Colorescience Skin Perfector Calming Primer SPF 20
Works for
0 of 3 advertised claims delivered
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.
Evens skin tone2 ingredients credited for this claimLimited support
“This lightweight primer uses titanium dioxide, spirulina maxima, and vitamin E to protect, firm and nourish skin for a softer, smoother and more even skin surface.”
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).
Anti-aging2 ingredients credited for this claimLimited support
“Its dose of SPF 20 keeps skin protected from harmful UV rays, and its blurring properties disguise fine lines.”
This product does not contain ingredients that are able to reduce fine lines and wrinkles or help with skin elasticity, but it can improve the look of the skin temporarily through moisturization. Well-moisturized skin might also be able to repair the sun damage better.This ingredient - camellia sinensis leaf extract - could be helpful for preventing or repairing signs of aging in theory, but there is no evidence that it actually works.
This ingredient camellia sinensis leaf extract might be able to help neutralize free radicals in skin and help it fight off some of the sun damage.
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).
MoisturizingNot advertised by the brand · 12 ingredients credited for this claimGood support
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, glucose.
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.
Anti-oxidationNot advertised by the brand · 4 ingredients credited for this claimModerate support
This product contains antioxidants (camellia sinensis leaf extract) that might be able to help neutralize free radicals in skin to lessen the damage it gets from the UV light (sun). There is not enough evidence to confirm their effectiveness in skin though.
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.
Zinc 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 oxideTitanium 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 dioxideCyclopentasiloxane~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~6.3–9.5%
- 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 triglycerideDimethicone crosspolymer~4.5–6.7%
- 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~3–4.5%
- 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 GlycerinWater~2.4–3.5%
Dimethicone/vinyl dimethicone crosspolymer~2–3%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Used to stabilize product formulations and create a nice product texture
More about Dimethicone/vinyl dimethicone crosspolymerCucumis sativus fruit extract~1.8–2.6%
- 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~1.5–2.2%
- 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~0.85–1.3%
- 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~0.5–1.1%
- Irritation risk
- High
Ascorbic acid~0.45–1.1%
- 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~0.5–1.1%
- 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 DimethiconolButylene glycol~0.45–1%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Used to create a nice product texture and help delivery of other ingredients. Might be somewhat helpful in attracting water to the upper layer of the skin
More about Butylene glycolDimethicone~0.45–1.05%
- 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~0.35–0.8%
- 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 TriethoxycaprylylsilaneCyclotetrasiloxane~0.35–0.8%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Bht~0.2–0.75%
Propyl gallate~0.15–0.7%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Helps preserve product formulations and can mask the smell of other ingredients in a product
More about Propyl gallateTyrosine~0.15–0.55%
Glucose~0.1–0.5%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps attract water to the upper layer of the skin. Could be helpful in restoring the skin barrier function
More about GlucoseBenzoic acid~0.1–0.45%
Dehydroacetic acid~0.1–0.35%
Phenoxyethanol~0.1–0.35%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A preservative. It helps prevent bacterial growth in cosmetic products
More about PhenoxyethanolIron oxides~0.05–0.25%
- 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
Zinc oxide, Titanium dioxide, 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, Butylene glycol, Dimethicone, Triethoxycaprylylsilane, Cyclotetrasiloxane, Bht, Propyl gallate, Tyrosine, Glucose, 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.
| ColorescienceSkin Perfector Calming Primer SPF 20YOUR PRODUCT | CetaphilSheer Mineral Sunscreen Broad Spectrum SPF 50 | ZO Skin HealthBroad Spectrum Sunscreen SPF 50 | Swiss BotanyDay Protect SPF 22 Daily Sun Protectant for Aging Skin | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Match | — | 82% | 80% | 76% |
| Price | $49.00 | $31.60−$17.40 | $60.00+$11.00 | $17.55−$31.45 |
| Shared key ingredients | — | 4 of 12 | 5 of 12 | 2 of 12 |
| Key difference | — | Oatmeal Extract | Retinyl Palmitate | Hexapeptide-3 |
| Irritancy | Medium | Low | Medium | Low |
| SPF | SPF 20 | SPF 50 | SPF 50 | SPF 22 |
| Drying alcohol | — | — | — | — |
| View product | Shop | Shop | Shop |
Product summary
"Colorescience - Skin Perfector Calming Primer SPF 20" "is a broad spectrum sunscreen meaning that it protects both from UVB rays (" burning "- they cause sunburn) and UVA rays (" aging "- they don't cause sunburn but lead to premature aging and pigmentation issues). However, this product does not offer enough sun protection. We recommend to use a sunscreen with at least SPF 30 daily.
It should also be hydrating enough to use without an additional moisturizer during the day.
Sunscreen filters
It is a mineral sunscreen. It uses titanium dioxide and zinc oxide for sun protection. Both titanium dioxide and zinc oxide almost never irritate even the most sensitive skin and eyes, but can leave a white cast.
Irritation risk
This product contains some common irritants, including those without a benefit for the skin. We assess the overall irritancy of this sunscreen to be medium. For a detailed overview of all potential irritants: click here
You can see the detailed formula review with the breakdown of all actives in the product and the full ingredient list with estimated concentrations in the tables below.
Price
The product retails for 49.00$ 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 10 studies and safety reviews.
- 1A review of inorganic UV filters zinc oxide and titanium dioxideonlinelibrary.wiley.com
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