CoverGirl Smoothers SPF 21 Tinted Coverage, Fair to Light [805]

CoverGirl Smoothers SPF 21 Tinted Coverage, Fair to Light [805]

SPF 21Efficacy75/100IrritancyMedium·3 UV filters

Works for

Sun protection
SPF 21 · 3 UV filters · Broad spectrum
Weak protectionSPF under 30
SPF 21Broad spectrumMineral + chemical filtersTinted

This product offers broad spectrum sun protection, but it is weak. We recommend to use a broad spectrum sunscreen with at least SPF 30.

UV spectrum
UVB290–320 nmUVA II320–340 nmUVA I340–400 nm
Octinoxate
Titanium Dioxide
Zinc Oxide
FilterCoverageWhat it doesEst. amount
OctinoxateEthylhexyl MethoxycinnamateUVBOctinoxate. 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 irritating6%
Titanium Dioxide Mineral UVBUVA2 Photo-stable 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~0.15–0.3%
Zinc Oxide Mineral UVBUVA Photo-stable 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 colorant3%
~ marks concentrations estimated from label position and typical use levels
Moisturizing
Panthenol, Glycerin + 8 more
Works well
What the product description says
“CG Smoothers SPF 15 Tinted Moisture combines lightweight moisturizers with a wash of sheer color to help cover tiny imperfections and smooth skin tone for a healthy looking glow.”
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

PanthenolHero· HumectantEffect: HighHelps attract water to the upper layer of the skin and can help improve skin barrier function~0.5–0.8%
GlycerinKey active· HumectantEffect: HighOne of the best moisturizing ingredients. Naturally present in skin. It attracts water to the upper layer of the skin working as a humectant~6.1–7.5%
DimethiconeKey active· Emollient, OcclusiveEffect: HighA 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~0.75–1.15%
DimethiconolKey active· Emollient, OcclusiveEffect: HighA 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~0.7–1.05%
MethiconeKey active· Emollient, OcclusiveEffect: HighA type of silicone that helps soften the upper layer of the skin and reduces the water loss from the skin surface~0.3–0.55%
Cetearyl alcoholKey active· EmollientEffect: MediumA non-drying alcohol. Works as an emollient. Helps water and oil mix together and creates a nice product texture~0.3–0.5%
Isohexadecane· EmollientEffect: LowImproves the texture of the product and helps soften the skin. Helps oil and water mix together and can be used as a cleansing agent~5.1–6.2%
Isopropyl palmitate· EmollientEffect: LowHelps soften the upper layer of the skin and create a thicker product consistency~4.7–5.7%
Behenyl alcohol· Emollient, OcclusiveEffect: LowNon-drying alcohol that helps water and oil mix together. Also serves as an emollient~0.9–1.1%
C13-14 isoparaffin· EmollientEffect: LowHelps soften the upper layer of the skin, dissolve other ingredients and create a thicker product consistency~0.55–0.8%

Can it cause trouble?

Irritancy
2 strong irritants: Iodopropynyl butylcarbamate, Dmdm hydantoin
Medium risk
We flagged 12 ingredients with irritancy potential. Severity depends on your sensitivity threshold; the table lists the worst offenders first.
IngredientFunctionIrritationEst. amount
Ethylhexyl methoxycinnamateOctinoxate. 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 irritatingHigh6%
Iodopropynyl butylcarbamateA preservative. Can be irritatingHigh~0.01–0.02%est.
Dmdm hydantoinA preservative that releases formaldehyde and can be irritatingHigh~0.3–0.6%est.
Isopropyl palmitateHelps soften the upper layer of the skin and create a thicker product consistencyMedium~4.7–5.7%est.
Oleth-3 phosphateHelps water and oil mix togetherMedium~3.7–4.6%est.
Tocopheryl acetateA 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.Medium~2.4–2.9%est.
Steareth-21Helps oil and water mix togetherMedium~1.3–1.6%est.
Steareth-2Helps oil and water mix togetherMedium~1–1.3%est.
PolyacrylamideUsed to improve product texture and help oil and water mix togetherMedium~0.75–1.1%est.
Disodium edtaStabilizes the product formulationMedium~0.35–0.65%est.
BhtA preservativeMedium~0.3–0.6%est.
Laureth-7Helps oil and water mix togetherMedium~0.15–0.25%est.
Comedogenic
3 ingredients rated 2 or more on the 0–5 pore-clogging scale
3 flagged
These ingredients have a comedogenic rating of 2 or more on a 0–5 scale; the table shows each one's rating. In leave-on products they can clog pores in acne-prone skin.
IngredientFunctionRatingEst. amount
Isopropyl palmitateHelps soften the upper layer of the skin and create a thicker product consistency3/5~4.7–5.7%est.
Oleth-3 phosphateHelps water and oil mix together3/5~3.7–4.6%est.
Cetearyl alcoholA non-drying alcohol. Works as an emollient. Helps water and oil mix together and creates a nice product texture2/5~0.3–0.5%est.

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Ingredients

Filter by role to see what each ingredient is doing.

Ethylhexyl methoxycinnamate6%
UV filterKey activeIrritant · high
Irritation risk
High
Works for
Sun protection

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 methoxycinnamate
Zinc oxide3%
UV filterKey active
Irritation risk
Low
Works for
Sun protection

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 oxide
Water~45–55%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low

Plain old water

More about Water
Glycerin~6.1–7.5%
Key active
Irritation risk
Low
Works for
Moisturizing

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 Glycerin
Isohexadecane~5.1–6.2%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low
Works for
CleansingMoisturizing

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 Isohexadecane
Isopropyl palmitate~4.7–5.7%
Comedogenic 3/5Irritant · medium
Irritation risk
Medium
Comedogenicity
3/5
Works for
Moisturizing

Helps soften the upper layer of the skin and create a thicker product consistency

More about Isopropyl palmitate
Oleth-3 phosphate~3.7–4.6%
Comedogenic 3/5Irritant · medium
Irritation risk
Medium
Comedogenicity
3/5
Works for
Cleansing

Helps water and oil mix together

More about Oleth-3 phosphate
Sucrose polycottonseedate~3.2–3.9%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low
Works for
Cleansing
More about Sucrose polycottonseedate
Tocopheryl acetate~2.4–2.9%
Irritant · medium
Irritation risk
Medium
Works for
Anti-oxidation

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 acetate
Iodopropynyl butylcarbamate~0.01–0.02%
Irritant · high
Irritation risk
High

A preservative. Can be irritating

More about Iodopropynyl butylcarbamate
Dmdm hydantoin~0.3–0.6%
Irritant · high
Irritation risk
High

A preservative that releases formaldehyde and can be irritating

More about Dmdm hydantoin
Steareth-21~1.3–1.6%
Irritant · medium
Irritation risk
Medium
Works for
Cleansing

Helps oil and water mix together

More about Steareth-21
Steareth-2~1–1.3%
Irritant · medium
Irritation risk
Medium
Works for
Cleansing

Helps oil and water mix together

More about Steareth-2
Stearyl alcohol~1–1.3%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low
Works for
Cleansing

An emollient that helps soften the skin

More about Stearyl alcohol
Behenyl alcohol~0.9–1.1%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low
Works for
Moisturizing

Non-drying alcohol that helps water and oil mix together. Also serves as an emollient

More about Behenyl alcohol
Talc~1.1–1.3%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low

Absorbs oil and moisture helping to create a dryer product finish

More about Talc
Polyacrylamide~0.75–1.1%
Irritant · medium
Irritation risk
Medium

Used to improve product texture and help oil and water mix together

More about Polyacrylamide
Dimethicone~0.75–1.15%
Key active
Irritation risk
Low
Works for
MoisturizingMattifying

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 Dimethicone
Dimethiconol~0.7–1.05%
Key active
Irritation risk
Low
Works for
Moisturizing

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 Dimethiconol
Panthenol~0.5–0.8%
Hero · Moisturizing
Irritation risk
Low
Works for
MoisturizingReduces rednessReduces irritation

Helps attract water to the upper layer of the skin and can help improve skin barrier function

More about Panthenol
C13-14 isoparaffin~0.55–0.8%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low
Works for
Moisturizing

Helps soften the upper layer of the skin, dissolve other ingredients and create a thicker product consistency

More about C13-14 isoparaffin
Disodium edta~0.35–0.65%
Irritant · medium
Irritation risk
Medium

Stabilizes the product formulation

More about Disodium edta
Bht~0.3–0.6%
Irritant · medium
Irritation risk
Medium

A preservative

More about Bht
Beta-carotene~0.25–0.45%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low

A colorant adding orange or bright yellow color

More about Beta-carotene
Methicone~0.3–0.55%
Key active
Irritation risk
Low
Works for
Moisturizing

A type of silicone that helps soften the upper layer of the skin and reduces the water loss from the skin surface

More about Methicone
Cetearyl alcohol~0.3–0.5%
Key activeComedogenic 2/5
Irritation risk
Low
Comedogenicity
2/5
Works for
CleansingMoisturizing

A non-drying alcohol. Works as an emollient. Helps water and oil mix together and creates a nice product texture

More about Cetearyl alcohol
Laureth-7~0.15–0.25%
Irritant · medium
Irritation risk
Medium
Works for
Cleansing

Helps oil and water mix together

More about Laureth-7
Titanium dioxide~0.15–0.3%
UV filterUnder-dosed
Irritation risk
Low
Works for
Sun protection

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 dioxide
Iron oxides~0.1–0.15%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low
Works for
Sun protection

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 oxides
Ingredient list view

Ethylhexyl methoxycinnamate, Zinc oxide, Water, Glycerin, Isohexadecane, Isopropyl palmitate, Oleth-3 phosphate, Sucrose polycottonseedate, Tocopheryl acetate, Iodopropynyl butylcarbamate, Dmdm hydantoin, Steareth-21, Steareth-2, Stearyl alcohol, Behenyl alcohol, Talc, Polyacrylamide, Dimethicone, Dimethiconol, Panthenol, C13-14 isoparaffin, Disodium edta, Bht, Beta-carotene, Methicone, Cetearyl alcohol, Laureth-7, Titanium dioxide, Iron oxides

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Walmart1.35 oz
$21.53
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Walmart1.35 oz
$27.16
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Amazon US
Price unavailable Out of stock
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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.

Side-by-side comparison of this product against its closest alternatives
CoverGirlSmoothers SPF 21 Tinted Coverage, Fair to Light [805]YOUR PRODUCTCeraVeHydrating Mineral Face Sunscreen Lotion SPF 50 with Zinc OxideSkincallTinted Broad Spectrum SPF 46 SunscreenDCLSkincare Super Sheer SPF50 Broad Spectrum Protection Sunscreen
Match—65%64%64%
Price$21.53$18.99−$2.54—$61.57+$40.04
Shared key ingredients—6 of 85 of 85 of 8
Key difference—NiacinamideNiacinamideTetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate
Irritancy Medium Low Low Low
SPFSPF 21SPF 50SPF 46SPF 50
Drying alcohol————
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More alternatives: Replenix Tinted Oil-Free Face Sunscreen SPF50+Olay Unscented Olay Complete All Day Moisturizer with Broad Spectrum SPF 30 Sensitive

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Product summary

"CoverGirl - Smoothers SPF 21 Tinted Coverage, Fair to Light [805]" "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 sunscreen does not offer enough sun protection. 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 both titanium dioxide and zinc oxide.

Irritation risk

There are some common irritants in this product, including ingredients that do not have benefits for the skin. We assess the overall irritancy of it 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 from 19.41$ up to 26.86$ in the United States and for 89.05£ 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 15 studies and safety reviews.

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CoverGirl Smoothers SPF 21 Tinted Coverage, Fair to Light [805]
CoverGirlSmoothers SPF 21 Tinted Coverage, Fair to Light [805]

Affiliate links · As an Amazon Associate, WIMJ earns from qualifying purchases.

As an Amazon Associate, WIMJ earns from qualifying purchases.