CoverGirl Smoothers BB Cream with SPF 21, Fair to Light 805
Works for
Sun protectionSPF 21 · 3 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.
MoisturizingPanthenol, Glycerin + 9 moreWorks well
“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!”
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
Can it cause trouble?
Irritancy2 strong irritants: Dmdm hydantoin, Iodopropynyl butylcarbamateMedium risk
Comedogenic3 ingredients rated 2 or more on the 0–5 pore-clogging scale3 flagged
User reviews
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Ingredients
Filter by role to see what each ingredient is doing.
Ethylhexyl methoxycinnamate6%
- 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 methoxycinnamateZinc oxide3%
- 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 oxideWater~45–55%
Glycerin~6.1–7.5%
- 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 GlycerinIsopropyl palmitate~6.2–7.6%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
- Comedogenicity
- 3/5
Helps soften the upper layer of the skin and create a thicker product consistency
More about Isopropyl palmitateIsohexadecane~4.7–5.7%
- Irritation risk
- Low
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
More about IsohexadecaneSteareth-21~3.7–4.5%
Stearyl alcohol~3.2–3.9%
- Irritation risk
- Low
An emollient that helps soften the skin
More about Stearyl alcoholCetyl alcohol~2.6–3.2%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A non-drying alcohol that works to soften the skin and stabilize product formulations helping oil and water mix together
More about Cetyl alcoholBehenyl alcohol~2.2–2.7%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Non-drying alcohol that helps water and oil mix together. Also serves as an emollient
More about Behenyl alcoholDimethicone~1.8–2.2%
- 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 DimethiconePolyacrylamide~1.3–1.6%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Used to improve product texture and help oil and water mix together
More about PolyacrylamideTocopheryl acetate~1.1–1.3%
- 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 acetateTalc~1.3–1.5%
C13-14 isoparaffin~0.95–1.2%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps soften the upper layer of the skin, dissolve other ingredients and create a thicker product consistency
More about C13-14 isoparaffinDmdm hydantoin~0.3–0.6%
- Irritation risk
- High
A preservative that releases formaldehyde and can be irritating
More about Dmdm hydantoinSteareth-2~0.7–1.05%
Disodium edta~0.65–0.95%
Laureth-7~0.6–0.95%
Dimethiconol~0.7–1.05%
- 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 DimethiconolTriethoxycaprylylsilane~0.55–0.85%
- 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 TriethoxycaprylylsilaneOleth-3 phosphate~0.5–0.75%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
- Comedogenicity
- 3/5
Helps water and oil mix together
More about Oleth-3 phosphatePanthenol~0.45–0.65%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps attract water to the upper layer of the skin and can help improve skin barrier function
More about PanthenolMethicone~0.5–0.75%
- 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 MethiconeIodopropynyl butylcarbamate~0.01–0.02%
Mdm hydantoin~0.25–0.45%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Bht~0.2–0.4%
Zea mays oil~0.15–0.3%
- Irritation risk
- Low
- Comedogenicity
- 3/5
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
More about Zea mays oilBeta-carotene~0.15–0.25%
Titanium dioxide~0.15–0.3%
- 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 dioxideIron oxides~0.1–0.15%
- 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
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
Compare prices
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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.
| CoverGirlSmoothers BB Cream with SPF 21, Fair to Light 805YOUR PRODUCT | ReplenixTinted Oil-Free Face Sunscreen SPF50+ | SkincallTinted Broad Spectrum SPF 46 Sunscreen | SOBEL SKIN RxMineral-Based SPF 50 Sunscreen | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Match | — | 63% | 63% | 63% |
| Price | $6.97 | $35.00+$28.03 | — | — |
| Shared key ingredients | — | 5 of 9 | 5 of 9 | 5 of 9 |
| Key difference | — | Niacinamide | Niacinamide | Niacinamide |
| Irritancy | Medium | Low | Low | Low |
| SPF | SPF 21 | SPF 50 | SPF 46 | SPF 50 |
| Drying alcohol | — | — | — | — |
| View product | Shop | Shop | Shop |
More alternatives: DCL Skincare Super Sheer SPF50 Broad Spectrum Protection Sunscreene.l.f. Cosmetics Camo CC Cream
Product summary
"CoverGirl - Smoothers BB Cream with SPF 21, Fair to Light 805" offers broad spectrum protection. It means that it protects from both UVA and UVB rays (you can remember UVB as "burning" sunlight - they cause sunburn. You can remember UVA rays as "aging" - they do not lead to sunburn, but they cause photodamage and contribute to early signs of skin aging and hyperpigmentation). On the negative side, the SPF of it is not high enough. We recommend to use a sunscreen with at least SPF 30 daily.
It contains good moisturizing ingredients and can double as a hydrating day cream.
Sunscreen filters
This sunscreen uses a mixture of both mineral and organic (so-called "chemical") UV filters. Here are the organic filters this product uses: octinoxate. As for the mineral filters, this sunscreen uses zinc oxide.
Irritation risk
It contains some common irritants, including those without a benefit for the skin. We assess the overall irritancy of this sunscreen to be medium. For a detailed overview of all potential irritants: click here
You can see the detailed formula review with the breakdown of all actives in the product and the full ingredient list with estimated concentrations in the tables below.
Price
The product retails for 7.99CA$ 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.
Sources cited in this review
Every concentration estimate and effectiveness label is anchored to one of these 16 studies and safety reviews.
- 1A review of inorganic UV filters zinc oxide and titanium dioxideonlinelibrary.wiley.com
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