Environ Alpha Day Lotion SPF 15
Works for
0 of 1 advertised claim delivered
Sun protectionSPF 15 · 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.
ExfoliationNot advertised by the brand · 1 ingredient credited for this claimStrong support
This product can help exfoliate the skin. In other words, it helps break down the bonds between dead cells on the surface of the skin and speed up the skin turnover. Skin often appears softer and brighter after exfoliation, but overdoing it can result in disrupted skin barrier. The following ingredient is doing the exfoliating job in this product: lactic acid.
Evens skin toneNot advertised by the brand · 1 ingredient credited for this claimStrong support
This product can help reduce hypepigmentation and even out the skin tone because it contains the following effective ingredients: lactic acid
Keep in mind that you would need to apply any topical skincare targetted at hypigmentation consistently for a couple of months to get a result. No topical skincare product can help get rid of hyperpigmentation (including post-acne marks and age spots) instantly.
This product can also help with skin tone because it offers 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-agingNot advertised by the brand · 1 ingredient credited for this claimModerate support
This product contains lactic acid. This ingredient might be able to help reduce and prevent fine lines and wrinkles, improve skin elasticity and firmness, but there is not enough evidence that it actually works. 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).
MoisturizingNot advertised by the brand · 6 ingredients credited for this claimGood support
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:
lactic acid.
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, dimethicone.
Can it cause trouble?
Irritancy12 flagged ingredientsLow risk
Comedogenic1 ingredient rated 2 or more on the 0–5 pore-clogging scale1 flagged
User reviews
Be the first — your take helps the next person decide.
Ingredients
Filter by role to see what each ingredient is doing.
Titanium dioxide~26–40%
- 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 dioxideEthylhexyl methoxycinnamate~6.6–9.9%
- 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 methoxycinnamateLactic acid~4.8–7.2%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
An exfoliating and moisturizing alpha-hydroxy acid (AHA). Typically causes less irritation than other AHAs, for example, glycolic acid. At high concentrations (about 15%), lactic acid can help reduce lines and wrinkles. Recent studies show that lactic acid can support the "good" bacteria living on skin's surface (healthy skin microbiome)
More about Lactic acidButyl methoxydibenzoylmethane~3.6–5.4%
- 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 methoxydibenzoylmethaneWater~2.3–3.4%
Caprylic/capric triglyceride~2.2–3.3%
- 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 triglycerideEthylhexyl methoxycinnamate~2–3%
- 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 methoxycinnamateLactic acid~1.4–2%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
An exfoliating and moisturizing alpha-hydroxy acid (AHA). Typically causes less irritation than other AHAs, for example, glycolic acid. At high concentrations (about 15%), lactic acid can help reduce lines and wrinkles. Recent studies show that lactic acid can support the "good" bacteria living on skin's surface (healthy skin microbiome)
More about Lactic acidTitanium dioxide~1.5–2.2%
- 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 dioxideStearic acid~1–1.5%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps oil and water mix together and works as an emollient
More about Stearic acidPropylene glycol~0.5–1.2%
- 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 glycolAmmonium hydroxide~0.45–1.05%
Cetearyl alcohol~0.5–1.2%
- 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 alcoholGlyceryl stearate~0.45–1%
- Irritation risk
- Low
An emollient that softens the skin and forms a protective layer on its surface. Helps water and oil mix together
More about Glyceryl stearatePeg-100 stearate~0.4–1%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps oil and water mix togehter and creates a nice product texture
More about Peg-100 stearateButyl methoxydibenzoylmethane~0.45–1%
- 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 methoxydibenzoylmethanePolysorbate 40~0.2–0.75%
Dimethicone~0.35–0.75%
- 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 DimethiconePolysorbate 60~0.15–0.65%
Alumina~0.3–0.75%
- Irritation risk
- Low
The same compound that is used safely in dental implants and bone cements. In cosmetics, it is used to improve the consistency of products
More about AluminaAluminum stearate~0.1–0.45%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Used to help evenly disperse other ingredients (for example, pigment) in a formulation
More about Aluminum stearatePolyhydroxystearic acid~0.1–0.45%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Used to create a thicker product consistency and stabilize the formulation
More about Polyhydroxystearic acidXanthan gum~0.1–0.35%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Used to create a thicker product consistency
More about Xanthan gumDisodium edta~0.05–0.2%
Bht~0.05–0.2%
Ingredient list view
Titanium dioxide, Ethylhexyl methoxycinnamate, Lactic acid, Butyl methoxydibenzoylmethane, Water, Caprylic/capric triglyceride, Ethylhexyl methoxycinnamate, Lactic acid, Titanium dioxide, Stearic acid, Propylene glycol, Ammonium hydroxide, Cetearyl alcohol, Glyceryl stearate, Peg-100 stearate, Butyl methoxydibenzoylmethane, Polysorbate 40, Dimethicone, Polysorbate 60, Alumina, Aluminum stearate, Polyhydroxystearic acid, Xanthan gum, Disodium edta, Bht
Compare prices
Retailers ranked by price — lowest first.
Affiliate links · prices updated regularly
Product summary
"Environ - Alpha Day Lotion SPF 15" 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.
Its formula is also hydrating, so you might not need an additional moistruizer 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. Here are the organic filters this product uses: avobenzone and octinoxate. As for the mineral filters, this sunscreen uses titanium dioxide.
Irritation risk
There are some common irritants in this product, including ingredients that do not have benefits for the skin. We assess the overall irritancy of it to be low. 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 39.95£ 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 8 studies and safety reviews.
- 1Epidermal and dermal effects of topical lactic acidncbi.nlm.nih.gov
- 2Dual Effects of Alpha-Hydroxy Acids on the Skinpdfs.semanticscholar.org
- 3Surfactants and experimental irritant contact dermatitisncbi.nlm.nih.gov
- 4Propylene Glycolpubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
- 5Skin-sensitizing and irritant properties of propylene glycolonlinelibrary.wiley.com
- 6
Affiliate links · As an Amazon Associate, WIMJ earns from qualifying purchases.