Balea BB Day Cream Medium
Works for
1 of 3 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.
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.
Moisturizing11 ingredients credited for this claimStrong support
“The hydro-complex provides your skin with valuable moisture and supports its moisture balance.”
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, caprylyl glycol.
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: carthamus tinctorius seed oil, c12-15 alkyl benzoate.
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 support
“SPF 15 and UVA protection protect the skin from premature skin ageing caused by light.”
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).
Can it cause trouble?
Irritancy4 strong irritants: Parfum, Alpha-isomethyl ionone + 2 more — patch-test recommendedHigh risk
Comedogenic1 ingredient rated 2 or more on the 0–5 pore-clogging scale1 flagged
User reviews
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Ingredients
Filter by role to see what each ingredient is doing.
Water~45–55%
Glycerin~4.4–5.4%
- 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 GlycerinTalc~4.4–5.4%
Ci 77891~3.6–4.4%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Ethylhexyl stearate~2.8–3.4%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps soften the upper layer of the skin
More about Ethylhexyl stearateEthylhexyl salicylate~2.8–3.4%
- 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 salicylateGlyceryl stearate~1.9–2.4%
- Irritation risk
- Low
An emollient that softens the skin and forms a protective layer on its surface. Helps water and oil mix together
More about Glyceryl stearateC12-15 alkyl benzoate~1.7–2%
- Irritation risk
- Low
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
More about C12-15 alkyl benzoateButyl methoxydibenzoylmethane~1.9–2.3%
- 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-6 palmitate/succinate~1.3–1.6%
Sodium phenylbenzimidazole sulfonate~1.5–1.8%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Carthamus tinctorius seed oil~1–1.2%
- Irritation risk
- Low
An emollient that helps soften the skin and might help calm down inflammation
More about Carthamus tinctorius seed oilOctyldodecanol~0.95–1.15%
- Irritation risk
- Low
An emollient that helps to soften the skin and create a pleasant product texture and stabilize the formulation
More about OctyldodecanolTocopheryl acetate~0.8–1.15%
- 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 acetateBis-ethylhexyloxyphenol methoxyphenyl triazine~0.9–1.1%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Tinosorb S. One of the most effective broad spectrum sunscreen ingredients. Protects from both UVA and UVB rays. It is photostable. Unfortunately, not approved by FDA (US) yet.
More about Bis-ethylhexyloxyphenol methoxyphenyl triazineEthylhexyl triazone~1–1.2%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Uvinul T. A UV filter. Effective against UVB rays. It is photostable. Can increase water resistance properties of the sunscreen. Unfortunately, not approved by the FDA (US) yet
More about Ethylhexyl triazonePanthenol~0.65–1%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps attract water to the upper layer of the skin and can help improve skin barrier function
More about PanthenolLecithin~0.55–0.85%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Used mostly for creating emulsions - helping oil and water mix together. Helps soften the upper layer of the skin
More about LecithinInulin~0.5–0.7%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps attract water to the upper layer of the skin. Is claimed to support the growth of "good" bacteria in skin (as a "prebiotic"), but the research is lacking
More about InulinParfum~0.5–0.75%
- Irritation risk
- High
An aromatic blend of unspecified and possibly irritating ingredients
More about ParfumCetearyl alcohol~0.55–0.85%
- Irritation risk
- Low
- Comedogenicity
- 2/5
A non-drying alcohol. Works as an emollient. Helps water and oil mix together and creates a nice product texture
More about Cetearyl alcoholSodium carbomer~0.5–0.75%
Xanthan gum~0.45–0.7%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Used to create a thicker product consistency
More about Xanthan gumDisodium edta~0.4–0.6%
Alpha-isomethyl ionone~0.3–0.55%
- Irritation risk
- High
A fragrance. Potential allergen and can be irritating
More about Alpha-isomethyl iononeLimonene~0.3–0.6%
- Irritation risk
- High
A common frangrance that can easily irritate skin, especially if exposed to air, light or heat
More about LimoneneLinalool~0.3–0.55%
Phenoxyethanol~0.25–0.5%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A preservative. It helps prevent bacterial growth in cosmetic products
More about PhenoxyethanolCaprylyl glycol~0.25–0.5%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Helps preserve products and creates a nice product texture
More about Caprylyl glycolBenzyl alcohol~0.2–0.35%
- Irritation risk
- High
A preservative. Can be used to mask unpleasant smell. Can be irritating
More about Benzyl alcoholCi 77499~0.15–0.3%
Ci 77491~0.05–0.15%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A red colorant made of iron oxide. Typically is not irritating
More about Ci 77491Ci 77492~0.05–0.1%
Ingredient list view
Water, Glycerin, Talc, Ci 77891, Ethylhexyl stearate, Ethylhexyl salicylate, Glyceryl stearate, C12-15 alkyl benzoate, Butyl methoxydibenzoylmethane, Polyglyceryl-6 palmitate/succinate, Sodium phenylbenzimidazole sulfonate, Carthamus tinctorius seed oil, Octyldodecanol, Tocopheryl acetate, Bis-ethylhexyloxyphenol methoxyphenyl triazine, Ethylhexyl triazone, Panthenol, Lecithin, Inulin, Parfum, Cetearyl alcohol, Sodium carbomer, Xanthan gum, Disodium edta, Alpha-isomethyl ionone, Limonene, Linalool, Phenoxyethanol, Caprylyl glycol, Benzyl alcohol, Ci 77499, Ci 77491, Ci 77492
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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.
| BaleaBB Day Cream MediumYOUR PRODUCT | AltruistAnti-Redness Pigmentation | SuperdrugSolait Anti-Ageing Sensitive Face Sun Cream SPF50 | PolaarVery High Protection Sun Cream SPF50+ Without Perfume | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Match | — | 65% | 64% | 61% |
| Price | $4.89 | $15.53+$10.64 | — | $29.08+$24.19 |
| Shared key ingredients | — | 5 of 7 | 5 of 7 | 5 of 7 |
| Key difference | — | Centella Asiatica Extract | Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride | Cocos Nucifera Fruit Extract |
| Irritancy | High | Medium | Medium | Low |
| SPF | SPF 15 | SPF 50 | SPF 50 | SPF 50 |
| Drying alcohol | — | — | — | — |
| View product | Shop | Shop | Shop |
Product summary
"Balea - BB Day Cream Medium" "is a broad spectrum sunscreen meaning that it protects both from UVB rays (" burning "- they cause sunburn) and UVA rays (" aging "- they don't cause sunburn but lead to premature aging and pigmentation issues). However, this moisturizer does not offer enough sun protection. We recommend to use a sunscreen with at least SPF 30 daily.
It also works as a moisturizer, so you do not have to use an additional hydrating product.
Sunscreen filters
This sunscreen uses so-called" chemical ", or organic UV filters (organic simply means that their molecules contain atoms of carbon). These filters typically give good sun protection and rarely leave a white cast, but they can be irritating for sensitive skin. The UV filters in this sunscreen are: tinosorb s 0.90% - 1.10%, avobenzone 1.90% - 2.30%, octisalate 2.80% - 3.40% and uvinul t 1.00% - 1.20%.
Irritation risk
There are quite a few common irritants in this product, including ingredients without particular skin benefits. We would not recommend it for sensitive skin. We assess the overall irritancy of this moisturizer to be high. For a detailed overview of all potential irritants: click here
You can see the detailed formula review with the breakdown of all actives in the product and the full ingredient list with estimated concentrations in the tables below.
Price
The product retails for 4.89$ 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 4 studies and safety reviews.
- 1
- 2Skin moisturizing effects of panthenol-based formulationspdfs.semanticscholar.org
- 3
- 4
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