Conscious Chemist Multi-Vitamin C Moisturizer + SPF30 PA++ | Brightening Cream
Works for
Sun protectionSPF 30 · 2 UV filters · Broad spectrumWeak protectionLow filter dose
Evens skin tone3-o-ethyl ascorbic acid, Hydrolyzed soy protein + 2 moreMay help
“Multi-Vitamin C Moisturizer + SPF30 PA++ | Brightening Cream”
The following ingredient (ingredients) in this product might be helpful, but there is no evidence to confirm that it actually works: 3-o-ethyl ascorbic acid, glycyrrhiza glabra root extract.
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-aging3-o-ethyl ascorbic acid, Ascorbyl tetraisopalmitateNot delivered
“Topical application helps to improve collagen production and strengthens skin's barrier.”
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 - 3-o-ethyl ascorbic acid - could be helpful for preventing or repairing signs of aging in theory, but there is no evidence that it actually works.
This ingredient 3-o-ethyl ascorbic acid 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).
Anti-oxidationSide benefit · 3-o-ethyl ascorbic acid, Hydrolyzed soy protein + 4 moreMay help
This product contains antioxidants (3-o-ethyl ascorbic acid) 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.
MoisturizingSide benefit the brand mentions · Helianthus annuus seed oil, Polyglutamic acid + 8 moreWorks
“Multi-Vitamin C Moisturizer + SPF30 PA++ | Brightening Cream”
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:
betaine, polyglutamic acid.
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: helianthus annuus seed oil, glyceryl stearate.
Can it cause trouble?
Irritancy1 strong irritant: Hydroxycinnamic acidMedium risk
ComedogenicClean of flagged comedogenic ingredientsNone flagged
User reviews
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Ingredients
Filter by role to see what each ingredient is doing.
Water~40–60%
Propanediol~5.1–7.6%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Acts as a solvent for other ingredients. Speeds up the absorption of other ingredients into the skin
More about PropanediolHelianthus annuus seed oil~4.1–6.1%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A great emollient due to its high linoleic acid content. One of the most effective plant oils in helping skin hydration and repairing skin barrier function
More about Helianthus annuus seed oilSodium polyacrylate~2.9–4.4%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Used to create a gel-like product texture, as well as to stabilize emulsions
More about Sodium polyacrylateXylitol~2.1–3.2%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps attract water to the upper layer of the skin and repair the skin barrier function
More about XylitolCaprylic acid~1.8–2.6%
Glyceryl stearate~1.5–2.2%
- 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 stearatePolyglutamic acid~1.2–1.9%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps attract water to the upper layer of the skin.
More about Polyglutamic acidBetaine~1–1.5%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps attract water to the upper layer of the skin and improves the product texture
More about BetaineSodium hyaluronate~0.6–1.35%
- Irritation risk
- Low
One of the best moisturizing ingredients. Attracts water into the upper layer of the skin
More about Sodium hyaluronate3-o-ethyl ascorbic acid~0.45–1.05%
- Irritation risk
- High
A vitamin C derivative that is more stable but less potent than pure form of vitamin C. Can help neutralize free radicals and help reduce hyperpigmentation, but the required concentration is likely to be much higher than for the pure form of vitamin C, limiting the ingredient's effectiveness in products
More about 3-o-ethyl ascorbic acidEthylhexyl methoxycinnamate~0.6–1.35%
- 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 methoxycinnamateButyl methoxydibenzoylmethane~0.5–1.2%
- 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 methoxydibenzoylmethaneHydrolyzed soy protein~0.3–0.75%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps attract water to the upper layer of the skin. Might have some anti-aging, anti-oxidant, and skin lightening properties, but solid evidence is missing
More about Hydrolyzed soy proteinRice amino acids~0.2–0.75%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Help attract water to the upper layer of the skin
More about Rice amino acidsHydrolyzed adansonia digitata seed extract~0.15–0.65%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Proline~0.15–0.55%
Argania spinosa kernel oil~0.15–0.55%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
An emollient that helps soften the upper layer of the skin. Might have some weak anti-oxidant properties
More about Argania spinosa kernel oilTocopheryl acetate~0.1–0.35%
- 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 acetateHydroxycinnamic acid~0.05–0.25%
- Irritation risk
- High
Ascorbyl tetraisopalmitate~0.1–0.3%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
A vitamin C derivative. Studies show that is might be effective in reducing hyperpigmentation, but there are no studies confirming that it is effectively converted into the bioavailable form of Vitamin C in skin. It is not clear how this derivative compares in effectiveness to the topical application of bioavailable form of vitamin C (L-ascorbic acid)
More about Ascorbyl tetraisopalmitateGlycyrrhiza glabra root extract~0.05–0.2%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
A plant extract that can help lighten the skin and calm down inflammation. Might be helpful in neutralizing free radicals
More about Glycyrrhiza glabra root extractPhenoxyethanol~0.05–0.15%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A preservative. It helps prevent bacterial growth in cosmetic products
More about PhenoxyethanolXanthan gum~0.01–0.05%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Used to create a thicker product consistency
More about Xanthan gumSodium gluconate~0.01–0.05%
Ingredient list view
Water, Propanediol, Helianthus annuus seed oil, Sodium polyacrylate, Xylitol, Caprylic acid, Glyceryl stearate, Polyglutamic acid, Betaine, Sodium hyaluronate, 3-o-ethyl ascorbic acid, Ethylhexyl methoxycinnamate, Butyl methoxydibenzoylmethane, Hydrolyzed soy protein, Rice amino acids, Hydrolyzed adansonia digitata seed extract, Proline, Argania spinosa kernel oil, Tocopheryl acetate, Hydroxycinnamic acid, Ascorbyl tetraisopalmitate, Glycyrrhiza glabra root extract, Phenoxyethanol, Xanthan gum, Sodium gluconate
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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.
| Conscious ChemistMulti-Vitamin C Moisturizer + SPF30 PA++ | Brightening CreamYOUR PRODUCT | NaturiumDew-Glow Moisturizer SPF 50 | DermaticaSPF 50 PhotoAge Reverse UV Shield | Paula's choiceC+ 5% Vitamin C Sheer Moisturizer SPF 50 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Match | — | 52% | 51% | 50% |
| Price | — | $13.00 | — | $21.79 |
| Shared key ingredients | — | 4 of 10 | 3 of 10 | 3 of 10 |
| Key difference | — | Niacinamide | Tinosorb S | Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate |
| Irritancy | Medium | Low | Low | Low |
| SPF | SPF 30 | SPF 50 | SPF 50 | SPF 50 |
| Drying alcohol | — | — | — | — |
| View product | Shop | Shop | Shop |
More alternatives: RoC Skincare Revive + Glow Moisturizer SPF 30MISSHA All Around Vita C Sunscreen SPF50 Broadspectrum
Product summary
"Conscious Chemist - Multi-Vitamin C Moisturizer + SPF30 PA++ | Brightening Cream" is using UV filters in a relatively low concentration. Because of this, it might not be able to provide reliable sun protection.
It contains good moisturizing ingredients and can double as a hydrating day cream.
Sunscreen filters
This is a so-called "chemical" sunscreen. It means that it uses organic UV filters. They typically offer good sun protection and rarely leave a white cast, but they can be irritating for some people with sensitive skin. The UV filters in this sunscreen are: avobenzone 0.50% - 1.20% and octinoxate 0.90% - 1.35%.
Irritation risk
This formulation includes some common irritants, including ingredients that do not provide a benefit for the skin. We assess the overall irritancy of this moisturizer to be medium. For a detailed overview of all potential irritants: click here
You can see the detailed formula review with the breakdown of all actives in the product and the full ingredient list with estimated concentrations in the tables below.
Price
The product retails for 24.99CA$ in Canada, for 28.80A$ in Australia, for 13.99$ in the United States and for 9.49£ 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 17 studies and safety reviews.
- 1
- 2
- 3Effect of topically applied lipids on surfactant-irritated skinonlinelibrary.wiley.com
- 4
- 5
- 6Natural and edible biopolymer poly‐γ‐glutamic acid: synthesis, production, and applicationsonlinelibrary.wiley.com
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