L'Occitane Immortelle Precious Light Cream SPF 20
Works for
1 of 2 advertised claims delivered
Sun protectionSPF 20 · 5 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.
Anti-agingAdenosine, TocopherolStrong evidence
“Responsibly sourced and distilled in Corsica, this oil is known for its ability to help protect the skin from daily aggressors and for helping fight visible signs of aging.”
This product can help reduce and prevent fine lines and wrinkles, improve skin elasticity and firmness because it contains adenosine.
Keep in mind that it typically takes at least 6 weeks to notice any results because the changes that are needed to improve fine lines and elasticity happen in the deeper layers of the skin. No topical anti-aging product can “erase” wrinkles or fully reverse signs of aging.
MoisturizingNot advertised by the brand · Glycerin, Helianthus annuus seed oil + 7 moreGood 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:
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, helianthus annuus seed oil.
Can it cause trouble?
Irritancy7 strong irritants: Parfum, Hexyl cinnamal + 5 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.
Butyl methoxydibenzoylmethane3%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Avobenzone. An organic, or so-called "chemical" UV filter. Protects against both UVA and UVB rays. Needs to be combined with other filters in a formulation to be stable.
More about Butyl methoxydibenzoylmethaneHomosalate5%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
A weak sunscreen that offers some protection against the sun rays that cause sunburn (UVB), but does not offer meaningful protection against protect against the most aging sun rays (UVA). It loses its effectiveness quickly when exposed to sunlight. It is an organic, or so called "chemical" sunscreen. When used in low concentrations, helps to stabilize the product formulation
More about HomosalateEthylhexyl methoxycinnamate7.5%
- 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 methoxycinnamateEthylhexyl salicylate5%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Octisalate. A UV filter. It offers some protection against the sun rays that cause sunburn (UVB), but does not protect against the most aging sun rays (UVA). It loses its effectiveness quickly when exposed to sunlight. It is an organic, or so called "chemical" sunscreen
More about Ethylhexyl salicylateOctocrylene5%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
A weak sunscreen that protects against the sun rays that cause sunburn (UVB) and is somewhat effective against the UVA rays. It is quite stable and can help stabilize other, more vulnerable, sunscreen ingredients like Avobenzone. It is an organic, or so called "chemical" sunscreen
More about OctocryleneWater~45–55%
Glycerin~3.9–4.8%
- 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 GlycerinCoco-caprylate/caprate~5.1–6.2%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps to soften the upper layer of the skin without creating a greasy texture
More about Coco-caprylate/caprateCorn starch modified~4.3–5.2%
Cetearyl alcohol~3.2–3.9%
- 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 alcoholDimethicone~2.5–3.1%
- 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 DimethiconePotassium cetyl phosphate~1.7–2.1%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Helps oil and water mix together
More about Potassium cetyl phosphateHydroxyethyl acrylate/sodium acryloyldimethyl taurate copolymer~1.4–1.7%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
A gelling agent that thickens the product consistency and leaves the skin with a velvety finish
More about Hydroxyethyl acrylate/sodium acryloyldimethyl taurate copolymerHelianthus annuus seed oil~1.4–1.8%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A great emollient due to its high linoleic acid content. One of the most effective plant oils in helping skin hydration and repairing skin barrier function
More about Helianthus annuus seed oilHelichrysum italicum flower oil~1–1.2%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helichrysum italicum extract~0.75–1.1%
- Irritation risk
- High
A plant extract used to conceal the smell of other ingredients in a product. Has anti-microbial properties. Can be irritating
More about Helichrysum italicum extractOenothera biennis oil~0.75–1.1%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Helps soften the upper layer of the skin and can support skin barrier function
More about Oenothera biennis oilBorago officinalis seed oil~0.65–1%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A plant oil that is effective in reducing irritation in skin, restore the barrier function and support its hydration
More about Borago officinalis seed oilCetearyl glucoside~0.55–0.85%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Helps water and oil in the product mix well together and improves product texture
More about Cetearyl glucosideChlorphenesin~0.16–0.32%
Tocopherol~0.5–0.75%
- 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 TocopherolSucrose palmitate~0.6–0.85%
Disodium edta~0.45–0.7%
Polysorbate 60~0.45–0.7%
Sorbitan isostearate~0.45–0.65%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps oil and water mix together
More about Sorbitan isostearateAdenosine~0.35–0.65%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Might help improve cell turnover and reduce inflammation in skin. One study shows that the ingredients might be able to help reduce dynamic wrinkles (for example, in the corners of the eyes or on the forehead)
More about AdenosineGlyceryl linoleate~0.45–0.7%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Helps oil and water mix together
More about Glyceryl linoleateCitric acid~0.3–0.55%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Can work as an exfoliant but is typically used to adjust the product pH
More about Citric acidPhenoxyethanol~0.3–0.6%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A preservative. It helps prevent bacterial growth in cosmetic products
More about PhenoxyethanolSodium benzoate~0.25–0.5%
Potassium sorbate~0.3–0.55%
Parfum~0.25–0.45%
- Irritation risk
- High
An aromatic blend of unspecified and possibly irritating ingredients
More about ParfumHexyl cinnamal~0.2–0.4%
Benzyl salicylate~0.2–0.4%
Alpha-isomethyl ionone~0.2–0.4%
- Irritation risk
- High
A fragrance. Potential allergen and can be irritating
More about Alpha-isomethyl iononeLinalool~0.15–0.3%
Citral~0.15–0.3%
Limonene~0.15–0.3%
- Irritation risk
- High
A common frangrance that can easily irritate skin, especially if exposed to air, light or heat
More about LimoneneIngredient list view
Butyl methoxydibenzoylmethane, Homosalate, Ethylhexyl methoxycinnamate, Ethylhexyl salicylate, Octocrylene, Water, Glycerin, Coco-caprylate/caprate, Corn starch modified, Cetearyl alcohol, Dimethicone, Potassium cetyl phosphate, Hydroxyethyl acrylate/sodium acryloyldimethyl taurate copolymer, Helianthus annuus seed oil, Helichrysum italicum flower oil, Helichrysum italicum extract, Oenothera biennis oil, Borago officinalis seed oil, Cetearyl glucoside, Chlorphenesin, Tocopherol, Sucrose palmitate, Disodium edta, Polysorbate 60, Sorbitan isostearate, Adenosine, Glyceryl linoleate, Citric acid, Phenoxyethanol, Sodium benzoate, Potassium sorbate, Parfum, Hexyl cinnamal, Benzyl salicylate, Alpha-isomethyl ionone, Linalool, Citral, Limonene
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Worth comparing, line by line.
Match % combines shared ingredients, the first five ingredients, shared actives and hero ingredients, irritancy (lower counts in the alternative's favour), texture and body area. Only products in the same routine step are compared.
| L'OccitaneImmortelle Precious Light Cream SPF 20YOUR PRODUCT | The SaemEco Earth Light Sun Cream | UriageAge Lift Protective Smoothing Day Cream SPF30 | Kiehl'ss Powerful Wrinkle Reducing Cream SPF30 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Match | — | 54% | 53% | 53% |
| Price | — | $11.79 | $36.36 | $15.00 |
| Shared key ingredients | — | 7 of 11 | 7 of 11 | 6 of 11 |
| Key difference | — | Niacinamide | Retinyl Palmitate | Alteromonas Ferment Extract |
| Irritancy | High | Medium | Medium | Low |
| SPF | SPF 20 | SPF 50 | SPF 30 | SPF 30 |
| Drying alcohol | — | — | — | — |
| View product | Shop | Shop | Shop |
Product summary
"L'Occitane - Immortelle Precious Light Cream SPF 20" offers broad spectrum protection. It means that it protects from both UVA and UVB rays (you can remember UVB as "burning" sunlight - they cause sunburn. You can remember UVA rays as "aging" - they do not lead to sunburn, but they cause photodamage and contribute to early signs of skin aging and hyperpigmentation). On the negative side, the SPF of this moisturizer is not high enough. We recommend to use a sunscreen with at least SPF 30 daily.
This moisturizer should also be hydrating enough to use without an additional moisturizer during the day. Like all broad-spectrum sunscreens, this product helps prevent early signs of aging.
Sunscreen filters
This is a so-called "chemical" sunscreen. It means that it uses organic UV filters. They typically offer good sun protection and rarely leave a white cast, but they can be irritating for some people with sensitive skin. These are the sun protection ingredients in this sunscreen: avobenzone 3.00% (declared), octinoxate 7.50% (declared), octisalate 5.00% (declared), homosalate 5.00% (declared) and octocrylene 5.00% (declared).
Irritation risk
There are quite a few common irritants in this product, including ingredients without particular skin benefits. We would not recommend it for sensitive skin. We assess the overall irritancy of this moisturizer to be high. For a detailed overview of all potential irritants: click here
You can see the detailed formula review with the breakdown of all actives in the product and the full ingredient list with estimated concentrations in the tables below.
Price
The product retails for 65.00$ 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 14 studies and safety reviews.
- 1
- 2
- 3Safety Assessment of Alkyl Esters as Used in Cosmeticscir-safety.org
- 4
- 5Final Report on the Safety Assessment of Dimethicone Copolyoljournals.sagepub.com
- 6
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