CeraVe Hydrating for Face and Body Sheer Sunscreen SPF 30
Works for
3 of 4 advertised claims delivered
Sun protectionSPF 30 · 1 UV filter · Partial spectrumWeak protectionLow filter dose
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-aging1 ingredient credited for this claimStrong support
This product can help reduce and prevent fine lines and wrinkles, improve skin elasticity and firmness because it contains niacinamide.
Keep in mind that it typically takes at least 6 weeks to notice any results because the changes that are needed to improve fine lines and elasticity happen in the deeper layers of the skin. No topical anti-aging product can “erase” wrinkles or fully reverse signs of aging.
Moisturizing12 ingredients credited for this claimStrong support
“Hydrating for Face and Body Sheer Sunscreen SPF 30”
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, sodium hyaluronate.
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: cholesterol, cetearyl alcohol.
The following ingredients in this product are especially good for supporting the skin barrier and helping with the hydration level: ceramide ap, ceramide eop, ceramide np, niacinamide, phytosphingosine
Evens skin tone1 ingredient credited for this claimStrong support
This product can help reduce hypepigmentation and even out the skin tone because it contains the following effective ingredients: niacinamide
Keep in mind that you would need to apply any topical skincare targetted at hypigmentation consistently for a couple of months to get a result. No topical skincare product can help get rid of hyperpigmentation (including post-acne marks and age spots) instantly.
This product can also help with skin tone because it offers 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).
Anti-blemishNot advertised by the brand · 2 ingredients credited for this claimStrong support
This product can help reduce breakouts and clogged pores because it contains the following ingredient: niacinamide. This ingredient is used for treating acne and can have a noticeable effect.
Can it cause trouble?
Irritancy17 flagged ingredientsLow 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~40–60%
Glycerin~4–6.1%
- 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 GlycerinCoco-caprylate/caprate~3.6–5.4%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps to soften the upper layer of the skin without creating a greasy texture
More about Coco-caprylate/capratePropanediol~2.6–3.9%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Acts as a solvent for other ingredients. Speeds up the absorption of other ingredients into the skin
More about PropanediolButyloctyl salicylate~2–3%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
A synthetic ester of salicylic acid that is used to help disperse pigments and boost effectiveness of sunscreen ingredients. It is able to absorb UV light (working as an organic, or chemical filter), but is not approved as a sunscreen ingredient on its own
More about Butyloctyl salicylateC12-22 alkyl acrylate/hydroxyethylacrylate copolymer~1.6–2.3%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Niacinamide~1.3–2%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Is proven to be effective in reducing blemishes, evening out skin tone and helping to improve lines and wrinkles. It helps the skin to repair sun damage, calm down inflammation and keep maintain good levels of moisture. The concentration of about 2% is effective for supporting the skin barrier and evening out the skin tone. Concentration of 4-6% is better for helping with acne and balancing the sebum production
More about NiacinamideEthylhexyl methoxycrylene~1.2–1.8%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Helps improve stability of sunscreen filters and boost their effectiveness
More about Ethylhexyl methoxycryleneOryza sativa bran wax~0.95–1.4%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Steareth-20~0.8–1.2%
Ceramide np~0.5–1.1%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A type of lipid similar to ceramides naturally present in skin. Helps to soften the upper layer of the skin and supports the skin barrier function to keep it hydrated. Can help to prevent inflammation in skin
More about Ceramide npCeramide ap~0.35–0.85%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A type of lipid similar to ceramides naturally present in skin. Helps to soften the upper layer of the skin and supports the skin barrier function to keep it hydrated. Can help to prevent inflammation in skin
More about Ceramide apCeramide eop~0.35–0.8%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A type of lipid similar to ceramides naturally present in skin. Helps to soften the upper layer of the skin and supports the skin barrier function to keep it hydrated. Can help to prevent inflammation in skin
More about Ceramide eopSorbitan isostearate~0.2–0.8%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps oil and water mix together
More about Sorbitan isostearateCarbomer~0.15–0.7%
- 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 CarbomerTriethoxycaprylylsilane~0.15–0.7%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A type of silicone that helps oil and water mix well together. Helps to disperse other ingredients, e.g. pigments, evenly in a formulation
More about TriethoxycaprylylsilaneCetearyl alcohol~0.2–0.75%
- Irritation risk
- Low
- Comedogenicity
- 2/5
A non-drying alcohol. Works as an emollient. Helps water and oil mix together and creates a nice product texture
More about Cetearyl alcoholBehentrimonium methosulfate~0.15–0.6%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Helps oil and water mix together
More about Behentrimonium methosulfateTriethyl citrate~0.1–0.5%
Sodium lauroyl lactylate~0.15–0.5%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Helps water and oil mix together
More about Sodium lauroyl lactylateSodium hyaluronate~0.1–0.4%
- Irritation risk
- Low
One of the best moisturizing ingredients. Attracts water into the upper layer of the skin
More about Sodium hyaluronateCholesterol~0.15–0.5%
- Irritation risk
- Low
An emollient that is naturally found in skin
More about CholesterolChlorphenesin~0.16–0.32%
Hydroxyacetophenone~0.1–0.35%
Hydroxyethyl acrylate/sodium acryloyldimethyl taurate copolymer~0.1–0.35%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
A gelling agent that thickens the product consistency and leaves the skin with a velvety finish
More about Hydroxyethyl acrylate/sodium acryloyldimethyl taurate copolymerCitric acid~0.1–0.35%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Can work as an exfoliant but is typically used to adjust the product pH
More about Citric acidCaprylic/capric triglyceride~0.1–0.5%
- 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 triglycerideCaprylyl glycol~0.1–0.4%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Helps preserve products and creates a nice product texture
More about Caprylyl glycolTrisodium ethylenediamine disuccinate~0.1–0.3%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Used to improve stability of the formulation
More about Trisodium ethylenediamine disuccinateDiethylhexyl syringylidenemalonate~0.1–0.3%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Used to stabilize the product formulation
More about Diethylhexyl syringylidenemalonateXanthan gum~0.1–0.3%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Used to create a thicker product consistency
More about Xanthan gumPhytosphingosine~0.1–0.4%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A type of lipid that is naturally present in skin. It might help in repairing skin barrier function and has anti-bacterial effect
More about PhytosphingosinePolyhydroxystearic acid~0.05–0.3%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Used to create a thicker product consistency and stabilize the formulation
More about Polyhydroxystearic acidPolysorbate 60~0.05–0.25%
Benzoic acid~0.05–0.2%
Ingredient list view
Water, Glycerin, Coco-caprylate/caprate, Propanediol, Butyloctyl salicylate, C12-22 alkyl acrylate/hydroxyethylacrylate copolymer, Niacinamide, Ethylhexyl methoxycrylene, Oryza sativa bran wax, Steareth-20, Ceramide np, Ceramide ap, Ceramide eop, Sorbitan isostearate, Carbomer, Triethoxycaprylylsilane, Cetearyl alcohol, Behentrimonium methosulfate, Triethyl citrate, Sodium lauroyl lactylate, Sodium hyaluronate, Cholesterol, Chlorphenesin, Hydroxyacetophenone, Hydroxyethyl acrylate/sodium acryloyldimethyl taurate copolymer, Citric acid, Caprylic/capric triglyceride, Caprylyl glycol, Trisodium ethylenediamine disuccinate, Diethylhexyl syringylidenemalonate, Xanthan gum, Phytosphingosine, Polyhydroxystearic acid, Polysorbate 60, Benzoic acid, 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.
| CeraVeHydrating for Face and Body Sheer Sunscreen SPF 30YOUR PRODUCT | BarrCentella Soothing Sun Essence | GRAFENJeju Sea Water Sun Essence | ISNTREEHyaluronic Acid Perfect Sun Block SPF50+ PA++++ | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Match | — | 72% | 68% | 66% |
| Price | $13.83 | $18.80+$4.97 | $22.20+$8.37 | — |
| Shared key ingredients | — | 5 of 9 | 6 of 9 | 4 of 9 |
| Key difference | — | Adenosine | Adenosine | Adenosine |
| Irritancy | Low | Low | Medium | Low |
| SPF | SPF 30 | SPF 50 | SPF 50 | SPF 50 |
| Drying alcohol | — | — | — | — |
| View product | Shop | Shop | Shop |
Product summary
"CeraVe - Hydrating for Face and Body Sheer Sunscreen SPF 30" does not provide enough UVA protection. UVA rays do not cause sunburn, but still damage the skin, leading to early signs of aging and pigmentation issues.
It also works as a moisturizer, so you do not have to use an additional hydrating product. Like all broad-spectrum sunscreens, this product helps prevent early signs of aging.
Sunscreen filters
This sunscreen uses so-called "chemical", or organic UV filters (organic simply means that their molecules contain atoms of carbon). These filters typically give good sun protection and rarely leave a white cast, but they can be irritating for sensitive skin. Here are the exact UV filters in this sunscreen: butyloctyl salicylate 2.00% - 3.00%.
Irritation risk
This product does not contain known common irritants and is suitable for sensitive skin. We assess the overall irritancy of it to be low. For a detailed overview of all potential irritants: click here
You can see the detailed formula review with the breakdown of all actives in the product and the full ingredient list with estimated concentrations in the tables below.
Price
The product retails for 17.99$ 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 11 studies and safety reviews.
- 1
- 2Safety Assessment of Alkyl Esters as Used in Cosmeticscir-safety.org
- 3
- 4
- 5
- 6
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