ILIA Radiant Translucent Powder SPF 20

ILIA Radiant Translucent Powder SPF 20

SPF 20Efficacy58/100IrritancyMedium·1 UV filter
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Works for

1 of 3 advertised claims delivered

Sun protection
SPF 20 · 1 UV filter · Broad spectrum
Weak protectionSPF under 30
SPF 20Broad spectrumMineral filters

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.

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 colorant14%
Reef-safe
No oxybenzone or octinoxate — the two filters banned in Hawaii, Florida Keys and Aruba.
Moisturizing
1 ingredient credited for this claim
Good support
What the product description says
“Featuring a blend of conditioning aloe, rosemary, and oil-balancing bamboo, it hydrates and softens skin, while cutting shine and amping up luminosity.”
Source: Bluemercury

This product can help soften the skin and reduce its moisture loss with emollients and occlusives: helianthus annuus seed 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).

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~2.6–3.9%
Evens skin tone
No ingredient credited for this claim
Limited support
What the product description says
“Effortlessly cover imperfections and even out skin tone with ILIA's Radiant Translucent Powder SPF 20.”
Source: Dermstore

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).

Can it cause trouble?

Irritancy
2 strong irritants: Thymus vulgaris leaf, Hibiscus sabdariffa flower extract
Medium risk
We flagged 4 ingredients with irritancy potential. Severity depends on your sensitivity threshold; the table lists the worst offenders first.
IngredientFunctionIrritationEst. amount
Thymus vulgaris leaf—High~0.55–1.35%est.
Hibiscus sabdariffa flower extractA plant extract that can be irritating. It might contain a compound anthocyanin that could be helpful in neutralizing free radicalsHigh~0.15–0.6%est.
Zea mays starchUsed to thicken the product's consistencyMedium~8.2–12.3%est.
Leuconostoc/radish root ferment filtrateA preservative that comes from radishes fermented by a bacteria. New research suggests that the preservation properties in the ingredient come from an ammonium salt that is not present naturally in radish root but used in its cultivation. Is problematic because the exact amount of the preservative agents is difficult to determineMedium~0.05–0.3%est.
Comedogenic
1 ingredient rated 2 or more on the 0–5 pore-clogging scale
1 flagged
These ingredients have a comedogenic rating of 2 or more on a 0–5 scale; the table shows each one's rating. In leave-on products they can clog pores in acne-prone skin.
IngredientFunctionRatingEst. amount
Zea mays starchUsed to thicken the product's consistency3/5~8.2–12.3%est.
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Ingredients

Filter by role to see what each ingredient is doing.

Zinc oxide14%
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
Mica~23–34%
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
Zea mays starch~8.2–12.3%
Comedogenic 3/5Irritant · medium
Irritation risk
Medium
Comedogenicity
3/5
Works for
Mattifying

Used to thicken the product's consistency

More about Zea mays starch
Zinc stearate~4.3–6.4%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low
More about Zinc stearate
Kaolin~3.1–4.7%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low
Works for
MattifyingAnti-blemish

A type of clay that consists mainly of aluminum silicate. Helps absorb oil and creates a thicker product consistency. Can be used to add a white color

More about Kaolin
Helianthus annuus seed oil~2.6–3.9%
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
Rosmarinus officinalis leaf~1.5–2.2%
Formula
Thymus vulgaris leaf~0.55–1.35%
Irritant · high
Aloe barbadensis leaf~0.45–1.05%
Formula
Hibiscus sabdariffa flower extract~0.15–0.6%
Irritant · high
Irritation risk
High
Works for
Anti-oxidation

A plant extract that can be irritating. It might contain a compound anthocyanin that could be helpful in neutralizing free radicals

More about Hibiscus sabdariffa flower extract
Leuconostoc/radish root ferment filtrate~0.05–0.3%
Irritant · medium
Irritation risk
Medium

A preservative that comes from radishes fermented by a bacteria. New research suggests that the preservation properties in the ingredient come from an ammonium salt that is not present naturally in radish root but used in its cultivation. Is problematic because the exact amount of the preservative agents is difficult to determine

More about Leuconostoc/radish root ferment filtrate
Ingredient list view

Zinc oxide, Mica, Zea mays starch, Zinc stearate, Kaolin, Helianthus annuus seed oil, Rosmarinus officinalis leaf, Thymus vulgaris leaf, Aloe barbadensis leaf, Hibiscus sabdariffa flower extract, Leuconostoc/radish root ferment filtrate

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Product summary

"ILIA - Radiant Translucent Powder SPF 20" "is a broad spectrum sunscreen meaning that it protects both from UVB rays (" burning "- they cause sunburn) and UVA rays (" aging "- they don't cause sunburn but lead to premature aging and pigmentation issues). However, this sunscreen does not offer enough sun protection. We recommend to use a sunscreen with at least SPF 30 daily.

It also works as a moisturizer, so you do not have to use an additional hydrating product.

Sunscreen filters

This sunscreen 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 product 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.

About the brand

According to Cruelty-Free Kitty" ILIA "is cruelty free, but its parent company is not.

Price

The product retails for 34.00$ in the United States and for 70.00£ in the United Kingdom.

For a detailed price comparison: click here.

Sources cited in this review

Every concentration estimate and effectiveness label is anchored to one of these 12 studies and safety reviews.

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ILIA Radiant Translucent Powder SPF 20
ILIARadiant Translucent Powder SPF 20

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