Clinique Acne Solutions BB Cream SPF 40
Works for
Sun protectionSPF 40 · 3 UV filters · Partial spectrumWeak protection
This product does not offer good protection against UVA rays.
MoisturizingSide benefit · Palmitoyl tetrapeptide-7, Dipeptide-2 + 8 moreWorks well
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: dimethicone, ethylhexyl palmitate.
The following ingredients in this product are especially good for supporting the skin barrier and helping with the hydration level: dipeptide-2, palmitoyl tetrapeptide-7
Evens skin toneSide benefit · Stearyl glycyrrhetinateMay help
The following ingredient (ingredients) in this product might be helpful, but there is no evidence to confirm that it actually works: stearyl glycyrrhetinate.
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).
Anti-agingSide benefit · Palmitoyl tetrapeptide-7, Dipeptide-2May help
This product contains dipeptide-2, palmitoyl tetrapeptide-7. These ingredients 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).
Can it cause trouble?
Irritancy9 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.
Ethylhexyl methoxycinnamate7.5%
- Irritation risk
- High
Octinoxate. When used in higher concentrations, works as a sunscreen protecting the skin from UVB rays. When used in lower concentration, helps to preserve the product formulation. Is shown to be harmful to coral reefs - consider avoiding bathing in coral reef areas when wearing a product with this ingredient. It can be irritating
More about Ethylhexyl methoxycinnamateEthylhexyl salicylate2%
- 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 salicylateWater~45–55%
Methyl trimethicone~5.3–6.5%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A type of silicone that helps create a silky product finish and dissolve other ingredients
More about Methyl trimethiconeAlcohol~5–6.1%
- 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 AlcoholEthylhexyl palmitate~4.2–5.2%
- Irritation risk
- Low
- Comedogenicity
- 3/5
An emollient that helps soften the skin and create a nice product texture
More about Ethylhexyl palmitatePeg-9 polydimethylsiloxyethyl dimethicone~3.3–4%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
A type of silicone that helps water and oil mix together
More about Peg-9 polydimethylsiloxyethyl dimethiconePropanediol~2.6–3.1%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Acts as a solvent for other ingredients. Speeds up the absorption of other ingredients into the skin
More about PropanediolGlycerin~2.1–2.5%
- 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 GlycerinGlyceryl caprylate~1.7–2.1%
- Irritation risk
- Low
An emollient that can also help water and oil mix together, as well as prevent bacteria growth in products
More about Glyceryl caprylatePeg-3 dimethicone~1.4–1.7%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Dimethicone~1.2–1.5%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A silicone that helps to reduce water loss from the surface of the skin. Can temporarily "fill in" lines and wrinkles, absorb oil, and create a nice product finish
More about DimethiconeTocopheryl acetate~0.8–1.2%
- 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 acetateLecithin~0.75–1.1%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Used mostly for creating emulsions - helping oil and water mix together. Helps soften the upper layer of the skin
More about LecithinTriethoxycaprylylsilane~0.55–0.85%
- 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 TriethoxycaprylylsilaneStearyl glycyrrhetinate~0.5–0.75%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
A fatty acid derived from licorice. Works as an emollient and can help calm down inflammation
More about Stearyl glycyrrhetinateSorbitan sesquiisostearate~0.55–0.8%
Sodium hyaluronate~0.45–0.7%
- Irritation risk
- Low
One of the best moisturizing ingredients. Attracts water into the upper layer of the skin
More about Sodium hyaluronatePyridoxine hcl~0.45–0.7%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Might help neutralize free radicals in skin
More about Pyridoxine hclStearic acid~0.6–0.9%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps oil and water mix together and works as an emollient
More about Stearic acidHesperidin methyl chalcone~0.45–0.7%
- Irritation risk
- High
Might help neutralize free radicals in skin. Is claimed to be able to improve the appearance of undereye darkness but evidence is missing. Can be an allergen and cause irritation
More about Hesperidin methyl chalconePalmitoyl tetrapeptide-7~0.5–0.75%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A type of peptide. Peptides are excellent moisturizers and might be able support collagen production reducing fine lines and wrinkles
More about Palmitoyl tetrapeptide-7Sodium chloride~0.3–0.5%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Used to stabilize mixtures of oil and water, and create thicker, gel-like product textures
More about Sodium chlorideAluminum hydroxide~0.35–0.6%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Is used to add opaque (non-transparent) appearance to formulations. Can be used to coat other ingredients for even dispersion. This is a different ingredient compared to the ones used in antipersperants (aluminium chloride and aluminium chlorohydrate)
More about Aluminum hydroxideSteareth-20~0.3–0.6%
Dipeptide-2~0.25–0.4%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A type of peptide. Peptides are excellent moisturizers and might be able support collagen production reducing fine lines and wrinkles
More about Dipeptide-2Silica~0.35–0.65%
Sodium citrate~0.25–0.45%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Helps to control the skin's pH level. Maintains the skin's natural film of amino-lactic acids and oils. Helps to preserve products
More about Sodium citratePhenoxyethanol~0.25–0.45%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A preservative. It helps prevent bacterial growth in cosmetic products
More about PhenoxyethanolMica~0.3–0.55%
- 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~0.25–0.45%
- 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 oxidesCi 77491~0.25–0.45%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A red colorant made of iron oxide. Typically is not irritating
More about Ci 77491Iron oxides~0.2–0.4%
- 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 oxidesCi 77492~0.2–0.4%
Iron oxides~0.2–0.35%
- 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 oxidesCi 77499~0.15–0.3%
Titanium dioxide1.6%
- 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 dioxideCi 77891~0.1–0.15%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Ingredient list view
Ethylhexyl methoxycinnamate, Ethylhexyl salicylate, Water, Methyl trimethicone, Alcohol, Ethylhexyl palmitate, Peg-9 polydimethylsiloxyethyl dimethicone, Propanediol, Glycerin, Glyceryl caprylate, Peg-3 dimethicone, Dimethicone, Tocopheryl acetate, Lecithin, Triethoxycaprylylsilane, Stearyl glycyrrhetinate, Sorbitan sesquiisostearate, Sodium hyaluronate, Pyridoxine hcl, Stearic acid, Hesperidin methyl chalcone, Palmitoyl tetrapeptide-7, Sodium chloride, Aluminum hydroxide, Steareth-20, Dipeptide-2, Silica, Sodium citrate, Phenoxyethanol, Mica, Iron oxides, Ci 77491, Iron oxides, Ci 77492, Iron oxides, Ci 77499, Titanium dioxide, Ci 77891
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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.
| CliniqueAcne Solutions BB Cream SPF 40YOUR PRODUCT | No7Future Renew Damage Protection Defence Shield SPF50 | PayotCrème N°2 CC Cream Anti-Redness Correcting Care SPF50+ | StriVectinAdvanced Retinol Day Moisturizer Broad Spectrum SPF 30 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Match | — | 40% | 40% | 37% |
| Price | — | $33.07 | — | — |
| Shared key ingredients | — | 4 of 8 | 5 of 8 | 6 of 8 |
| Key difference | — | Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1 | Tripeptide-1 | Retinol |
| Irritancy | Low | Low | Low | High |
| SPF | SPF 40 | SPF 50 | SPF 50 | SPF 30 |
| Drying alcohol | Contains drying alcohol | — | — | — |
| View product | Shop | Shop | Shop |
More alternatives: It Cosmetics Your Skin But Better CC+ FairVichy LiftActiv Cream B3 Anti-Spot SPF50
Product summary
We do not recommend "Clinique - Acne Solutions™ BB Cream SPF 40" because it does not provide good UVA protection. UVA sun rays don't burn the skin, but they still lead to photoaging and hyperpigmentation.
It contains good moisturizing ingredients and can double as a hydrating day cream.
Sunscreen filters
This is a "mixed" sunscreen in the sense that it uses both mineral and organic (so-called "chemical") sun filters. The organic filters in the product are: octinoxate and octisalate. As for the mineral filters, this sunscreen uses titanium dioxide.
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 sunscreen 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.
Sources cited in this review
Every concentration estimate and effectiveness label is anchored to one of these 8 studies and safety reviews.
- 1
- 2
- 3Final Report on the Safety Assessment of Dimethicone Copolyoljournals.sagepub.com
- 4Hyaluronic acid: A key molecule in skin agingncbi.nlm.nih.gov
- 5
- 6Hesperidin methyl chalcone - a new cosmetic contact allergenncbi.nlm.nih.gov
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