c12-15 alkyl benzoate Has skin benefit? +28 more	water Has skin benefit? butylene glycol Has skin benefit? +76 more	water Has skin benefit? ethylhexyl methoxycinnamate Has skin benefit? +53 more	water Has skin benefit? ethylhexyl methoxycinnamate Has skin benefit? +35 more	ethylhexyl methoxycinnamate Has skin benefit? octocrylene Has skin benefit? +35 more	butyl methoxydibenzoylmethane Has skin benefit? homosalate Has skin benefit? +34 more

PRODUCT REVIEW

Armani Maestro UV Skin Defense Primer SPF50 PA++

Works for:

Doesn't work for:

Can it cause trouble?

Key actives

Cheaper alternatives

Product summary

Sunscreen filters

Irritation risk

Price

What can the product work for?

Works for

Does not work for

Evens skin tone

Moisturizing

Sun protection

Honesty check

How honest is this product?

Buy now

UK Retailers

Can it cause trouble?

Potential irritants

Comodogenic ingredients

User reviews (0)

Similar products & dupes

Ingredients & concentrations

All ingredients

Key Actives

Potential irritants

Comodogenic ingredients

All ingredients

Ingredient list view

Sources