Kari Gran Essential Tinted SPF 28
Works for
1 of 3 advertised claims delivered
Sun protectionSPF 28 · 2 UV filters · 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.
MoisturizingHelianthus annuus extract, Persea gratissima oil + 6 moreGood evidence
“This tinted moisturizer not only protects skin with non-nano zinc oxide, but works to improve skin tone and leaves you with a dewy finish.”
This product can help soften the skin and reduce its moisture loss with emollients and occlusives: beeswax, simmondsia chinensis 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).
Evens skin toneNo ingredient credited for this claimLimited evidence
“This tinted moisturizer not only protects skin with non-nano zinc oxide, but works to improve skin tone and leaves you with a dewy finish.”
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).
Anti-oxidationNot advertised by the brand · Rubus idaeus seed oil, Rubus idaeus extract + 1 moreModerate evidence
This product contains antioxidants (rubus idaeus seed oil) that might be able to help neutralize free radicals in skin to lessen the damage it gets from the UV light (sun). There is not enough evidence to confirm their effectiveness in skin though.
Can it cause trouble?
Irritancy6 flagged ingredientsLow risk
ComedogenicClean of flagged comedogenic ingredientsNone flagged
User reviews
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Ingredients
Filter by role to see what each ingredient is doing.
Zinc oxide17%
- 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 oxideRubus idaeus extract~25–37%
- Irritation risk
- High
Mostly used as a fragrance. Might have some anti-oxidant effect
More about Rubus idaeus extractRubus idaeus seed oil~4.7–7.1%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
A plant oil that might be able to help neutralize free radicals in skin
More about Rubus idaeus seed oilPrunus domestica seed oil~3.6–5.3%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Helps soften the upper layer of the skin
More about Prunus domestica seed oilMacadamia ternifolia seed oil~2.8–4.1%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Plant oil from nuts that helps soften the upper layer of the skin. Contains a high concentration of oleic acid that can weaken skin's barrier function and increase water-loss while enhancing penetration of other ingredients
More about Macadamia ternifolia seed oilAleurites moluccanus seed oil~2–3%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps soften the upper layer of the skin
More about Aleurites moluccanus seed oilPersea gratissima oil~1.7–2.6%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
An emollient that helps soften the skin and could be helpful in repairing its barrier function
More about Persea gratissima oilSimmondsia chinensis seed oil~1.4–2.2%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Softens the upper layer of skin and helps restore the healthy skin barrier. Has shown to help calm down inflammation in skin. It is a stable oil, meaning that it retains its properties even when exposed to air.
More about Simmondsia chinensis seed oilBeeswax~1.2–1.8%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Forms a protective barrier that holds water and keeps dry skin hydrated. Keeps an emulsion from separating into its oil and liquid components, and increases the thickness of a product. Can be an allergen
More about BeeswaxTocopherol~0.9–1.35%
- 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 TocopherolHelianthus annuus extract~0.8–1.25%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps soften the upper layer of the skin
More about Helianthus annuus extractTitanium dioxide~0.6–1.4%
- 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~0.4–0.95%
- 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 oxidesMica~0.35–0.85%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Creates an illusion of smoother and more radiant skin tone. Adds shimmer to the skin by reflecting light
More about MicaTitanium dioxide~0.3–0.7%
- 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~0.1–0.35%
- 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 oxidesMica~0.05–0.25%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Creates an illusion of smoother and more radiant skin tone. Adds shimmer to the skin by reflecting light
More about MicaCi 77007~0.05–0.15%
Ingredient list view
Zinc oxide, Rubus idaeus extract, Rubus idaeus seed oil, Prunus domestica seed oil, Macadamia ternifolia seed oil, Aleurites moluccanus seed oil, Persea gratissima oil, Simmondsia chinensis seed oil, Beeswax, Tocopherol, Unknown, Helianthus annuus extract, Titanium dioxide, Iron oxides, Mica, Titanium dioxide, Iron oxides, Mica, Ci 77007
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Product summary
"Kari Gran - Essential Tinted SPF 28" offers broad spectrum protection. It means that it protects from both UVA and UVB rays (you can remember UVB as "burning" sunlight - they cause sunburn. You can remember UVA rays as "aging" - they do not lead to sunburn, but they cause photodamage and contribute to early signs of skin aging and hyperpigmentation). On the negative side, the SPF of this moisturizer is not high enough. We recommend to use a sunscreen with at least SPF 30 daily.
It contains good moisturizing ingredients and can double as a hydrating day cream.
Sunscreen filters
This moisturizer is a mineral sunscreen. It uses titanium dioxide and zinc oxide for sun protection. Both titanium dioxide and zinc oxide almost never irritate even the most sensitive skin and eyes, but can leave a white cast.
Irritation risk
This moisturizer contains some common irritants, including those without 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.
About the brand
According to Cruelty-Free Kitty "Kari Gran" is cruelty free and so is its parent company.
Price
The product retails for 55.00$ 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.
- 1A review of inorganic UV filters zinc oxide and titanium dioxideonlinelibrary.wiley.com
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