Olay Lotion Moisturizer with SPF 15 Sensitive Skin Fragrance-Free
Works for
1 of 3 advertised claims delivered
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 + 5 moreGood evidence
“Lotion Moisturizer with SPF 15 Sensitive Skin Fragrance-Free”
This product contains good ingredients to attract water to the upper layer of the skin. These ingredients are called "humectants": glycerin, aloe barbadensis leaf extract.
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-agingTOCOPHEROLLimited evidence
“Protect against the #1 cause of aging skin-damage from the sun.”
This product does not contain ingredients that are able to reduce fine lines and wrinkles or help with skin elasticity, but it can improve the look of the skin temporarily through moisturization. Well-moisturized skin might also be able to repair the sun damage better.
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 butylcarbamateMedium 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.
Ethylhexyl methoxycinnamate6%
- 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 oxide3%
- 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 oxideWater~45–55%
Glycerin~6.1–7.5%
- 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~5.1–6.2%
- 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 IsohexadecaneAloe barbadensis leaf extract~4.6–5.6%
- 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 extractTocopheryl acetate~3.7–4.5%
- 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 acetateSteareth-21~3–3.6%
Cyclopentasiloxane~2.6–3.1%
- 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~1.9–2.4%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Used to improve product texture and help oil and water mix together
More about PolyacrylamideStearyl alcohol~1.5–1.9%
- Irritation risk
- Low
An emollient that helps soften the skin
More about Stearyl alcoholC13-14 isoparaffin~1.3–1.5%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps soften the upper layer of the skin, dissolve other ingredients and create a thicker product consistency
More about C13-14 isoparaffinBehenyl alcohol~1.1–1.3%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Non-drying alcohol that helps water and oil mix together. Also serves as an emollient
More about Behenyl alcoholDmdm hydantoin~0.3–0.6%
- Irritation risk
- High
A preservative that releases formaldehyde and can be irritating
More about Dmdm hydantoinCetyl alcohol~1–1.2%
- 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~0.65–1%
Laureth-7~0.5–0.8%
Steareth-2~0.4–0.6%
Disodium edta~0.25–0.45%
Triethoxycaprylylsilane~0.2–0.4%
- 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~0.15–0.25%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
- Comedogenicity
- 3/5
Helps water and oil mix together
More about Oleth-3 phosphateBht~0.1–0.2%
Iodopropynyl butylcarbamate~0.01–0.02%
Ingredient list view
Ethylhexyl methoxycinnamate, Zinc oxide, Water, Glycerin, Isohexadecane, Aloe barbadensis leaf extract, Tocopheryl acetate, Steareth-21, Cyclopentasiloxane, Polyacrylamide, Stearyl alcohol, C13-14 isoparaffin, Behenyl alcohol, Dmdm hydantoin, Cetyl alcohol, Peg/ppg-20/20 dimethicone, Laureth-7, Steareth-2, Disodium edta, Triethoxycaprylylsilane, Oleth-3 phosphate, Bht, Iodopropynyl butylcarbamate
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Product summary
"Olay - Lotion Moisturizer with SPF 15 Sensitive Skin Fragrance-Free" 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 sunscreen is not high enough. We recommend to use a sunscreen with at least SPF 30 daily.
It should also be hydrating enough to use without an additional moisturizer during the day.
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
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.
Price
The product retails from 11.99$ up to 16.99$ 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 10 studies and safety reviews.
- 1A review of inorganic UV filters zinc oxide and titanium dioxideonlinelibrary.wiley.com
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