Embryolisse Complexion Correcting CC Cream SPF20

Embryolisse Complexion Correcting CC Cream SPF20

SPF 20Efficacy56/100IrritancyMedium·2 UV filters

Works for

Sun protection
SPF 20 · 2 UV filters · Broad spectrum
Weak protectionSPF under 30
SPF 20Broad 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.

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.

UV spectrum
UVB290–320 nmUVA II320–340 nmUVA I340–400 nm
Titanium Dioxide
Tinosorb S
FilterCoverageWhat it doesEst. amount
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~3.9–4.8%
Tinosorb SBis-ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl TriazineUVBUVA Photo-stable Tinosorb S. One of the most effective broad spectrum sunscreen ingredients. Protects from both UVA and UVB rays. It is photostable. Approved by the US FDA in 2026 (listed as bemotrizinol on US labels).~2.3–2.8%
~ marks concentrations estimated from label position and typical use levels
Reef-safe
No oxybenzone or octinoxate — the two filters banned in Hawaii, Florida Keys and Aruba.
Moisturizing
Glycerin, Sodium hyaluronate + 2 more
Works
What the product description says
“Hyaluronic acid plumps and smooths the skin, while glycerin and biosaccharide work together to hydrate, smooth and protect the skin from premature aging.”
Source: Lookfantastic Australia

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).

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~1.1–1.4%
Sodium hyaluronateKey active· HumectantEffect: HighOne of the best moisturizing ingredients. Attracts water into the upper layer of the skin~0.05–0.1%
Biosaccharide gum-1Key active· HumectantEffect: HighHelps 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~0.05%
Isodecyl neopentanoate· Emollient, OcclusiveEffect: LowAn emollient that helps soften the skin. It also forms a protective on its surface to reduce water loss.~5.3–6.5%
Evens skin tone
No ingredient credited for this claim
Not delivered
What the product description says
“Achieve a flawless base whilst shielding skin from harmful rays with the Complexion Corrective Skincare CC Cream SPF20 from French pharmacy skincare label, Embryolisse ; a universal skin perfector that adapts to skin tone, replumping skin and preserving its youthfulness.”
Source: Mankind

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).

Anti-aging
No ingredient credited for this claim
Not delivered
What the product description says
“Embryolisse Secret de Maquilleur CC Cream is a skin perfecting cream providing up to full coverage to correct and cover imperfections using soft-focus mineral pigments and light reflecting particles to blur wrinkles, fine lines and enlarged pores.”
Source: Lookfantastic Australia

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.

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?

Irritancy
1 strong irritant: Parfum
Medium risk
We flagged 5 ingredients with irritancy potential. Severity depends on your sensitivity threshold; the table lists the worst offenders first.
IngredientFunctionIrritationEst. amount
ParfumAn aromatic blend of unspecified and possibly irritating ingredientsHigh~0.2–0.4%est.
Bis-ethylhexyloxyphenol methoxyphenyl triazineTinosorb S. One of the most effective broad spectrum sunscreen ingredients. Protects from both UVA and UVB rays. It is photostable. Approved by the US FDA in 2026 (listed as bemotrizinol on US labels).Medium~2.3–2.8%est.
Peg-30 dipolyhydroxystearateHelps oil and water mix togetherMedium~1.5–1.8%est.
Polyglyceryl-4 isostearateHelps water and oil mix togetherMedium~0.55–0.8%est.
Potassium sorbateA preservativeMedium~0.15–0.25%est.
Comedogenic
Clean of flagged comedogenic ingredients
None flagged

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Ingredients

Filter by role to see what each ingredient is doing.

Water~45–55%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low

Plain old water

More about Water
Isodecyl neopentanoate~5.3–6.5%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low
Works for
Moisturizing

An emollient that helps soften the skin. It also forms a protective on its surface to reduce water loss.

More about Isodecyl neopentanoate
Ci 77891~4.7–5.8%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low
More about Ci 77891
Titanium dioxide~3.9–4.8%
UV filterKey active
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
Pentaerythrityl tetrabehenate~2.8–3.4%
Formula
Polymethyl methacrylate~2.3–2.8%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low

Is used to enhance product texture and can help to optically mask skin imperfections

More about Polymethyl methacrylate
Bis-ethylhexyloxyphenol methoxyphenyl triazine~2.3–2.8%
UV filterKey activeIrritant · medium
Irritation risk
Medium
Works for
Sun protection

Tinosorb S. One of the most effective broad spectrum sunscreen ingredients. Protects from both UVA and UVB rays. It is photostable. Approved by the US FDA in 2026 (listed as bemotrizinol on US labels).

More about Bis-ethylhexyloxyphenol methoxyphenyl triazine
Peg-30 dipolyhydroxystearate~1.5–1.8%
Irritant · medium
Irritation risk
Medium
Works for
Cleansing

Helps oil and water mix together

More about Peg-30 dipolyhydroxystearate
Pentaerythrityl tetrastearate~1.4–1.7%
Formula
Glycerin~1.1–1.4%
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
Corn starch modified~0.9–1.1%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low

Used to thicken the product formulation

More about Corn starch modified
Ci 77492~0.7–1.05%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low

A colorant. Usually well-tolerated

More about Ci 77492
Iron
Not recognized
Potassium oxide~0.65–1%
Formula
Nylon-12 fluorescent brightener 230 salt~0.6–0.9%
Formula
Polyglyceryl-4 isostearate~0.55–0.8%
Irritant · medium
Irritation risk
Medium
Works for
Cleansing

Helps water and oil mix together

More about Polyglyceryl-4 isostearate
Synthetic fluorphlogopite~0.5–0.75%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low

A mineral that is used as an optical filter (makes the skin looks nicer through light reflection) and to improve the texture of cosmetic products

More about Synthetic fluorphlogopite
Ci 77491~0.45–0.7%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low

A red colorant made of iron oxide. Typically is not irritating

More about Ci 77491
Iron
Not recognized
Potassium oxide~0.4–0.65%
Formula
Phenoxyethanol~0.25–0.5%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low

A preservative. It helps prevent bacterial growth in cosmetic products

More about Phenoxyethanol
Parfum~0.2–0.4%
Irritant · high
Irritation risk
High

An aromatic blend of unspecified and possibly irritating ingredients

More about Parfum
Ci 77499~0.25–0.4%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low

An iron oxide. Used as a colorant. Is usually well tolerated

More about Ci 77499
Iron
Not recognized
Potassium oxide~0.2–0.35%
Formula
Sodium chloride~0.15–0.3%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low

Used to stabilize mixtures of oil and water, and create thicker, gel-like product textures

More about Sodium chloride
Potassium sorbate~0.15–0.25%
Irritant · medium
Irritation risk
Medium

A preservative

More about Potassium sorbate
Polyvinylalcohol crosspolymer~0.1–0.15%
Formula
Sodium hyaluronate~0.05–0.1%
Key active
Irritation risk
Low
Works for
Moisturizing

One of the best moisturizing ingredients. Attracts water into the upper layer of the skin

More about Sodium hyaluronate
Biosaccharide gum-1~0.05%
Key active
Irritation risk
Low
Works for
Moisturizing

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-1
Ingredient list view

Water, Isodecyl neopentanoate, Ci 77891, Titanium dioxide, Pentaerythrityl tetrabehenate, Polymethyl methacrylate, Bis-ethylhexyloxyphenol methoxyphenyl triazine, Peg-30 dipolyhydroxystearate, Pentaerythrityl tetrastearate, Glycerin, Corn starch modified, Ci 77492, Unknown, Potassium oxide, Nylon-12 fluorescent brightener 230 salt, Polyglyceryl-4 isostearate, Synthetic fluorphlogopite, Ci 77491, Unknown, Potassium oxide, Phenoxyethanol, Parfum, Ci 77499, Unknown, Potassium oxide, Sodium chloride, Potassium sorbate, Polyvinylalcohol crosspolymer, Sodium hyaluronate, Biosaccharide gum-1

Compare prices

Retailers ranked by price — lowest first.

🇦🇺 Recreate Yourself (AU)30 ml
≈ $38.28
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🇬🇧 Mankind (UK)30 ml
≈ $40.25
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🇬🇧 Lookfantastic (UK)30 ml
≈ $44.28
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🇬🇧 Amazon UK (UK)
Price unavailable Out of stock
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🇬🇧 Beauty Bay (UK)
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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
EmbryolisseComplexion Correcting CC Cream SPF20YOUR PRODUCTAvèneSolar Cream Physical Screen Intolerant Skin SPF 50EucerinPhotoaging Control CC Tinted Sun Cream SPF50+ FairLa Roche-PosayAnthelios Pigment Correct Sun Cream SPF50
Match—39%38%38%
Price——$10.03$33.50
Shared key ingredients—2 of 52 of 53 of 5
Key difference—Caprylic/Capric TriglycerideIsobutylamido Thiazolyl ResorcinolNiacinamide
Irritancy Medium Low Medium Low
SPFSPF 20SPF 50SPF 50SPF 50
Drying alcohol—— Contains drying alcohol Contains drying alcohol
View product Shop Shop Shop

More alternatives: EUBOS Cool & Calm - Redness Relieving CC Cream SPF 50VERSO Daily SPF50 Crème Solaire Hydratante

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Product summary

"Embryolisse - Complexion Correcting CC Cream SPF20" 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 product is not high enough. We recommend to use a sunscreen with at least SPF 30 daily.

Its formula is also hydrating, so you might not need an additional moistruizer during the day.

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: tinosorb s. As for the mineral filters, this sunscreen uses titanium dioxide.

Irritation risk

This sunscreen contains some common irritants, including those without a benefit for the skin. We assess the overall irritancy of this product 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.

About the brand

According to Cruelty-Free Kitty "Embryolisse" is cruelty free and so is its parent company.

Price

The product retails from 55.45A$ up to 59.00A$ in Australia, for 29.99$ in the United States and from 29.99£ up to 32.99£ 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 3 studies and safety reviews.

  1. 1
  2. 2
  3. 3
Embryolisse Complexion Correcting CC Cream SPF20
EmbryolisseComplexion Correcting CC Cream SPF20

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

As an Amazon Associate, WIMJ earns from qualifying purchases.