Germaine de Capuccini Golden Caresse Oil Bronze Express Suntan Oil SPF20
Works for
1 of 2 advertised claims delivered
Sun protectionSPF 20 · 4 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.
This product can be considered "reef safe" because it does not contain the UV filters (oxybenzone and octinoxate) that can be harmful to coral reefs when present in the water in high concentrations.
MoisturizingTriethylhexanoin, Prunus armeniaca kernel oil + 4 moreGood evidence
“It keeps the skin nourished, hydrated, and radiant.”
This product can help soften the skin and reduce its moisture loss with emollients and occlusives: helianthus annuus seed oil, prunus armeniaca kernel oil.
Keep in mind that this product does not contain effective ingredients to attract water to the upper layer of the skin. This is why an additional product with humectants like glycerin or hyaluronic acid can be helpful (apply it before this product for the best results).
Can it cause trouble?
Irritancy7 strong irritants: Parfum, Benzyl salicylate + 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.
Isohexadecane~23–35%
- 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 IsohexadecaneHydrogenated tetradecenyl/methylpentadecene~6.1–9.1%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Isododecane~4.8–7.2%
- Irritation risk
- Low
An emollient that helps soften the skin and can decrease moisture loss. Helps create a nice product texture
More about IsododecaneOctocrylene~4–6%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
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
More about OctocryleneEthylhexyl salicylate~3.4–5.1%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Octisalate. A UV filter. It offers some protection against the sun rays that cause sunburn (UVB), but does not protect against the most aging sun rays (UVA). It loses its effectiveness quickly when exposed to sunlight. It is an organic, or so called "chemical" sunscreen
More about Ethylhexyl salicylateButyl methoxydibenzoylmethane~2.6–3.8%
- 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 methoxydibenzoylmethanePrunus armeniaca kernel oil~1.7–2.5%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
An emollient that helps soften the skin
More about Prunus armeniaca kernel oilHexyl laurate~1.4–2.1%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Helps soften the upper layer of the skin and create a nice product consistency
More about Hexyl laurateBis-ethylhexyloxyphenol methoxyphenyl triazine~1.5–2.3%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Tinosorb S. One of the most effective broad spectrum sunscreen ingredients. Protects from both UVA and UVB rays. It is photostable. Unfortunately, not approved by FDA (US) yet.
More about Bis-ethylhexyloxyphenol methoxyphenyl triazineParfum~0.85–1.25%
- Irritation risk
- High
An aromatic blend of unspecified and possibly irritating ingredients
More about ParfumBeta-carotene~0.55–1.25%
Daucus carota sativa root extract~0.45–1.1%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Carrot extract. Might have anti-oxidant properties and be used to add orange color
More about Daucus carota sativa root extractDaucus carota sativa seed oil~0.45–1.1%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A plant oil that might help neutralize free radicals and have an anti-bacterial effect
More about Daucus carota sativa seed oilTriethylhexanoin~0.35–0.85%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Helps soften the upper layer of the skin
More about TriethylhexanoinTocopheryl acetate~0.35–0.8%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
A 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.
More about Tocopheryl acetateHelianthus annuus seed oil~0.35–0.85%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A 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
More about Helianthus annuus seed oilDihydroxy methylchromonyl palmitate~0.15–0.65%
- Irritation risk
- High
A self-tanning agent. It reacts with amino-acids in the surface of the skin to produce a brown pigment. Often used together with another self-tanning ingredient, dihydroxyacetone
More about Dihydroxy methylchromonyl palmitateBenzyl salicylate~0.15–0.55%
Coumarin~0.1–0.45%
Linalool~0.1–0.4%
Alpha-isomethyl ionone~0.1–0.45%
- Irritation risk
- High
A fragrance. Potential allergen and can be irritating
More about Alpha-isomethyl iononeEugenol~0.1–0.3%
Citronellol~0.05–0.25%
Ascorbyl palmitate~0.05–0.25%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Being a lipid soluble form of vitamin C, it is more stable and can penetrate the skin better than L-Ascorbic acid. It is effective in protecting the skin from free radicals, as well as evening the skin tone, but is less effective in stimulating collagen production compared to L-Ascorbic acid.
More about Ascorbyl palmitateIngredient list view
Isohexadecane, Hydrogenated tetradecenyl/methylpentadecene, Isododecane, Unknown, Octocrylene, Ethylhexyl salicylate, Butyl methoxydibenzoylmethane, Prunus armeniaca kernel oil, Hexyl laurate, Bis-ethylhexyloxyphenol methoxyphenyl triazine, Parfum, Beta-carotene, Daucus carota sativa root extract, Daucus carota sativa seed oil, Triethylhexanoin, Tocopheryl acetate, Helianthus annuus seed oil, Dihydroxy methylchromonyl palmitate, Benzyl salicylate, Coumarin, Linalool, Alpha-isomethyl ionone, Eugenol, Citronellol, Ascorbyl palmitate
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Product summary
"Germaine de Capuccini - Golden Caresse Oil Bronze Express Suntan Oil SPF20" 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 moisturizer is not high enough. We recommend to use a sunscreen with at least SPF 30 daily.
It contains good moisturizing ingredients and can double as a hydrating day cream.
Sunscreen filters
This sunscreen uses so-called "chemical", or organic UV filters (organic simply means that their molecules contain atoms of carbon). These filters typically give good sun protection and rarely leave a white cast, but they can be irritating for sensitive skin. The UV filters in this sunscreen are: tinosorb s 1.50% - 2.30%, avobenzone 2.60% - 3.80%, octisalate 3.40% - 5.10% and octocrylene 4.00% - 6.00%.
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.
Sources cited in this review
Every concentration estimate and effectiveness label is anchored to one of these 6 studies and safety reviews.
- 1
- 2
- 3
- 4
- 5Effect of topically applied lipids on surfactant-irritated skinonlinelibrary.wiley.com
- 6
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