![CoverGirl Smoothers SPF 21 Tinted Coverage, Light to Medium [810]](/_ipx/fit_inside&s_320x320/https://image-delivery.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com/full/2b718c08d0271163a0eeedd0568793e0.jpeg)
CoverGirl Smoothers SPF 21 Tinted Coverage, Light to Medium [810]
Works for
1 of 2 advertised claims delivered
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.
Moisturizing9 ingredients credited for this claimGood support
“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.”
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, methicone.
Anti-oxidationNot advertised by the brand · 2 ingredients credited for this claimStrong support
This product contains antioxidants (tocopherol) that can help neutralize free radicals in skin. By doing so, they can lessen the damage the skin gets from the UV light (sun).
Anti-agingNot advertised by the brand · 1 ingredient credited for this claimModerate support
This product contains tocopherol. This ingredient help neutralize free radicals in skin. By doing so, they might be able to prevent early signs of aging (like fine lines and wrinkles), at least to some extent. These ingredients will not be able to "reverse" signs of aging. 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).
Can it cause trouble?
Irritancy3 strong irritants: Parfum, Iodopropynyl butylcarbamate + 1 more — patch-test recommendedHigh 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.
Tocopherol~27–40%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Pure form of vitamin E. Can help moisturise and protect the skin from free radicals. Often used to help stabilise other ingredients or the formula itself
More about TocopherolPaba~6.3–9.4%
- Irritation risk
- High
A UV filter. Is effective against UVB, but does not protect against aging UVA rays. It is not allowed in the EU. It can stain clothing. Overall, it is not widely used in skincare & sunscreens. Can be used to stabilize product formulation - for example, in rinse-off hair products
More about PabaParfum~5.3–8%
- Irritation risk
- High
An aromatic blend of unspecified and possibly irritating ingredients
More about ParfumEthylhexyl 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~3.7–5.5%
Glycerin~2.7–4.1%
- 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 GlycerinIsohexadecane~2.3–3.5%
- 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 IsohexadecaneIsopropyl palmitate~2–3%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
- Comedogenicity
- 3/5
Helps soften the upper layer of the skin and create a thicker product consistency
More about Isopropyl palmitateOleth-3 phosphate~1.8–2.7%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
- Comedogenicity
- 3/5
Helps water and oil mix together
More about Oleth-3 phosphateSucrose polycottonseedate~1.6–2.4%
Tocopheryl acetate~1.3–1.9%
- 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 acetateTocopherol~0.85–1.25%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Pure form of vitamin E. Can help moisturise and protect the skin from free radicals. Often used to help stabilise other ingredients or the formula itself
More about TocopherolIodopropynyl butylcarbamate~0.01–0.02%
Dmdm hydantoin~0.3–0.6%
- Irritation risk
- High
A preservative that releases formaldehyde and can be irritating
More about Dmdm hydantoinSteareth-21~0.5–1.1%
Steareth-2~0.4–0.95%
Stearyl alcohol~0.45–1.1%
- Irritation risk
- Low
An emollient that helps soften the skin
More about Stearyl alcoholBehenyl alcohol~0.45–1.1%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Non-drying alcohol that helps water and oil mix together. Also serves as an emollient
More about Behenyl alcoholTalc~0.45–1.1%
Polyacrylamide~0.35–0.85%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Used to improve product texture and help oil and water mix together
More about PolyacrylamideDimethicone~0.4–0.9%
- 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 DimethiconeDimethiconol panthenol~0.3–0.7%
- Irritation risk
- Low
C13-14 isoparaffin~0.35–0.85%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps soften the upper layer of the skin, dissolve other ingredients and create a thicker product consistency
More about C13-14 isoparaffinDisodium edta~0.2–0.7%
Bht~0.15–0.6%
Beta-carotene~0.15–0.6%
Methicone~0.15–0.7%
- 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 MethiconeCetearyl alcohol~0.15–0.7%
- Irritation risk
- Low
- Comedogenicity
- 2/5
A non-drying alcohol. Works as an emollient. Helps water and oil mix together and creates a nice product texture
More about Cetearyl alcoholLaureth-7~0.1–0.4%
Titanium dioxide~0.1–0.4%
- 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~0.05–0.3%
- 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
Tocopherol, Paba, Parfum, Ethylhexyl methoxycinnamate, Zinc oxide, Water, Glycerin, Isohexadecane, Isopropyl palmitate, Oleth-3 phosphate, Sucrose polycottonseedate, Tocopheryl acetate, Tocopherol, 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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Product summary
"CoverGirl - Smoothers SPF 21 Tinted Coverage, Light to Medium [810]" 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 this sunscreen is not high enough. We recommend to use a sunscreen with at least SPF 30 daily.
It should also be hydrating enough to use without an additional moisturizer during the day.
Sunscreen filters
This is a "mixed" sunscreen in the sense that it uses both mineral and organic (so-called "chemical") sun filters. The organic filters in the product are: octinoxate. As for the mineral filters, this sunscreen uses both titanium dioxide and zinc oxide.
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 high. 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 40.84$ 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 15 studies and safety reviews.
- 1Vitamin E in dermatologyncbi.nlm.nih.gov
- 2Vitamin E and Skin Healthlpi.oregonstate.edu
- 3A review of inorganic UV filters zinc oxide and titanium dioxideonlinelibrary.wiley.com
- 4
- 5
- 6
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