What's In My Jar
Kao Curel UV Protection Face Cream C SPF 30 PA++
Kao

Kao Curel UV Protection Face Cream C SPF 30 PA++

SPF 30Efficacy60/100IrritancyMedium·1 UV filter
See all ingredients
Edit

Works for

0 of 1 advertised claim 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~3.4–5.1%
~ 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.
Evens skin tone
Not advertised by the brand · Stearyl glycyrrhetinate
Moderate evidence

The following ingredient (ingredients) in this product might be helpful, but there is no evidence to confirm that it actually works: stearyl glycyrrhetinate.

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).

Stearyl glycyrrhetinateKey activeEffect: MediumA fatty acid derived from licorice. Works as an emollient and can help calm down inflammation~26–38%
Moisturizing
Not advertised by the brand · Glycerin, Cyclomethicone + 4 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: cyclomethicone, glycerin.

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: dimethicone, cyclomethicone.

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~3.3–5%
CyclomethiconeKey active· Humectant, EmollientEffect: HighA type of silicone that leaves a nice silky finish on the skin and can help soften its upper layer~5.5–8.2%
DimethiconeKey active· Emollient, OcclusiveEffect: HighA 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~1.7–2.5%
Stearyl glycyrrhetinateKey activeEffect: MediumA fatty acid derived from licorice. Works as an emollient and can help calm down inflammation~26–38%
Neopentyl glycol dicaprateKey active· EmollientEffect: MediumHelps soften the upper layer of the skin~0.95–1.45%
Butylene glycol· HumectantEffect: LowUsed 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~0.55–1.25%

Can it cause trouble?

Irritancy
1 strong irritant: Eucalyptus globulus leaf extract
Medium risk
We flagged 3 ingredients with irritancy potential. Severity depends on your sensitivity threshold; the table lists the worst offenders first.
IngredientFunctionIrritationEst. amount
Eucalyptus globulus leaf extractUsed as a fragrance. Can be irritatingHigh~0.1–0.35%est.
Stearyl glycyrrhetinateA fatty acid derived from licorice. Works as an emollient and can help calm down inflammationMedium~26–38%est.
Dextrin palmitateHelps water and oil mix togetherMedium~0.1–0.35%est.
Comedogenic
Clean of flagged comedogenic ingredients
None flagged
Edit

User reviews

Would you recommend?
No community reviews yet.

Be the first — your take helps the next person decide.

Write a review · ~30s

Ingredients

Filter by role to see what each ingredient is doing.

Stearyl glycyrrhetinate~26–38%
Key activeIrritant · medium
Irritation risk
Medium
Works for
Evens skin toneMoisturizingReduces rednessAnti-inflammatory

A fatty acid derived from licorice. Works as an emollient and can help calm down inflammation

More about Stearyl glycyrrhetinate
Water~13–19%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low

Plain old water

More about Water
Cyclomethicone~5.5–8.2%
Key active
Irritation risk
Low
Works for
Moisturizing

A type of silicone that leaves a nice silky finish on the skin and can help soften its upper layer

More about Cyclomethicone
Glycerin~3.3–5%
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
Zinc oxide~3.4–5.1%
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
Zinc oxide~2.8–4.2%
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
Zinc oxide~2.4–3.7%
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
Thujopsis dolabrata branch extract~1.6–2.3%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low
More about Thujopsis dolabrata branch extract
Poe • dimethicone copolymer
Not recognized
Dimethicone~1.7–2.5%
Key active
Irritation risk
Low
Works for
MoisturizingMattifying

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 Dimethicone
Cetyl-pg hydroxyethyl palmitamide~1.2–1.8%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low
More about Cetyl-pg hydroxyethyl palmitamide
Neopentyl glycol dicaprate~0.95–1.45%
Key active
Irritation risk
Low
Works for
Moisturizing

Helps soften the upper layer of the skin

More about Neopentyl glycol dicaprate
Butylene glycol~0.55–1.25%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low
Works for
Moisturizing

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 glycol
Methylhydrogenpolysiloxane
Not recognized
Zinc oxide~0.55–1.25%
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
Magnesium sulfate~0.3–0.75%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low

Used to create a thicker product consistency

More about Magnesium sulfate
Long-chain dibasic acid bis 3-methoxypropylamide
Not recognized
Eucalyptus globulus leaf extract~0.1–0.35%
Irritant · high
Irritation risk
High

Used as a fragrance. Can be irritating

More about Eucalyptus globulus leaf extract
Dimethylsiloxane / methyl (undecyl glyceryl ether) siloxane…
Not recognized
Dextrin palmitate~0.1–0.35%
Irritant · medium
Irritation risk
Medium
Works for
Cleansing

Helps water and oil mix together

More about Dextrin palmitate
Ingredient list view

Stearyl glycyrrhetinate, Water, Cyclomethicone, Glycerin, Zinc oxide, Zinc oxide, Zinc oxide, Thujopsis dolabrata branch extract, Unknown, Dimethicone, Cetyl-pg hydroxyethyl palmitamide, Neopentyl glycol dicaprate, Butylene glycol, Unknown, Zinc oxide, Magnesium sulfate, Unknown, Eucalyptus globulus leaf extract, Unknown, Dextrin palmitate

Compare prices

Retailers ranked by price — lowest first.

Yesstyle
$21.80
Buy

Affiliate links · prices updated regularly

Cheaper alternatives? See how this stacks up against similar formulas.
We compare ingredient profiles across our catalog — pick the closest match for your budget.
Open dupe finder

Product summary

We are worried that "Kao - Curel UV Protection Face Cream C SPF 30 PA++" might not be able to provide reliable sun protection because it uses a single UV filter (zinc oxide) in a relatively weak concentration.

It should also be hydrating enough to use without an additional moisturizer during the day.

Sunscreen filters

This product 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

It contains some common irritants, including those without a benefit for the skin. We assess the overall irritancy of it 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 22.74$ 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 10 studies and safety reviews.

  1. 1
    Glycerol and the skin: holistic approach to its origin and functionsncbi.nlm.nih.gov
  2. 2
    A review of inorganic UV filters zinc oxide and titanium dioxideonlinelibrary.wiley.com
  3. 3
    Risk assessment of zinc oxide, a cosmetic ingredient used as a UV filter of sunscreensncbi.nlm.nih.gov
  4. 4
    Characterization of the UVA protection provided by avobenzone, zinc oxide, and titanium dioxide in broad-spectrum sunscreen productsncbi.nlm.nih.gov
  5. 5
    Ultraviolet Protection Properties of Commercial Sunscreens and Sunscreens Containing Zno Nanorodsiopscience.iop.org
  6. 6
    ZnO nanoparticles and organic chemical UV-filters are equally well tolerated by human immune cellsncbi.nlm.nih.gov
Kao Curel UV Protection Face Cream C SPF 30 PA++
KaoCurel UV Protection Face Cream C SPF 30 PA++
Buy at Yesstyle$21.80Amazon

Affiliate links · As an Amazon Associate, WIMJ earns from qualifying purchases.

Buy at Yesstyle$21.80Amazon

As an Amazon Associate, WIMJ earns from qualifying purchases.