Garnier BB Cream Oil-Free Face Moisturizer, Light / Medium
Works for
Sun protectionSPF 20 · 2 UV filters · Partial spectrumWeak protectionSPF under 30
This product does not offer good protection against UVA rays.
MoisturizingGlycerin, Cetyl palmitate + 8 moreWorks
“BB Cream Oil-Free Face Moisturizer, Light / Medium”
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).
Can it cause trouble?
Irritancy7 strong irritants: Alcohol denat., Linalool + 5 more — patch-test recommendedHigh risk
ComedogenicClean of flagged comedogenic ingredientsNone flagged
User reviews
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Ingredients
Filter by role to see what each ingredient is doing.
Ethylhexyl methoxycinnamate3%
- 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 methoxycinnamateWater~45–55%
Isononyl isononanoate~6.1–7.4%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Forms a protective film on the surface of the skin to prevent moisture loss. Gives a velvety feel to products while reducing tackiness
More about Isononyl isononanoateIsohexadecane~4.3–5.3%
- Irritation risk
- Low
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
More about IsohexadecaneGlycerin~3.7–4.5%
- Irritation risk
- Low
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 GlycerinAlcohol denat.~2.8–3.5%
- Irritation risk
- High
Produces temporary toning effect. Can help dissolve other ingredients or preserve products
More about Alcohol denat.Peg-20 methyl glucose sesquistearate~2.2–2.6%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Helps oil and water mix together
More about Peg-20 methyl glucose sesquistearateMethyl glucose sesquistearate~1.7–2.1%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Helps water and oil mix together
More about Methyl glucose sesquistearateCetyl palmitate~1.5–1.8%
- Irritation risk
- Low
An emollient that helps soften the skin and is used to improve product texture and stability
More about Cetyl palmitateNylon-12~1.4–1.7%
Cyclohexasiloxane~1.1–1.3%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A silicone that serves as an emollient. Helps create a nice non-greasy feels
More about CyclohexasiloxanePropylene glycol~0.7–1.05%
- 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 glycolHydrogenated polyisobutene~0.65–1%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Used to improve the product consistency and soften the upper layer of the skin
More about Hydrogenated polyisobuteneStearyl alcohol~0.7–1.05%
- Irritation risk
- Low
An emollient that helps soften the skin
More about Stearyl alcoholMagnesium aluminum silicate~0.6–0.9%
- Irritation risk
- 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
More about Magnesium aluminum silicatePhenoxyethanol~0.5–0.75%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A preservative. It helps prevent bacterial growth in cosmetic products
More about PhenoxyethanolCaprylyl glycol~0.5–0.8%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Helps preserve products and creates a nice product texture
More about Caprylyl glycolLithium magnesium sodium silicate~0.5–0.75%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Disodium edta~0.45–0.65%
Linalool~0.35–0.65%
Benzyl salicylate~0.3–0.55%
Limonene~0.3–0.5%
- Irritation risk
- High
A common frangrance that can easily irritate skin, especially if exposed to air, light or heat
More about LimoneneCaffeine~0.3–0.6%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Might be helpful in neutralizing free radicals. Can have a dehydration effect that might somewhat decrease the look of puffy eyes
More about CaffeineAscorbyl glucoside~0.3–0.5%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
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
More about Ascorbyl glucosideBenzyl alcohol~0.25–0.45%
- Irritation risk
- High
A preservative. Can be used to mask unpleasant smell. Can be irritating
More about Benzyl alcoholGeraniol~0.25–0.45%
Cellulose acetate butyrate~0.45–0.65%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Polyphosphorylcholine glycol acrylate~0.45–0.65%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Citral~0.25–0.45%
Ammonium polyacryloyldimethyl taurate~0.25–0.5%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Used to create a thicker product consistency
More about Ammonium polyacryloyldimethyl tauratePolyvinyl alcohol~0.4–0.6%
Sodium chloride~0.3–0.55%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Used to stabilize mixtures of oil and water, and create thicker, gel-like product textures
More about Sodium chlorideButylene glycol~0.2–0.35%
- Irritation risk
- Low
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
More about Butylene glycolSodium hyaluronate~0.15–0.3%
- Irritation risk
- Low
One of the best moisturizing ingredients. Attracts water into the upper layer of the skin
More about Sodium hyaluronateParfum~0.15–0.25%
- Irritation risk
- High
An aromatic blend of unspecified and possibly irritating ingredients
More about ParfumTitanium dioxide4.7%
- 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 dioxideIron oxides~0.1–0.15%
- Irritation risk
- Low
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
More about Iron oxidesIngredient 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
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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.
| GarnierBB Cream Oil-Free Face Moisturizer, Light / MediumYOUR PRODUCT | ElizaveccaMilky Piggy BB Cream | Skin79Animal BB Cream- Dry Monkey SPF 50 + PA +++ | e.l.f. CosmeticsCamo CC Cream | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Match | — | 44% | 42% | 42% |
| Price | $10.33 | $10.07 | $14.99+$4.66 | $12.54+$2.21 |
| Shared key ingredients | — | 4 of 6 | 4 of 6 | 4 of 6 |
| Key difference | — | Niacinamide | Niacinamide | Niacinamide |
| Irritancy | High | Medium | Medium | Low |
| SPF | SPF 20 | SPF 50 | SPF 50 | SPF 30 |
| Drying alcohol | Contains drying alcohol | — | — | — |
| View product | Shop | Shop | Shop |
More alternatives: Bobbi Brown BB Cream SPF 35Clinique Moisture Surge CC Cream SPF 30 Medium
Product summary
We do not recommend "Garnier SkinActive - BB Cream Oil-Free Face Moisturizer, Light / Medium" because it does not provide good UVA protection. UVA sun rays don't burn the skin, but they still lead to photoaging and hyperpigmentation.
Its formula is also hydrating, so you might not need an additional moistruizer during the day.
Sunscreen filters
This is a "mixed" sunscreen in the sense that it uses both mineral and organic (so-called "chemical") sun filters. The organic filters in the product are: octinoxate. As for the mineral filters, this sunscreen uses titanium dioxide.
Irritation risk
There are quite a few common irritants in this product, including ingredients without particular skin benefits. We would not recommend it for sensitive skin. We assess the overall irritancy of this moisturizer to be high. For a detailed overview of all potential irritants: click here
You can see the detailed formula review with the breakdown of all actives in the product and the full ingredient list with estimated concentrations in the tables below.
About the brand
According to Cruelty-Free Kitty "Garnier SkinActive" is cruelty free, but its parent company is not.
Price
The product retails for 14.99$ in the United States.
For a detailed price comparison: click here.
Sources cited in this review
Every concentration estimate and effectiveness label is anchored to one of these 13 studies and safety reviews.
- 1
- 2Surfactants and experimental irritant contact dermatitisncbi.nlm.nih.gov
- 3Propylene Glycolpubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
- 4Skin-sensitizing and irritant properties of propylene glycolonlinelibrary.wiley.com
- 5
- 6
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