Pai Skincare Pai British Summer Time Zinc & Cotton Extract SPF30 Sunscreen
Works for
0 of 1 advertised claim delivered
Sun protectionSPF 30 · 1 UV filter · Broad spectrumWeak protectionLow zinc dose
This product uses a single UV filter (zinc oxide) in a relatively low concentration and might not be able to provide a reliable sun protection.
This product can be considered "reef safe" because it does not contain the UV filters (oxybenzone and octinoxate) that can be harmful to coral reefs when present in the water in high concentrations.
Anti-oxidationNot advertised by the brand · 2 ingredients credited for this claimModerate support
This product contains antioxidants (squalene) that might be able to help neutralize free radicals in skin to lessen the damage it gets from the UV light (sun). There is not enough evidence to confirm their effectiveness in skin though.
MoisturizingNot advertised by the brand · 12 ingredients credited for this claimGood support
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.
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: caprylic/capric triglyceride, simmondsia chinensis seed oil.
Can it cause trouble?
Irritancy5 strong irritants: Vanilla planifolia fruit extract, Citrus nobilis peel oil + 3 more — patch-test recommendedHigh risk
Comedogenic4 ingredients rated 2 or more on the 0–5 pore-clogging scale4 flagged
User reviews
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Ingredients
Filter by role to see what each ingredient is doing.
Water~45–55%
Zinc oxide~12–15%
- 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 oxideCaprylic/capric triglyceride~5.9–7.2%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
A good mix of fatty acids that forms a protective layer on the skin. Improves the shelf life of products. Derived from coconut and glycerin
More about Caprylic/capric triglycerideCetearyl alcohol~3.2–4%
- 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 alcoholCoconut alkanes~3.1–3.8%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
- Comedogenicity
- 2/5
An emollient that helps soften the skin
More about Coconut alkanesPongamia glabra seed oil~2.6–3.2%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A plant oil that helps soften the upper layer of the skin
More about Pongamia glabra seed oilGlycerin~2.4–3%
- 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 GlycerinCoco-glucoside~1.9–2.3%
- Irritation risk
- High
Used as a cleansing agent (surfactant) in cleansers. Helps water and oil mix together in lotions. Can be irritating
More about Coco-glucosideGossypium herbaceum callus culture~1.4–1.8%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Gossypium herbaceum extract~1.1–1.4%
- Irritation risk
- Low
- Comedogenicity
- 3/5
Simmondsia chinensis seed oil~1–1.3%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Softens the upper layer of skin and helps restore the healthy skin barrier. Has shown to help calm down inflammation in skin. It is a stable oil, meaning that it retains its properties even when exposed to air.
More about Simmondsia chinensis seed oilPolyglyceryl-3 polyricinoleate~0.75–1.15%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Helps oil and water mix together
More about Polyglyceryl-3 polyricinoleateHelianthus annuus seed wax~0.7–1.05%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps soften the upper layer of the skin and support skin's barrier function while creating a thicker product consistency
More about Helianthus annuus seed waxPolyhydroxystearic acid~0.7–1.05%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Used to create a thicker product consistency and stabilize the formulation
More about Polyhydroxystearic acidAcacia senegal gum~0.65–0.95%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Helps mask the small of other ingredients and improve the product texture
More about Acacia senegal gumBentonite~0.65–0.95%
Xanthan gum~0.6–0.95%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Used to create a thicker product consistency
More about Xanthan gumLecithin~0.6–0.9%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Used mostly for creating emulsions - helping oil and water mix together. Helps soften the upper layer of the skin
More about LecithinC18-21 alkane~0.55–0.8%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Vanilla planifolia fruit extract~0.5–0.75%
- Irritation risk
- High
A plant extract used as a fragrance. Can be irritating
More about Vanilla planifolia fruit extractDiethyl sebacate~0.5–0.75%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Isostearic acid~0.55–0.85%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Used to create a nice product texture
More about Isostearic acidTocopherol~0.5–0.7%
- 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 TocopherolBeta-sitosterol~0.45–0.7%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A phytosterol that can support skin's barrier function and help the skin stay hydrated
More about Beta-sitosterolCitric acid~0.45–0.65%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Can work as an exfoliant but is typically used to adjust the product pH
More about Citric acidCitrus nobilis peel oil~0.4–0.6%
- Irritation risk
- High
A plant oil with high content of volatile compounds that, especially when exposed to air, can cause allergic reactions and irritate the skin
More about Citrus nobilis peel oilCitrus reticulata extract~0.4–0.6%
- Irritation risk
- High
Squalene~0.45–0.65%
- Irritation risk
- Low
- Comedogenicity
- 2/5
An oil that is naturally part of skin sebum that helps to soften its upper layer, reduce water loss and neutralize free radicals. It might be comedogenic. Avoid applying large concentrations (or pure oil) before sun exposure as oxidized squalene can clog pores and lead to skin irritation. Today squalene is mostly derived from vegetable oils or synthetized by yeast
More about SqualeneQuartz~0.45–0.65%
Benzyl alcohol~0.15–0.3%
- Irritation risk
- High
A preservative. Can be used to mask unpleasant smell. Can be irritating
More about Benzyl alcoholLactic acid~0.2–0.35%
- 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 acidSodium hydroxide~0.15–0.3%
Phenethyl alcohol~0.15–0.25%
Limonene~0.1–0.15%
- Irritation risk
- High
A common frangrance that can easily irritate skin, especially if exposed to air, light or heat
More about LimoneneLinalool~0.05–0.1%
Ingredient list view
Water, Zinc oxide, Caprylic/capric triglyceride, Cetearyl alcohol, Coconut alkanes, Pongamia glabra seed oil, Glycerin, Coco-glucoside, Gossypium herbaceum callus culture, Gossypium herbaceum extract, Simmondsia chinensis seed oil, Polyglyceryl-3 polyricinoleate, Helianthus annuus seed wax, Polyhydroxystearic acid, Acacia senegal gum, Bentonite, Xanthan gum, Lecithin, C18-21 alkane, Vanilla planifolia fruit extract, Diethyl sebacate, Isostearic acid, Tocopherol, Beta-sitosterol, Citric acid, Citrus nobilis peel oil, Citrus reticulata extract, Unknown, Squalene, Quartz, Benzyl alcohol, Lactic acid, Sodium hydroxide, Phenethyl alcohol, Limonene, Linalool
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Product summary
"Pai Skincare - Pai British Summer Time Zinc & Cotton Extract SPF30 Sunscreen" uses a single UV filter (zinc oxide) in a relatively low concentration and might not be able to provide reliable sun protection.
It also works as a moisturizer, so you do not have to use an additional hydrating product.
Sunscreen filters
This sunscreen is a mineral sunscreen. It uses zinc oxide for sun protection. Zinc oxide almost never irritates the skin or stings eyes, but it can leave a white cast.
Irritation risk
This product contains a bunch of common irritants, including ingredients that do not provide any known benefit for the skin. It might not be the best choice if your skin is sensitive. We assess the overall irritancy of this product 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.
About the brand
According to Cruelty-Free Kitty "Pai Skincare" is cruelty free and so is its parent company.
Price
The product retails for 29.00£ 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 23 studies and safety reviews.
- 1A review of inorganic UV filters zinc oxide and titanium dioxideonlinelibrary.wiley.com
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