No7 Naturally Sun Kissed Gradual Facial Tan SPF15
Works for
1 of 2 advertised claims delivered
Sun protectionSPF 15 · 4 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.
MoisturizingGlycerin, C12-15 alkyl benzoate + 4 moreGood evidence
“Moisturises for up to 12 hours and contains a unique antioxidant complex to prepare skin for exposure to the sun.”
This product contains good ingredients to attract water to the upper layer of the skin. These ingredients are called "humectants": glycerin, butylene glycol.
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. If the air is dry, humectants can speed up the moisture loss from the skin. This is why it is a good idea to use another product on top of this one to help "seal in" the moisture (look for ingredients like dimethicone, squalane, oils and butters).
Anti-oxidationNot advertised by the brand · Dimethylmethoxy chromanol, Tocopheryl acetate + 2 moreStrong evidence
This product contains antioxidants (dimethylmethoxy chromanol) that can help neutralize free radicals in skin. By doing so, they can lessen the damage the skin gets from the UV light (sun).
Anti-agingNot advertised by the brand · Phyllanthus emblica fruit extract, Ascorbyl glucoside + 1 moreModerate evidence
This product contains dimethylmethoxy chromanol. 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).
Can it cause trouble?
Irritancy2 strong irritants: Alcohol denat., ParfumMedium risk
ComedogenicClean of flagged comedogenic ingredientsNone flagged
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Ingredients
Filter by role to see what each ingredient is doing.
Water~45–55%
Butylene glycol~6.4–7.8%
- 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 glycolGlycerin~4–4.8%
- 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 GlycerinTridecyl salicylate~3.3–4%
- Irritation risk
- Low
C12-15 alkyl benzoate~2.5–3.1%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Enhances the product texture and makes it more spreadable. Helps reduce water loss from the outer layer of skin. Extands the shelf life by preventing bacteria growth
More about C12-15 alkyl benzoateOctocrylene~2.6–3.2%
- 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 OctocryleneEthylhexyl salicylate~2.2–2.7%
- 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 salicylateButyl methoxydibenzoylmethane~2–2.4%
- 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 methoxydibenzoylmethanePolysorbate 20~1.2–1.4%
Polyacrylamide~0.95–1.2%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Used to improve product texture and help oil and water mix together
More about PolyacrylamideDihydroxyacetone~0.65–0.95%
C13-14 isoparaffin~0.55–0.85%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps soften the upper layer of the skin, dissolve other ingredients and create a thicker product consistency
More about C13-14 isoparaffinEthylhexyl methoxycinnamate~0.7–1.05%
- 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 methoxycinnamateTribehenin~0.45–0.65%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Used to create a thicker product consistency and soften the upper layer of the skin
More about TribeheninAlcohol denat.~0.35–0.65%
- Irritation risk
- High
Produces temporary toning effect. Can help dissolve other ingredients or preserve products
More about Alcohol denat.Phenoxyethanol~0.35–0.65%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A preservative. It helps prevent bacterial growth in cosmetic products
More about PhenoxyethanolErythrulose~0.35–0.6%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Dipropylene glycol~0.3–0.55%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps to dissolve other ingredients in a formulation. Slows down the rate of product drying
More about Dipropylene glycolLaureth-7~0.3–0.55%
Parfum~0.25–0.45%
- Irritation risk
- High
An aromatic blend of unspecified and possibly irritating ingredients
More about ParfumMethylparaben~0.15–0.3%
Tocopheryl acetate~0.25–0.45%
- 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 acetateEthylparaben~0.2–0.35%
Tetrasodium edta~0.2–0.35%
Ascorbyl glucoside~0.15–0.3%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
A vitamin C derivative that is more stable but less potent than pure form of vitamin C. Has a potential to boost collagen production, nutralise free radicals and reduce hyperpigmentation, but the required concentration is likely to be much higher than for the pure form of vitamin C, limiting the ingredient's effectiveness in products
More about Ascorbyl glucosideLactic acid~0.15–0.3%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
An exfoliating and moisturizing alpha-hydroxy acid (AHA). Typically causes less irritation than other AHAs, for example, glycolic acid. At high concentrations (about 15%), lactic acid can help reduce lines and wrinkles. Recent studies show that lactic acid can support the "good" bacteria living on skin's surface (healthy skin microbiome)
More about Lactic acidPhyllanthus emblica fruit extract~0.15–0.3%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
A plant extract that might be helpful in neutralizing free radicals and have a skin lightening effect if used in high enough concentrations
More about Phyllanthus emblica fruit extractDimethylmethoxy chromanol~0.1–0.2%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Can help neutralize free radicals in skin
More about Dimethylmethoxy chromanolGinkgo biloba nut extract~0.1–0.15%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Bht~0.05–0.1%
Ingredient list view
Water, Butylene glycol, Glycerin, Tridecyl salicylate, C12-15 alkyl benzoate, Octocrylene, Ethylhexyl salicylate, Butyl methoxydibenzoylmethane, Polysorbate 20, Polyacrylamide, Dihydroxyacetone, C13-14 isoparaffin, Ethylhexyl methoxycinnamate, Tribehenin, Alcohol denat., Phenoxyethanol, Erythrulose, Dipropylene glycol, Laureth-7, Parfum, Methylparaben, Tocopheryl acetate, Unknown, Ethylparaben, Tetrasodium edta, Ascorbyl glucoside, Lactic acid, Phyllanthus emblica fruit extract, Dimethylmethoxy chromanol, Ginkgo biloba nut extract, Bht
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Product summary
"No7 - Naturally Sun Kissed Gradual Facial Tan SPF15" "is a broad spectrum sunscreen meaning that it protects both from UVB rays (" burning "- they cause sunburn) and UVA rays (" aging "- they don't cause sunburn but lead to premature aging and pigmentation issues). However, this sunscreen does not offer enough sun protection. We recommend to use a sunscreen with at least SPF 30 daily.
It also works as a moisturizer, so you do not have to use an additional hydrating product.
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. These are the sun protection ingredients in this sunscreen: avobenzone 2.00% - 2.40%, octinoxate 0.70% - 1.05%, octisalate 2.20% - 2.70% and octocrylene 2.60% - 3.20%.
Irritation risk
This sunscreen contains some common irritants, including those without a benefit 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" No7 "is cruelty free, but its parent company is not.
Sources cited in this review
Every concentration estimate and effectiveness label is anchored to one of these 10 studies and safety reviews.
- 1
- 2Safety Assessment of Isoparaffins as Used in Cosmeticsjournals.sagepub.com
- 3The Roles of Vitamin C in Skin Healthncbi.nlm.nih.gov
- 4
- 5Epidermal and dermal effects of topical lactic acidncbi.nlm.nih.gov
- 6Dual Effects of Alpha-Hydroxy Acids on the Skinpdfs.semanticscholar.org
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