Cetaphil Daily Facial Moisturizer SPF 15 Unscented
Works for
Sun protectionSPF 15 · 4 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.
MoisturizingPanthenol, Niacinamide + 9 moreWorks well
“Daily Facial Moisturizer SPF 15 Unscented”
This product contains good ingredients to attract water to the upper layer of the skin. These ingredients are called "humectants": glycerin, caprylyl glycol.
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. If the air is dry, humectants can speed up the moisture loss from the skin. This is why it is a good idea to use another product on top of this one to help "seal in" the moisture (look for ingredients like dimethicone, squalane, oils and butters).
The following ingredients in this product are especially good for supporting the skin barrier and helping with the hydration level: niacinamide, panthenol
Evens skin toneSide benefit · NiacinamideWorks well
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-agingSide benefit the brand mentions · Niacinamide, Adenosine + 1 moreWorks well
“Broad spectrum SPF 15 protects against the sun's damaging UVA and UVB rays to keep skin looking young and vibrant.”
This product can help reduce and prevent fine lines and wrinkles, improve skin elasticity and firmness because it contains adenosine, 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.
Anti-blemishSide benefit · NiacinamideWorks well
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?
Irritancy1 strong irritant: Thymus vulgaris leaf extractMedium risk
Comedogenic3 ingredients rated 2 or more on the 0–5 pore-clogging scale3 flagged
User reviews
0 of 2 community members would buy it again.
I’ve used this product for most of my adult life (I’m 43) off and on. This last bottle I bought last year must have been a new formula or my skin has drastically changed. It dried out my skin caused dry patches black heads and itchiness. I only use this along with the cetaphil cleanser so it was easy to pinpoint the culprit in my skin aggravation. Replaced this with risehip oil and my skin immediately was restored.
Ingredients
Filter by role to see what each ingredient is doing.
Butyl methoxydibenzoylmethane2.8%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Avobenzone. An organic, or so-called "chemical" UV filter. Protects against both UVA and UVB rays. Needs to be combined with other filters in a formulation to be stable.
More about Butyl methoxydibenzoylmethaneHomosalate9.5%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
A weak sunscreen that offers some protection against the sun rays that cause sunburn (UVB), but does not offer meaningful protection against protect against the most aging sun rays (UVA). It loses its effectiveness quickly when exposed to sunlight. It is an organic, or so called "chemical" sunscreen. When used in low concentrations, helps to stabilize the product formulation
More about HomosalateEthylhexyl salicylate4.8%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Octisalate. A UV filter. It offers some protection against the sun rays that cause sunburn (UVB), but does not protect against the most aging sun rays (UVA). It loses its effectiveness quickly when exposed to sunlight. It is an organic, or so called "chemical" sunscreen
More about Ethylhexyl salicylateOctocrylene7%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
A weak sunscreen that protects against the sun rays that cause sunburn (UVB) and is somewhat effective against the UVA rays. It is quite stable and can help stabilize other, more vulnerable, sunscreen ingredients like Avobenzone. It is an organic, or so called "chemical" sunscreen
More about OctocryleneWater~45–55%
Glycerin~5.2–6.4%
- 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 GlycerinDipropylene glycol~5.7–6.9%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps to dissolve other ingredients in a formulation. Slows down the rate of product drying
More about Dipropylene glycolPanthenol~4–4.9%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps attract water to the upper layer of the skin and can help improve skin barrier function
More about PanthenolEthylhexyl methoxycrylene~3.2–3.9%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Helps improve stability of sunscreen filters and boost their effectiveness
More about Ethylhexyl methoxycryleneIsopropyl palmitate~2.4–2.9%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
- Comedogenicity
- 3/5
Helps soften the upper layer of the skin and create a thicker product consistency
More about Isopropyl palmitateSilica~2–2.4%
Niacinamide~1.5–1.8%
- 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 NiacinamideCetearyl olivate~1.2–1.5%
Cetearyl alcohol~1.2–1.5%
- 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 alcoholGlyceryl stearate~0.95–1.15%
- Irritation risk
- Low
An emollient that softens the skin and forms a protective layer on its surface. Helps water and oil mix together
More about Glyceryl stearatePotassium cetyl phosphate~0.65–1%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Helps oil and water mix together
More about Potassium cetyl phosphateSorbitan olivate~0.6–0.85%
Tocopheryl acetate~0.55–0.8%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
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 acetateCaprylyl glycol~0.55–0.85%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Helps preserve products and creates a nice product texture
More about Caprylyl glycolAcrylates/c10-30 alkyl acrylate crosspolymer~0.6–0.9%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Maintains the texture of skincare products. Allows the product to spread evenly. Helps oil and water mix together
More about Acrylates/c10-30 alkyl acrylate crosspolymerPalmitic acid~0.55–0.85%
- Irritation risk
- Low
An emollient that is naturally present in skin and helps soften it
More about Palmitic acidEthylhexylglycerin~0.45–0.65%
Leontopodium alpinum extract~0.45–0.65%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Stearic acid~0.55–0.8%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps oil and water mix together and works as an emollient
More about Stearic acid1,2-hexanediol~0.35–0.6%
Oryza sativa lees extract~0.35–0.6%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Propanediol~0.35–0.6%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Acts as a solvent for other ingredients. Speeds up the absorption of other ingredients into the skin
More about PropanediolSodium hydroxide~0.3–0.55%
Adenosine~0.3–0.6%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Might help improve cell turnover and reduce inflammation in skin. One study shows that the ingredients might be able to help reduce dynamic wrinkles (for example, in the corners of the eyes or on the forehead)
More about AdenosinePotassium sorbate~0.25–0.5%
Sodium benzoate~0.25–0.45%
Citric acid~0.25–0.45%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Can work as an exfoliant but is typically used to adjust the product pH
More about Citric acidMyristic acid~0.3–0.55%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
- Comedogenicity
- 3/5
Helps oil and water mix together. Could be comedogenic
More about Myristic acidBuddleja davidii leaf extract~0.2–0.4%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Thymus vulgaris leaf extract~0.2–0.35%
- Irritation risk
- High
Plant extract that has some anti-bacterial properties. Can be used as a fragrance. Can be irritating
More about Thymus vulgaris leaf extractTocopherol~0.2–0.35%
- 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 TocopherolIngredient list view
Butyl methoxydibenzoylmethane, Homosalate, Ethylhexyl salicylate, Octocrylene, Water, Glycerin, Dipropylene glycol, Panthenol, Ethylhexyl methoxycrylene, Isopropyl palmitate, Silica, Niacinamide, Cetearyl olivate, Cetearyl alcohol, Glyceryl stearate, Potassium cetyl phosphate, Sorbitan olivate, Tocopheryl acetate, Caprylyl glycol, Acrylates/c10-30 alkyl acrylate crosspolymer, Palmitic acid, Ethylhexylglycerin, Leontopodium alpinum extract, Stearic acid, 1,2-hexanediol, Oryza sativa lees extract, Propanediol, Sodium hydroxide, Adenosine, Potassium sorbate, Sodium benzoate, Citric acid, Myristic acid, Buddleja davidii leaf extract, Thymus vulgaris leaf extract, Tocopherol
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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.
| CetaphilDaily Facial Moisturizer SPF 15 UnscentedYOUR PRODUCT | Keys SoulcareDaily Moisturizer Broad Spectrum SPF 30 | OlayRegenerist Collagen Peptide24 SPF30 day face cream | ISNTREEHyaluronic Acid Natural Sun Cream | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Match | — | 89% | 89% | 88% |
| Price | $19.99 | — | — | $14.97−$5.02 |
| Shared key ingredients | — | 6 of 8 | 6 of 8 | 5 of 8 |
| Key difference | — | Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1 | Palmitoyl Pentapeptide-4 | Inositol |
| Irritancy | Medium | Low | Low | Low |
| SPF | SPF 15 | SPF 30 | SPF 30 | SPF 50 |
| Drying alcohol | — | — | — | — |
| View product | Shop | Shop | Shop |
More alternatives: La Roche-Posay Anthelios UV Correct SPF 70 Daily Anti-Aging Face SunscreenBarr Centella Soothing Sun Essence
Product summary
"Cetaphil - Daily Facial Moisturizer SPF 15 Unscented" "is a broad spectrum sunscreen meaning that it protects both from UVB rays (" burning "- they cause sunburn) and UVA rays (" aging "- they don't cause sunburn but lead to premature aging and pigmentation issues). However, this moisturizer does not offer enough sun protection. We recommend to use a sunscreen with at least SPF 30 daily.
It contains good moisturizing ingredients and can double as a hydrating day cream. Like all broad-spectrum sunscreens, this product helps prevent early signs of aging.
Sunscreen filters
This is a so-called" chemical "sunscreen. It means that it uses organic UV filters. They typically offer good sun protection and rarely leave a white cast, but they can be irritating for some people with sensitive skin. These are the sun protection ingredients in this sunscreen: avobenzone 2.80% (declared), octisalate 4.80% (declared), homosalate 9.50% (declared) and octocrylene 7.00% (declared).
Irritation risk
This formulation includes some common irritants, including ingredients that do not provide a benefit for the skin. We assess the overall irritancy of this moisturizer to be medium. For a detailed overview of all potential irritants: click here
You can see the detailed formula review with the breakdown of all actives in the product and the full ingredient list with estimated concentrations in the tables below.
Price
The product retails for 13.59CA$ in Canada, from 14.92$ up to 40.64$ in the United States and for 25.97£ 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 12 studies and safety reviews.
- 1
- 2
- 3Skin moisturizing effects of panthenol-based formulationspdfs.semanticscholar.org
- 4
- 5Final Report on the Safety Assessment of Isopropyl Isostearatejournals.sagepub.com
- 6
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