PRODUCT REVIEW

Bobbi Brown Primer Plus Protection SPF50

Works for:

based on ingredients and %

Anti-aging
Sun protection
Evens skin tone
Moisturizing

Can it cause trouble?

Key actives

Algae extract 0.6% - 0.9%Caffeine 0.35% - 0.6%

See all ingredients

Buy from Bluemercury $42.00

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Cheaper alternatives

Dermalogica - prisma protect spf30

Price: $9.5

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Walgreens - Clear Face SPF50 Lotion

Price: $9.49

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Product summary

Based on the ingredients included, we believe that "Bobbi Brown - Primer Plus Protection SPF50" can offer reliable sun protection. It can protect from both UVA and UVB rays. This is great news because not all sunscreens with SPF ratings give UVA protection. (UVA rays do not cause sunburn, but still damage our skin and lead to early aging).

It contains good moisturizing ingredients and can double as a hydrating day cream. This product prevents early signs of aging by protecting against sun damage (all broad spectrum sunscreens do that).

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. The UV filters in this sunscreen are: oxybenzone 3.00% (declared), avobenzone 3.00% (declared), butyloctyl salicylate 6.20% - 7.50%, octisalate 5.00% (declared), homosalate 5.00% (declared) and octocrylene 2.70% (declared).

Irritation risk

This product 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 for 42.00$ in the United States, from 23.37£ up to 35.00£ in the United Kingdom and for 28.00£ in the United Kingdom.

For a detailed price comparison: click here.

What can the product work for?

Sun protection

This product offers a good level of protection against both UVB and UVA rays.

This sunscreen uses organic (so-called "chemical") sunscreen filters. Organic, or "chemical" filters usually provide reliable sun protection and rarely leave a white cast. Sunscreens with organic filters can sting eyes.

octocrylene 2.7%

Irritation risk:

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

A weak sunscreen that protects against the sun rays that cause sunburn (UVB) and is somewhat effective against the UVA rays. It is quite stable and can help stabilize other, more vulnerable, sunscreen ingredients like Avobenzone. It is an organic, or so called "chemical" sunscreen

butyl methoxydibenzoylmethane 3%

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.

butyloctyl salicylate 6.2% - 7.5%

Irritation risk:

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

A synthetic ester of salicylic acid that is used to help disperse pigments and boost effectiveness of sunscreen ingredients. It is able to absorb UV light (working as an organic, or chemical filter), but is not approved as a sunscreen ingredient on its own

Anti-aging

What does the product description say?

Key Benefits Helps prevent sun damage and premature signs of aging with broad-spectrum UVA and UVB protection.

Source: Bluemercury

This product can help prevent early signs of skin aging because it offers a good level of broad spectrum sun protection. Sun damage is the main cause of premature skin aging, and protecting your skin from the sun is the best anti-aging strategy.

algae extract 0.6% - 0.9%

Irritation risk: Comedogenicity: High

Concentration: Effectiveness: LOW

Plant extract that helps the skin to attract water and make it more smooth for touch. Also shows promise of anti-aging properties, but research is not extensive yet

laminaria digitata extract 0.55% - 0.85%

Irritation risk: Comedogenicity: High

Concentration: Insufficient!

Seaweed extract that helps the skin to attract water and make it more smooth for touch. Also shows promise of anti-aging properties, but good research is lacking at the moment

Evens skin tone

What does the product description say?

Key Product Benefits Broad Spectrum SPF 50 Provides a smooth skin surface for product layering Invisible protection Instant and long-term hydration Reduces appearance of fine dry lines Softens skin Improves skin texture and appearance Prevents formation of dark spots and signs of premature aging

Source: Boots

This product offers broad spectrum sun protection. It means that it can prevent hyperpigmentation and help keep the skin tone even (sun damage is the main factor causing age spots, darkening of post-acne marks and other discolorations).

Moisturizing

What does the product description say?

This lightweight formula glides on evenly and invisibly and helps balance skin’s natural moisture level with Sodium Hyaluronate.

Source: Bluemercury

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: algae extract, saccharide isomerate.

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: algae extract, cetyl alcohol.

laminaria ochroleuca extract 0.65% - 1%

Irritation risk: Comedogenicity: High

Concentration: Effectiveness: HIGH

Helps attract water to the upper layer of the skin

algae extract 0.6% - 0.9%

Irritation risk: Comedogenicity: High

Concentration: Effectiveness: HIGH

Plant extract that helps the skin to attract water and make it more smooth for touch. Also shows promise of anti-aging properties, but research is not extensive yet

saccharide isomerate 0.2% - 0.35%

Irritation risk:

Concentration: Effectiveness: HIGH

Helps attract water to the upper layer of the skin

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Ingredients & concentrations

All ingredients

Key Actives

algae extract 0.6% - 0.9%

Irritation risk: Comedogenicity: High

Works for: Moisturizing, Anti-aging

Plant extract that helps the skin to attract water and make it more smooth for touch. Also shows promise of anti-aging properties, but research is not extensive yet

caffeine 0.35% - 0.6%

Irritation risk:

Works for: De-puffing, Anti-oxidation

Might be helpful in neutralizing free radicals. Can have a dehydration effect that might somewhat decrease the look of puffy eyes

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Potential irritants

benzophenone-3 3%

Irritation risk:

Works for: Sun protection

Same as oxybenzone. Protects in the UVB and short UVA range. In small concentrations, used to stabilize product formulation. Can be irritating. Is shown to be harmful to coral reefs - consider avoiding bathing in coral reef areas when wearing a product with this ingredient. It can penetrate the skin and get absorbed into bloodstream faster than other popular filters available in the US. The study that produced this finding did not address any potential health effects of the absorption

lavandula angustifolia extract 0.45% - 0.65%

Irritation risk:

Used for fragrance and contains volatile compounds that can irritate the skin

Comodogenic ingredients

laminaria ochroleuca extract 0.65% - 1%

Irritation risk: Comedogenicity: High

Works for: Moisturizing

Helps attract water to the upper layer of the skin

laminaria digitata extract 0.55% - 0.85%

Irritation risk: Comedogenicity: High

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

Seaweed extract that helps the skin to attract water and make it more smooth for touch. Also shows promise of anti-aging properties, but good research is lacking at the moment

All ingredients

butyl methoxydibenzoylmethane 3%

Irritation risk:

Works for: Sun protection

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.

homosalate 5%

Irritation risk:

Works for: Sun protection

A weak sunscreen that offers some protection against the sun rays that cause sunburn (UVB), but does not offer meaningful protection against 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. When used in low concentrations, helps to stabilize the product formulation

ethylhexyl salicylate 5%

Irritation risk:

Works for: Sun protection

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

Ingredient list view

Butyl methoxydibenzoylmethane, Homosalate, Ethylhexyl salicylate, Octocrylene, Benzophenone-3, Water, Butyloctyl salicylate, Methyl trimethicone, Neopentyl glycol diheptanoate, Aleurites moluccanus seed oil, Lauryl peg-9 polydimethylsiloxyethyl dimethicone, Peg-100 stearate, Butylene glycol, Glyceryl stearate, Dipentaerythrityl tri-polyhydroxystearate, Laminaria ochroleuca extract, Laminaria digitata extract, Algae extract, Lavandula angustifolia extract, Pelargonium graveolens flower oil, Sodium hyaluronate, Caffeine, Ergothioneine, Sorbitol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Potassium cetyl phosphate, Cetyl alcohol, Vp/eicosene copolymer, Saccharide isomerate, Caprylic/capric triglyceride, Caprylyl glycol, Ammonium acryloyldimethyltaurate/vp copolymer, Stearic acid, Dehydroxanthan gum, Sodium dehydroacetate, Disodium edta, Phenoxyethanol, Citric acid, Citronellol, Geraniol, Linalool, Mica

	Bobbi Brown - Primer Plus Protection SPF50	MAC Cosmetics - Official Site - Prep + Prime Face Protect Lotion SPF 50	Crème de la Mer - The SPF50 UV Protecting Fluid	Peter Thomas Roth - Max Matte Shine-Control Sunscreen Broad Spectrum SPF45	Dermalogica - prisma protect spf30	Vichy - Capital Soleil Soft Sheer Face and Body Sunscreen Lotion SPF 60	Walgreens - Clear Face SPF50 Lotion	Supergoop! - Lipscreen SPF 40	Epicuren Discovery - X-Treme Cream Propolis Sunscreen SPF 45	NARS Cosmetics - NARS Radiance Primer SPF35	NARS - Radiance Primer SPF 35/PA+++
Price
WIMJ similarity score		46%	46%	38%	38%	38%	38%	37%	37%	37%	37%
SPF	SPF 50	SPF 50	SPF 50	SPF 45	SPF 30	SPF 60	SPF 50	SPF 40	SPF 45	SPF 35	SPF 35
Key ingredients	aleurites moluccanus seed oil algae extract +11 more	Common: aleurites moluccanus seed oil algae extract +11 more Other:	Common: aleurites moluccanus seed oil algae extract +10 more Other: copper gluconate sesamum indicum seed oil +1 more	Common: homosalate octocrylene +4 more Other: ceramide eos ceramide np +14 more	Common: butyl methoxydibenzoylmethane butyloctyl salicylate +4 more Other: heptapeptide-15 palmitate camellia sinensis leaf extract +3 more	Common: benzophenone-3 butyl methoxydibenzoylmethane +3 more Other: cyclopentasiloxane dimethicone +1 more	Common: benzophenone-3 butyl methoxydibenzoylmethane +2 more Other: dimethicone glycerin	Common: butyl methoxydibenzoylmethane butyloctyl salicylate +4 more Other: butyrospermum parkii butter cocos nucifera oil +5 more	Common: aleurites moluccanus seed oil butyl methoxydibenzoylmethane +4 more Other: allantoin ethylhexyl methoxycinnamate +3 more	Common: butyloctyl salicylate homosalate +3 more Other: panthenol dimethicone +3 more	Common: butyloctyl salicylate homosalate +3 more Other: panthenol dimethicone +3 more
Irritancy	IRRITANCY HIGH	IRRITANCY HIGH	IRRITANCY HIGH	IRRITANCY MEDIUM	IRRITANCY MEDIUM	IRRITANCY MEDIUM	IRRITANCY MEDIUM	IRRITANCY LOW	IRRITANCY LOW	IRRITANCY MEDIUM	IRRITANCY MEDIUM
Potential Irritants	linalool Has skin benefit? geraniol Has skin benefit? +17 more	limonene Has skin benefit? linalool Has skin benefit? +16 more	citronellol Has skin benefit? linalool Has skin benefit? +25 more	ascorbyl palmitate Has skin benefit? behenic acid Has skin benefit? +16 more	limonene Has skin benefit? zingiber officinale root oil Has skin benefit? +19 more	benzophenone-3 Has skin benefit? vitis vinifera fruit extract Has skin benefit? +11 more	benzophenone-3 Has skin benefit? tocopheryl acetate Has skin benefit? +8 more	citric acid Has skin benefit? glycine soja oil Has skin benefit? +9 more	propolis extract Has skin benefit? ethylhexyl methoxycinnamate Has skin benefit? +14 more	ci 19140 Has skin benefit? parfum Has skin benefit? +17 more	ci 19140 Has skin benefit? parfum Has skin benefit? +17 more
All ingredients	butyl methoxydibenzoylmethane Has skin benefit? homosalate Has skin benefit? +40 more	butyl methoxydibenzoylmethane Has skin benefit? homosalate Has skin benefit? +39 more	butyl methoxydibenzoylmethane Has skin benefit? homosalate Has skin benefit? +61 more	butyl methoxydibenzoylmethane Has skin benefit? homosalate Has skin benefit? +47 more	butyl methoxydibenzoylmethane Has skin benefit? homosalate Has skin benefit? +42 more	butyl methoxydibenzoylmethane Has skin benefit? homosalate Has skin benefit? +31 more	butyl methoxydibenzoylmethane Has skin benefit? homosalate Has skin benefit? +23 more	butyl methoxydibenzoylmethane Has skin benefit? homosalate Has skin benefit? +31 more	butyl methoxydibenzoylmethane Has skin benefit? homosalate Has skin benefit? +36 more	butyl methoxydibenzoylmethane Has skin benefit? homosalate Has skin benefit? +40 more	butyl methoxydibenzoylmethane Has skin benefit? homosalate Has skin benefit? +40 more

PRODUCT REVIEW

Bobbi Brown Primer Plus Protection SPF50

Works for:

Can it cause trouble?

Key actives

Cheaper alternatives

Product summary

Sunscreen filters

Irritation risk

Price

What can the product work for?

Works for

Sun protection

Anti-aging

What does the product description say?

Evens skin tone

What does the product description say?

Moisturizing

What does the product description say?

Honesty check

How honest is this product?

Buy now

US Retailers

UK Retailers

GB Retailers

Can it cause trouble?

Potential irritants

Comodogenic ingredients

User reviews (0)

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Ingredients & concentrations

All ingredients

Key Actives

Potential irritants

Comodogenic ingredients

All ingredients

Ingredient list view

Sources