Kalme Day Defence Cream SPF 25
Works for
1 of 2 advertised claims delivered
Sun protectionSPF 25 · 1 UV filter · 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.
MoisturizingCaprylic/capric triglyceride, Glycerin + 9 moreGood evidence
“Day Defence Cream SPF 25”
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: caprylic/capric triglyceride, dimethicone.
Anti-oxidationNot advertised by the brand · Glycyrrhetinic acid, Perilla ocymoides seed oilStrong evidence
This product contains antioxidants (glycyrrhetinic acid) that can help neutralize free radicals in skin. By doing so, they can lessen the damage the skin gets from the UV light (sun).
Evens skin toneNot advertised by the brand · Glycyrrhetinic acidModerate evidence
The following ingredient (ingredients) in this product might be helpful, but there is no evidence to confirm that it actually works: glycyrrhetinic acid.
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).
Anti-agingNot advertised by the brand · No ingredient credited for this claimModerate evidence
This product contains glycyrrhetinic acid. This ingredient help neutralize free radicals in skin. By doing so, they might be able to prevent early signs of aging (like fine lines and wrinkles), at least to some extent. These ingredients will not be able to "reverse" signs of aging. 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).
Can it cause trouble?
Irritancy1 strong irritant: Cassia angustifolia seed extractMedium risk
Comedogenic2 ingredients rated 2 or more on the 0–5 pore-clogging scale2 flagged
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Ingredients
Filter by role to see what each ingredient is doing.
Water~45–55%
Zinc oxide~12–15%
- Irritation risk
- Low
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 oxideCaprylic/capric triglyceride~5.9–7.2%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
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 triglycerideGlycerin~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 GlycerinDicaprylyl carbonate~3–3.7%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps products spread more easily and works as an emollient to soften skin
More about Dicaprylyl carbonateSqualane~2.7–3.3%
- Irritation risk
- Low
An oil naturally present in skin. Works as an emollient to soften the skin and form a protective layer on its surface without a greasy feeling.
More about SqualaneButylene glycol~2.3–2.8%
- 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 glycolGlyceryl stearate~2–2.4%
- 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 stearateOctyldodecanol~1.4–1.7%
- Irritation risk
- Low
An emollient that helps to soften the skin and create a pleasant product texture and stabilize the formulation
More about OctyldodecanolCetearyl alcohol~1.2–1.5%
- Irritation risk
- Low
- Comedogenicity
- 2/5
A non-drying alcohol. Works as an emollient. Helps water and oil mix together and creates a nice product texture
More about Cetearyl alcoholCeteareth-20~1–1.2%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
- Comedogenicity
- 2/5
Helps oil and water mix together. Has some emollient properties
More about Ceteareth-20Octyldodecyl myristate~0.75–1.15%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps soften the upper layer of the skin
More about Octyldodecyl myristatePerilla ocymoides seed oil~0.65–1%
- Irritation risk
- High
A plant extract that works as an emollient. It might help neutralize free radicals in skin but solid research is lacking. Contains some volatile compounds and could be irritating
More about Perilla ocymoides seed oilDimethicone~0.65–1%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A silicone that helps to reduce water loss from the surface of the skin. Can temporarily "fill in" lines and wrinkles, absorb oil, and create a nice product finish
More about DimethiconeNordihydroguaiaretic acid~0.55–0.8%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Used to stabilize the formula of product formulation. Might be helpful in neutralizing free radicals in skin
More about Nordihydroguaiaretic acidCassia angustifolia seed extract~0.45–0.65%
- Irritation risk
- High
Glycyrrhetinic acid~0.35–0.65%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Active compound of licorice root. Works to calm down inflammation, as an anti-oxidant, and might be helpful in lightening the skin and reducing hyperpigmentation
More about Glycyrrhetinic acidCapparis spinosa bud extract~0.25–0.45%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Xanthan gum~0.2–0.4%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Used to create a thicker product consistency
More about Xanthan gumPhenoxyethanol~0.2–0.35%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A preservative. It helps prevent bacterial growth in cosmetic products
More about PhenoxyethanolEthylhexylglycerin~0.15–0.25%
Citric acid~0.1–0.15%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Can work as an exfoliant but is typically used to adjust the product pH
More about Citric acid2-bromo-2-nitropropane-1,3-diol~0.05–0.1%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Ingredient list view
Water, Zinc oxide, Caprylic/capric triglyceride, Glycerin, Dicaprylyl carbonate, Squalane, Butylene glycol, Glyceryl stearate, Octyldodecanol, Cetearyl alcohol, Ceteareth-20, Octyldodecyl myristate, Perilla ocymoides seed oil, Dimethicone, Nordihydroguaiaretic acid, Cassia angustifolia seed extract, Glycyrrhetinic acid, Capparis spinosa bud extract, Xanthan gum, Phenoxyethanol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Citric acid, 2-bromo-2-nitropropane-1,3-diol
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Product summary
"Kalme - Day Defence Cream SPF 25" "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 moisturizer does not offer enough sun protection. We recommend to use a sunscreen with at least SPF 30 daily.
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
There are some common irritants in this product, including ingredients that do not have benefits for the skin. We assess the overall irritancy of this moisturizer 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.
Sources cited in this review
Every concentration estimate and effectiveness label is anchored to one of these 16 studies and safety reviews.
- 1A review of inorganic UV filters zinc oxide and titanium dioxideonlinelibrary.wiley.com
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