Colorescience Calming Perfector Face Primer SPF 20
Works for
Sun protectionSPF 20 · 2 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.
Anti-oxidationSide benefit · Camellia sinensis leaf extract, Disodium lauriminodipropionate tocopheryl phosphates + 3 moreWorks well
This product contains antioxidants (disodium lauriminodipropionate tocopheryl phosphates) that can help neutralize free radicals in skin. By doing so, they can lessen the damage the skin gets from the UV light (sun).
The following ingredients - camellia sinensis leaf extract also can have an antioxidant effect, but there is less evidence to confirm their effectiveness in skin.
Anti-agingSide benefit the brand mentions · Camellia sinensis leaf extract, Ascorbic acidMay help
“Suitable for all skin types this unique skin primer provides UVA/UVB protection whilst also containing anti-inflammatory properties to visibly soothe the skin.”
This product contains disodium lauriminodipropionate tocopheryl phosphates. 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).
MoisturizingSide benefit the brand mentions · Cyclopentasiloxane, Caprylic/capric triglyceride + 7 moreWorks
“Creating a more even and radiant skin tone.”
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, cucumis sativus fruit extract.
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: caprylic/capric triglyceride, dimethicone.
Can it cause trouble?
Irritancy1 strong irritant: Citrus paradisi seed extractMedium risk
Comedogenic2 ingredients rated 2 or more on the 0–5 pore-clogging scale2 flagged
User reviews
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Ingredients
Filter by role to see what each ingredient is doing.
Titanium dioxide5.4%
- 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 dioxideZinc oxide5.4%
- Irritation risk
- Low
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 colorant
More about Zinc oxideCyclopentasiloxane~24–36%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A silicone that helps improve the product texture and spreadability. Can absorb oil creating a short-term mattifying effect on the skin
More about CyclopentasiloxaneCaprylic/capric triglyceride~7.6–11.4%
- 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 triglycerideDimethicone crosspolymer~5.9–8.8%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Used to create a thicker product texture. Helps soften the upper layer of the skin and might be able to prevent moisture loss from its surface
More about Dimethicone crosspolymerGlycerin~3.5–5.3%
- 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 GlycerinWater~2.8–4.2%
Dimethicone/vinyl dimethicone crosspolymer~2.4–3.6%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Used to stabilize product formulations and create a nice product texture
More about Dimethicone/vinyl dimethicone crosspolymerCucumis sativus fruit extract~2.1–3.1%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Might be somewhat helpful in reducing hyperpigmentation and neutralizing free radicals but its typical concentration in a product is too low for having an effect
More about Cucumis sativus fruit extractSpirulina maxima extract~1.7–2.5%
- Irritation risk
- Low
- Comedogenicity
- 3/5
Camellia sinensis leaf extract~1.2–1.8%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Can contain potent anti-oxidant compounds (abbreviated ECG, GCG, EGC, and EGCG) that might help protect the skin from free radicals. Can help calm down inflammation and has some anti-bacterial properties. Unfortunately, these antioxidants are unstable and lose their effectiveness very quickly in products. The concentration of the antioxidant compounds in the extract also tends to be low to be effective in topical formulation
More about Camellia sinensis leaf extractOpuntia ficus-indica stem extract~1–1.5%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Palmaria palmata extract~0.85–1.25%
- Irritation risk
- Low
- Comedogenicity
- 3/5
Red algae extract that helps attract water to the upper layer of the skin
More about Palmaria palmata extractDisodium lauriminodipropionate tocopheryl phosphates~0.6–1.4%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A form of Vitamin E. In concentrations 1-3%, it can help neutralize free radicals in skin and support photodamage repair
More about Disodium lauriminodipropionate tocopheryl phosphatesCitrus paradisi seed extract~0.4–1%
- Irritation risk
- High
Ascorbic acid~0.4–0.9%
- Irritation risk
- High
The most well-researched antioxidant that works in skin. Helps neutralize free radicals supporting collagen production, helping to even out the skin tone and preventing early signs of aging
More about Ascorbic acidDimethiconol~0.45–1%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A silicone that makes products more spreadable and keeps skin smooth. Helps to add gloss to skin and may visually fill in fine lines/wrinkles for short time
More about DimethiconolDimethicone~0.4–0.9%
- 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 DimethiconeTriethoxycaprylylsilane~0.15–0.65%
- 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 TriethoxycaprylylsilaneBenzoic acid~0.1–0.45%
Dehydroacetic acid~0.1–0.3%
Phenoxyethanol~0.1–0.35%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A preservative. It helps prevent bacterial growth in cosmetic products
More about PhenoxyethanolIron oxides~0.1–0.35%
- 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 oxidesIngredient list view
Titanium dioxide, Zinc oxide, Cyclopentasiloxane, Caprylic/capric triglyceride, Dimethicone crosspolymer, Glycerin, Water, Dimethicone/vinyl dimethicone crosspolymer, Cucumis sativus fruit extract, Spirulina maxima extract, Camellia sinensis leaf extract, Opuntia ficus-indica stem extract, Palmaria palmata extract, Disodium lauriminodipropionate tocopheryl phosphates, Citrus paradisi seed extract, Ascorbic acid, Dimethiconol, Dimethicone, Triethoxycaprylylsilane, Benzoic acid, Dehydroacetic acid, Phenoxyethanol, Iron oxides
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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.
| ColorescienceCalming Perfector Face Primer SPF 20YOUR PRODUCT | ALASTIN SkincareHydraTint Pro Mineral Broad Spectrum Sunscreen SPF 36 | SVRSUN SECURE Tinted Mineral Screen SPF50+ | MDSolarSciencesMineral Moisture Defense SPF50 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Match | — | 40% | 40% | 40% |
| Price | $59.00 | $84.00+$25.00 | — | $46.00−$13.00 |
| Shared key ingredients | — | 7 of 10 | 7 of 10 | 5 of 10 |
| Key difference | — | Ectoin | Niacinamide | Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate |
| Irritancy | Medium | Low | Low | Low |
| SPF | SPF 20 | SPF 36 | SPF 50 | SPF 50 |
| Drying alcohol | — | — | Contains drying alcohol | — |
| View product | Shop | Shop | Shop |
More alternatives: Supergoop! Mineral Unseen Sunscreen SPF 40TiZO NEW! Mineral Sun Defense SPF 50
Product summary
"Colorescience - Calming Perfector Face Primer SPF 20" "is a broad spectrum sunscreen meaning that it protects both from UVB rays (" burning "- they cause sunburn) and UVA rays (" aging "- they don't cause sunburn but lead to premature aging and pigmentation issues). However, it does not offer enough sun protection. We recommend to use a sunscreen with at least SPF 30 daily.
It contains good moisturizing ingredients and can double as a hydrating day cream.
Sunscreen filters
It is a mineral sunscreen. It uses titanium dioxide and zinc oxide for sun protection. Both titanium dioxide and zinc oxide almost never irritate even the most sensitive skin and eyes, but can leave a white cast.
Irritation risk
This formulation includes some common irritants, including ingredients that do not provide a benefit for the skin. We assess the overall irritancy of this sunscreen to be medium. For a detailed overview of all potential irritants: click here
You can see the detailed formula review with the breakdown of all actives in the product and the full ingredient list with estimated concentrations in the tables below.
Price
The product retails for 56.00$ 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 9 studies and safety reviews.
- 1A review of inorganic UV filters zinc oxide and titanium dioxideonlinelibrary.wiley.com
- 2
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- 5
- 6
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