Elizabeth Arden Great 8 Daily Defense Moisturizer SPF 35
Works for
2 of 2 advertised claims delivered
Sun protectionSPF 35 · 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.
This product can be considered "reef safe" because it does not contain the UV filters (oxybenzone and octinoxate) that can be harmful to coral reefs when present in the water in high concentrations.
Anti-agingThermus thermophillus ferment, Oleanolic acidStrong evidence
“The nourishing formula features four protective benefits including UVA/UVB protection with broad spectrum SPF35 to help prevent skin damage and premature ageing caused by UV exposure.”
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.
Evens skin toneNot advertised by the brand · No ingredient credited for this claimStrong evidence
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).
MoisturizingNot advertised by the brand · Thermus thermophillus ferment, Glycerin + 4 moreGood evidence
This product contains good ingredients to attract water to the upper layer of the skin. These ingredients are called "humectants": glycerin, imperata cylindrica root extract.
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?
Irritancy5 strong irritants: Parfum, Geraniol + 3 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~40–60%
Homosalate~5.5–8.3%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
A weak sunscreen that offers some protection against the sun rays that cause sunburn (UVB), but does not offer meaningful protection against protect against the most aging sun rays (UVA). It loses its effectiveness quickly when exposed to sunlight. It is an organic, or so called "chemical" sunscreen. When used in low concentrations, helps to stabilize the product formulation
More about HomosalateEthylhexyl salicylate~3.9–5.9%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Octisalate. A UV filter. It offers some protection against the sun rays that cause sunburn (UVB), but does not protect against the most aging sun rays (UVA). It loses its effectiveness quickly when exposed to sunlight. It is an organic, or so called "chemical" sunscreen
More about Ethylhexyl salicylateDipropylene glycol~2.6–3.8%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps to dissolve other ingredients in a formulation. Slows down the rate of product drying
More about Dipropylene glycolButyl methoxydibenzoylmethane~2.7–4.1%
- 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 methoxydibenzoylmethaneGlycerin~1.8–2.6%
- 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 GlycerinThermus thermophillus ferment~1.4–2.1%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Might be helpful in neutralising free radicals in skin and have some hydration properties
More about Thermus thermophillus fermentButylene glycol~1.2–1.9%
- 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 glycolImperata cylindrica root extract~1–1.5%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
A plat extract that might help neutralize free radicals in skin and attract water to its upper layer
More about Imperata cylindrica root extractEnantia chlorantha bark extract~0.6–1.4%
- Irritation risk
- High
A bark extract that might help clam down inflammation and neutralize free radicals , but evidence of effectiveness in skin is lacking
More about Enantia chlorantha bark extractMarrubium vulgare extract~0.35–0.85%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Acrylates/c10-30 alkyl acrylate crosspolymer~0.4–0.95%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Maintains the texture of skincare products. Allows the product to spread evenly. Helps oil and water mix together
More about Acrylates/c10-30 alkyl acrylate crosspolymerAmmonium acryloyldimethyltaurate/beheneth-25 methacrylate crosspolymer~0.35–0.8%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Used to stabilize product formulations
More about Ammonium acryloyldimethyltaurate/beheneth-25 methacrylate crosspolymerCaprylyl glycol~0.35–0.8%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Helps preserve products and creates a nice product texture
More about Caprylyl glycolCarbomer~0.2–0.75%
- 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 CarbomerDimethylmethoxy chromanol~0.2–0.7%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Can help neutralize free radicals in skin
More about Dimethylmethoxy chromanolDisodium edta~0.15–0.7%
Hydroxyacetophenone~0.15–0.55%
Oleanolic acid~0.1–0.5%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Might be helpful against blemishes, work as an anti-oxidant, reduce inflammation and improve skin's ability to hold on to moisture, but more research is needed to confirm its effectiveness when applied topically to human skin
More about Oleanolic acidTriethanolamine~0.1–0.5%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Used to adjust pH of the product and can help improve the product's smell
More about TriethanolamineParfum~0.1–0.3%
- Irritation risk
- High
An aromatic blend of unspecified and possibly irritating ingredients
More about ParfumGeraniol~0.05–0.3%
Hexyl cinnamal~0.05–0.25%
Limonene~0.05–0.2%
- Irritation risk
- High
A common frangrance that can easily irritate skin, especially if exposed to air, light or heat
More about LimoneneLinalool~0.05–0.15%
Chlorphenesin~0.05–0.2%
Ingredient list view
Water, Homosalate, Ethylhexyl salicylate, Dipropylene glycol, Butyl methoxydibenzoylmethane, Glycerin, Thermus thermophillus ferment, Butylene glycol, Imperata cylindrica root extract, Enantia chlorantha bark extract, Marrubium vulgare extract, Acrylates/c10-30 alkyl acrylate crosspolymer, Ammonium acryloyldimethyltaurate/beheneth-25 methacrylate crosspolymer, Caprylyl glycol, Carbomer, Dimethylmethoxy chromanol, Disodium edta, Hydroxyacetophenone, Oleanolic acid, Triethanolamine, Parfum, Geraniol, Hexyl cinnamal, Limonene, Linalool, Chlorphenesin
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Product summary
We believe that "Elizabeth Arden - Great 8 Daily Defense Moisturizer SPF 35" can provide reliable sun protection based on the ingredients listed. It can protect from both UVA and UVB rays. This is great news because 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).
It contains good moisturizing ingredients and can double 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. The UV filters in this sunscreen are: avobenzone 2.70% - 4.10%, octisalate 3.90% - 5.90% and homosalate 5.50% - 8.30%.
Irritation risk
This moisturizer contains a bunch of common irritants, including ingredients that do not provide any known benefit for the skin. It might not be the best choice if your skin is sensitive. 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 for 42.00$ in the United States, for 78.30CA$ in Canada and for 36.00£ 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 9 studies and safety reviews.
- 1
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- 3Allergic contact dermatitis from grassespubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
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