Olay Complete Lotion Moisturizer with SPF 15, Sensitive
Works for
Sun protectionSPF 15 · 2 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, Cetyl alcohol + 6 moreWorks
“Complete Lotion Moisturizer with SPF 15, Sensitive”
This product contains good ingredients to attract water to the upper layer of the skin. These ingredients are called "humectants": glycerin.
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-oxidationSide benefit · Tocopherol, Tocopheryl acetateWorks well
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).
Anti-agingSide benefit the brand mentions · TocopherolMay help
“Hydrating Cream Improves Elasticity, Plumps Sagging Skin.”
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).
Can it cause trouble?
Irritancy2 strong irritants: Dmdm hydantoin, Iodopropynyl butylcarbamate — patch-test recommendedHigh risk
Comedogenic2 ingredients rated 2 or more on the 0–5 pore-clogging scale2 flagged
User reviews
Be the first — your take helps the next person decide.
Ingredients
Filter by role to see what each ingredient is doing.
Ethylhexyl methoxycinnamate~25–30%
- 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 methoxycinnamateZinc oxide~11–13%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A broad spectrum sunblock (protects from both UVA and UVB rays). Is suitable for most sensitive skins. In small concentrations, can be used as a colorant
More about Zinc oxideTocopherol~5.6–6.8%
- 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 TocopherolWater~4.5–5.5%
Glycerin~3.7–4.5%
- 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~2.9–3.5%
- 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 IsohexadecaneSteareth-21~2.3–2.8%
Cyclopentasiloxane~1.9–2.4%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A silicone that helps improve the product texture and spreadability. Can absorb oil creating a short-term mattifying effect on the skin
More about CyclopentasiloxaneAcrylamide/sodium acryloyldimethyltaurate copolymer~1.4–1.7%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps water and oil mix together and create gel-like textures
More about Acrylamide/sodium acryloyldimethyltaurate copolymerStearyl alcohol~1.3–1.6%
- Irritation risk
- Low
An emollient that helps soften the skin
More about Stearyl alcoholSucrose polycottonseedate~1.1–1.3%
Behenyl alcohol~1–1.2%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Non-drying alcohol that helps water and oil mix together. Also serves as an emollient
More about Behenyl alcoholC13-14 isoparaffin~0.9–1.1%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps soften the upper layer of the skin, dissolve other ingredients and create a thicker product consistency
More about C13-14 isoparaffinDmdm hydantoin~0.3–0.6%
- Irritation risk
- High
A preservative that releases formaldehyde and can be irritating
More about Dmdm hydantoinTocopheryl acetate~0.7–1.05%
- 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 acetateCetyl alcohol~0.8–1.2%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A non-drying alcohol that works to soften the skin and stabilize product formulations helping oil and water mix together
More about Cetyl alcoholPeg/ppg-20/20 dimethicone~0.7–1.05%
Laureth-7~0.65–0.95%
Steareth-2~0.6–0.95%
Disodium edta~0.55–0.85%
Triethoxycaprylylsilane~0.55–0.85%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A type of silicone that helps oil and water mix well together. Helps to disperse other ingredients, e.g. pigments, evenly in a formulation
More about TriethoxycaprylylsilaneOleth-3 phosphate~0.6–0.85%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
- Comedogenicity
- 3/5
Helps water and oil mix together
More about Oleth-3 phosphateIodopropynyl butylcarbamate~0.01–0.02%
Aloe barbadensis leaf extract~0.6–0.9%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Traditionally used to treat sunburns, dermatitis and inflammation, but evidence for its effectiveness is lacking. The extract can contain humectants that help attract water into the skin
More about Aloe barbadensis leaf extractWater~0.55–0.85%
Glycerin~0.55–0.8%
- 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 GlycerinIsohexadecane~0.6–0.9%
- 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 IsohexadecaneTocopheryl acetate~0.55–0.8%
- 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 acetateAloe barbadensis leaf extract~0.6–0.9%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Traditionally used to treat sunburns, dermatitis and inflammation, but evidence for its effectiveness is lacking. The extract can contain humectants that help attract water into the skin
More about Aloe barbadensis leaf extractSteareth-21~0.55–0.85%
Cyclopentasiloxane~0.45–0.7%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A silicone that helps improve the product texture and spreadability. Can absorb oil creating a short-term mattifying effect on the skin
More about CyclopentasiloxanePolyacrylamide~0.45–0.7%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Used to improve product texture and help oil and water mix together
More about PolyacrylamideStearyl alcohol~0.55–0.8%
- Irritation risk
- Low
An emollient that helps soften the skin
More about Stearyl alcoholBehenyl alcohol~0.45–0.7%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Non-drying alcohol that helps water and oil mix together. Also serves as an emollient
More about Behenyl alcoholC13-14 isoparaffin~0.45–0.7%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps soften the upper layer of the skin, dissolve other ingredients and create a thicker product consistency
More about C13-14 isoparaffinDmdm hydantoin~0.3–0.6%
- Irritation risk
- High
A preservative that releases formaldehyde and can be irritating
More about Dmdm hydantoinCetyl alcohol~0.5–0.75%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A non-drying alcohol that works to soften the skin and stabilize product formulations helping oil and water mix together
More about Cetyl alcoholPeg/ppg-20/20 dimethicone~0.4–0.6%
Steareth-2~0.35–0.65%
Disodium edta~0.25–0.45%
Laureth-7~0.2–0.4%
Triethoxycaprylylsilane~0.2–0.35%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A type of silicone that helps oil and water mix well together. Helps to disperse other ingredients, e.g. pigments, evenly in a formulation
More about TriethoxycaprylylsilaneOleth-3 phosphate~0.2–0.4%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
- Comedogenicity
- 3/5
Helps water and oil mix together
More about Oleth-3 phosphateIodopropynyl butylcarbamate~0.01–0.02%
Ethylhexyl methoxycinnamate~0.25–0.45%
- 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 methoxycinnamateZinc oxide~0.2–0.4%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A broad spectrum sunblock (protects from both UVA and UVB rays). Is suitable for most sensitive skins. In small concentrations, can be used as a colorant
More about Zinc oxideIngredient list view
Ethylhexyl methoxycinnamate, Zinc oxide, Tocopherol, Unknown, Water, Glycerin, Isohexadecane, Steareth-21, Cyclopentasiloxane, Acrylamide/sodium acryloyldimethyltaurate copolymer, Stearyl alcohol, Sucrose polycottonseedate, Behenyl alcohol, C13-14 isoparaffin, Dmdm hydantoin, Tocopheryl acetate, Cetyl alcohol, Peg/ppg-20/20 dimethicone, Laureth-7, Steareth-2, Disodium edta, Triethoxycaprylylsilane, Oleth-3 phosphate, Iodopropynyl butylcarbamate, Aloe barbadensis leaf extract, Water, Glycerin, Isohexadecane, Tocopheryl acetate, Aloe barbadensis leaf extract, Steareth-21, Cyclopentasiloxane, Polyacrylamide, Stearyl alcohol, Behenyl alcohol, C13-14 isoparaffin, Dmdm hydantoin, Cetyl alcohol, Peg/ppg-20/20 dimethicone, Steareth-2, Disodium edta, Laureth-7, Triethoxycaprylylsilane, Oleth-3 phosphate, Iodopropynyl butylcarbamate, Ethylhexyl methoxycinnamate, Zinc oxide
Compare prices
Retailers ranked by price — lowest first.
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.
| OlayComplete Lotion Moisturizer with SPF 15, SensitiveYOUR PRODUCT | CoverGirlSmoothers BB Cream with SPF 21, Fair to Light 805 | Clinicians ComplexTotal Sun Protection SPF 30+ | Up&UpMorning Facial Moisturizing Lotion with Sunscreen SPF 30 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Match | — | 45% | 44% | 44% |
| Price | $11.94 | $6.31−$5.63 | — | $25.69+$13.75 |
| Shared key ingredients | — | 3 of 5 | 3 of 5 | 3 of 5 |
| Key difference | — | Panthenol | Oxybenzone | Niacinamide |
| Irritancy | High | Medium | Medium | Low |
| SPF | SPF 15 | SPF 21 | SPF 30 | SPF 30 |
| Drying alcohol | — | — | — | — |
| View product | Shop | Shop | Shop |
More alternatives: Control Corrective Oil Free Sunscreen SPF 30SOBEL SKIN Rx Mineral-Based SPF 50 Sunscreen
Product summary
"Olay - Complete Lotion Moisturizer with SPF 15, Sensitive" "is a broad spectrum sunscreen meaning that it protects both from UVB rays (" burning "- they cause sunburn) and UVA rays (" aging "- they don't cause sunburn but lead to premature aging and pigmentation issues). However, this moisturizer does not offer enough sun protection. We recommend to use a sunscreen with at least SPF 30 daily.
It also works as a moisturizer, so you do not have to use an additional hydrating product.
Sunscreen filters
This is a" mixed "sunscreen in the sense that it uses both mineral and organic (so-called" chemical ") sun filters. The organic filters in the product are: octinoxate. As for the mineral filters, this sunscreen uses zinc oxide.
Irritation risk
We assess the overall irritancy of this moisturizer to be high. For a detailed overview of all potential irritants: click here
You can see the detailed formula review with the breakdown of all actives in the product and the full ingredient list with estimated concentrations in the tables below.
Price
The product retails for 68.50A$ in Australia, from 11.94$ up to 291.44$ in the United States and for 35.12£ 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 12 studies and safety reviews.
- 1A review of inorganic UV filters zinc oxide and titanium dioxideonlinelibrary.wiley.com
- 2
- 3
- 4
- 5
- 6Vitamin E in dermatologyncbi.nlm.nih.gov
Affiliate links · As an Amazon Associate, WIMJ earns from qualifying purchases.