Works for:
based on ingredients and %- Moisturizing
Doesn't work for:
based on ingredients and %- Anti-aging
- Sun protection
- Evens skin tone
Can it cause trouble?
- Irritation risk: medium
- Comedogenic risk ingredients: 3
Key actives
Product Summary
"CoverGirl - Smoothers BB Cream with SPF 21, Fair to Light 805" 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. Here are the organic filters this product uses: octinoxate. As for the mineral filters, this sunscreen uses zinc oxide.
Irritation risk
It 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 7.99CA$ in Canada, for 25.00A$ in Australia, from 6.97$ up to 13.94$ in the United States and for 17.50£ in the United Kingdom.
For a detailed price comparison: click here.
Moisturizing
What does the product description say?
This BB Cream formula provides all-day hydration, improves skin elasticity, leaves skin feeling soft and smooth, provides natural looking radiance, and has Broad Spectrum SPF 21!
Source: Walmart
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.
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: dimethicone, dimethiconol.
The following ingredients in this product are especially good for supporting the skin barrier and helping with the hydration level: panthenol
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
One of the best moisturizing ingredients. Naturally present in skin. It attracts water to the upper layer of the skin working as a humectant
A type of silicone that helps soften the upper layer of the skin and reduces the water loss from the skin surface
Helps attract water to the upper layer of the skin and can help improve skin barrier function
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
A good moisturizing plant oil. Due to the high linoleic acid content, it helps soften the upper layer of the skin, reduce water loss and support skin barrier function
A non-drying alcohol that works to soften the skin and stabilize product formulations helping oil and water mix together
Non-drying alcohol that helps water and oil mix together. Also serves as an emollient
Improves the texture of the product and helps soften the skin. Helps oil and water mix together and can be used as a cleansing agent
Helps soften the upper layer of the skin and create a thicker product consistency
Helps soften the upper layer of the skin, dissolve other ingredients and create a thicker product consistency
Anti-aging
What does the product description say?
35 fl oz, BB Cream with SPF, BB Cream Foundation, Improves Skin Elasticity, Blends Effortlessly with Skin Tone, Lightweight Formula COVERGIRL Smoothers Lightweight BB Cream 810 Light Medium 1 35 fl oz Cream SPF Foundation Improves Skin Elasticity Blends Effortlessly Tone Formula COVERGIRL Smoothers BB Cream SPF 21 815 Medium Dark 1 35 fl oz SPF Foundation Improves Skin Elasticity Blends Effortlessly Tone Lightweight Formula
Source: Walmart
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.
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).
Evens skin tone
What does the product description say?
35 fl oz, BB Cream with SPF, BB Cream Foundation, Improves Skin Elasticity, Blends Effortlessly with Skin Tone, Lightweight Formula COVERGIRL Smoothers Lightweight BB Cream 810 Light Medium 1 35 fl oz Cream SPF Foundation Improves Skin Elasticity Blends Effortlessly Tone Formula COVERGIRL Smoothers BB Cream SPF 21 815 Medium Dark 1 35 fl oz SPF Foundation Improves Skin Elasticity Blends Effortlessly Tone Lightweight Formula
Source: Walmart
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).
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.
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
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
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
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
How honest is this product?
| Promise | Can it deliver? |
|---|---|
| Sun protection | |
| Moisturizing | |
| Anti-aging | |
| Evens skin tone |
Total Promises Fulfilled score: 62/100.
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Potential irritants
Comedogenic ingredients
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| Product | Similarity | Price | Irritancy |
|---|---|---|---|
 CoverGirl Smoothers BB Cream with SPF 21, Fair to Light 805 | Current | $6.97 | |
 Replenix Tinted Oil-Free Face Sunscreen SPF50+ | 58% | $35.00 | |
 La Roche-Posay Anthelios 100% Mineral Sunscreen Moisturizer with Hyaluronic Acid | 57% | $37.99 | |
 DCL Skincare Super Sheer SPF50 Broad Spectrum Protection Sunscreen | 57% | $46.00 | |
 SkinMedica Total Defense and Repair SPF 50 | 57% | $68.00 | |
 Ekel Aqua Sun Block AHA BHA PHA SPF 50PA+++ | 54% | $256.00 |
Key Actives
Helps attract water to the upper layer of the skin and can help improve skin barrier function
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
A good moisturizing plant oil. Due to the high linoleic acid content, it helps soften the upper layer of the skin, reduce water loss and support skin barrier function
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
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
One of the best moisturizing ingredients. Naturally present in skin. It attracts water to the upper layer of the skin working as a humectant
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
A type of silicone that helps soften the upper layer of the skin and reduces the water loss from the skin surface
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
Potential irritants
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
A preservative that releases formaldehyde and can be irritating
Helps soften the upper layer of the skin and create a thicker product consistency
Used to improve product texture and help oil and water mix together
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.
Comedogenic ingredients
Helps soften the upper layer of the skin and create a thicker product consistency
A good moisturizing plant oil. Due to the high linoleic acid content, it helps soften the upper layer of the skin, reduce water loss and support skin barrier function
All ingredients
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
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
One of the best moisturizing ingredients. Naturally present in skin. It attracts water to the upper layer of the skin working as a humectant
Helps soften the upper layer of the skin and create a thicker product consistency
Improves the texture of the product and helps soften the skin. Helps oil and water mix together and can be used as a cleansing agent
A non-drying alcohol that works to soften the skin and stabilize product formulations helping oil and water mix together
Non-drying alcohol that helps water and oil mix together. Also serves as an emollient
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
Used to improve product texture and help oil and water mix together
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.
Helps soften the upper layer of the skin, dissolve other ingredients and create a thicker product consistency
A preservative that releases formaldehyde and can be irritating
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
A type of silicone that helps oil and water mix well together. Helps to disperse other ingredients, e.g. pigments, evenly in a formulation
Helps attract water to the upper layer of the skin and can help improve skin barrier function
A type of silicone that helps soften the upper layer of the skin and reduces the water loss from the skin surface
A good moisturizing plant oil. Due to the high linoleic acid content, it helps soften the upper layer of the skin, reduce water loss and support skin barrier function
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
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
Ingredient list view
Ethylhexyl methoxycinnamate, Zinc oxide, Water, Glycerin, Isopropyl palmitate, Isohexadecane, Steareth-21, Stearyl alcohol, Cetyl alcohol, Behenyl alcohol, Dimethicone, Polyacrylamide, Tocopheryl acetate, Talc, C13-14 isoparaffin, Dmdm hydantoin, Steareth-2, Disodium edta, Laureth-7, Dimethiconol, Triethoxycaprylylsilane, Oleth-3 phosphate, Panthenol, Methicone, Iodopropynyl butylcarbamate, Mdm hydantoin, Bht, Zea mays oil, Beta-carotene, Titanium dioxide, Iron oxides
- A review of inorganic UV filters zinc oxide and titanium dioxide
- Risk assessment of zinc oxide, a cosmetic ingredient used as a UV filter of sunscreens
- Characterization of the UVA protection provided by avobenzone, zinc oxide, and titanium dioxide in broad-spectrum sunscreen products
- Ultraviolet Protection Properties of Commercial Sunscreens and Sunscreens Containing Zno Nanorods
- ZnO nanoparticles and organic chemical UV-filters are equally well tolerated by human immune cells
- Glycerol and the skin: holistic approach to its origin and functions
- Final Report on the Safety Assessment of Isopropyl Isostearate
- Dimethicone as a protective ingredient in topical medications
- Final Report on the Safety Assessment of Dimethicone Copolyol
- Safety Assessment of Isoparaffins as Used in Cosmetics
- 5: Final Report on the Safety Assessment of Steareth-2,-4,-6,-7,-10,-11,-13,-15, and-20
- Sensitization to oleth-3-phosphate and oleth-5 in a hair wax
- Skin moisturizing effects of panthenol-based formulations
- Safety Assessment of Panthenol, Pantothenic Acid, and Derivatives as Used in Cosmetics
- Safety Assessment of Iodopropynyl Butylcarbamate as Used in Cosmetics
- Content of fatty acids in corn (Zea mays L.) oil from Ecuador