ESPA

Tinted Moisturiser SPF 15

Name: ESPA - Tinted Moisturiser SPF 15
Brand: ESPA

SPF 15Efficacy 58/100·Medium irritancy ·5 UV filters

Efficacy measures how well the formula delivers the claims the brand advertises · 1 of 3 advertised claims delivered

"ESPA - Tinted Moisturiser SPF 15" does not provide enough UVA protection.

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Product summary

"ESPA - Tinted Moisturiser SPF 15" does not provide enough UVA protection. UVA rays do not cause sunburn, but still damage the skin, leading to early signs of aging and pigmentation issues.

It contains good moisturizing ingredients and can double as a hydrating day cream.

Sunscreen filters

This is a "mixed" sunscreen in the sense that it uses both mineral and organic (so-called "chemical") sun filters. The organic filters in the product are: octinoxate. As for the mineral filters, this sunscreen uses titanium dioxide.

Irritation risk

This moisturizer contains actives that can be irritating. We assess the overall irritancy of this moisturizer 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.

Price

The product retails for 32.00$ in the United States, for 40.60A$ in Australia and for 32.00£ in the United Kingdom.

For a detailed price comparison: click here.

Sun protection

This product does not offer good protection against UVA rays.

UV spectrum

UVB290 nmUVA II320 nmUVA I340 nmVisible400 nm+

Octinoxate

Titanium Dioxide

FilterCoverageWhat it doesEst. amount

OctinoxateEthylhexyl MethoxycinnamateUVBOctinoxate. 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~3.2–3.9%

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~0.25–0.45%

~ marks concentrations estimated from label position and typical use levels

Product claims breakdown

Moisturizing

13 ingredients contribute at the levels below

Good 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: glycerin, sodium hyaluronate.

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, helianthus annuus seed oil.

BUTYROSPERMUM PARKII BUTTER EXTRACTRole: Under-dosedA 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~0.55–0.85%

CAPRYLIC/CAPRIC TRIGLYCERIDERole: Key activeA good mix of fatty acids that forms a protective layer on the skin. Improves the shelf life of products. Derived from coconut and glycerin~5.5–6.7%

CHITOSANRole: Key activeInhibits 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~0.3–0.5%

GLYCERINRole: Key activeOne of the best moisturizing ingredients. Naturally present in skin. It attracts water to the upper layer of the skin working as a humectant~3.1–3.8%

HELIANTHUS ANNUUS SEED OILRole: Key activeA great emollient due to its high linoleic acid content. One of the most effective plant oils in helping skin hydration and repairing skin barrier function~0.45–0.7%

HELIANTHUS ANNUUS SEED OIL UNSAPONIFIABLESRole: Key activeA great emollient due to its high linoleic acid content. One of the most effective plant oils in helping skin hydration and repairing skin barrier function~0.5–0.75%

JOJOBA ESTERSRole: Key activeAn emollient made of jojoba oil. Helps soften the skin and support its barrier function~0.3–0.55%

MYRISTYL MYRISTATERole: Under-dosedAn emollient. Is not recommended for acne-prone skin as it can be comedogenic~0.5–0.7%

SODIUM HYALURONATERole: Key activeOne of the best moisturizing ingredients. Attracts water into the upper layer of the skin~0.25–0.5%

SODIUM LACTATERole: Key activeHelps attract water to the upper layer of the skin. Is often used to adjust the pH level of the product~0.25–0.5%

SODIUM PCARole: Key activeNaturally present in skin and helps to attract water to its upper layer~0.25–0.5%

ARGANIA SPINOSA KERNEL OILRole: Key activeAn emollient that helps soften the upper layer of the skin. Might have some weak anti-oxidant properties~1.2–1.5%

TOCOPHEROLRole: Under-dosedPure 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~0.2–0.4%

Anti-aging

2 ingredients contribute at the levels below

Partial evidence

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 chitosan 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).

RETINYL PALMITATERole: Under-dosedThree steps removed from the active form of vitamin A - retinoic acid. To have an effect in the skin, it first needs to be converted twice to become the retinoic acid. This means it is less potent than retinol, but could also be less irritating. Once converted to the retinoic acid in the skin, it helps against all signs of aging, improves skin cell turnover and helps fight blemishes and clogged pores. However, in many cosmetic formulations, it is used in a concentration that is too low to have the full effect~0.2–0.4%

TOCOPHEROLRole: Under-dosedPure 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~0.2–0.4%

Caprylic/capric triglycerideRole: Key activeA good mix of fatty acids that forms a protective layer on the skin. Improves the shelf life of products. Derived from coconut and glycerin~5.5–6.7%

Caprylyl caprylate/caprateRole: Key activeHelps soften the upper layer of the skin~4.5–5.5%

GlycerinRole: Key activeOne of the best moisturizing ingredients. Naturally present in skin. It attracts water to the upper layer of the skin working as a humectant~3.1–3.8%

Ethylhexyl methoxycinnamateRole: Key activeOctinoxate. 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~3.2–3.9%

Cetearyl alcoholRole: Key activeA non-drying alcohol. Works as an emollient. Helps water and oil mix together and creates a nice product texture~1.7–2.1%

Argania spinosa kernel oilRole: Key activeAn emollient that helps soften the upper layer of the skin. Might have some weak anti-oxidant properties~1.2–1.5%

Helianthus annuus seed oil unsaponifiablesRole: Key activeA great emollient due to its high linoleic acid content. One of the most effective plant oils in helping skin hydration and repairing skin barrier function~0.5–0.75%

Helianthus annuus seed oilRole: Key activeA great emollient due to its high linoleic acid content. One of the most effective plant oils in helping skin hydration and repairing skin barrier function~0.45–0.7%

Cetyl palmitateRole: Key activeAn emollient that helps soften the skin and is used to improve product texture and stability~0.3–0.55%

Sodium pcaRole: Key activeNaturally present in skin and helps to attract water to its upper layer~0.25–0.5%

Sodium lactateRole: Key activeHelps attract water to the upper layer of the skin. Is often used to adjust the pH level of the product~0.25–0.5%

BisabololRole: Key activeAn active component of chamomile plant that historically has been used to calm down irritated skin. A recent study shows that bisabolol indeed can have some anti-inflammatory effect on skin, even though conclusive data is lacking. Bisabolol has a sweet floral scent and can be added to products for its aromatic properties~0.2–0.4%

Sodium hyaluronateRole: Key activeOne of the best moisturizing ingredients. Attracts water into the upper layer of the skin~0.25–0.5%

ChitosanRole: Key activeInhibits 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~0.3–0.5%

Jojoba estersRole: Key activeAn emollient made of jojoba oil. Helps soften the skin and support its barrier function~0.3–0.55%

Lupinus albus seed extractRole: Key activeA plant extract that helps soften the upper layer of the skin~0.25–0.45%

Glyceryl linolenateRole: Key activeHelps soften the upper layer of the skin~0.3–0.5%

Irritancy

23 flagged ingredients — patch-test recommended

High risk

We flagged 23 ingredients with irritancy potential. Severity depends on your sensitivity threshold; the table lists the worst offenders first.

IngredientFunctionIrritationEst. amount

Ethylhexyl methoxycinnamateOctinoxate. 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 irritatingHigh~3.2–3.9%est.

Lonicera caprifolium flower extractA plant extract that might help neutralize free radicals in skin. Can contain volalite oils and be irritatingHigh~0.25–0.4%est.

Lonicera japonica flower extractA plant extract that might help neutralize free radicals in skin. Can contain volalite oils and be irritatingHigh~0.25–0.45%est.

Coco-glucosideUsed as a cleansing agent (surfactant) in cleansers. Helps water and oil mix together in lotions. Can be irritatingHigh~0.4–0.6%est.

Retinyl palmitateThree steps removed from the active form of vitamin A - retinoic acid. To have an effect in the skin, it first needs to be converted twice to become the retinoic acid. This means it is less potent than retinol, but could also be less irritating. Once converted to the retinoic acid in the skin, it helps against all signs of aging, improves skin cell turnover and helps fight blemishes and clogged pores. However, in many cosmetic formulations, it is used in a concentration that is too low to have the full effectHigh~0.2–0.4%est.

Caprylic/capric triglycerideA good mix of fatty acids that forms a protective layer on the skin. Improves the shelf life of products. Derived from coconut and glycerinLow~5.5–6.7%est.

Argania spinosa kernel oilAn emollient that helps soften the upper layer of the skin. Might have some weak anti-oxidant propertiesLow~1.2–1.5%est.

Isoamyl laurateHelps stabilize emulsions and create a nice product textureLow~1–1.2%est.

Tocopheryl acetateA 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.Low~0.7–1.05%est.

Polyhydroxystearic acidUsed to create a thicker product consistency and stabilize the formulationLow~0.6–0.9%est.

Myristyl myristateAn emollient. Is not recommended for acne-prone skin as it can be comedogenicLow~0.5–0.7%est.

Caprylyl glycolHelps preserve products and creates a nice product textureLow~0.3–0.55%est.

Sorbitan palmitateHelps water and oil mix together and stabilize the product formulationLow~0.3–0.5%est.

Sodium lactateHelps attract water to the upper layer of the skin. Is often used to adjust the pH level of the productLow~0.25–0.5%est.

Isoamyl cocoateHelps oil and water mix together and works as a cleansing agentLow~0.3–0.5%est.

ChitosanInhibits 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 skinLow~0.3–0.5%est.

Jojoba estersAn emollient made of jojoba oil. Helps soften the skin and support its barrier functionLow~0.3–0.55%est.

Lupinus albus seed extractA plant extract that helps soften the upper layer of the skinLow~0.25–0.45%est.

Phytic acidAn alpha-hydroxy acid (AHA), but is mostly used to stabilize product formulations in cosmeticsLow~0.25–0.5%est.

Potassium sorbateA preservativeLow~0.25–0.5%est.

Glyceryl linoleateHelps oil and water mix togetherLow~0.3–0.55%est.

Sodium ascorbyl phosphateA stable derivative of vitamin C. It is oil-soluble which means it is more likely to penetrate the skin compared to the pure form of vitamin C (which is water-soluble), but it is less bio-available and is way less effective in stimulating collagen and reducing wrinkles compared to the pure form of vitamin C (L-ascorbic acid) and its other derivatives (for example, magnesium ascorbyl phosphate). At the same time, this vitamin C derivative has been shown in studies to be effective in reducing acne, blemishes and clogged pores. It is less irritating then the pure form of vitamin CLow~0.25–0.45%est.

Disodium edtaStabilizes the product formulationLow~0.15–0.3%est.

Comedogenic

4 ingredients can clog pores in acne-prone skin

High risk

These ingredients have a comedogenic rating ≥ 2. In leave-on products at higher concentrations they can clog pores for acne-prone skin types.

IngredientFunctionRatingEst. amount

Butyrospermum parkii butter extractA 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 radicalsHigh~0.55–0.85%est.

Myristyl myristateAn emollient. Is not recommended for acne-prone skin as it can be comedogenicHigh~0.5–0.7%est.

AlginUsed to thicken product formulation. Can help attract water to the upper layer of the skinHigh~0.25–0.5%est.

Cetearyl alcoholA non-drying alcohol. Works as an emollient. Helps water and oil mix together and creates a nice product textureMed~1.7–2.1%est.

~ marks concentrations estimated from label position and typical use levels

Ingredients

Filter by role to see what each ingredient is doing.