PRODUCT REVIEW
ESPA Optimal Skin ProDefence SPF15
Can it cause trouble?
Buy from Amazon UK £40.00
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Price as of 3/1/2023 4:56 GMT.
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Product summary
What can the product work for?
Moisturizing
What does the product description say?
Golden Seaweed, Knotgrass and Chicory Root Extracts help provide protection from environmental exposure and hydrates skin, restoring its natural strength. Suitable for all skin types.
laminaria ochroleuca extract
0.15% -
0.3%
Irritation risk: Comedogenicity: High
Concentration: Effectiveness: HIGH
Helps attract water to the upper layer of the skin
caprylic/capric triglyceride
1.5% -
1.8%
Irritation risk:
Concentration: Effectiveness: HIGH
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
galactoarabinan
0.3% -
0.55%
Irritation risk:
Concentration: Effectiveness: HIGH
Helps attract water to the upper layer of the skin
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Anti-blemish
chitosan
0.3% -
0.55%
Irritation risk:
Concentration: Effectiveness: HIGH
Inhibits acne-causing bacteria on the surface of the skin. Can help to reduce inflammation caused by bacteria. Helps neutralize free radicals in skin. Helps to attract water to the upper layer of the skin
Anti-aging
magnesium aluminum silicate
0.5% -
0.75%
Irritation risk:
Concentration: Effectiveness:
LOW
Might be helpful in restoring skin barrier function and, when combined with zinc carbonate and malonic acid, reducing fine lines and wrinkles by stimulating elastin production. Also helps stabilize the product formulation
lactic acid
0.3% -
0.5%
Irritation risk:
Concentration: Insufficient!
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)
tocopherol
0.15% -
0.25%
Irritation risk:
Concentration: Insufficient!
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
Anti-oxidation
polygonum aviculare extract
0.35% -
0.6%
Irritation risk:
Concentration: Effectiveness: HIGH
A plant extract that contains a flavanol Juglanin. It can help neutralize free radicals in skin and reduce inflammation
chitosan
0.3% -
0.55%
Irritation risk:
Concentration: Effectiveness:
MEDIUM
Inhibits acne-causing bacteria on the surface of the skin. Can help to reduce inflammation caused by bacteria. Helps neutralize free radicals in skin. Helps to attract water to the upper layer of the skin
lonicera caprifolium flower extract
0.25% -
0.45%
Irritation risk:
Concentration: Effectiveness:
LOW
A plant extract that might help neutralize free radicals in skin. Can contain volalite oils and be irritating
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Sun protection
octocrylene
4.8% -
5.9%
Irritation risk:
UVA I protection: UVA II protection: UVB protection: Photo stable: Ingredient type Organic
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
butyl methoxydibenzoylmethane
2.1% -
2.5%
Irritation risk:
UVA I protection: UVA II protection: UVB protection: Photo stable: Ingredient type Organic
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.
ethylhexyl methoxycinnamate
4.5% -
5.5%
Irritation risk:
UVA I protection: UVA II protection: UVB protection: Photo stable: Ingredient type Organic
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
Honesty check
How honest is this product?
| Promise | Can it deliver? |
|---|---|
| Sun protection | |
| Moisturizing |
Total Promises Fulfilled score:
62/100.
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Can it cause trouble?
- Overall product irritation risk
- Acne & comedogenic risk ingredients: 2
Potential irritants
ethylhexyl methoxycinnamate
4.5% -
5.5%
Irritation risk:
Works for:
Sun protection
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
limonene
0.3% -
0.55%
Irritation risk:
A common frangrance that can easily irritate skin, especially if exposed to air, light or heat
Show more
Comodogenic ingredients
algin
0.3% -
0.55%
Irritation risk: Comedogenicity: High
Works for:
Moisturizing
Used to thicken product formulation. Can help attract water to the upper layer of the skin
laminaria ochroleuca extract
0.15% -
0.3%
Irritation risk: Comedogenicity: High
Works for:
Moisturizing
Helps attract water to the upper layer of the skin
User reviews (0)
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| Price | |||||||||||
| WIMJ similarity score |
42%
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42%
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41%
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41%
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40%
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40%
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39%
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39%
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38%
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38%
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| SPF | SPF 15 | SPF 30 | SPF 50 | SPF 50 | SPF 15 | SPF 15 | SPF 30 | SPF 30 | SPF 30 | SPF 30 | SPF 45 |
| Key ingredients |
| Common:
Other: | Common:
Other:
| Common:
Other:
| Common:
Other:
| Common:
Other:
| Common:
Other: | Common:
Other: | Common:
Other: | Common:
Other: | Common:
Other: |
| Irritancy | IRRITANCY
HIGH
| IRRITANCY
HIGH
| IRRITANCY
LOW
| IRRITANCY
MEDIUM
| IRRITANCY
LOW
| IRRITANCY
MEDIUM
| IRRITANCY
MEDIUM
| IRRITANCY
MEDIUM
| IRRITANCY
MEDIUM
| IRRITANCY
MEDIUM
| IRRITANCY
LOW
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Ingredients & concentrations
All ingredients
Key Actives
chitosan
0.3% -
0.55%
Irritation risk:
Works for:
Anti-blemish,
Antibacterial,
Moisturizing,
Anti-oxidation
Inhibits acne-causing bacteria on the surface of the skin. Can help to reduce inflammation caused by bacteria. Helps neutralize free radicals in skin. Helps to attract water to the upper layer of the skin
lactic acid
0.3% -
0.5%
Irritation risk:
Works for:
Evens skin tone,
Moisturizing,
Exfoliation,
Anti-aging
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)
Show more
Potential irritants
ethylhexyl methoxycinnamate
4.5% -
5.5%
Irritation risk:
Works for:
Sun protection
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
limonene
0.3% -
0.55%
Irritation risk:
A common frangrance that can easily irritate skin, especially if exposed to air, light or heat
Show more
Comodogenic ingredients
algin
0.3% -
0.55%
Irritation risk: Comedogenicity: High
Works for:
Moisturizing
Used to thicken product formulation. Can help attract water to the upper layer of the skin
laminaria ochroleuca extract
0.15% -
0.3%
Irritation risk: Comedogenicity: High
Works for:
Moisturizing
Helps attract water to the upper layer of the skin
All ingredients
octocrylene
4.8% -
5.9%
Irritation risk:
Works for:
Sun protection
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
ethylhexyl methoxycinnamate
4.5% -
5.5%
Irritation risk:
Works for:
Sun protection
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
Show more
Ingredient list view
Water, Octocrylene, Ethylhexyl methoxycinnamate, Isoamyl laurate, Propanediol, Sorbitol, Butyl methoxydibenzoylmethane, Caprylic/capric triglyceride, Argania spinosa kernel oil, Tocopheryl acetate, Glycerin, C12-16 alcohols, Silica, Phenoxyethanol, Polysorbate 20, Magnesium aluminum silicate, Palmitic acid, Lecithin, Sclerotium gum, Xanthan gum, Limonene, Ethylenediamine/stearyl dimer dilinoleate copolymer, Citrus aurantium dulcis peel oil, Inulin lauryl carbamate, Algin, Chitosan, Coco-glucoside, Isoamyl cocoate, Lactic acid, Polygonum aviculare extract, Pvp, Cichorium intybus root extract, Bisabolol, Citrus aurantium amara flower oil, Benzoic acid, Citrus aurantium bergamia fruit oil, Lonicera caprifolium flower extract, Lonicera japonica flower extract, Galactoarabinan, Chlorphenesin, Gellan gum, Cedrus atlantica bark oil, Citrus nobilis peel oil, Alcohol, Sodium citrate, Sodium benzoate, Dehydroacetic acid, Hydroxypropyltrimonium honey, Potassium sorbate, Cetrimonium chloride, Disodium edta, Linalool, Ethylhexylglycerin, Laminaria ochroleuca extract, Jasminum officinale flower extract, Rosa damascena flower oil, Tocopherol, Citronellol, Sorbic acid
Sources
- Natural vegetable fats in the prevention of irritant contact dermatitis
- Glycerol and the skin: holistic approach to its origin and functions
- Final report on the safety assessment of aluminum silicate, calcium silicate, magnesium aluminum silicate, magnesium silicate, magnesium trisilicate, sodium magnesium silicate, zirconium silicate, attapulgite, bentonite, Fuller's earth, hectorite, kaolin, lithium magnesium silicate, lithium magnesium sodium silicate, montmorillonite, pyrophyllite, and zeolite
- Extracellular matrix in cutaneous ageing: the effects of 0.1% copper-zinc malonate-containing cream on elastin biosynthesis
- Chitosan against cutaneous pathogens
- Antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory activity of chitosan-alginate nanoparticles: a targeted therapy for cutaneous pathogens
- Chitosan preparations for wounds and burns: antimicrobial and wound-healing effects
- Cosmetics and Cosmeceutical Applications of Chitin, Chitosan and Their Derivatives
- In Vitro Assessment of Skin Irritation Potential of Surfactant-based Formulations by Using a 3-D Skin Reconstructed Tissue Model and Cytokine Response
- Allergen of the Year—Alkyl Glucoside
- Epidermal and dermal effects of topical lactic acid
- Dual Effects of Alpha-Hydroxy Acids on the Skin
- Juglanin ameliorates UVB-induced skin carcinogenesis via anti-inflammatory and proapoptotic effects in vivo and in vitro
- α-(-)-Bisabolol Reduces Pro-Inflammatory Cytokine Production and Ameliorates Skin Inflammation
- Biological Activities and Safety of Citrus spp. Essential Oils
- Safety Assessment of Citrus-Derived Peel Oils as Used in Cosmetics
- Oxidized citrus oil (R-limonene): A frequent skin sensitizer in Europe
- Air oxidation increases skin irritation from fragrance terpenes
- VOLATILE CONSTITUENTS FROM THE FLOWERS OF TWO SPECIES OF HONEYSUCKLE ( LONICERA JAPONICA AND LONICERA CAPRIFOLIUM )
- Chemical composition of the essential oils from the flower, leaf and stem of Lonicera japonica
- Oxidized citrus oil (R-limonene): A frequent skin sensitizer in Europe
- 4 Final Report on the Safety Assessment of Sodium Dehydroacetate and Dehydroacetic Acid
- Annex I: Clinical evidence regarding sensitisation to individual fragrance chemicals and to natural extracts
- Vitamin E in dermatology