IMAN Skin Tone Evener BB Cream SPF 15, Clay Medium Deep
Works for
1 of 3 advertised claims delivered
Sun protectionSPF 15 · 3 UV filters · Partial spectrumWeak protectionSPF under 30
This product does not offer good protection against UVA rays.
Moisturizing10 ingredients credited for this claimGood support
“Evens, Nourishes & HydratesWith IMAN Skin Tone Evener ComplexParaben FreeSkin tone evening Beauty Balm with SPF 15 combines skin care and a sheer hint of color that compliments the natural tones of Women with Skin of Color.”
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, butylene glycol.
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: vitis vinifera seed oil, cyclopentasiloxane.
Evens skin tone3 ingredients credited for this claimLimited support
“Skin Tone Evener BB Cream SPF 15, Clay Medium Deep”
This product contains ingredients (glycyrrhiza glabra root extract) 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?
Irritancy2 strong irritants: Benzophenone-3, Retinyl palmitateMedium risk
Comedogenic1 ingredient rated 2 or more on the 0–5 pore-clogging scale1 flagged
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Ingredients
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Water~40–60%
Polyglyceryl-3 diisostearate~3.9–5.9%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
- Comedogenicity
- 3/5
Helps oil and water mix together
More about Polyglyceryl-3 diisostearateButylene glycol~3.4–5.1%
- 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 glycolEthylhexyl methoxycinnamate~3.1–4.7%
- 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 methoxycinnamateCyclopentasiloxane~2.1–3.2%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A silicone that helps improve the product texture and spreadability. Can absorb oil creating a short-term mattifying effect on the skin
More about CyclopentasiloxaneGlycerin~1.8–2.7%
- 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 GlycerinBenzophenone-3~1.9–2.8%
- Irritation risk
- High
Same as oxybenzone. Protects in the UVB and short UVA range. In small concentrations, used to stabilize product formulation. Can be irritating. Is shown to be harmful to coral reefs - consider avoiding bathing in coral reef areas when wearing a product with this ingredient. It can penetrate the skin and get absorbed into bloodstream faster than other popular filters available in the US. The study that produced this finding did not address any potential health effects of the absorption
More about Benzophenone-3Talc~1.5–2.3%
Glyceryl stearate~1.1–1.6%
- Irritation risk
- Low
An emollient that softens the skin and forms a protective layer on its surface. Helps water and oil mix together
More about Glyceryl stearatePeg-100 stearate~0.9–1.35%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps oil and water mix togehter and creates a nice product texture
More about Peg-100 stearateAmmonium acryloyldimethyltaurate/vp copolymer~0.5–1.2%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Increases thickness of a product. Texture enhancer for oil-in-water emulsions
More about Ammonium acryloyldimethyltaurate/vp copolymerGarcinia indica seed butter~0.4–1%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps soften the upper layer of the skin. It mostly contains oleic acid which is not the most effective emollient to prevent water loss, but might have an anti-inflammatory effect
More about Garcinia indica seed butterPhenoxyethanol~0.4–0.9%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A preservative. It helps prevent bacterial growth in cosmetic products
More about PhenoxyethanolVitis vinifera seed oil~0.4–0.9%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
A great emollient that can also have anti-oxidant properties
More about Vitis vinifera seed oilPrunus amygdalus dulcis oil~0.35–0.85%
- Irritation risk
- Low
An emollient that softens the skin
More about Prunus amygdalus dulcis oilRumex occidentalis extract~0.3–0.7%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Xanthan gum~0.35–0.8%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Used to create a thicker product consistency
More about Xanthan gumDisodium edta~0.3–0.7%
Ascorbic acid~0.2–0.75%
- Irritation risk
- High
The most well-researched antioxidant that works in skin. Helps neutralize free radicals supporting collagen production, helping to even out the skin tone and preventing early signs of aging
More about Ascorbic acidEthylhexylglycerin~0.15–0.7%
Punica granatum fruit extract~0.15–0.6%
- Irritation risk
- High
A fruit extract that is used to add a fragrance to the product. It might have some antioxidant properties
More about Punica granatum fruit extractTetrasodium edta~0.15–0.55%
Tocopheryl acetate~0.15–0.5%
- 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 acetateRetinyl palmitate~0.1–0.4%
- Irritation risk
- High
Three steps removed from the active form of vitamin A - retinoic acid. To have an effect in the skin, it first needs to be converted twice to become the retinoic acid. This means it is less potent than retinol, but could also be less irritating. Once converted to the retinoic acid in the skin, it helps against all signs of aging, improves skin cell turnover and helps fight blemishes and clogged pores. However, in many cosmetic formulations, it is used in a concentration that is too low to have the full effect
More about Retinyl palmitateTocopherol~0.1–0.4%
- Irritation risk
- Low
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 TocopherolGlycyrrhiza glabra root extract~0.1–0.3%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
A plant extract that can help lighten the skin and calm down inflammation. Might be helpful in neutralizing free radicals
More about Glycyrrhiza glabra root extractHydroxypropyl cyclodextrin~0.1–0.4%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Used to stabilize product formulations and help soften the upper layer of the skin
More about Hydroxypropyl cyclodextrinPentylene glycol~0.1–0.4%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Used to preserve products, dissolve other ingredients and create a nice product texture
More about Pentylene glycolTitanium dioxide~0.05–0.2%
- 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~0.01–0.1%
- 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
Water, Polyglyceryl-3 diisostearate, Butylene glycol, Ethylhexyl methoxycinnamate, Cyclopentasiloxane, Glycerin, Benzophenone-3, Talc, Glyceryl stearate, Peg-100 stearate, Ammonium acryloyldimethyltaurate/vp copolymer, Garcinia indica seed butter, Phenoxyethanol, Vitis vinifera seed oil, Prunus amygdalus dulcis oil, Rumex occidentalis extract, Xanthan gum, Disodium edta, Ascorbic acid, Ethylhexylglycerin, Punica granatum fruit extract, Tetrasodium edta, Tocopheryl acetate, Retinyl palmitate, Tocopherol, Glycyrrhiza glabra root extract, Hydroxypropyl cyclodextrin, Pentylene glycol, Titanium dioxide, Iron oxides
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Product summary
"IMAN - Skin Tone Evener BB Cream SPF 15, Clay Medium Deep" does not provide enough UVA protection. UVA rays do not cause sunburn, but still damage the skin, leading to early signs of aging and pigmentation issues.
It also works as a moisturizer, so you do not have to use an additional hydrating product.
Sunscreen filters
This sunscreen uses a mixture of both mineral and organic (so-called "chemical") UV filters. Here are the organic filters this product uses: oxybenzone and octinoxate. As for the mineral filters, this sunscreen uses titanium dioxide.
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 sunscreen 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.
Price
The product retails for 16.79$ 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 8 studies and safety reviews.
- 1
- 2
- 3
- 4On Photostability of Oxybenzonecore.ac.uk
- 5TECHNICAL DATA SHEET KOKUM FAT 2.imimg.com
- 6
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