Burt's Bees BB Cream, SPF 15, Light / Medium
Works for
1 of 4 advertised claims delivered
Sun protectionSPF 15 · 2 UV filters · Broad spectrumWeak protectionSPF under 30
This product offers broad spectrum sun protection, but it is weak. We recommend to use a broad spectrum sunscreen with at least SPF 30.
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.
Moisturizing14 ingredients credited for this claimGood support
“This cream possesses the essence of the noni plant, known for being rich in antioxidants and moisturizing properties.”
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.
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: beeswax, caprylic/capric triglyceride.
Anti-aging1 ingredient credited for this claimLimited support
“It protects the skin from sun damage with SPF 15 and reduces the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles with a light tone base.”
This product does not contain ingredients that are able to reduce fine lines and wrinkles or help with skin elasticity, but it can improve the look of the skin temporarily through moisturization. Well-moisturized skin might also be able to repair the sun damage better.This ingredient - magnesium aluminum silicate - could be helpful for preventing or repairing signs of aging in theory, but there is no evidence that it actually works.
The biggest anti-aging effect in this product comes from sun protection. Sun damage is the main factor causing early signs of skin aging. We, however, do not recommend using this product as a sunscreen because the protection it offers is not strong enough).
Evens skin toneNo ingredient credited for this claimLimited support
“It protects the skin from sun damage with SPF 15 and reduces the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles with a light tone base.”
This product contains ingredients () that could help reduce hyperpigmentation (for example, post-acne marks or age spots) in theory, but there is not enough evidence that they actually work.
The biggest effect for evening out skin tone in this product comes from sun protection. Sun damage is the main factor causing age spots, darkening of post-acne marks and other discolorations. This is why sun protection is the best strategy for maintaining an even skin tone. We, however, do not recommend using this product as a sunscreen because the protection it offers is not strong enough).
Can it cause trouble?
Irritancy5 strong irritants: Alcohol, Parfum + 3 more — patch-test recommendedHigh risk
Comedogenic1 ingredient rated 2 or more on the 0–5 pore-clogging scale1 flagged
User reviews
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Ingredients
Filter by role to see what each ingredient is doing.
Water~45–55%
Zinc oxide~11–13%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A broad spectrum sunblock (protects from both UVA and UVB rays). Is suitable for most sensitive skins. In small concentrations, can be used as a colorant
More about Zinc oxideGlycerin~5–6.1%
- 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 GlycerinTitanium dioxide~4.3–5.3%
- 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 dioxideDecyl oleate~3.2–3.9%
- Irritation risk
- Low
- Comedogenicity
- 2/5
Helps soften the upper layer of the skin
More about Decyl oleateIsoamyl cocoate~2.7–3.3%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Helps oil and water mix together and works as a cleansing agent
More about Isoamyl cocoateIsoamyl laurate~2.4–2.9%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Helps stabilize emulsions and create a nice product texture
More about Isoamyl laurateOctyldodecanol~1.9–2.3%
- Irritation risk
- Low
An emollient that helps to soften the skin and create a pleasant product texture and stabilize the formulation
More about OctyldodecanolPolyglyceryl-4 caprate~1.5–1.8%
Caprylic/capric triglyceride~1.2–1.4%
- 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 triglycerideCetyl alcohol~1–1.2%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A non-drying alcohol that works to soften the skin and stabilize product formulations helping oil and water mix together
More about Cetyl alcoholHelianthus annuus seed oil~0.7–1.05%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A great emollient due to its high linoleic acid content. One of the most effective plant oils in helping skin hydration and repairing skin barrier function
More about Helianthus annuus seed oilPolyglyceryl-2 dipolyhydroxystearate~0.7–1%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps to soften the upper layer of the skin
More about Polyglyceryl-2 dipolyhydroxystearateGlyceryl stearate citrate~0.65–0.95%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps oil and water mix together while softening the upper layer of the skin
More about Glyceryl stearate citrateStearic acid~0.75–1.1%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps oil and water mix together and works as an emollient
More about Stearic acidMorinda citrifolia fruit extract~0.6–0.9%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Beeswax~0.6–0.9%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Forms a protective barrier that holds water and keeps dry skin hydrated. Keeps an emulsion from separating into its oil and liquid components, and increases the thickness of a product. Can be an allergen
More about BeeswaxJojoba esters~0.55–0.85%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
An emollient made of jojoba oil. Helps soften the skin and support its barrier function
More about Jojoba estersMica~0.55–0.85%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Creates an illusion of smoother and more radiant skin tone. Adds shimmer to the skin by reflecting light
More about MicaIron oxides~0.55–0.85%
- 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 oxidesSilica~0.6–0.95%
Sorbitan stearate~0.5–0.8%
Stearyl alcohol~0.55–0.8%
- Irritation risk
- Low
An emollient that helps soften the skin
More about Stearyl alcoholBehenyl alcohol~0.5–0.75%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Non-drying alcohol that helps water and oil mix together. Also serves as an emollient
More about Behenyl alcoholSodium carboxymethyl c10-16 alkyl glucoside~0.55–0.85%
Lauryl glucoside~0.55–0.8%
Magnesium aluminum silicate~0.45–0.7%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Might be helpful in restoring skin barrier function and, when combined with zinc carbonate and malonic acid, reducing fine lines and wrinkles by stimulating elastin production. Also helps stabilize the product formulation
More about Magnesium aluminum silicateXanthan gum~0.5–0.75%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Used to create a thicker product consistency
More about Xanthan gumCitric acid~0.45–0.65%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Can work as an exfoliant but is typically used to adjust the product pH
More about Citric acidIsostearic acid~0.55–0.8%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Used to create a nice product texture
More about Isostearic acidLecithin~0.5–0.75%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Used mostly for creating emulsions - helping oil and water mix together. Helps soften the upper layer of the skin
More about LecithinPolyglyceryl-3 polyricinoleate~0.5–0.75%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Helps oil and water mix together
More about Polyglyceryl-3 polyricinoleatePolyhydroxystearic acid~0.5–0.75%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Used to create a thicker product consistency and stabilize the formulation
More about Polyhydroxystearic acidSodium phytate~0.45–0.7%
Trihydroxystearin~0.45–0.65%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps soften the upper layer of the skin and improve the product texture
More about TrihydroxystearinAlumina~0.55–0.8%
- 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 AluminaSorbic acid~0.4–0.6%
Alcohol~0.3–0.55%
- Irritation risk
- High
Can be drying and contribute to skin irritation. Used in formulars to dissolve other ingredients, create a thinner product consistency or for its antibacterial properties
More about AlcoholPotassium sorbate~0.3–0.55%
Sodium benzoate~0.25–0.45%
Parfum~0.2–0.4%
- Irritation risk
- High
An aromatic blend of unspecified and possibly irritating ingredients
More about ParfumPhenoxyethanol~0.25–0.45%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A preservative. It helps prevent bacterial growth in cosmetic products
More about PhenoxyethanolCitral~0.15–0.3%
Limonene~0.15–0.25%
- Irritation risk
- High
A common frangrance that can easily irritate skin, especially if exposed to air, light or heat
More about LimoneneLinalool~0.1–0.25%
Ingredient list view
Water, Zinc oxide, Glycerin, Titanium dioxide, Decyl oleate, Isoamyl cocoate, Isoamyl laurate, Octyldodecanol, Polyglyceryl-4 caprate, Caprylic/capric triglyceride, Cetyl alcohol, Helianthus annuus seed oil, Polyglyceryl-2 dipolyhydroxystearate, Glyceryl stearate citrate, Stearic acid, Morinda citrifolia fruit extract, Beeswax, Jojoba esters, Mica, Iron oxides, Silica, Sorbitan stearate, Stearyl alcohol, Behenyl alcohol, Sodium carboxymethyl c10-16 alkyl glucoside, Lauryl glucoside, Magnesium aluminum silicate, Xanthan gum, Citric acid, Isostearic acid, Lecithin, Polyglyceryl-3 polyricinoleate, Polyhydroxystearic acid, Sodium phytate, Trihydroxystearin, Alumina, Sorbic acid, Alcohol, Potassium sorbate, Sodium benzoate, Parfum, Phenoxyethanol, Citral, Limonene, Linalool
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Product summary
"Burt's Bees - BB Cream, SPF 15, Light / Medium" offers broad spectrum protection. It means that it protects from both UVA and UVB rays (you can remember UVB as "burning" sunlight - they cause sunburn. You can remember UVA rays as "aging" - they do not lead to sunburn, but they cause photodamage and contribute to early signs of skin aging and hyperpigmentation). On the negative side, the SPF of this moisturizer is not high enough. We recommend to use a sunscreen with at least SPF 30 daily.
This moisturizer should also be hydrating enough to use without an additional moisturizer during the day.
Sunscreen filters
This moisturizer is a mineral sunscreen. It uses titanium dioxide and zinc oxide for sun protection. Both titanium dioxide and zinc oxide almost never irritate even the most sensitive skin and eyes, but can leave a white cast.
Irritation risk
There are quite a few common irritants in this product, including ingredients without particular skin benefits. We would not recommend it for sensitive skin. We assess the overall irritancy of this moisturizer 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 from 18.38$ up to 34.00$ in the United States and for 40.84£ in the United Kingdom.
For a detailed price comparison: click here.
Sources cited in this review
Every concentration estimate and effectiveness label is anchored to one of these 13 studies and safety reviews.
- 1A review of inorganic UV filters zinc oxide and titanium dioxideonlinelibrary.wiley.com
- 2
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- 6
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