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California Baby Everyday Year Round Broad Spectrum SPF 18 Sunscreen
California Baby

California Baby Everyday Year Round Broad Spectrum SPF 18 Sunscreen

SPF 18Efficacy62/100IrritancyMedium·1 UV filter
See all ingredients

Works for

Sun protection
SPF 18 · 1 UV filter · Partial spectrum
Weak protectionSPF under 30
SPF 18Partial spectrumMineral filtersWater-resistant

This product does not offer good protection against UVA rays.

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.

UV spectrum
UVB290–320 nmUVA II320–340 nmUVA I340–400 nm
Titanium Dioxide
FilterCoverageWhat it doesEst. amount
Titanium Dioxide Mineral UVBUVA2 Photo-stable 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~26–39%
~ marks concentrations estimated from label position and typical use levels
Reef-safe
No oxybenzone or octinoxate — the two filters banned in Hawaii, Florida Keys and Aruba.
Moisturizing
Lysine, Theobroma cacao seed butter + 7 more
Works
What the product description says
“The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) states that if exposure to the Sunscreen, Moisturizing, SPF 18 Safe.”
Source: Walmart

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: cyclomethicone, 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: cocos nucifera oil, squalane.

LysineKey activeEffect: HighAn amino-acid that helps to attract water to the upper layer of the skin. In combination with other amino-acids, might help to reduce fine lines and wrinkles~4.7–7.1%
Theobroma cacao seed butterKey active· EmollientEffect: HighHelps soften the upper layer of the skin and can be helpful in restoring the skin barrier function. Might have some anti-oxidant effect~3.3–5%
CyclomethiconeKey active· Humectant, EmollientEffect: HighA type of silicone that leaves a nice silky finish on the skin and can help soften its upper layer~2.4–3.5%
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~1.9–2.9%
Cocos nucifera oilKey active· Emollient, OcclusiveEffect: HighAn emollient. Found to be as effective as a moisturizer for dry skin as mineral oil. Could be comedogenic~1.3–1.9%
SqualaneKey active· Emollient, OcclusiveEffect: HighAn 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.~0.8–1.2%
TocopherolEffect: Low, below effective dosePure 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~1.1–1.7%
PanthenolUnder-dosedHelps attract water to the upper layer of the skin and can help improve skin barrier function~0.2–0.75%
AllantoinUnder-dosedHelps calm down inflammation in skin and can help reduce itching. Helps to repair the skin barrier and keep skin hydrated~0.15–0.5%
Anti-aging
Side benefit · Lysine, Tocopherol
May help

This product contains lysine. This ingredient might be able to help reduce and prevent fine lines and wrinkles, improve skin elasticity and firmness, but there is not enough 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).

LysineKey activeEffect: MediumAn amino-acid that helps to attract water to the upper layer of the skin. In combination with other amino-acids, might help to reduce fine lines and wrinkles~4.7–7.1%
TocopherolEffect: Low, below effective dosePure 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~1.1–1.7%

Can it cause trouble?

Irritancy
2 strong irritants: Gardenia taitensis flower extract, Cymbopogon schoenanthus water
Medium risk
We flagged 3 ingredients with irritancy potential. Severity depends on your sensitivity threshold; the table lists the worst offenders first.
IngredientFunctionIrritationEst. amount
Gardenia taitensis flower extractUsed as a fragranceHigh~0.9–1.3%est.
Cymbopogon schoenanthus water—High~0.05–0.2%est.
Polyaminopropyl biguanideA preservative. There seem to be an increasing number of cases of allergic reactions to itHigh~0.05–0.25%est.
Comedogenic
2 ingredients rated 2 or more on the 0–5 pore-clogging scale
2 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
Theobroma cacao seed butterHelps soften the upper layer of the skin and can be helpful in restoring the skin barrier function. Might have some anti-oxidant effect3/5~3.3–5%est.
Cocos nucifera oilAn emollient. Found to be as effective as a moisturizer for dry skin as mineral oil. Could be comedogenic3/5~1.3–1.9%est.

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Ingredients

Filter by role to see what each ingredient is doing.

Titanium dioxide~26–39%
UV filterKey active
Irritation risk
Low
Works for
Sun protection

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 dioxide
Water~12–17%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low

Plain old water

More about Water
Lysine~4.7–7.1%
Key active
Irritation risk
Low
Works for
MoisturizingAnti-aging

An amino-acid that helps to attract water to the upper layer of the skin. In combination with other amino-acids, might help to reduce fine lines and wrinkles

More about Lysine
Theobroma cacao seed butter~3.3–5%
Key activeComedogenic 3/5
Irritation risk
Low
Comedogenicity
3/5
Works for
MoisturizingAnti-oxidationAnti-dandruff

Helps soften the upper layer of the skin and can be helpful in restoring the skin barrier function. Might have some anti-oxidant effect

More about Theobroma cacao seed butter
Cyclomethicone~2.4–3.5%
Key active
Irritation risk
Low
Works for
Moisturizing

A type of silicone that leaves a nice silky finish on the skin and can help soften its upper layer

More about Cyclomethicone
Glycerin~1.9–2.9%
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
Dipolyhydroxystearate
Not recognized
Candelilla cera~1.7–2.5%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low
More about Candelilla cera
Tocopherol~1.1–1.7%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low
Works for
Anti-oxidationMoisturizingAnti-inflammatoryAnti-aging

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 Tocopherol
Cocos nucifera oil~1.3–1.9%
Key activeComedogenic 3/5
Irritation risk
Low
Comedogenicity
3/5
Works for
Moisturizing

An emollient. Found to be as effective as a moisturizer for dry skin as mineral oil. Could be comedogenic

More about Cocos nucifera oil
Infused with
Not recognized
Gardenia taitensis flower extract~0.9–1.3%
Irritant · high
Irritation risk
High

Used as a fragrance

More about Gardenia taitensis flower extract
Squalane~0.8–1.2%
Key active
Irritation risk
Low
Works for
Moisturizing

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 Squalane
Camellia sinensis leaf oil~0.4–1%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low
More about Camellia sinensis leaf oil
Magnesium sulfate~0.45–1%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low

Used to create a thicker product consistency

More about Magnesium sulfate
Panthenol~0.2–0.75%
Under-dosed
Irritation risk
Low
Works for
MoisturizingReduces rednessReduces irritation

Helps attract water to the upper layer of the skin and can help improve skin barrier function

More about Panthenol
Allantoin~0.15–0.5%
Under-dosed
Irritation risk
Low
Works for
MoisturizingAnti-inflammatoryAnti-blemishReduces rednessReduces irritationExfoliation

Helps calm down inflammation in skin and can help reduce itching. Helps to repair the skin barrier and keep skin hydrated

More about Allantoin
Magnesium stearate~0.15–0.55%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low

Used to create a nice product texture

More about Magnesium stearate
Pure essential oil of
Not recognized
Cymbopogon schoenanthus water~0.05–0.2%
Irritant · high
Irritation risk
High
More about Cymbopogon schoenanthus water
Polyaminopropyl biguanide~0.05–0.25%
Irritant · high
Irritation risk
High

A preservative. There seem to be an increasing number of cases of allergic reactions to it

More about Polyaminopropyl biguanide
Ingredient list view

Titanium dioxide, Water, Lysine, Theobroma cacao seed butter, Cyclomethicone, Glycerin, Unknown, Candelilla cera, Tocopherol, Cocos nucifera oil, Unknown, Gardenia taitensis flower extract, Squalane, Camellia sinensis leaf oil, Magnesium sulfate, Panthenol, Allantoin, Magnesium stearate, Unknown, Cymbopogon schoenanthus water, Polyaminopropyl biguanide

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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
California BabyEveryday Year Round Broad Spectrum SPF 18 SunscreenYOUR PRODUCTKORRESCoconut + Almond Baby Sunscreen Face + Body SPF 303LABPerfect Lite Sunscreen SPF 30PESTLOSaferecipe Sun Essence
Match—45%45%41%
Price——$55.00$17.60
Shared key ingredients—5 of 104 of 105 of 10
Key difference—Lactic AcidCamellia Sinensis Leaf ExtractCeramide Np
Irritancy Medium Low Low Medium
SPFSPF 18SPF 30SPF 30SPF 50
Drying alcohol————
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Product summary

"California Baby - Everyday Year Round Broad Spectrum SPF 18 Sunscreen" does not provide enough UVA protection. UVA rays do not cause sunburn, but still damage the skin, leading to early signs of aging and pigmentation issues.

This product should also be hydrating enough to use without an additional moisturizer during the day.

Sunscreen filters

It is a mineral sunscreen. It uses titanium dioxide for sun protection. Titanium dioxide almost never irritates the skin or stings eyes, but it can leave a white cast.

Irritation risk

This formulation includes some common irritants, including ingredients that do not provide a benefit for the skin. We assess the overall irritancy of this product 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.

Price

The product retails for 29.33$ 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 10 studies and safety reviews.

  1. 1
    Topical palmitoyl pentapeptide provides improvement in photoaged human facial skinonlinelibrary.wiley.com
  2. 2
    Cocoa polyphenols and their influence on parameters involved in ex vivo skin restructuringncbi.nlm.nih.gov
  3. 3
    Glycerol and the skin: holistic approach to its origin and functionsncbi.nlm.nih.gov
  4. 4
    Vitamin E in dermatologyncbi.nlm.nih.gov
  5. 5
    Vitamin E and Skin Healthlpi.oregonstate.edu
  6. 6
    Safety Assessment of Magnesium Sulfate as Used in Cosmeticsncbi.nlm.nih.gov
California Baby Everyday Year Round Broad Spectrum SPF 18 Sunscreen
California BabyEveryday Year Round Broad Spectrum SPF 18 Sunscreen
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