bareMinerals complexion rescue gel cream
Works for
Sun protectionSPF 30 · 1 UV filter · Partial spectrumWeak 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.
Anti-oxidationNot advertised by the brand · Camellia japonica flower extract, Chlorella vulgaris extract + 1 moreMay help
This product contains antioxidants (camellia japonica flower 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.
MoisturizingSide benefit the brand mentions · Coconut alkanes, Squalane + 12 moreWorks
“Hydrating tinted moisturizer that boosts skin hydration while delivering SPF 30 sun protection and a dewy, healthy glow.”
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: squalane, coco-caprylate/caprate.
Can it cause trouble?
Irritancy1 strong irritant: Melilotus officinalis extractMedium risk
Comedogenic3 ingredients rated 2 or more on the 0–5 pore-clogging scale3 flagged
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Ingredients
Filter by role to see what each ingredient is doing.
Water~45–55%
Coconut alkanes~6–7.4%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
- Comedogenicity
- 2/5
An emollient that helps soften the skin
More about Coconut alkanesPropanediol~4.3–5.2%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Acts as a solvent for other ingredients. Speeds up the absorption of other ingredients into the skin
More about PropanediolSilica~3.2–3.9%
Squalane~2.5–3%
- Irritation risk
- Low
An oil naturally present in skin. Works as an emollient to soften the skin and form a protective layer on its surface without a greasy feeling.
More about SqualaneTrehalose~1.9–2.3%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A sugar that attracts water to the upper layer of the skin
More about TrehaloseKaolin~1.8–2.3%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A type of clay that consists mainly of aluminum silicate. Helps absorb oil and creates a thicker product consistency. Can be used to add a white color
More about KaolinAgar~1.4–1.7%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Polysaccharide derived from seaweed. Used to create a thicker product consistency and might help attract water to the upper layer of the skin
More about AgarIsostearic acid~1.2–1.5%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Used to create a nice product texture
More about Isostearic acidPolysorbate 60~0.95–1.15%
Sorbitan sesquiisostearate~0.7–1%
Hydrolyzed hyaluronic acid~0.55–0.85%
- Irritation risk
- Low
One of the best moisturizing ingredients. Attracts water into the upper layer of the skin. A version of it is naturally present in skin
More about Hydrolyzed hyaluronic acidSalicornia herbacea extract~0.5–0.75%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Caprylic/capric triglyceride~0.55–0.8%
- 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 triglycerideTheobroma cacao seed extract~0.45–0.7%
- Irritation risk
- Low
- Comedogenicity
- 3/5
Camellia japonica flower extract~0.5–0.7%
- Irritation risk
- High
A plant extract that might help neutralize free radicals in skin
More about Camellia japonica flower extractChlorella vulgaris extract~0.45–0.65%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
- Comedogenicity
- 3/5
A plant extract that can help to attract water to the upper layer of the skin and might have some anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory properties
More about Chlorella vulgaris extractPolyglyceryl-4 laurate/succinate~0.4–0.65%
Aluminum hydroxide~0.4–0.6%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Is used to add opaque (non-transparent) appearance to formulations. Can be used to coat other ingredients for even dispersion. This is a different ingredient compared to the ones used in antipersperants (aluminium chloride and aluminium chlorohydrate)
More about Aluminum hydroxidePhenoxyethanol~0.35–0.6%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A preservative. It helps prevent bacterial growth in cosmetic products
More about PhenoxyethanolCoco-caprylate/caprate~0.35–0.6%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps to soften the upper layer of the skin without creating a greasy texture
More about Coco-caprylate/caprateGlycerin~0.35–0.6%
- 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 GlycerinHydrogen dimethicone~0.3–0.55%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps the function of sunscreen and pigment ingredients in the formulation
More about Hydrogen dimethiconeMagnesium stearate~0.3–0.55%
Chlorphenesin~0.16–0.32%
Cellulose gum~0.3–0.55%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Used to create thicker product consistency and stabilize emulsions
More about Cellulose gumButylene glycol~0.3–0.5%
- Irritation risk
- Low
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
More about Butylene glycolSuccinoglycan~0.25–0.5%
Lauroyl lysine~0.3–0.5%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps soften the upper layer of the skin and creates a nice product texture
More about Lauroyl lysineSodium pca~0.25–0.5%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Naturally present in skin and helps to attract water to its upper layer
More about Sodium pca1,2-hexanediol~0.25–0.5%
Calcium chloride~0.25–0.5%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Helps create a thicker product consistency. Might be irritating
More about Calcium chlorideMagnesium chloride~0.25–0.45%
Biosaccharide gum-4~0.25–0.45%
Potassium chloride~0.25–0.45%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Melilotus officinalis extract~0.2–0.35%
- Irritation risk
- High
A plant extract that might have some anti-oxidant properties. Can be used as a fragrance and can be irritating
More about Melilotus officinalis extractMagnesium oxide~0.2–0.4%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Lactic acid~0.15–0.3%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
An exfoliating and moisturizing alpha-hydroxy acid (AHA). Typically causes less irritation than other AHAs, for example, glycolic acid. At high concentrations (about 15%), lactic acid can help reduce lines and wrinkles. Recent studies show that lactic acid can support the "good" bacteria living on skin's surface (healthy skin microbiome)
More about Lactic acidAlumina~0.25–0.5%
- Irritation risk
- Low
The same compound that is used safely in dental implants and bone cements. In cosmetics, it is used to improve the consistency of products
More about AluminaIron oxides~0.05–0.15%
- 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 oxidesTitanium dioxide6.9%
- Irritation risk
- Low
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
More about Titanium dioxideIngredient list view
Water, Coconut alkanes, Propanediol, Silica, Squalane, Trehalose, Kaolin, Agar, Isostearic acid, Polysorbate 60, Sorbitan sesquiisostearate, Hydrolyzed hyaluronic acid, Salicornia herbacea extract, Caprylic/capric triglyceride, Theobroma cacao seed extract, Camellia japonica flower extract, Chlorella vulgaris extract, Polyglyceryl-4 laurate/succinate, Aluminum hydroxide, Phenoxyethanol, Coco-caprylate/caprate, Glycerin, Hydrogen dimethicone, Magnesium stearate, Chlorphenesin, Cellulose gum, Butylene glycol, Succinoglycan, Lauroyl lysine, Sodium pca, 1,2-hexanediol, Calcium chloride, Magnesium chloride, Biosaccharide gum-4, Potassium chloride, Melilotus officinalis extract, Magnesium oxide, Lactic acid, Alumina, Iron oxides, Titanium dioxide
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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.
| bareMineralscomplexion rescue gel creamYOUR PRODUCT | Ultra VioletteClean Screen SPF 30 Fragrance Free Weightless Gel SKINSCREEN™ | La Roche-PosayAnthelios Oil Control SPF 50+ Gel-Cream | CliniqueMoisture Surge CC Cream SPF 30 Medium | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Match | — | 34% | 34% | 33% |
| Price | $29.00 | — | $24.12−$4.88 | $37.46+$8.46 |
| Shared key ingredients | — | 3 of 9 | 2 of 9 | 4 of 9 |
| Key difference | — | Uvinul A Plus | Tinosorb S | Linoleic Acid |
| Irritancy | Medium | Low | Low | Low |
| SPF | SPF 30 | SPF 30 | SPF 50 | SPF 30 |
| Drying alcohol | — | — | — | — |
| View product | Shop | Shop | Shop |
More alternatives: KORRES Coconut + Almond Baby Sunscreen Face + Body SPF 30Twelve Natural Skincare Twelve Artemisia Power Protection Moisturiser SF50+
Product summary
"bareMinerals - complexion rescue gel cream" does not provide enough UVA protection. UVA rays do not cause sunburn, but still damage the skin, leading to early signs of aging and pigmentation issues.
It contains good moisturizing ingredients and can double as a hydrating day cream.
Sunscreen filters
This moisturizer is a mineral sunscreen. It uses titanium dioxide for sun protection. Titanium dioxide almost never irritates the skin or stings eyes, but it can leave a white cast.
Irritation risk
This formulation includes some common irritants, including ingredients that do not provide a benefit for the skin. We assess the overall irritancy of this moisturizer to be medium. For a detailed overview of all potential irritants: click here
You can see the detailed formula review with the breakdown of all actives in the product and the full ingredient list with estimated concentrations in the tables below.
About the brand
According to Cruelty-Free Kitty "bareMinerals" is cruelty free, but its parent company is not.
Price
The product retails for 59.26A$ in Australia and for 46.43$ 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 8 studies and safety reviews.
- 1Efficacy of a New Topical Nano-hyaluronic Acid in Humansncbi.nlm.nih.gov
- 2Physiochemical properties and application of hyaluronic acid: a systematic reviewonlinelibrary.wiley.com
- 3
- 4Safety Assessment of Alkyl Esters as Used in Cosmeticscir-safety.org
- 5
- 6
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