Lancôme Hydra Zen BB Cream SPF15
Works for
1 of 2 advertised claims delivered
Sun protectionSPF 15 · 1 UV filter · Partial spectrumWeak protectionSPF under 30
This product does not offer good protection against UVA rays.
MoisturizingCeramide 3, Hydroxypalmitoyl sphinganine + 15 moreStrong evidence
“It provides much-needed moisture, whilst restorative ingredients like rose, peony root and moringa extract create a barrier that protects your skin from adverse environmental factors.”
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, sodium hyaluronate.
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: ceramide 3, cetyl palmitate.
The following ingredients in this product are especially good for supporting the skin barrier and helping with the hydration level: ceramide 3, hydroxypalmitoyl sphinganine
Can it cause trouble?
Irritancy6 strong irritants: Alcohol denat., Rosa gallica flower extract + 4 more — patch-test recommendedHigh risk
Comedogenic1 ingredient rated 2 or more on the 0–5 pore-clogging scale1 flagged
User reviews
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Ingredients
Filter by role to see what each ingredient is doing.
Water~45–55%
Isononyl isononanoate~4.3–5.2%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Forms a protective film on the surface of the skin to prevent moisture loss. Gives a velvety feel to products while reducing tackiness
More about Isononyl isononanoateIsohexadecane~4–4.9%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Improves the texture of the product and helps soften the skin. Helps oil and water mix together and can be used as a cleansing agent
More about IsohexadecaneGlycerin~2.9–3.6%
- 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 GlycerinAlcohol denat.~2.3–2.8%
- Irritation risk
- High
Produces temporary toning effect. Can help dissolve other ingredients or preserve products
More about Alcohol denat.Ethylhexyl methoxycinnamate~2.5–3%
- 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 methoxycinnamateMethyl glucose sesquistearate~1.6–2%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Helps water and oil mix together
More about Methyl glucose sesquistearateCetyl palmitate~1.4–1.8%
- Irritation risk
- Low
An emollient that helps soften the skin and is used to improve product texture and stability
More about Cetyl palmitateNylon-12~1.3–1.6%
Cyclohexasiloxane~0.9–1.1%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A silicone that serves as an emollient. Helps create a nice non-greasy feels
More about CyclohexasiloxanePropylene glycol~0.55–0.8%
- Irritation risk
- High
Helps oil and water mix together and can enhance the penetration of other ingredients into the skin. It can be irritating
More about Propylene glycolHydrogenated polyisobutene~0.45–0.7%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Used to improve the product consistency and soften the upper layer of the skin
More about Hydrogenated polyisobuteneStearyl alcohol~0.35–0.65%
- Irritation risk
- Low
An emollient that helps soften the skin
More about Stearyl alcoholMagnesium aluminum silicate~0.3–0.55%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Might be helpful in restoring skin barrier function and, when combined with zinc carbonate and malonic acid, reducing fine lines and wrinkles by stimulating elastin production. Also helps stabilize the product formulation
More about Magnesium aluminum silicateMoringa pterygosperma seed extract~0.25–0.45%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Might help attract water to the upper layer of the skin
More about Moringa pterygosperma seed extractPaeonia suffruticosa root extract~0.25–0.4%
Ceramide 3~0.25–0.5%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A type of lipid similar to ceramides naturally present in skin. Helps to soften the upper layer of the skin and supports the skin barrier function to keep it hydrated. Can help to prevent inflammation in skin
More about Ceramide 3Rosa gallica flower extract~0.2–0.4%
- Irritation risk
- High
Lithium magnesium sodium silicate~0.25–0.45%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Lecithin~0.25–0.45%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Used mostly for creating emulsions - helping oil and water mix together. Helps soften the upper layer of the skin
More about LecithinSodium chloride~0.2–0.4%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Used to stabilize mixtures of oil and water, and create thicker, gel-like product textures
More about Sodium chlorideSodium hyaluronate~0.15–0.3%
- Irritation risk
- Low
One of the best moisturizing ingredients. Attracts water into the upper layer of the skin
More about Sodium hyaluronateCellulose acetate butyrate~0.15–0.3%
- Irritation risk
- Low
2-oleamido-1,3-octadecanediol~0.15–0.25%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps soften the upper layer of the skin and slow down the water loss over time
More about 2-oleamido-1,3-octadecanediolPoloxamer 188~0.15–0.3%
Ammonium polyacryloyldimethyl taurate~0.15–0.25%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Used to create a thicker product consistency
More about Ammonium polyacryloyldimethyl taurateDisodium edta~0.15–0.25%
Hydroxypalmitoyl sphinganine~0.15–0.25%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A type of lipid similar to ceramides naturally present in skin. Helps to soften the upper layer of the skin and supports the skin barrier function to keep it hydrated. Can help to prevent inflammation in skin
More about Hydroxypalmitoyl sphinganineCaprylyl glycol~0.15–0.3%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Helps preserve products and creates a nice product texture
More about Caprylyl glycolCrithmum maritimum extract~0.1–0.2%
- Irritation risk
- Low
- Comedogenicity
- 3/5
An algae extract that might have anti-oxidant properties
More about Crithmum maritimum extractPolycaprolactone~0.15–0.3%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Polyphosphorylcholine glycol acrylate~0.15–0.3%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Polyvinyl alcohol~0.15–0.3%
Octyldodecanol~0.15–0.3%
- Irritation risk
- Low
An emollient that helps to soften the skin and create a pleasant product texture and stabilize the formulation
More about OctyldodecanolButylene glycol~0.15–0.25%
- 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 glycolEthylparaben~0.15–0.25%
Phenoxyethanol~0.15–0.3%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A preservative. It helps prevent bacterial growth in cosmetic products
More about PhenoxyethanolParfum~0.1–0.2%
- Irritation risk
- High
An aromatic blend of unspecified and possibly irritating ingredients
More about ParfumEugenol~0.15–0.25%
Alpha-isomethyl ionone~0.15–0.3%
- Irritation risk
- High
A fragrance. Potential allergen and can be irritating
More about Alpha-isomethyl iononeLimonene~0.15–0.25%
- Irritation risk
- High
A common frangrance that can easily irritate skin, especially if exposed to air, light or heat
More about LimoneneBenzyl alcohol~0.1–0.2%
- Irritation risk
- High
A preservative. Can be used to mask unpleasant smell. Can be irritating
More about Benzyl alcoholCi 77491~0.15–0.3%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A red colorant made of iron oxide. Typically is not irritating
More about Ci 77491Ci 77492~0.15–0.3%
Ci 77499~0.15–0.25%
Ci 77891~0.1–0.15%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Ingredient list view
Water, Isononyl isononanoate, Isohexadecane, Glycerin, Alcohol denat., Unknown, Ethylhexyl methoxycinnamate, Methyl glucose sesquistearate, Cetyl palmitate, Nylon-12, Cyclohexasiloxane, Propylene glycol, Hydrogenated polyisobutene, Stearyl alcohol, Magnesium aluminum silicate, Moringa pterygosperma seed extract, Paeonia suffruticosa root extract, Ceramide 3, Rosa gallica flower extract, Lithium magnesium sodium silicate, Lecithin, Sodium chloride, Sodium hyaluronate, Cellulose acetate butyrate, 2-oleamido-1,3-octadecanediol, Poloxamer 188, Ammonium polyacryloyldimethyl taurate, Disodium edta, Hydroxypalmitoyl sphinganine, Caprylyl glycol, Crithmum maritimum extract, Polycaprolactone, Polyphosphorylcholine glycol acrylate, Polyvinyl alcohol, Octyldodecanol, Butylene glycol, Ethylparaben, Phenoxyethanol, Parfum, Eugenol, Alpha-isomethyl ionone, Limonene, Benzyl alcohol, Ci 77491, Ci 77492, Ci 77499, Ci 77891
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Product summary
We do not recommend "Lancôme - Hydra Zen BB Cream SPF15" because it does not provide good UVA protection. UVA sun rays don't burn the skin, but they still lead to photoaging and hyperpigmentation.
Its formula is also hydrating, so you might not need an additional moistruizer during the day.
Sunscreen filters
This is a "mixed" sunscreen in the sense that it uses both mineral and organic (so-called "chemical") sun filters. Here are the organic filters this product uses: octinoxate. As for the mineral filters, this sunscreen uses titanium dioxide.
Irritation risk
This moisturizer contains a bunch of common irritants, including ingredients that do not provide any known benefit for the skin. It might not be the best choice if your skin is sensitive. We assess the overall irritancy of this moisturizer to be high. 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 28.90£ 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 14 studies and safety reviews.
- 1
- 2Surfactants and experimental irritant contact dermatitisncbi.nlm.nih.gov
- 3Propylene Glycolpubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
- 4Skin-sensitizing and irritant properties of propylene glycolonlinelibrary.wiley.com
- 5
- 6
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