Clinique

Even Better Makeup SPF 15

Name: Clinique - Even Better Makeup SPF 15
Brand: Clinique

SPF 15Efficacy 50/100·Medium irritancy ·4 UV filters

Efficacy measures how well the formula delivers the claims the brand advertises · 0 of 2 advertised claims delivered

"Clinique - Even Better Makeup SPF 15" offers broad spectrum protection.

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Product summary

"Clinique - Even Better Makeup SPF 15" offers broad spectrum protection. It means that it protects from both UVA and UVB rays (you can remember UVB as "burning" sunlight - they cause sunburn. You can remember UVA rays as "aging" - they do not lead to sunburn, but they cause photodamage and contribute to early signs of skin aging and hyperpigmentation). On the negative side, the SPF of it is not high enough. 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.

Sunscreen filters

This sunscreen uses a mixture of both mineral and organic (so-called "chemical") UV filters. The organic filters in the product are: octinoxate. As for the mineral filters, this sunscreen uses both titanium dioxide and zinc oxide.

Irritation risk

This product contains some common irritants, including those without a benefit for the skin. We assess the overall irritancy of this sunscreen 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 23.67$ in the United States, for 31.00£ in the United Kingdom and for 59.00A$ in Australia.

For a detailed price comparison: click here.

Sun protection

This product offers broad spectrum sun protection, but it is weak. We recommend to use a broad spectrum sunscreen with at least SPF 30.

UV spectrum

UVB290 nmUVA II320 nmUVA I340 nmVisible400 nm+

Octinoxate

Titanium Dioxide

Zinc Oxide

FilterCoverageWhat it doesEst. amount

OctinoxateEthylhexyl MethoxycinnamateUVBOctinoxate. 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 irritating6%

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 skin2.9%

Zinc Oxide Mineral UVBUVA+Visible Photo-stable A broad spectrum sunblock (protects from both UVA and UVB rays). Is suitable for most sensitive skins. In small concentrations, can be used as a colorant3.5%

Product claims breakdown

Evens skin tone

12 key actives in the formula

Partial evidence

This product contains ingredients () that could help reduce hyperpigmentation (for example, post-acne marks or age spots) in theory, but there is not enough evidence that they actually work.

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).

Ethylhexyl methoxycinnamateRole: Key activeOctinoxate. 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 irritating6%

Zinc oxideRole: Key activeA broad spectrum sunblock (protects from both UVA and UVB rays). Is suitable for most sensitive skins. In small concentrations, can be used as a colorant3.5%

Phenyl trimethiconeRole: Key activeA type of silicone that can decrease loss of moisture from the skin surface. It helps create a nice product texture~6.1–7.4%

DimethiconeRole: Key activeA 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~4.9–6%

TriethylhexanoinRole: Key activeHelps soften the upper layer of the skin~3.2–4%

Peg-10 dimethiconeRole: Key activeA silicone that works to soften the upper layer of the skin and reduce its water loss~2.1–2.6%

Octyldodecyl neopentanoateRole: Key activeAn emollient that helps soften the skin. Often used to stabilize other ingredients, for example, sunscreen~1.2–1.5%

Saccharomyces lysate extractRole: Key activeHelps attract water to the upper layer of the skin. Can have some anti-inflammatory effect~0.7–1%

Astrocaryum murumuru seed butterRole: Key activeHelps soften the upper layer of the skin. Could be comedogenic due to the myrisic acid content~0.7–1.05%

GlycerinRole: Key activeOne of the best moisturizing ingredients. Naturally present in skin. It attracts water to the upper layer of the skin working as a humectant~0.6–0.9%

MethiconeRole: Key activeA type of silicone that helps soften the upper layer of the skin and reduces the water loss from the skin surface~0.55–0.85%

Titanium dioxideRole: Key activeWorks 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 skin2.9%

Irritancy

16 flagged ingredients — patch-test recommended

High risk

We flagged 16 ingredients with irritancy potential. Severity depends on your sensitivity threshold; the table lists the worst offenders first.

IngredientFunctionIrritationEst. amount

Ethylhexyl methoxycinnamateOctinoxate. 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 irritatingHigh6%

Citrus grandis peel extractAn aromatic irritating plant extract that can cause photosensitivity in skinHigh~0.75–1.1%est.

Betula alba bark extractHas astringent properties. Creates a tightening and drying effect on the skin. Can be irritatingHigh~0.7–1%est.

Citrus jabara peel extractA plant extract. Used as a fragranceHigh~0.7–1.05%est.

Polyaminopropyl biguanideA preservative. There seem to be an increasing number of cases of allergic reactions to itHigh~0.15–0.3%est.

TriethylhexanoinHelps soften the upper layer of the skinLow~3.2–4%est.

Trametes versicolor extractA mushroom extract that might have some skin-lightening and moisturizing properties, but solid research is lacking. It is unlikely to be effective in the concentration used in skincare productsLow~0.65–1%est.

Astrocaryum murumuru seed butterHelps soften the upper layer of the skin. Could be comedogenic due to the myrisic acid contentLow~0.7–1.05%est.

Polyglyceryl-6 polyricinoleateHelps oil and water mix togetherLow~0.55–0.8%est.

Isopropyl titanium triisostearateHelps water and oil mix togetherLow~0.45–0.65%est.

Laureth-7Helps oil and water mix togetherLow~0.3–0.6%est.

Tocopheryl acetateA 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.Low~0.45–0.7%est.

Magnesium ascorbyl phosphateA derivative of vitamin C that is more stable, but less bioavailable than the pure form of vitamin C. It does not penetrate the skin well, but has been shown to convert to pure vitamin C once in skin. It can be helpful in stimulating collagen production and lightening the skin tone, but the required concentration is likely to be very highLow~0.45–0.7%est.

Dimethicone/peg-10/15 crosspolymerHelps oil and water mix togetherLow~0.55–0.85%est.

Tetrahexyldecyl ascorbateBeing a lipid soluble form of vitamin C, it is more stable than ascorbic acid, but still degrades quickly and needs to be stabilized in a formulation with another ingredient. It is claimed to penetrate skin better than pure vitamin C and have the the similar benefits, but solid studies of its effectiveness are lacking. Is likely to require a higher concentration in a product than pure vitamin C to be effective. It might be able to help reduce pore clogging.Low~0.35–0.65%est.

Disodium edtaStabilizes the product formulationLow~0.25–0.45%est.

Comedogenic

Clean of flagged comedogenic ingredients

Low risk

~ marks concentrations estimated from label position and typical use levels

Ingredients

Filter by role to see what each ingredient is doing.

Ethylhexyl methoxycinnamate6%