Crystal Clear Protect and Repair SPF 40
Works for
3 of 3 advertised claims delivered
Sun protectionSPF 40 · 3 UV filtersBroad spectrum
This product offers a good level of protection against both UVB and UVA rays.
This sunscreen uses organic (so-called "chemical") sunscreen filters. Organic, or "chemical" filters usually provide reliable sun protection and rarely leave a white cast. Sunscreens with organic filters can sting eyes.
Evens skin toneNo ingredient credited for this claimStrong support
“The formula replenishes high levels of moisture to skin in order to keep it soft and even-toned and minimise wrinkles and hyperpigmentation.”
This product offers broad spectrum sun protection. It means that it can prevent hyperpigmentation and help keep the skin tone even (sun damage is the main factor causing age spots, darkening of post-acne marks and other discolorations).
Anti-aging1 ingredient credited for this claimStrong support
“The formula replenishes high levels of moisture to skin in order to keep it soft and even-toned and minimise wrinkles and hyperpigmentation.”
This product can help prevent early signs of skin aging because it offers a good level of broad spectrum sun protection. Sun damage is the main cause of premature skin aging, and protecting your skin from the sun is the best anti-aging strategy.
MoisturizingNot advertised by the brand · 6 ingredients credited for this claimGood support
This product contains good ingredients to attract water to the upper layer of the skin. These ingredients are called "humectants": biosaccharide gum-1, glycerin.
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. If the air is dry, humectants can speed up the moisture loss from the skin. This is why it is a good idea to use another product on top of this one to help "seal in" the moisture (look for ingredients like dimethicone, squalane, oils and butters).
Can it cause trouble?
Irritancy3 strong irritants: Parfum, Limonene + 1 more — patch-test recommendedHigh risk
ComedogenicClean of flagged comedogenic ingredientsNone flagged
User reviews
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Ingredients
Filter by role to see what each ingredient is doing.
Water~45–55%
Methylene bis-benzotriazolyl tetramethylbutylphenol~6.1–7.4%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Tinosorb M. A UV filter. Is effective against both UVA and UVB rays. It also provides some protection against visible light. It is photostable and can also be used to improve photostability of other sunscreen ingredients. Its physical properties help to create lightweight sunscreen formulations. It can leave a slight white cast. Unfortunately, it is not approved by the FDA (US) yet
More about Methylene bis-benzotriazolyl tetramethylbutylphenolEthylhexyl methoxycinnamate~4.5–5.5%
- 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 methoxycinnamateC15-19 alkane~3.1–3.8%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps soften the upper layer of the skin and create a nice product texture
More about C15-19 alkaneHexyl laurate~2.4–2.9%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Helps soften the upper layer of the skin and create a nice product consistency
More about Hexyl laurateGlycerin~2–2.5%
- 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 GlycerinSteareth-21~1.7–2.1%
Steareth-2~1.5–1.8%
Butyl methoxydibenzoylmethane~1.7–2%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Avobenzone. An organic, or so-called "chemical" UV filter. Protects against both UVA and UVB rays. Needs to be combined with other filters in a formulation to be stable.
More about Butyl methoxydibenzoylmethanePhenoxyethanol~0.5–1%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A preservative. It helps prevent bacterial growth in cosmetic products
More about PhenoxyethanolDecyl glucoside~0.9–1.1%
- Irritation risk
- High
Helps oil and water mix together. Can be irritating
More about Decyl glucosideHydrolyzed lupine protein~0.6–0.9%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Biosaccharide gum-1~0.55–0.85%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps attract water to the upper layer of the skin and is claimed to provide a longer-lasting hydration because of its ability to create a water-binding film on the surface of the skin
More about Biosaccharide gum-1Thermus thermophillus ferment~0.5–0.8%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Might be helpful in neutralising free radicals in skin and have some hydration properties
More about Thermus thermophillus fermentAmmonium acryloyldimethyltaurate/vp copolymer~0.5–0.75%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Increases thickness of a product. Texture enhancer for oil-in-water emulsions
More about Ammonium acryloyldimethyltaurate/vp copolymerPotassium sorbate~0.3–0.6%
Parfum~0.45–0.65%
- Irritation risk
- High
An aromatic blend of unspecified and possibly irritating ingredients
More about ParfumXanthan gum~0.45–0.65%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Used to create a thicker product consistency
More about Xanthan gumTocopheryl acetate~0.35–0.65%
- 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 acetateCitric acid~0.25–0.5%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Can work as an exfoliant but is typically used to adjust the product pH
More about Citric acidTetrasodium glutamate diacetate~0.25–0.45%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps stabilize the product formulation
More about Tetrasodium glutamate diacetateEthylhexylglycerin~0.2–0.4%
Disodium edta~0.2–0.35%
Propylene glycol~0.2–0.35%
- 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 glycolBht~0.15–0.25%
Sodium hydroxide~0.15–0.25%
Sodium benzoate~0.1–0.2%
Limonene~0.05–0.15%
- Irritation risk
- High
A common frangrance that can easily irritate skin, especially if exposed to air, light or heat
More about LimoneneLinalool~0.05–0.1%
Ingredient list view
Water, Methylene bis-benzotriazolyl tetramethylbutylphenol, Ethylhexyl methoxycinnamate, C15-19 alkane, Hexyl laurate, Glycerin, Steareth-21, Steareth-2, Butyl methoxydibenzoylmethane, Phenoxyethanol, Decyl glucoside, Hydrolyzed lupine protein, Biosaccharide gum-1, Thermus thermophillus ferment, Ammonium acryloyldimethyltaurate/vp copolymer, Potassium sorbate, Parfum, Xanthan gum, Tocopheryl acetate, Citric acid, Tetrasodium glutamate diacetate, Ethylhexylglycerin, Disodium edta, Propylene glycol, Bht, Sodium hydroxide, Sodium benzoate, Limonene, Linalool
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Product summary
Based on the ingredient list, we assess that "Crystal Clear - Protect and Repair SPF 40" can provide reliable sun protection. We love that it can protect from both UVA and UVB rays (not all sunscreens with SPF ratings give UVA protection. UVA rays do not cause sunburn, but still damage our skin and lead to early aging).
As a plus, this sunscreen uses some of the new generation UV filters (Tinosorb M). These filters are more stable and more gentle on the skin.
Because it includes good moisturizing ingredients, it can also work as a hydrating day cream. This product prevents early signs of aging by protecting against sun damage (all broad spectrum sunscreens do that).
Sunscreen filters
This is a so-called "chemical" sunscreen. It means that it uses organic UV filters. They typically offer good sun protection and rarely leave a white cast, but they can be irritating for some people with sensitive skin. Here are the exact UV filters in this sunscreen: avobenzone 1.70% - 2.00%, octinoxate 4.50% - 5.50% and tinosorb m 6.10% - 7.40%.
Irritation risk
We assess the overall irritancy of it 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 from 27.99$ up to 55.20$ in the United States, for 39.99£ in the United Kingdom and for 70.00CA$ in Canada.
For a detailed price comparison: click here.
Sources cited in this review
Every concentration estimate and effectiveness label is anchored to one of these 6 studies and safety reviews.
- 1
- 2
- 3
- 4Surfactants and experimental irritant contact dermatitisncbi.nlm.nih.gov
- 5Propylene Glycolpubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
- 6Skin-sensitizing and irritant properties of propylene glycolonlinelibrary.wiley.com
Affiliate links · As an Amazon Associate, WIMJ earns from qualifying purchases.