California Baby Summer Blend Broad Spectrum SPF 30+ Sunscreen - 2.9 Ounce
Works for
Sun protectionSPF 30 · 1 UV filter · Partial spectrumWeak protection
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.
Anti-oxidationSide benefit · TocopherolWorks well
This product contains antioxidants (tocopherol) that can help neutralize free radicals in skin. By doing so, they can lessen the damage the skin gets from the UV light (sun).
MoisturizingSide benefit the brand mentions · Panthenol, Cyclomethicone + 5 moreWorks well
“PABA free, non-chemical formula helps to soothe bug bites & hydrate skin.”
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.
The following ingredients in this product are especially good for supporting the skin barrier and helping with the hydration level: panthenol
Anti-agingSide benefit · TocopherolMay help
This product contains tocopherol. This ingredient help neutralize free radicals in skin. By doing so, they might be able to prevent early signs of aging (like fine lines and wrinkles), at least to some extent. These ingredients will not be able to "reverse" signs of aging. 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).
Can it cause trouble?
Irritancy3 strong irritants: Gardenia taitensis flower extract, Cymbopogon nardus oil + 1 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.
Titanium dioxide~26–39%
- 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 dioxideWater~12–18%
Lysine cocoate~5.1–7.6%
Cyclomethicone~3.1–4.7%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A type of silicone that leaves a nice silky finish on the skin and can help soften its upper layer
More about CyclomethiconeGlycerin~2.3–3.4%
- 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 GlycerinCandelilla cera~2–3%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Tocopherol~1.3–2%
- 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 TocopherolCocos nucifera oil~1.5–2.2%
- Irritation risk
- Low
- Comedogenicity
- 3/5
An emollient. Found to be as effective as a moisturizer for dry skin as mineral oil. Could be comedogenic
More about Cocos nucifera oilGardenia taitensis flower extract~1.1–1.6%
Cymbopogon nardus oil~0.8–1.25%
- Irritation risk
- High
Cymbopogon schoenanthus oil~0.5–1.15%
- Irritation risk
- High
Squalane~0.55–1.25%
- 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 SqualaneCamellia sinensis leaf oil~0.2–0.8%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Magnesium sulfate~0.2–0.75%
Panthenol~0.1–0.45%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps attract water to the upper layer of the skin and can help improve skin barrier function
More about PanthenolAllantoin~0.1–0.3%
- 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 AllantoinMagnesium stearate~0.05–0.3%
Polyaminopropyl biguanide~0.05–0.25%
- Irritation risk
- High
A preservative. There seem to be an increasing number of cases of allergic reactions to it
More about Polyaminopropyl biguanideIngredient list view
Titanium dioxide, Water, Lysine cocoate, Cyclomethicone, Glycerin, Unknown, Candelilla cera, Tocopherol, Cocos nucifera oil, Gardenia taitensis flower extract, Cymbopogon nardus oil, Cymbopogon schoenanthus oil, Squalane, Camellia sinensis leaf oil, Magnesium sulfate, Panthenol, Allantoin, Magnesium stearate, Polyaminopropyl biguanide
Compare prices
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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.
| California BabySummer Blend Broad Spectrum SPF 30+ Sunscreen - 2.9 OunceYOUR PRODUCT | KORRESCoconut + Almond Baby Sunscreen Face + Body SPF 30 | Make P:remUV Defense Me. Blue Ray Sun Fluid SPF50+ PA++++ | PESTLOSaferecipe Sun Essence | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Match | — | 59% | 58% | 56% |
| Price | $27.99 | — | $11.70−$16.29 | $17.60−$10.39 |
| Shared key ingredients | — | 5 of 7 | 4 of 7 | 4 of 7 |
| Key difference | — | Lactic Acid | Madecassoside | Ceramide Np |
| Irritancy | High | Low | High | Medium |
| SPF | SPF 30 | SPF 30 | SPF 50 | SPF 50 |
| Drying alcohol | — | — | — | — |
| View product | Shop | Shop | Shop |
More alternatives: CeraVe Hydrating Sunscreen Face Lotion SPF 50La Roche-Posay Anthelios 100% Mineral Sunscreen Moisturizer with Hyaluronic Acid
Product summary
We do not recommend "California Baby - Summer Blend Broad Spectrum SPF 30+ Sunscreen - 2.9 Ounce" because it does not provide good UVA protection. UVA sun rays don't burn the skin, but they still lead to photoaging and hyperpigmentation.
Its formula is also hydrating, so you might not need an additional moistruizer during the day.
Sunscreen filters
This product is a mineral sunscreen. It uses titanium dioxide for sun protection. Titanium dioxide almost never irritates the skin or stings eyes, but it can leave a white cast.
Irritation risk
We assess the overall irritancy of this sunscreen to be high. For a detailed overview of all potential irritants: click here
You can see the detailed formula review with the breakdown of all actives in the product and the full ingredient list with estimated concentrations in the tables below.
Price
The product retails for 27.25$ 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 8 studies and safety reviews.
- 1
- 2Vitamin E in dermatologyncbi.nlm.nih.gov
- 3Vitamin E and Skin Healthlpi.oregonstate.edu
- 4Safety Assessment of Magnesium Sulfate as Used in Cosmeticsncbi.nlm.nih.gov
- 5Skin moisturizing effects of panthenol-based formulationspdfs.semanticscholar.org
- 6
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