CoverGirl Base Business Everyday Defense Primer
Works for
Sun protectionSPF 20 · 1 UV filter · Partial spectrumWeak protectionSPF under 30
This product does not offer good protection against UVA rays.
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.
MoisturizingSide benefit · Cyclopentasiloxane, Dimethicone + 8 moreWorks
This product can help soften the skin and reduce its moisture loss with emollients and occlusives: dimethicone, methicone.
Keep in mind that this product does not contain effective ingredients to attract water to the upper layer of the skin. This is why an additional product with humectants like glycerin or hyaluronic acid can be helpful (apply it before this product for the best results).
Can it cause trouble?
Irritancy11 flagged ingredientsLow risk
ComedogenicClean of flagged comedogenic ingredientsNone flagged
User reviews
Be the first — your take helps the next person decide.
Ingredients
Filter by role to see what each ingredient is doing.
Phenylbenzimidazole sulfonic acid3%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Ensulizole. A UV filter that is effective against UVB rays. Does not protect against UVA light. It is photostable and can be used to help stabilize other sunscreen ingredients. It is water-soluble meaning that it can help create lighter sunscreen formulations
More about Phenylbenzimidazole sulfonic acidCyclopentasiloxane~23–34%
- 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 CyclopentasiloxaneTalc~5.1–7.6%
Propylene glycol~4.6–6.9%
- Irritation risk
- High
Helps oil and water mix together and can enhance the penetration of other ingredients into the skin. It can be irritating
More about Propylene glycolDimethicone~4.1–6.2%
- 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 DimethiconeAluminum starch octenylsuccinate~3–4.5%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Used to thicken the product's consistency
More about Aluminum starch octenylsuccinatePeg/ppg-18/18 dimethicone~2.2–3.3%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A silicone that mixes with water creating nice light-weight product texture
More about Peg/ppg-18/18 dimethiconeSodium chloride~1.7–2.6%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Used to stabilize mixtures of oil and water, and create thicker, gel-like product textures
More about Sodium chloridePvp~1.5–2.3%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Helps evenly disperse other ingredients in a formulation and create an even layer on the surface of the skin
More about PvpPhenoxyethanol~0.5–1%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A preservative. It helps prevent bacterial growth in cosmetic products
More about PhenoxyethanolSodium hydroxide~0.95–1.45%
Acrylonitrile/methyl methacrylate/vinylidene chloride copolymer~0.55–1.3%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Helps to create a nice product consistency
More about Acrylonitrile/methyl methacrylate/vinylidene chloride copolymerSynthetic beeswax~0.5–1.1%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps soften the upper layer of the skin
More about Synthetic beeswaxTrihydroxystearin~0.45–1.05%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps soften the upper layer of the skin and improve the product texture
More about TrihydroxystearinMethicone~0.45–1.1%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A type of silicone that helps soften the upper layer of the skin and reduces the water loss from the skin surface
More about MethiconeCaprylyl glycol~0.45–1%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Helps preserve products and creates a nice product texture
More about Caprylyl glycolSilica~0.5–1.15%
Sodium benzoate~0.25–0.5%
Synthetic wax~0.3–0.75%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Used to stabilize product formulations and thicken product consistency
More about Synthetic waxPolyglyceryl-4 isostearate~0.15–0.65%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Helps water and oil mix together
More about Polyglyceryl-4 isostearate1,2-hexanediol~0.1–0.45%
Cetyl peg/ppg-10/1 dimethicone~0.15–0.5%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A type of silicone that helps water and oil mix together. Can help to soften upper layer of the skin
More about Cetyl peg/ppg-10/1 dimethiconeHexyl laurate~0.15–0.6%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Helps soften the upper layer of the skin and create a nice product consistency
More about Hexyl laurateIsopropyl titanium triisostearate~0.1–0.5%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Helps water and oil mix together
More about Isopropyl titanium triisostearateEthylene brassylate~0.05–0.15%
Polyethylene~0.15–0.7%
Water~0.05–0.15%
Ingredient list view
Phenylbenzimidazole sulfonic acid, Cyclopentasiloxane, Talc, Propylene glycol, Dimethicone, Aluminum starch octenylsuccinate, Peg/ppg-18/18 dimethicone, Sodium chloride, Pvp, Phenoxyethanol, Sodium hydroxide, Acrylonitrile/methyl methacrylate/vinylidene chloride copolymer, Synthetic beeswax, Trihydroxystearin, Methicone, Caprylyl glycol, Silica, Sodium benzoate, Synthetic wax, Polyglyceryl-4 isostearate, 1,2-hexanediol, Cetyl peg/ppg-10/1 dimethicone, Hexyl laurate, Isopropyl titanium triisostearate, Ethylene brassylate, Polyethylene, Water
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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.
| CoverGirlBase Business Everyday Defense PrimerYOUR PRODUCT | PRIORI SkincareTETRA fx251 Broad Spectrum SPF55 Sunscreen Color Guide | Glo Skin BeautySolar Shade SPF 50 | ALASTIN SkincareHydraTint Pro Mineral Broad Spectrum Sunscreen SPF 36 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Match | — | 27% | 26% | 26% |
| Price | — | — | $50.00 | $84.00 |
| Shared key ingredients | — | 4 of 6 | 0 of 6 | 3 of 6 |
| Key difference | — | Ceramide Eop | Oatmeal Extract | Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract |
| Irritancy | Low | Low | Low | Low |
| SPF | SPF 20 | SPF 55 | SPF 50 | SPF 36 |
| Drying alcohol | — | — | — | — |
| View product | Shop | Shop | Shop |
More alternatives: Nivea Japan Sun Protect Water Milk Mild SPF 50+ PA+++SANA Pore Putty Make Up Base Bright Up SPF 50+ PA++++
Product summary
"CoverGirl - Base Business Everyday Defense Primer" does not provide enough UVA protection. UVA rays do not cause sunburn, but still damage the skin, leading to early signs of aging and pigmentation issues.
This sunscreen should also be hydrating enough to use without an additional moisturizer during the day.
Sunscreen filters
This sunscreen uses so-called "chemical", or organic UV filters (organic simply means that their molecules contain atoms of carbon). These filters typically give good sun protection and rarely leave a white cast, but they can be irritating for sensitive skin. These are the sun protection ingredients in this sunscreen: ensulizole 3.00% (declared).
Irritation risk
This formulation includes some common irritants, including ingredients that do not provide a benefit for the skin. We assess the overall irritancy of this sunscreen to be low. For a detailed overview of all potential irritants: click here
You can see the detailed formula review with the breakdown of all actives in the product and the full ingredient list with estimated concentrations in the tables below.
Price
The product retails at around 9.45$ 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 7 studies and safety reviews.
- 1Surfactants and experimental irritant contact dermatitisncbi.nlm.nih.gov
- 2Propylene Glycolpubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
- 3Skin-sensitizing and irritant properties of propylene glycolonlinelibrary.wiley.com
- 4
- 5Final Report on the Safety Assessment of Dimethicone Copolyoljournals.sagepub.com
- 6
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