Bolden SPF 30 Brightening Moisturizer
Works for
3 of 3 advertised claims delivered
Sun protectionSPF 30 · 4 UV filtersBroad spectrum
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.
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-agingButyrospermum parkii butter, Panthenyl triacetate + 2 moreStrong evidence
“Our SPF 30 face moisturizer combines broad spectrum (UVA/UVB) protection with Vitamin C, a powerhouse antioxidant known for brightening skin tone, and diminishing signs of sun damage.”
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.
Evens skin toneTetrahexyldecyl ascorbateStrong evidence
“Our SPF 30 face moisturizer combines broad spectrum (UVA/UVB) protection with Vitamin C, a powerhouse antioxidant known for brightening skin tone, and diminishing signs of sun damage.”
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).
MoisturizingNot advertised by the brand · Trehalose, Butyrospermum parkii butter + 8 moreGood 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, trehalose.
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: butyrospermum parkii butter, caprylic/capric triglyceride.
Can it cause trouble?
Irritancy2 strong irritants: Parfum, Rosmarinus officinalis leaf extractMedium risk
Comedogenic1 ingredient rated 2 or more on the 0–5 pore-clogging scale1 flagged
User reviews
Ingredients
Filter by role to see what each ingredient is doing.
Homosalate15%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
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
More about HomosalateEthylhexyl salicylate5%
- 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 salicylateOctocrylene2.7%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
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
More about OctocryleneWater~40–60%
Butyl methoxydibenzoylmethane3%
- 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 methoxydibenzoylmethaneGlycerin~3.4–5.1%
- 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 GlycerinButyrospermum parkii butter~4.4–6.6%
- Irritation risk
- Low
- Comedogenicity
- 3/5
A great moisturising ingredient that softens the skin and reduces water loss from its upper layer. It also can be helpful in protecting skin from free radicals
More about Butyrospermum parkii butterCaprylic/capric triglyceride~3.6–5.4%
- 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 triglyceridePotassium cetyl phosphate~2.3–3.5%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Helps oil and water mix together
More about Potassium cetyl phosphateCetearyl olivate~1.7–2.5%
Silica~1.4–2%
Sorbitan olivate~1–1.5%
Tetrahexyldecyl ascorbate~0.55–1.25%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Being a lipid soluble form of vitamin C, it is more stable than ascorbic acid, but still degrades quickly and needs to be stabilized in a formulation with another ingredient. It is claimed to penetrate skin better than pure vitamin C and have the the similar benefits, but solid studies of its effectiveness are lacking. Is likely to require a higher concentration in a product than pure vitamin C to be effective. It might be able to help reduce pore clogging.
More about Tetrahexyldecyl ascorbateTrehalose~0.45–1%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A sugar that attracts water to the upper layer of the skin
More about TrehaloseSqualane~0.45–1.05%
- 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 SqualaneParfum~0.2–0.7%
- Irritation risk
- High
An aromatic blend of unspecified and possibly irritating ingredients
More about ParfumPhenoxyethanol~0.15–0.65%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A preservative. It helps prevent bacterial growth in cosmetic products
More about PhenoxyethanolCarthamus tinctorius oleosomes~0.2–0.7%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps soften the upper layer of the skin
More about Carthamus tinctorius oleosomesTocopherol~0.1–0.5%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Pure 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
More about TocopherolAllantoin~0.1–0.4%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps calm down inflammation in skin and can help reduce itching. Helps to repair the skin barrier and keep skin hydrated
More about AllantoinXanthan gum~0.15–0.5%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Used to create a thicker product consistency
More about Xanthan gumCarbomer~0.1–0.45%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps create a thicker or gel-like product texture. It is not a surfactant but can be used in gentle cleansing formulations
More about CarbomerEthylhexylglycerin~0.1–0.35%
Oryza sativa bran extract~0.1–0.4%
Echinacea purpurea extract~0.1–0.35%
- Irritation risk
- High
Plant extract that might have some anti-oxidant properties. Can be irritating
More about Echinacea purpurea extractHelianthus annuus extract~0.15–0.55%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps soften the upper layer of the skin
More about Helianthus annuus extractRosmarinus officinalis leaf extract~0.05–0.2%
- Irritation risk
- High
Can be helpful in reducing inflammation in skin, including inflamed acne. It can be irritating
More about Rosmarinus officinalis leaf extractAcetyl rheum rhaponticum root extract~0.05–0.2%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Panthenyl triacetate~0.05–0.15%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A stable oil-soluble derivative of vitamin B5. It can help support skin barrier and reduce inflammation in skin
More about Panthenyl triacetateTrisodium ethylenediamine disuccinate~0.01–0.05%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Used to improve stability of the formulation
More about Trisodium ethylenediamine disuccinateSodium hydroxide~0.05–0.1%
Ingredient list view
Homosalate, Ethylhexyl salicylate, Octocrylene, Water, Butyl methoxydibenzoylmethane, Glycerin, Butyrospermum parkii butter, Caprylic/capric triglyceride, Potassium cetyl phosphate, Cetearyl olivate, Silica, Sorbitan olivate, Tetrahexyldecyl ascorbate, Trehalose, Squalane, Parfum, Phenoxyethanol, Carthamus tinctorius oleosomes, Tocopherol, Allantoin, Xanthan gum, Carbomer, Ethylhexylglycerin, Oryza sativa bran extract, Echinacea purpurea extract, Helianthus annuus extract, Rosmarinus officinalis leaf extract, Acetyl rheum rhaponticum root extract, Panthenyl triacetate, Trisodium ethylenediamine disuccinate, Sodium hydroxide
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Product summary
We believe that "Bolden - SPF 30 Brightening Moisturizer" can provide reliable sun protection based on the ingredients listed. 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 also works as a moisturizer, so you do not have to use an additional hydrating product. Like all broad-spectrum sunscreens, this product has an anti-aging benefit.
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. These are the sun protection ingredients in this sunscreen: avobenzone 3.00% (declared), octisalate 5.00% (declared), homosalate 15.00% (declared) and octocrylene 2.70% (declared).
Irritation risk
This moisturizer contains some common irritants, including those without 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.
What our users say
Based on 1 review 100% recommend this product- When it comes to comedogenicity, the reviewer found that it does not clog pores.
- As for the white cast, it did not leave a noticeable white residue for the reviewer.
- When it comes to using this sunscreen under makeup, the user found that it pills under a foundation.
- As for using this sunscreen in the eye area, the reviewer reported that it does not sting eyes.
Price
The product retails for 28.00$ 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 12 studies and safety reviews.
- 1
- 2
- 3
- 4
- 5Vitamin E in dermatologyncbi.nlm.nih.gov
- 6Vitamin E and Skin Healthlpi.oregonstate.edu
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