Bondi Sands Gradual Tan Lotion Illuminator

Bondi Sands Gradual Tan Lotion Illuminator

Efficacy50/100IrritancyMedium

Works for

Moisturizing
Coco-caprylate/caprate, Glyceryl stearate + 3 more
Not delivered
What the product description says
“This nourishing moisturiser will give you a gradual, natural-looking tan that’s suitable for all skin tones.”
Source: Face the future

Does not contain the most effective ingredients for moisturization. The emollients (coco-caprylate/caprate, c13-14 isoparaffin) can help soften the upper layer of the skin. Keep in mind though that this product lacks humectants that attract water. You might want to use a separate product with ingredients like hyaluronic acid or glycerin in addition (use before this product for the best results).

Coco-caprylate/caprate· EmollientEffect: MediumHelps to soften the upper layer of the skin without creating a greasy texture~4.5–6.7%
Glyceryl stearate· EmollientEffect: LowAn emollient that softens the skin and forms a protective layer on its surface. Helps water and oil mix together~2–2.9%
C13-14 isoparaffin· EmollientEffect: LowHelps soften the upper layer of the skin, dissolve other ingredients and create a thicker product consistency~0.9–1.35%
Aloe barbadensis leaf juice powderEffect: LowTraditionally used to treat sunburns, dermatitis and inflammation, but evidence for its effectiveness is lacking. The extract can contain humectants that help attract water into the skin~0.1–0.45%
Butyrospermum parkii butterUnder-dosedA 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~0.2–0.8%

Can it cause trouble?

Irritancy
1 strong irritant: Parfum
Medium risk
We flagged 10 ingredients with irritancy potential. Severity depends on your sensitivity threshold; the table lists the worst offenders first.
IngredientFunctionIrritationEst. amount
DihydroxyacetoneA self-tanning agentHigh~3–4.6%est.
ParfumAn aromatic blend of unspecified and possibly irritating ingredientsHigh~1–1.5%est.
Benzyl alcoholA preservative. Can be used to mask unpleasant smell. Can be irritatingHigh~0.5–1%est.
PolyacrylamideUsed to improve product texture and help oil and water mix togetherMedium~1.6–2.4%est.
Laureth-7Helps oil and water mix togetherMedium~0.4–0.9%est.
Potassium cetyl phosphateHelps oil and water mix togetherMedium~0.35–0.8%est.
Aloe barbadensis leaf juice powderTraditionally used to treat sunburns, dermatitis and inflammation, but evidence for its effectiveness is lacking. The extract can contain humectants that help attract water into the skinMedium~0.1–0.45%est.
Tocopheryl acetateA 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.Medium~0.1–0.4%est.
Citric acidCan work as an exfoliant but is typically used to adjust the product pHMedium~0.05–0.3%est.
Sodium citrateHelps to control the skin's pH level. Maintains the skin's natural film of amino-lactic acids and oils. Helps to preserve productsMedium~0.05–0.25%est.
Comedogenic
1 ingredient rated 2 or more on the 0–5 pore-clogging scale
1 flagged
These ingredients have a comedogenic rating of 2 or more on a 0–5 scale; the table shows each one's rating. In leave-on products they can clog pores in acne-prone skin.
IngredientFunctionRatingEst. amount
Butyrospermum parkii butterA 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 radicals3/5~0.2–0.8%est.

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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
Coco-caprylate/caprate~4.5–6.7%
Key active
Irritation risk
Low
Works for
Moisturizing

Helps to soften the upper layer of the skin without creating a greasy texture

More about Coco-caprylate/caprate
Ci 77891~4.3–6.5%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low
More about Ci 77891
Dihydroxyacetone~3–4.6%
Irritant · high
Irritation risk
High
Works for
Tanning

A self-tanning agent

More about Dihydroxyacetone
Mica~2.4–3.7%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low

Creates an illusion of smoother and more radiant skin tone. Adds shimmer to the skin by reflecting light

More about Mica
Glyceryl stearate~2–2.9%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low
Works for
CleansingMoisturizing

An emollient that softens the skin and forms a protective layer on its surface. Helps water and oil mix together

More about Glyceryl stearate
Polyacrylamide~1.6–2.4%
Irritant · medium
Irritation risk
Medium

Used to improve product texture and help oil and water mix together

More about Polyacrylamide
Phenoxyethanol~0.5–1%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low

A preservative. It helps prevent bacterial growth in cosmetic products

More about Phenoxyethanol
Parfum~1–1.5%
Irritant · high
Irritation risk
High

An aromatic blend of unspecified and possibly irritating ingredients

More about Parfum
C13-14 isoparaffin~0.9–1.35%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low
Works for
Moisturizing

Helps soften the upper layer of the skin, dissolve other ingredients and create a thicker product consistency

More about C13-14 isoparaffin
Benzyl alcohol~0.5–1%
Irritant · high
Irritation risk
High

A preservative. Can be used to mask unpleasant smell. Can be irritating

More about Benzyl alcohol
Dimethyl isosorbide~0.45–1.1%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low

Used to dissolve other ingredients in a product and can enhance their ability to penetrate the skin

More about Dimethyl isosorbide
Erythrulose~0.45–1%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low
More about Erythrulose
Laureth-7~0.4–0.9%
Irritant · medium
Irritation risk
Medium
Works for
Cleansing

Helps oil and water mix together

More about Laureth-7
Potassium cetyl phosphate~0.35–0.8%
Irritant · medium
Irritation risk
Medium
Works for
Cleansing

Helps oil and water mix together

More about Potassium cetyl phosphate
Tin oxide~0.4–0.95%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low

A colorant that can add a pearl-like appearance to the formulation

More about Tin oxide
Butyrospermum parkii butter~0.2–0.8%
Under-dosedComedogenic 3/5
Irritation risk
Low
Comedogenicity
3/5
Works for
MoisturizingAnti-agingAnti-oxidation

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 butter
Aloe barbadensis leaf juice powder~0.1–0.45%
Irritant · medium
Irritation risk
Medium
Works for
Moisturizing

Traditionally used to treat sunburns, dermatitis and inflammation, but evidence for its effectiveness is lacking. The extract can contain humectants that help attract water into the skin

More about Aloe barbadensis leaf juice powder
Tocopheryl acetate~0.1–0.4%
Irritant · medium
Irritation risk
Medium
Works for
Anti-oxidation

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 acetate
Citric acid~0.05–0.3%
Irritant · medium
Irritation risk
Medium

Can work as an exfoliant but is typically used to adjust the product pH

More about Citric acid
Sodium citrate~0.05–0.25%
Irritant · medium
Irritation risk
Medium

Helps to control the skin's pH level. Maintains the skin's natural film of amino-lactic acids and oils. Helps to preserve products

More about Sodium citrate
Isobutyl acetate~0.05–0.15%
Formula
Anisyl alcohol
Not recognized
Ingredient list view

Water, Coco-caprylate/caprate, Ci 77891, Dihydroxyacetone, Mica, Glyceryl stearate, Polyacrylamide, Phenoxyethanol, Parfum, C13-14 isoparaffin, Benzyl alcohol, Dimethyl isosorbide, Erythrulose, Laureth-7, Potassium cetyl phosphate, Tin oxide, Butyrospermum parkii butter, Aloe barbadensis leaf juice powder, Tocopheryl acetate, Citric acid, Sodium citrate, Isobutyl acetate, Unknown

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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
Bondi SandsGradual Tan Lotion IlluminatorYOUR PRODUCTEcookingBody Lotion Fragrance FreeVita LiberataFabulous Self Tanning Gradual LotionEmerginCVitamin C, Hemp, Avocado and Argan Body Lotion
Match—39%37%36%
Price—$34.80$9.95$35.95
Shared key ingredients—1 of 22 of 21 of 2
Key difference—NiacinamideSalicylic AcidGlycolic Acid
Irritancy Medium Low Low Low
Drying alcohol————
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Sources cited in this review

Every concentration estimate and effectiveness label is anchored to one of these 4 studies and safety reviews.

  1. 1
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  4. 4
Bondi Sands Gradual Tan Lotion Illuminator
Bondi SandsGradual Tan Lotion Illuminator

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As an Amazon Associate, WIMJ earns from qualifying purchases.