Balance Me

BB Hyaluronic Skin Tint SPF25

Name: Balance Me - BB Hyaluronic Skin Tint SPF25
Brand: Balance Me

SPF 25Efficacy 58/100·High irritancy ·4 UV filters

Efficacy measures how well the formula delivers the claims the brand advertises · 1 of 3 advertised claims delivered

"Balance Me - BB Hyaluronic Skin Tint SPF25" does not provide enough UVA protection.

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Product summary

"Balance Me - BB Hyaluronic Skin Tint SPF25" does not provide enough UVA protection. UVA rays do not cause sunburn, but still damage the skin, leading to early signs of aging and pigmentation issues.

This product should also be hydrating enough to use without an additional moisturizer during the day.

Sunscreen filters

This product is a mineral sunscreen. It uses titanium dioxide for sun protection. Titanium dioxide almost never irritates the skin or stings eyes, but it can leave a white cast.

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 product 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 20.80£ up to 37.00£ in the United Kingdom, from 24.50$ up to 26.00$ in the United States and for 32.60CA$ in Canada.

For a detailed price comparison: click here.

Sun protection

This product does not offer good protection against UVA rays.

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

UVB290 nmUVA II320 nmUVA I340 nmVisible400 nm+

Titanium Dioxide

FilterCoverageWhat it doesEst. amount

Titanium Dioxide Mineral UVBUVA2 Photo-stable 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~4.9–6%

~ marks concentrations estimated from label position and typical use levels

Reef-safe

No oxybenzone or octinoxate — the two filters banned in Hawaii, Florida Keys and Aruba.

Product claims breakdown

Moisturizing

13 ingredients contribute at the levels below

Good 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: glycerin, hydrolyzed hyaluronic acid.

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.

ALEURITES MOLUCCANUS SEED OILRole: HeroHelps soften the upper layer of the skin~0.5–0.75%

CAMELLIA OLEIFERA SEED OILRole: Under-dosedAn emollient that does not leave a greasy finish~0.6–0.9%

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~5.7–6.9%

GLUCOSE OXIDASERole: Key activeHelps attract water to the upper layer of the skin~0.5–0.7%

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~1–1.2%

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~0.5–0.75%

HYDROLYZED HYALURONIC ACIDRole: Key activeOne of the best moisturizing ingredients. Attracts water into the upper layer of the skin. A version of it is naturally present in skin~0.7–1.05%

LACTOPEROXIDASERole: Key activeHelps attract water to the upper layer of the skin. In theory, could support healthy skin's microbiome, but evidence of effectiveness in skin is lacking~0.45–0.7%

POLYGLYCERYL-2 DIPOLYHYDROXYSTEARATERole: Key activeHelps to soften the upper layer of the skin~2.7–3.3%

RICINUS COMMUNIS SEED 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~0.5–0.8%

ROSA CANINA FRUIT OILRole: Under-dosedA great emollient. Contains vitamin E (tocopherol) which may give it some anti-oxidant properties. Can contain volatile compounds and can be irritating~0.55–0.85%

SODIUM HYALURONATERole: Key activeOne of the best moisturizing ingredients. Attracts water into the upper layer of the skin~0.7–1%

TOCOPHEROLRole: Key activePure 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~0.5–0.75%

Evens skin tone

19 key actives in the formula

Partial evidence

This product contains ingredients () that could help reduce hyperpigmentation (for example, post-acne marks or age spots) in theory, but there is not enough evidence that they actually work.

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).

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~5.7–6.9%

Titanium dioxideRole: Key activeWorks 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~4.9–6%

Polyglyceryl-2 dipolyhydroxystearateRole: Key activeHelps to soften the upper layer of the skin~2.7–3.3%

Cetyl ricinoleateRole: Key activeAn emollient that helps soften the upper layer of the skin~2.2–2.7%

Coco-caprylateRole: Key activeAn emollient that softens skin and creates a nice product texture~1.8–2.3%

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~1–1.2%

Hydrolyzed hyaluronic acidRole: Key activeOne of the best moisturizing ingredients. Attracts water into the upper layer of the skin. A version of it is naturally present in skin~0.7–1.05%

Sodium hyaluronateRole: Key activeOne of the best moisturizing ingredients. Attracts water into the upper layer of the skin~0.7–1%

Crambe abyssinica seed oilRole: Key activeHelps soften the upper layer of the skin~0.6–0.9%

Aleurites moluccanus seed oilRole: Key activeHelps soften the upper layer of the skin~0.5–0.75%

Ricinus communis seed 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~0.5–0.8%

TocopherolRole: Key activePure 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~0.5–0.75%

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~0.5–0.75%

GlucoseRole: Key activeHelps attract water to the upper layer of the skin. Could be helpful in restoring the skin barrier function~0.5–0.7%

Glucose oxidaseRole: Key activeHelps attract water to the upper layer of the skin~0.5–0.7%

LactoperoxidaseRole: Key activeHelps attract water to the upper layer of the skin. In theory, could support healthy skin's microbiome, but evidence of effectiveness in skin is lacking~0.45–0.7%

BisabololRole: Key activeAn 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~0.4–0.6%

Diheptyl succinateRole: Key activeHelps to soften the upper layer of the skin and creates a nice product finish on the skin~0.35–0.6%

Capryloyl glycerin/sebacic acid copolymerRole: Key activeHelps soften the upper layer of the skin~0.3–0.55%

Irritancy

21 flagged ingredients — patch-test recommended

High risk

We flagged 21 ingredients with irritancy potential. Severity depends on your sensitivity threshold; the table lists the worst offenders first.

IngredientFunctionIrritationEst. amount

Michelia alba flower oilA plant essential oil. Used as a fragrance. Can be irritatingHigh~0.65–0.95%est.

Citrus aurantium bergamia fruit oilA plant oil with a high content of volatile compounds that can irritate the skin and lead to allergic reactions. Can lead to photosensitivityHigh~0.45–0.7%est.

Anthemis nobilis flower oilAn essential oil that is used as a fragrance and can be irritating. It might have some anti-oxidant effect in skinHigh~0.45–0.65%est.

Lavandula angustifolia flower oilA fragrant plant oil, can be irritatingHigh~0.5–0.7%est.

Salvia sclarea flower oil—High~0.45–0.65%est.

Citrus aurantium amara leaf/twig oil—High~0.5–0.7%est.

Rosmarinus officinalis extract—High~0.5–0.7%est.

LinaloolA fragrance. Can be irritatingHigh~0.3–0.5%est.

LimoneneA common frangrance that can easily irritate skin, especially if exposed to air, light or heatHigh~0.25–0.5%est.

Benzyl benzoateFragrance with sweet balsamic smell. Help to preserve products and dissolve other ingredients. Could trigger allergic reactions and be irritatingHigh~0.25–0.45%est.

Benzyl alcoholA preservative. Can be used to mask unpleasant smell. Can be irritatingHigh~0.25–0.45%est.

GeraniolA fragrance. Can be irritatingHigh~0.2–0.4%est.

CitralA fragrance with a lemon scent. A likely irritantHigh~0.2–0.35%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~5.7–6.9%est.

Coco-caprylateAn emollient that softens skin and creates a nice product textureLow~1.8–2.3%est.

Polyglyceryl-3 diisostearateHelps oil and water mix togetherLow~0.75–1.15%est.

Crambe abyssinica seed oilHelps soften the upper layer of the skinLow~0.6–0.9%est.

Camellia oleifera seed oilAn emollient that does not leave a greasy finishLow~0.6–0.9%est.

Rosa canina fruit oilA great emollient. Contains vitamin E (tocopherol) which may give it some anti-oxidant properties. Can contain volatile compounds and can be irritatingLow~0.55–0.85%est.

Aloe barbadensis leaf extractTraditionally 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~0.55–0.85%est.

Ricinus communis seed 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~0.5–0.8%est.

Comedogenic

Polyglyceryl-3 diisostearate ~0.75–1.15% — rinse-off or low %

Some risk

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

Polyglyceryl-3 diisostearateHelps oil and water mix togetherHigh~0.75–1.15%est.

~ marks concentrations estimated from label position and typical use levels

Ingredients

Filter by role to see what each ingredient is doing.