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Bioderma Photoderm Self-Tanner
Bioderma

Bioderma Photoderm Self-Tanner

Efficacy75/100IrritancyMedium
See all ingredients

Works for

Moisturizing
Glycerin, Ectoin + 5 more
Works
What the product description says
“A moisturizing, self-tanning spray for perfectly even tan.”
Source: Skinstore

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

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).

GlycerinKey active· HumectantEffect: HighOne of the best moisturizing ingredients. Naturally present in skin. It attracts water to the upper layer of the skin working as a humectant~3.8–5.6%
EctoinKey activeEffect: HighSoftens the upper layer of the skin and can support skin barrier function~1.3–1.9%
MannitolKey active· HumectantEffect: HighHelps to attract water to the upper layer of the skin~0.95–1.4%
RhamnoseKey active· HumectantEffect: MediumHelps oil and water mix together. It also helps attract water to the upper layer of the skin~0.4–1%
FructooligosaccharidesKey active· HumectantEffect: HighHelp attract water to the upper layer of the skin~0.2–0.8%
Pentylene glycol· EmollientEffect: LowUsed to preserve products, dissolve other ingredients and create a nice product texture~2.9–4.3%
Lactic acidUnder-dosedAn 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)~0.05–0.25%

Can it cause trouble?

Irritancy
1 strong irritant: Parfum
Medium risk
We flagged 5 ingredients with irritancy potential. Severity depends on your sensitivity threshold; the table lists the worst offenders first.
IngredientFunctionIrritationEst. amount
DihydroxyacetoneA self-tanning agentHigh~2.1–3.1%est.
ParfumAn aromatic blend of unspecified and possibly irritating ingredientsHigh~0.05–0.15%est.
Pentylene glycolUsed to preserve products, dissolve other ingredients and create a nice product textureMedium~2.9–4.3%est.
Sodium metabisulfiteA preservativeMedium~0.1–0.2%est.
Lactic acidAn 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)Medium~0.05–0.25%est.
Comedogenic
Clean of flagged comedogenic ingredients
None flagged

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Ingredients

Filter by role to see what each ingredient is doing.

Water~40–60%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low

Plain old water

More about Water
Dimethyl ether~7.2–10.8%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low
More about Dimethyl ether
Glycerin~3.8–5.6%
Key active
Irritation risk
Low
Works for
Moisturizing

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 Glycerin
Pentylene glycol~2.9–4.3%
Irritant · medium
Irritation risk
Medium
Works for
Moisturizing

Used to preserve products, dissolve other ingredients and create a nice product texture

More about Pentylene glycol
Dihydroxyacetone~2.1–3.1%
Irritant · high
Irritation risk
High
Works for
Tanning

A self-tanning agent

More about Dihydroxyacetone
Trideceth-9 pg-amodimethicone~1.6–2.4%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low
More about Trideceth-9 pg-amodimethicone
Ectoin~1.3–1.9%
Key active
Irritation risk
Low
Works for
Moisturizing

Softens the upper layer of the skin and can support skin barrier function

More about Ectoin
Mannitol~0.95–1.4%
Key active
Irritation risk
Low
Works for
Moisturizing

Helps to attract water to the upper layer of the skin

More about Mannitol
Xylitol~0.55–1.25%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low

Helps attract water to the upper layer of the skin and repair the skin barrier function

More about Xylitol
Rhamnose~0.4–1%
Key active
Irritation risk
Low
Works for
MoisturizingAnti-aging

Helps oil and water mix together. It also helps attract water to the upper layer of the skin

More about Rhamnose
Fructooligosaccharides~0.2–0.8%
Key active
Irritation risk
Low
Works for
Moisturizing

Help attract water to the upper layer of the skin

More about Fructooligosaccharides
Trideceth-12~0.15–0.55%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low
Works for
Cleansing
More about Trideceth-12
Sodium metabisulfite~0.1–0.2%
Irritant · medium
Irritation risk
Medium

A preservative

More about Sodium metabisulfite
Lactic acid~0.05–0.25%
Under-dosedIrritant · medium
Irritation risk
Medium
Works for
ExfoliationEvens skin toneMoisturizingAnti-aging

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 acid
Parfum~0.05–0.15%
Irritant · high
Irritation risk
High

An aromatic blend of unspecified and possibly irritating ingredients

More about Parfum
Ingredient list view

Water, Dimethyl ether, Glycerin, Pentylene glycol, Dihydroxyacetone, Trideceth-9 pg-amodimethicone, Ectoin, Mannitol, Xylitol, Rhamnose, Fructooligosaccharides, Trideceth-12, Sodium metabisulfite, Lactic acid, Parfum

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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.

Side-by-side comparison of this product against its closest alternatives
BiodermaPhotoderm Self-TannerYOUR PRODUCTKoh Gen DoMacro Vintage Royal Massage MilkEucerinDry Skin Intensive Lotion - 10% UreaKiehl'sUltra Body Mega Moisture Squalane Cream
Match—33%33%32%
Price—$66.64$16.41$34.38
Shared key ingredients—2 of 52 of 52 of 5
Key difference—Acetyl Dipeptide-1 Cetyl EsterLactic AcidHydroxypalmitoyl Sphinganine
Irritancy Medium Low Low Low
Drying alcohol————
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Product summary

"Bioderma - Photoderm Self-Tanner" could be helpful for: Moisturizing, but its actives are not the most effective or are not well-studied.

Ingredient callouts

  • Humectants (mannitol 0.95% - 1.40%, glycerin 3.80% - 5.60% and fructooligosaccharides 0.20% - 0.80%). These ingredients help attract water to the upper layer of the skin and improve the skin hydration.

Price

The product retails at around 21.99$ 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 5 studies and safety reviews.

  1. 1
    Glycerol and the skin: holistic approach to its origin and functionsncbi.nlm.nih.gov
  2. 2
    Potentially beneficial effects of rhamnose on skin ageing: an in vitro and in vivo studypubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
  3. 3
    Final report on the safety assessment of sodium sulfite, potassium sulfite, ammonium sulfite, sodium bisulfite, ammonium bisulfite, sodium metabisulfite and potassium metabisulfitencbi.nlm.nih.gov
  4. 4
    Epidermal and dermal effects of topical lactic acidncbi.nlm.nih.gov
  5. 5
    Dual Effects of Alpha-Hydroxy Acids on the Skinpdfs.semanticscholar.org
Bioderma Photoderm Self-Tanner
BiodermaPhotoderm Self-Tanner
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