ELEMIS Dynamic Resurfacing Day Cream SPF30
Works for
0 of 3 advertised claims delivered
Sun protectionSPF 30 · 3 UV filters · Broad spectrumWeak protectionLow filter dose
Anti-agingButyrospermum parkii butter, TocopherolLimited evidence
“Skin appears naturally smoother and signs of skin ageing are reduced.”
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.
This ingredient rubus idaeus seed oil might be able to help neutralize free radicals in skin and help it fight off some of the sun damage.
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 toneNo ingredient credited for this claimLimited evidence
“After use, skin is left feeling smoother with a more even tone and texture.”
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).
MoisturizingNot advertised by the brand · Biosaccharide gum-1, Glycerin + 12 moreGood evidence
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:
biosaccharide gum-1, 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: caprylic/capric triglyceride, borago officinalis seed oil.
Anti-oxidationNot advertised by the brand · Rubus idaeus seed oil, Borago officinalis seed oil + 4 moreModerate evidence
This product contains antioxidants (rubus idaeus seed oil) that might be able to help neutralize free radicals in skin to lessen the damage it gets from the UV light (sun). There is not enough evidence to confirm their effectiveness in skin though.
Can it cause trouble?
Irritancy8 strong irritants: Melissa officinalis leaf extract, Parfum + 6 more — patch-test recommendedHigh risk
Comedogenic2 ingredients rated 2 or more on the 0–5 pore-clogging scale2 flagged
User reviews
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Ingredients
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Water~45–55%
Coco-caprylate~5.2–6.3%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
An emollient that softens skin and creates a nice product texture
More about Coco-caprylateGlycerin~4–4.9%
- 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 GlycerinCaprylic/capric triglyceride~3.3–4%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
A good mix of fatty acids that forms a protective layer on the skin. Improves the shelf life of products. Derived from coconut and glycerin
More about Caprylic/capric triglycerideCetyl alcohol~2.4–2.9%
- 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 alcoholIsostearyl alcohol~2–2.5%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps soften the upper layer of the skin
More about Isostearyl alcoholButylene glycol~1.7–2.1%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Used to create a nice product texture and help delivery of other ingredients. Might be somewhat helpful in attracting water to the upper layer of the skin
More about Butylene glycolButylene glycol cocoate~1.5–1.8%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Helps oil and water mix together
More about Butylene glycol cocoateButyl methoxydibenzoylmethane~1.7–2.1%
- 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 methoxydibenzoylmethaneEthylhexyl methoxycinnamate~1.4–1.8%
- 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 methoxycinnamateRubus idaeus seed oil~0.75–1.1%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
A plant oil that might be able to help neutralize free radicals in skin
More about Rubus idaeus seed oilPhenoxyethanol~0.6–0.85%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A preservative. It helps prevent bacterial growth in cosmetic products
More about PhenoxyethanolTocopheryl acetate~0.55–0.8%
- 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 acetateOctocrylene~0.7–1.05%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
A weak sunscreen that protects against the sun rays that cause sunburn (UVB) and is somewhat effective against the UVA rays. It is quite stable and can help stabilize other, more vulnerable, sunscreen ingredients like Avobenzone. It is an organic, or so called "chemical" sunscreen
More about OctocryleneCarbomer~0.45–0.7%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps create a thicker or gel-like product texture. It is not a surfactant but can be used in gentle cleansing formulations
More about CarbomerChlorphenesin~0.16–0.32%
Melissa officinalis leaf extract~0.4–0.65%
- Irritation risk
- High
A plant extract that is added for its fragrance. Can be irritating
More about Melissa officinalis leaf extractPropylene glycol~0.35–0.65%
- 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 glycolSodium stearoyl glutamate~0.45–0.65%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Helps oil and water mix together
More about Sodium stearoyl glutamateBehenyl alcohol~0.4–0.6%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Non-drying alcohol that helps water and oil mix together. Also serves as an emollient
More about Behenyl alcoholEthylcellulose~0.3–0.6%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Xanthan gum~0.3–0.55%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Used to create a thicker product consistency
More about Xanthan gumButyrospermum parkii butter~0.3–0.55%
- Irritation risk
- Low
- Comedogenicity
- 3/5
A great moisturising ingredient that softens the skin and reduces water loss from its upper layer. It also can be helpful in protecting skin from free radicals
More about Butyrospermum parkii butterTocopherol~0.25–0.5%
- 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 TocopherolPapain~0.25–0.45%
- Irritation risk
- High
An enzyme extracted from papaya fruit. Can have an exfoliating effect on the skin. Can be irritating
More about PapainBorago officinalis seed oil~0.3–0.5%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A plant oil that is effective in reducing irritation in skin, restore the barrier function and support its hydration
More about Borago officinalis seed oilParfum~0.25–0.45%
- Irritation risk
- High
An aromatic blend of unspecified and possibly irritating ingredients
More about ParfumDisodium edta~0.25–0.45%
Sodium hydroxide~0.25–0.45%
Lecithin~0.3–0.55%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Used mostly for creating emulsions - helping oil and water mix together. Helps soften the upper layer of the skin
More about LecithinSodium dehydroacetate~0.25–0.45%
Hydrogenated castor oil~0.3–0.55%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
A plant oil that can help soften the skin. It might be helpful in calming down inflammation, but solid research is lacking. Is often used in lip products to create the needed product consistency
More about Hydrogenated castor oilStearyl alcohol~0.3–0.55%
- Irritation risk
- Low
An emollient that helps soften the skin
More about Stearyl alcoholEuphrasia officinalis extract~0.25–0.4%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Mimosa tenuiflora bark extract~0.25–0.45%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Protease~0.25–0.45%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Biosaccharide gum-1~0.25–0.45%
- 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-1Citric acid~0.25–0.45%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Can work as an exfoliant but is typically used to adjust the product pH
More about Citric acidHexyl cinnamal~0.25–0.45%
Codium tomentosum extract~0.25–0.45%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Ecklonia cava extract~0.25–0.45%
- Irritation risk
- Low
- Comedogenicity
- 3/5
Gelidium cartilagineum extract~0.25–0.45%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Hizikia fusiforme extract~0.25–0.45%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Myrtus communis leaf extract~0.2–0.4%
- Irritation risk
- High
A plant extract that contains an essential oil and often used for its fragrance. Can be irritating. It has some anti-bacterial and anti-oxidant properties
More about Myrtus communis leaf extractPotassium sorbate~0.25–0.45%
Sodium benzoate~0.2–0.4%
Benzyl salicylate~0.2–0.35%
Subtilisin~0.2–0.4%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Butylphenyl methylpropional~0.15–0.3%
- Irritation risk
- High
A fragrance. Can trigger allergic reactions and be irritating
More about Butylphenyl methylpropionalAlpha-isomethyl ionone~0.15–0.3%
- Irritation risk
- High
A fragrance. Potential allergen and can be irritating
More about Alpha-isomethyl iononePoria cocos extract~0.2–0.35%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Citrus aurantium amara leaf/twig oil~0.15–0.3%
- Irritation risk
- High
Rubus idaeus seed oil~0.15–0.3%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
A plant oil that might be able to help neutralize free radicals in skin
More about Rubus idaeus seed oilIngredient list view
Water, Coco-caprylate, Glycerin, Caprylic/capric triglyceride, Cetyl alcohol, Isostearyl alcohol, Butylene glycol, Butylene glycol cocoate, Butyl methoxydibenzoylmethane, Ethylhexyl methoxycinnamate, Rubus idaeus seed oil, Phenoxyethanol, Tocopheryl acetate, Octocrylene, Carbomer, Chlorphenesin, Melissa officinalis leaf extract, Propylene glycol, Sodium stearoyl glutamate, Behenyl alcohol, Ethylcellulose, Xanthan gum, Butyrospermum parkii butter, Tocopherol, Papain, Borago officinalis seed oil, Parfum, Disodium edta, Sodium hydroxide, Lecithin, Sodium dehydroacetate, Hydrogenated castor oil, Stearyl alcohol, Euphrasia officinalis extract, Mimosa tenuiflora bark extract, Protease, Biosaccharide gum-1, Citric acid, Hexyl cinnamal, Codium tomentosum extract, Ecklonia cava extract, Gelidium cartilagineum extract, Hizikia fusiforme extract, Myrtus communis leaf extract, Potassium sorbate, Sodium benzoate, Benzyl salicylate, Subtilisin, Butylphenyl methylpropional, Alpha-isomethyl ionone, Poria cocos extract, Citrus aurantium amara leaf/twig oil, Rubus idaeus seed oil
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Product summary
"ELEMIS - Dynamic Resurfacing Day Cream SPF30" is using UV filters in a relatively low concentration. Because of this, it might not be able to provide reliable sun protection.
It also works as a moisturizer, so you do not have to use an additional hydrating product.
Sunscreen filters
This sunscreen uses so-called "chemical", or organic UV filters (organic simply means that their molecules contain atoms of carbon). These filters typically give good sun protection and rarely leave a white cast, but they can be irritating for sensitive skin. Here are the exact UV filters in this sunscreen: avobenzone 1.70% - 2.10%, octinoxate 1.40% - 1.80% and octocrylene 0.70% - 1.05%.
Irritation risk
There are quite a few common irritants in this product, including ingredients without particular skin benefits. We would not recommend it for sensitive skin. We assess the overall irritancy of this moisturizer 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 132.00$ up to 140.00$ in the United States, for 179.20CA$ in Canada and from 78.40£ up to 98.00£ 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 14 studies and safety reviews.
- 1
- 2Surfactants and experimental irritant contact dermatitisncbi.nlm.nih.gov
- 3Propylene Glycolpubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
- 4Skin-sensitizing and irritant properties of propylene glycolonlinelibrary.wiley.com
- 5Vitamin E in dermatologyncbi.nlm.nih.gov
- 6Vitamin E and Skin Healthlpi.oregonstate.edu
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