Milani SPF BFF Broad Spectrum SPF 30 Primer
Works for
Sun protectionSPF 30 · 4 UV filtersBroad spectrum
This product offers a good level of protection against both UVB and UVA rays.
This sunscreen uses organic (so-called "chemical") sunscreen filters. Organic, or "chemical" filters usually provide reliable sun protection and rarely leave a white cast. Sunscreens with organic filters can sting eyes.
Anti-agingSide benefit · Retinyl palmitate, TocopherolWorks well
This product can help prevent early signs of skin aging because it offers a good level of broad spectrum sun protection. Sun damage is the main cause of premature skin aging, and protecting your skin from the sun is the best anti-aging strategy.
These ingredients in the product might also be helpful for reducing and preventing fine lines, wrinkles, and skin elasticity, even though there is no conclusive evidence for their effectiveness: retinyl palmitate.
Evens skin toneSide benefit · Retinyl palmitateWorks well
This product offers broad spectrum sun protection. It means that it can prevent hyperpigmentation and help keep the skin tone even (sun damage is the main factor causing age spots, darkening of post-acne marks and other discolorations).
MoisturizingSide benefit the brand mentions · Glycerin, Glycine soja oil + 3 moreWorks
“Enriched with moisture-rich glycerin and vitamin E, the formula keeps the skin smooth and extends the life of makeup on all skin types.”
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, peg-8.
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: glycine soja oil, isohexadecane.
Can it cause trouble?
Irritancy2 strong irritants: Benzophenone-3, Retinyl palmitateMedium risk
Comedogenic3 ingredients rated 2 or more on the 0–5 pore-clogging scale3 flagged
User reviews
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Ingredients
Filter by role to see what each ingredient is doing.
Water~40–60%
Ethylhexyl methoxycinnamate~5.8–8.7%
- 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 methoxycinnamateGlycerin~3.5–5.3%
- 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 GlycerinIsohexadecane~2.7–4.1%
- 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 IsohexadecaneButyl methoxydibenzoylmethane~2.8–4.2%
- 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 methoxydibenzoylmethaneOctocrylene~2.3–3.4%
- 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 OctocryleneBenzophenone-3~1.9–2.9%
- 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-3Sodium acrylate/sodium acryloyldimethyl taurate copolymer~1.2–1.8%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Used to create a thicker product consistency
More about Sodium acrylate/sodium acryloyldimethyl taurate copolymerPeg-8~0.95–1.45%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Used to create a nice product consistency
More about Peg-8Polysorbate 80~0.85–1.25%
Sorbitan oleate~0.5–1.15%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
- Comedogenicity
- 2/5
Helps oil and water mix together
More about Sorbitan oleateXanthan gum~0.45–1%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Used to create a thicker product consistency
More about Xanthan gumTocopherol~0.35–0.85%
- 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 TocopherolGlycine soja oil~0.35–0.75%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
- Comedogenicity
- 2/5
A good emollient that helps soften the skin and helps repair its barrier function. It can clog pores if used in high concentrations.
More about Glycine soja oilRetinyl palmitate~0.15–0.65%
- Irritation risk
- High
Three steps removed from the active form of vitamin A - retinoic acid. To have an effect in the skin, it first needs to be converted twice to become the retinoic acid. This means it is less potent than retinol, but could also be less irritating. Once converted to the retinoic acid in the skin, it helps against all signs of aging, improves skin cell turnover and helps fight blemishes and clogged pores. However, in many cosmetic formulations, it is used in a concentration that is too low to have the full effect
More about Retinyl palmitateBht~0.15–0.6%
Ethylhexylglycerin~0.1–0.5%
Citric acid~0.1–0.35%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Can work as an exfoliant but is typically used to adjust the product pH
More about Citric acidDisodium edta~0.1–0.3%
Phenoxyethanol~0.05–0.3%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A preservative. It helps prevent bacterial growth in cosmetic products
More about PhenoxyethanolCi 19140~0.05–0.2%
Ci 16035~0.05–0.15%
Ingredient list view
Water, Ethylhexyl methoxycinnamate, Glycerin, Isohexadecane, Butyl methoxydibenzoylmethane, Octocrylene, Benzophenone-3, Sodium acrylate/sodium acryloyldimethyl taurate copolymer, Peg-8, Polysorbate 80, Sorbitan oleate, Xanthan gum, Tocopherol, Glycine soja oil, Retinyl palmitate, Bht, Ethylhexylglycerin, Citric acid, Disodium edta, Phenoxyethanol, Ci 19140, Ci 16035
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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.
| MilaniSPF BFF Broad Spectrum SPF 30 PrimerYOUR PRODUCT | RilastilWATER TOUCH FLUID SPF 50+ | DermExcelDermDefence SPF 50 | ELEMISDaily Defence Shield SPF30 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Match | — | 41% | 40% | 39% |
| Price | $11.97 | $23.99+$12.02 | — | $51.52+$39.55 |
| Shared key ingredients | — | 4 of 8 | 3 of 8 | 4 of 8 |
| Key difference | — | Allantoin | Tinosorb S | Panthenol |
| Irritancy | Medium | Low | Low | Low |
| SPF | SPF 30 | SPF 50 | SPF 50 | SPF 30 |
| Drying alcohol | — | — | — | — |
| View product | Shop | Shop | Shop |
More alternatives: First Aid Beauty Hydrating Sunscreen Milk with Colloidal Oatmeal Broad Spectrum SPF 45Prequel SOLAR SHADE
Product summary
We assess that this product can provide reliable sun protection based on the ingredient list. We love that it can protect from both UVA and UVB rays (not all sunscreens with SPF ratings give UVA protection. UVA rays do not cause sunburn, but still damage our skin and lead to early aging).
It also works as a moisturizer, so you do not have to use an additional hydrating product. Like all broad-spectrum sunscreens, this product helps prevent early signs of aging.
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 1.90% - 2.90%, avobenzone 2.80% - 4.20%, octinoxate 5.80% - 8.70% and octocrylene 2.30% - 3.40%.
Irritation risk
This formulation includes some common irritants, including ingredients that do not provide a benefit for the skin. We assess the overall irritancy of this sunscreen 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 "Milani" is cruelty free and so is its parent company.
Sources cited in this review
Every concentration estimate and effectiveness label is anchored to one of these 8 studies and safety reviews.
- 1
- 2
- 3
- 4On Photostability of Oxybenzonecore.ac.uk
- 5Surfactants and experimental irritant contact dermatitisncbi.nlm.nih.gov
- 6Vitamin E in dermatologyncbi.nlm.nih.gov
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