Works for:
based on ingredients and %- Moisturizing
Doesn't work for:
based on ingredients and %- Evens skin tone
- Sun protection
Can it cause trouble?
- Irritation risk: high
- Comedogenic risk ingredients: 0
Key actives
Product Summary
We do not recommend "Garnier SkinActive - BB Cream Oil-Free Face Moisturizer, Light / Medium" because it does not provide good UVA protection. UVA sun rays don't burn the skin, but they still lead to photoaging and hyperpigmentation.
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. The organic filters in the product are: octinoxate. As for the mineral filters, this sunscreen uses titanium dioxide.
Irritation risk
There are quite a few common irritants in this product, including ingredients without particular skin benefits. We would not recommend it for sensitive skin. 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.
About the brand
According to Cruelty-Free Kitty "Garnier SkinActive" is cruelty free, but its parent company is not.
Price
The product retails for 14.99$ in the United States.
For a detailed price comparison: click here.
Moisturizing
What does the product description say?
BB Cream Oil-Free Face Moisturizer, Light / Medium
Source: From product name
This product contains good ingredients to attract water to the upper layer of the skin. These ingredients are called "humectants": glycerin, sodium hyaluronate.
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).
One of the best moisturizing ingredients. Attracts water into the upper layer of the skin
One of the best moisturizing ingredients. Naturally present in skin. It attracts water to the upper layer of the skin working as a humectant
An emollient that helps soften the skin and is used to improve product texture and stability
Forms a protective film on the surface of the skin to prevent moisture loss. Gives a velvety feel to products while reducing tackiness
Helps oil and water mix together and can enhance the penetration of other ingredients into the skin. It can be irritating
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
Helps preserve products and creates a nice product texture
A silicone that serves as an emollient. Helps create a nice non-greasy feels
Improves the texture of the product and helps soften the skin. Helps oil and water mix together and can be used as a cleansing agent
Used to improve the product consistency and soften the upper layer of the skin
Evens skin tone
What does the product description say?
Oil-free BB Cream made with antioxidant wild berry, mineral perlite and SPF 20 Controls shine, minimizes pores, evens skin tone, hydrates and helps prevent sunburn Simplify with this 5-in-1 tinted moisturizer for a shine-free, more even skin tone Specifically formulated for oily to combination skin 1.
Source: Walgreens
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).
A vitamin C derivative that is more stable but less potent than pure form of vitamin C. Has a potential to boost collagen production, nutralise free radicals and reduce hyperpigmentation, but the required concentration is likely to be much higher than for the pure form of vitamin C, limiting the ingredient's effectiveness in products
Sun protection
This product does not offer good protection against UVA rays.
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
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
An umbrella term for the following three colorants: CI 77491, CI 77492, CI 77499. They might be able to offer some protection against visible light, but the degree of the protection is not clear
How honest is this product?
| Promise | Can it deliver? |
|---|---|
| Sun protection | |
| Moisturizing | |
| Evens skin tone |
Total Promises Fulfilled score: 58/100.
We receive a small commission for purchases made through these links at no cost for you. Thank you for your support! Learn more
Potential irritants
Comedogenic ingredients
No comedogenic ingredients detected
User reviews (0)
Averages from community submissions.
No reviews yet for this product.
Be the first to share your experience!
Tried this product?
Help capture what the ingredient list can't—texture, finish, pilling, scent, and more. Answer what you can, skip the rest.
Takes ~30 seconds.
Reviews are shown in aggregate. No personal details.
Key Actives
A vitamin C derivative that is more stable but less potent than pure form of vitamin C. Has a potential to boost collagen production, nutralise free radicals and reduce hyperpigmentation, but the required concentration is likely to be much higher than for the pure form of vitamin C, limiting the ingredient's effectiveness in products
Might be helpful in neutralizing free radicals. Can have a dehydration effect that might somewhat decrease the look of puffy eyes
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
One of the best moisturizing ingredients. Naturally present in skin. It attracts water to the upper layer of the skin working as a humectant
One of the best moisturizing ingredients. Attracts water into the upper layer of the skin
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
Potential irritants
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
Produces temporary toning effect. Can help dissolve other ingredients or preserve products
Helps oil and water mix together and can enhance the penetration of other ingredients into the skin. It can be irritating
A common frangrance that can easily irritate skin, especially if exposed to air, light or heat
A preservative. Can be used to mask unpleasant smell. Can be irritating
An aromatic blend of unspecified and possibly irritating ingredients
Helps preserve products and creates a nice product texture
Might be helpful in neutralizing free radicals. Can have a dehydration effect that might somewhat decrease the look of puffy eyes
A vitamin C derivative that is more stable but less potent than pure form of vitamin C. Has a potential to boost collagen production, nutralise free radicals and reduce hyperpigmentation, but the required concentration is likely to be much higher than for the pure form of vitamin C, limiting the ingredient's effectiveness in products
Comedogenic ingredients
We couldn't find any comedogenic ingredients in this product
All ingredients
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
Forms a protective film on the surface of the skin to prevent moisture loss. Gives a velvety feel to products while reducing tackiness
Improves the texture of the product and helps soften the skin. Helps oil and water mix together and can be used as a cleansing agent
One of the best moisturizing ingredients. Naturally present in skin. It attracts water to the upper layer of the skin working as a humectant
Produces temporary toning effect. Can help dissolve other ingredients or preserve products
An emollient that helps soften the skin and is used to improve product texture and stability
A silicone that serves as an emollient. Helps create a nice non-greasy feels
Helps oil and water mix together and can enhance the penetration of other ingredients into the skin. It can be irritating
Used to improve the product consistency and soften the upper layer of the skin
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
A preservative. It helps prevent bacterial growth in cosmetic products
Helps preserve products and creates a nice product texture
A common frangrance that can easily irritate skin, especially if exposed to air, light or heat
Might be helpful in neutralizing free radicals. Can have a dehydration effect that might somewhat decrease the look of puffy eyes
A vitamin C derivative that is more stable but less potent than pure form of vitamin C. Has a potential to boost collagen production, nutralise free radicals and reduce hyperpigmentation, but the required concentration is likely to be much higher than for the pure form of vitamin C, limiting the ingredient's effectiveness in products
A preservative. Can be used to mask unpleasant smell. Can be irritating
Used to create a thicker product consistency
Used to stabilize mixtures of oil and water, and create thicker, gel-like product textures
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
One of the best moisturizing ingredients. Attracts water into the upper layer of the skin
An aromatic blend of unspecified and possibly irritating ingredients
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
An umbrella term for the following three colorants: CI 77491, CI 77492, CI 77499. They might be able to offer some protection against visible light, but the degree of the protection is not clear
Ingredient list view
Ethylhexyl methoxycinnamate, Water, Isononyl isononanoate, Isohexadecane, Glycerin, Alcohol denat., Peg-20 methyl glucose sesquistearate, Methyl glucose sesquistearate, Cetyl palmitate, Nylon-12, Cyclohexasiloxane, Propylene glycol, Hydrogenated polyisobutene, Stearyl alcohol, Magnesium aluminum silicate, Phenoxyethanol, Caprylyl glycol, Lithium magnesium sodium silicate, Disodium edta, Linalool, Benzyl salicylate, Limonene, Caffeine, Ascorbyl glucoside, Benzyl alcohol, Geraniol, Cellulose acetate butyrate, Polyphosphorylcholine glycol acrylate, Citral, Ammonium polyacryloyldimethyl taurate, Polyvinyl alcohol, Sodium chloride, Butylene glycol, Sodium hyaluronate, Parfum, Titanium dioxide, Iron oxides
- Glycerol and the skin: holistic approach to its origin and functions
- Surfactants and experimental irritant contact dermatitis
- Propylene Glycol
- Skin-sensitizing and irritant properties of propylene glycol
- Final report of the cosmetic ingredient review expert panel on the safety assessment of Polyisobutene and Hydrogenated Polyisobutene as used in cosmetics
- 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
- The Roles of Vitamin C in Skin Health
- Stability, transdermal penetration, and cutaneous effects of ascorbic acid and its derivatives
- Annex I: Clinical evidence regarding sensitisation to individual fragrance chemicals and to natural extracts
- Safety Assessment of Acryloyldimethyltaurate Polymers as Used in Cosmetics
- Hyaluronic acid: A key molecule in skin aging
- Hyaluronan (Hyaluronic Acid): a natural moisturizer for skin care