Mario Badescu The Moisture Magnet SPF 15
Works for
2 of 4 advertised claims delivered
Sun protectionSPF 15 · 3 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.
MoisturizingParaffinum liquidum, Dimethicone + 7 moreStrong evidence
“The Moisture Magnet SPF 15”
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, saccharide isomerate.
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, sesamum indicum seed oil.
The following ingredients in this product are especially good for supporting the skin barrier and helping with the hydration level: paraffinum liquidum
Anti-agingTocopherolModerate evidence
“Furthermore, broad spectrum UVA/UVB protection helps prevent premature aging and shields skin from harmful free radicals, sun damage, and discoloration.”
This product contains tocopherol. 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).
Evens skin toneNo ingredient credited for this claimLimited evidence
“Furthermore, broad spectrum UVA/UVB protection helps prevent premature aging and shields skin from harmful free radicals, sun damage, and discoloration.”
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 · Tocopherol, Tocopheryl acetateStrong evidence
This product contains antioxidants (tocopherol) that can help neutralize free radicals in skin. By doing so, they can lessen the damage the skin gets from the UV light (sun).
Can it cause trouble?
Irritancy2 strong irritants: Benzophenone-3, Gardenia florida fruit extractMedium risk
Comedogenic2 ingredients rated 2 or more on the 0–5 pore-clogging scale2 flagged
User reviews
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Ingredients
Filter by role to see what each ingredient is doing.
Sesamum indicum seed oil~25–38%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A good moisturizing plant oil. Due to the high linoleic acid content, it helps soften the upper layer of the skin, reduce water loss and support skin barrier function
More about Sesamum indicum seed oilTocopherol~8.4–12.6%
- 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 TocopherolGlycerin~4.7–7%
- 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 GlycerinButyl 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 methoxydibenzoylmethaneEthylhexyl 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 methoxycinnamateBenzophenone-35%
- Irritation risk
- High
Same as oxybenzone. Protects in the UVB and short UVA range. In small concentrations, used to stabilize product formulation. Can be irritating. Is shown to be harmful to coral reefs - consider avoiding bathing in coral reef areas when wearing a product with this ingredient. It can penetrate the skin and get absorbed into bloodstream faster than other popular filters available in the US. The study that produced this finding did not address any potential health effects of the absorption
More about Benzophenone-3Water~3.5–5.3%
Butylene glycol~2.6–3.9%
- 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 glycolSesamum indicum seed oil~2.3–3.5%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A good moisturizing plant oil. Due to the high linoleic acid content, it helps soften the upper layer of the skin, reduce water loss and support skin barrier function
More about Sesamum indicum seed oilSaccharide isomerate~1.8–2.8%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps attract water to the upper layer of the skin
More about Saccharide isomerateParaffinum liquidum~1.8–2.6%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Mineral oil. One of the most effective and well studied occlusive and emollient moisturizing ingredients. Helps reduce moisture loss in skin and repair skin barrier function
More about Paraffinum liquidumEthylhexyl methoxycrylene~1.3–1.9%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Helps improve stability of sunscreen filters and boost their effectiveness
More about Ethylhexyl methoxycryleneGlyceryl isostearate~1.2–1.7%
Cetearyl alcohol~1.1–1.6%
- 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 alcoholTocopheryl acetate~0.6–1.35%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
A more stable but less bio-available form of vitamin E compared to Tocopherol. Might help moisturize and protect the skin from free radicals, but mostly used in low concentrations to stabilize other ingredients.
More about Tocopheryl acetateStearic acid~0.85–1.3%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps oil and water mix together and works as an emollient
More about Stearic acidDimethicone~0.6–1.35%
- 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 DimethiconeGlycerin~0.5–1.15%
- 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 GlycerinC10-30 cholesterol/lanosterol esters~0.45–1.1%
Gardenia florida fruit extract~0.4–0.95%
- Irritation risk
- High
Used as a fragrance. Can be irritating.
More about Gardenia florida fruit extractEthylhexylglycerin~0.35–0.85%
Ceteareth-20~0.4–0.95%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
- Comedogenicity
- 2/5
Helps oil and water mix together. Has some emollient properties
More about Ceteareth-20Carbomer~0.3–0.7%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps create a thicker or gel-like product texture. It is not a surfactant but can be used in gentle cleansing formulations
More about CarbomerPhenoxyethanol~0.15–0.55%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A preservative. It helps prevent bacterial growth in cosmetic products
More about PhenoxyethanolSodium hydroxide~0.15–0.55%
Ci 17200~0.1–0.45%
Ci 60730~0.1–0.4%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Ci 42090~0.05–0.3%
Ingredient list view
Sesamum indicum seed oil, Tocopherol, Unknown, Glycerin, Butyl methoxydibenzoylmethane, Ethylhexyl methoxycinnamate, Benzophenone-3, Water, Butylene glycol, Sesamum indicum seed oil, Saccharide isomerate, Paraffinum liquidum, Ethylhexyl methoxycrylene, Glyceryl isostearate, Cetearyl alcohol, Tocopheryl acetate, Stearic acid, Dimethicone, Glycerin, C10-30 cholesterol/lanosterol esters, Gardenia florida fruit extract, Ethylhexylglycerin, Ceteareth-20, Carbomer, Phenoxyethanol, Sodium hydroxide, Ci 17200, Ci 60730, Ci 42090
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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.
| Mario BadescuThe Moisture Magnet SPF 15YOUR PRODUCT | NiveaKids Protect & Care Sun Lotion SPF 50+ | |
|---|---|---|
| Match | — | 51% |
| Price | $24.00 | $5.35−$18.65 |
| Shared key ingredients | — | 6 of 9 |
| Key difference | — | Tinosorb S |
| Irritancy | Medium | Medium |
| SPF | SPF 15 | SPF 50 |
| Drying alcohol | — | Contains drying alcohol |
| View product | Shop |
Product summary
"Mario Badescu - The Moisture Magnet SPF 15" offers broad spectrum protection. It means that it protects from both UVA and UVB rays (you can remember UVB as "burning" sunlight - they cause sunburn. You can remember UVA rays as "aging" - they do not lead to sunburn, but they cause photodamage and contribute to early signs of skin aging and hyperpigmentation). On the negative side, the SPF of it is not high enough. We recommend to use a sunscreen with at least SPF 30 daily.
Its formula is also hydrating, so you might not need an additional moistruizer during the day.
Sunscreen filters
This sunscreen uses so-called "chemical", or organic UV filters (organic simply means that their molecules contain atoms of carbon). These filters typically give good sun protection and rarely leave a white cast, but they can be irritating for sensitive skin. Here are the exact UV filters in this sunscreen: oxybenzone 5.00% (declared), avobenzone 3.00% (declared) and octinoxate 7.50% (declared).
Irritation risk
There are some common irritants in this product, including ingredients that do not have benefits for the skin. We assess the overall irritancy of this product to be medium. For a detailed overview of all potential irritants: click here
You can see the detailed formula review with the breakdown of all actives in the product and the full ingredient list with estimated concentrations in the tables below.
About the brand
According to Cruelty-Free Kitty "Mario Badescu" is cruelty free and so is its parent company.
Price
The product retails for 54.56A$ in Australia, for 31.46£ in the United Kingdom and for 27.25£ 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
- 2Triglyceride composition of Sesamum indicum seed oilonlinelibrary.wiley.com
- 3
- 4Vitamin E in dermatologyncbi.nlm.nih.gov
- 5Vitamin E and Skin Healthlpi.oregonstate.edu
- 6
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