Horace Mattifying Face Moisturizer SPF30

Horace Mattifying Face Moisturizer SPF30

SPF 30Efficacy60/100IrritancyLow·1 UV filter
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Works for

0 of 2 advertised claims delivered

Sun protection
SPF 30 · 1 UV filter · Broad spectrum
Weak protectionLow filter dose
SPF 30Broad spectrumMineral filtersNo white cast

This product uses a single UV filter (zinc oxide) in a relatively low concentration and might not be able to provide a reliable sun protection.

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.

UV spectrum
UVB290–320 nmUVA II320–340 nmUVA I340–400 nm
Zinc Oxide
FilterCoverageWhat it doesEst. amount
Zinc Oxide Mineral UVBUVA Photo-stable A broad spectrum sunblock (protects from both UVA and UVB rays). Is suitable for most sensitive skins. In small concentrations, can be used as a colorant~4.8–7.3%
~ marks concentrations estimated from label position and typical use levels
Reef-safe
No oxybenzone or octinoxate — the two filters banned in Hawaii, Florida Keys and Aruba.
Anti-aging
Aloe barbadensis leaf juice, Tocopherol
Limited evidence
What the product description says
“Its 100% mineral filter protects against UV rays (including UVA and UVB), responsible for premature aging of the skin.”
Source: N/A

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.

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).

Aloe barbadensis leaf juiceEffect: LowTraditionally used to treat sunburns, dermatitis and inflammation, but evidence for its effectiveness is lacking. The extract can contain humectants that help attract water into the skin~23–34%
TocopherolEffect: Low, below effective dosePure 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~0.35–0.85%
Moisturizing
Not advertised by the brand · Caprylic/capric triglyceride, Helianthus annuus seed oil + 6 more
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, aloe barbadensis leaf juice.

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.

Caprylic/capric triglycerideKey active· Emollient, OcclusiveEffect: HighA good mix of fatty acids that forms a protective layer on the skin. Improves the shelf life of products. Derived from coconut and glycerin~3.2–4.8%
Helianthus annuus seed oilKey active· Emollient, OcclusiveEffect: HighA 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~0.45–1.05%
Helianthus annuus sprout extractKey activeEffect: HighHelps soften the upper layer of the skin and can help support the skin barrier~0.2–0.7%
GlycerinKey active· HumectantEffect: HighOne of the best moisturizing ingredients. Naturally present in skin. It attracts water to the upper layer of the skin working as a humectant~1.5–2.3%
Pongamia glabra seed oilKey activeEffect: MediumA plant oil that helps soften the upper layer of the skin~2.1–3.1%
Aloe barbadensis leaf juice· HumectantEffect: LowTraditionally used to treat sunburns, dermatitis and inflammation, but evidence for its effectiveness is lacking. The extract can contain humectants that help attract water into the skin~23–34%
Polyglyceryl-10 stearateEffect: LowHelps water and oil mix together and softens the upper layer of the skin~1.1–1.7%
TocopherolEffect: Low, below effective dosePure 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~0.35–0.85%

Can it cause trouble?

Irritancy
9 flagged ingredients
Low risk
We flag 9 ingredients with irritancy potential; the product's overall irritancy is low. The table lists each ingredient's own rating.
IngredientFunctionIrritationEst. amount
Salicylic acidUsed for skin exfoliation. It has an anti-inflammatory and anti-bacterial effect, helps to unclog pores, prevent blemishes and speed up healing of the existing ones. Sometimes referred to as a BHA (beta-hydroxy acid)High~0.45–1%est.
Benzyl alcoholA preservative. Can be used to mask unpleasant smell. Can be irritatingHigh~0.1–0.35%est.
Aloe barbadensis leaf juiceTraditionally used to treat sunburns, dermatitis and inflammation, but evidence for its effectiveness is lacking. The extract can contain humectants that help attract water into the skinMedium~23–34%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 glycerinMedium~3.2–4.8%est.
Polyglyceryl-10 stearateHelps water and oil mix together and softens the upper layer of the skinMedium~1.1–1.7%est.
Caesalpinia spinosa fruit pod extractA plant extract with antioxidant effect. Is often added to skincare to boost SPFMedium~0.2–0.75%est.
Polyhydroxystearic acidUsed to create a thicker product consistency and stabilize the formulationMedium~0.1–0.45%est.
Citric acidCan work as an exfoliant but is typically used to adjust the product pHMedium~0.05–0.2%est.
Sorbic acidA preservativeMedium~0.05–0.2%est.
Comedogenic
Clean of flagged comedogenic ingredients
None flagged
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User reviews

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Ingredients

Filter by role to see what each ingredient is doing.

Aloe barbadensis leaf juice~23–34%
Irritant · medium
Irritation risk
Medium
Works for
MoisturizingAnti-inflammatoryReduces irritationAntibacterialReduces rednessAnti-blemishAnti-aging

Traditionally used to treat sunburns, dermatitis and inflammation, but evidence for its effectiveness is lacking. The extract can contain humectants that help attract water into the skin

More about Aloe barbadensis leaf juice
Water~11–17%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low

Plain old water

More about Water
Zinc oxide~4.8–7.3%
UV filterKey active
Irritation risk
Low
Works for
Sun protection

A broad spectrum sunblock (protects from both UVA and UVB rays). Is suitable for most sensitive skins. In small concentrations, can be used as a colorant

More about Zinc oxide
Caprylic/capric triglyceride~3.2–4.8%
Key activeIrritant · medium
Irritation risk
Medium
Works for
Moisturizing

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

More about Caprylic/capric triglyceride
Pongamia glabra seed oil~2.1–3.1%
Key active
Irritation risk
Low
Works for
Moisturizing

A plant oil that helps soften the upper layer of the skin

More about Pongamia glabra seed oil
Glycerin~1.5–2.3%
Key active
Irritation risk
Low
Works for
Moisturizing

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 Glycerin
Polyglyceryl-10 myristate~1.3–2%
Formula
Polyglyceryl-10 stearate~1.1–1.7%
Irritant · medium
Irritation risk
Medium
Works for
Moisturizing

Helps water and oil mix together and softens the upper layer of the skin

More about Polyglyceryl-10 stearate
Mica~1.1–1.7%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low

Creates an illusion of smoother and more radiant skin tone. Adds shimmer to the skin by reflecting light

More about Mica
2,3-butanediol~0.85–1.3%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low
More about 2,3-butanediol
Glyceryl isostearate~0.55–1.35%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low
Works for
Cleansing
More about Glyceryl isostearate
Maltodextrin~0.5–1.2%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low
Works for
Mattifying

Used to stabilize the product formulation and can help absorb oil

More about Maltodextrin
Silica~0.9–1.35%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low

Used to absorb oil and can temporarily mattify skin

More about Silica
Salicylic acid~0.45–1%
Irritant · high
Irritation risk
High
Works for
Anti-blemishAnti-inflammatoryExfoliationAntibacterialEvens skin tone

Used for skin exfoliation. It has an anti-inflammatory and anti-bacterial effect, helps to unclog pores, prevent blemishes and speed up healing of the existing ones. Sometimes referred to as a BHA (beta-hydroxy acid)

More about Salicylic acid
Helianthus annuus seed oil~0.45–1.05%
Key active
Irritation risk
Low
Works for
Moisturizing

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 oil
Tocopherol~0.35–0.85%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low
Works for
Anti-oxidationMoisturizingAnti-inflammatoryAnti-aging

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

More about Tocopherol
Caesalpinia spinosa fruit pod extract~0.2–0.75%
Irritant · medium
Irritation risk
Medium
Works for
Anti-oxidation

A plant extract with antioxidant effect. Is often added to skincare to boost SPF

More about Caesalpinia spinosa fruit pod extract
Helianthus annuus sprout extract~0.2–0.7%
Key active
Irritation risk
Low
Works for
Moisturizing

Helps soften the upper layer of the skin and can help support the skin barrier

More about Helianthus annuus sprout extract
Benzyl alcohol~0.1–0.35%
Irritant · high
Irritation risk
High

A preservative. Can be used to mask unpleasant smell. Can be irritating

More about Benzyl alcohol
Polyhydroxystearic acid~0.1–0.45%
Irritant · medium
Irritation risk
Medium
Works for
Cleansing

Used to create a thicker product consistency and stabilize the formulation

More about Polyhydroxystearic acid
Xanthan gum~0.1–0.35%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low
Works for
Cleansing

Used to create a thicker product consistency

More about Xanthan gum
Citric acid~0.05–0.2%
Irritant · medium
Irritation risk
Medium

Can work as an exfoliant but is typically used to adjust the product pH

More about Citric acid
Sodium hydroxide~0.05–0.2%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low

Used to adjust the product's pH

More about Sodium hydroxide
Sorbic acid~0.05–0.2%
Irritant · medium
Irritation risk
Medium

A preservative

More about Sorbic acid
Ingredient list view

Aloe barbadensis leaf juice, Water, Zinc oxide, Caprylic/capric triglyceride, Pongamia glabra seed oil, Glycerin, Polyglyceryl-10 myristate, Polyglyceryl-10 stearate, Mica, 2,3-butanediol, Glyceryl isostearate, Maltodextrin, Silica, Salicylic acid, Helianthus annuus seed oil, Tocopherol, Caesalpinia spinosa fruit pod extract, Helianthus annuus sprout extract, Benzyl alcohol, Polyhydroxystearic acid, Xanthan gum, Citric acid, Sodium hydroxide, Sorbic acid

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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.

Side-by-side comparison of this product against its closest alternatives
HoraceMattifying Face Moisturizer SPF30YOUR PRODUCTRiversolSPF 30 Facial Sunscreen GiftDerma ENatural Mineral Facial Sunscreen, SPF 30ConsonantThe Perfect Sunscreen
Match—85%79%75%
Price——$28.79$34.30
Shared key ingredients—5 of 74 of 74 of 7
Key difference—Mauritia Flexuosa Fruit OilSodium Ascorbyl PhosphateGinkgo Biloba Leaf Extract
Irritancy Low Low Low Medium
SPFSPF 30SPF 30SPF 30SPF 30
Drying alcohol— Contains drying alcohol — Contains drying alcohol
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Product summary

We are worried that "Horace - Mattifying Face Moisturizer SPF30" might not be able to provide reliable sun protection because it uses a single UV filter (zinc oxide) in a relatively weak concentration.

Its formula is also hydrating, so you might not need an additional moistruizer during the day.

Sunscreen filters

This moisturizer is a mineral sunscreen. It uses zinc oxide for sun protection. Zinc oxide almost never irritates the skin or stings eyes, but it can leave a white cast.

Irritation risk

This formulation includes some common irritants, including ingredients that do not provide a benefit for the skin. We assess the overall irritancy of this moisturizer to be low. 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.

What our users say

Based on 1 review 100% recommend this product
  • When it comes to comedogenicity, the reviewer found that it does not clog pores.
  • As for the white cast, it did not leave a noticeable white residue for the reviewer.
  • When it comes to using this sunscreen under makeup, the user found that it pills under a foundation.
  • As for using this sunscreen in the eye area, the reviewer reported that it does not sting eyes.
Our users describe the finish of this product as matt, They find the product's texture to be heavy and In terms of the smell, our users report that light fragrance - no smell.

Sources cited in this review

Every concentration estimate and effectiveness label is anchored to one of these 18 studies and safety reviews.

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Horace Mattifying Face Moisturizer SPF30
HoraceMattifying Face Moisturizer SPF30

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