Paul & Joe Suntan Body Primer SPF 6
Works for
1 of 2 advertised claims delivered
Sun protectionSPF 6 · 2 UV filters · Partial spectrumNo real protectionSPF too low
This product does not offer sun protection, or it is very low.
MoisturizingTriethylhexanoin, Dimethicone + 8 moreGood evidence
“Gives fresh moisture to skin that tends to dry with UV rays. Floral sweet scent.”
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, butylene glycol.
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: dimethicone, argania spinosa kernel oil.
Evens skin toneNot advertised by the brand · Pancratium maritimum extractModerate evidence
The following ingredient (ingredients) in this product might be helpful, but there is no evidence to confirm that it actually works: pancratium maritimum extract.
Can it cause trouble?
Irritancy2 strong irritants: Alcohol, ParfumMedium risk
Comedogenic2 ingredients rated 2 or more on the 0–5 pore-clogging scale2 flagged
User reviews
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Ingredients
Filter by role to see what each ingredient is doing.
Water~45–55%
Butylene glycol~7–8.6%
- 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~4.7–5.7%
- 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 GlycerinEthylhexyl methoxycinnamate~3.9–4.7%
- 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 methoxycinnamateTriethylhexanoin~2.2–2.7%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Helps soften the upper layer of the skin
More about TriethylhexanoinAlcohol~2–2.5%
- Irritation risk
- High
Can be drying and contribute to skin irritation. Used in formulars to dissolve other ingredients, create a thinner product consistency or for its antibacterial properties
More about AlcoholArgania spinosa kernel oil~1.7–2.1%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
An emollient that helps soften the upper layer of the skin. Might have some weak anti-oxidant properties
More about Argania spinosa kernel oilOlea europaea fruit oil~1.5–1.8%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
An emollient that helps soften the skin but is not effective for restoring its barrier function. Might be helpful to calm down inflammation
More about Olea europaea fruit oilSphacelaria scoparia extract~1.2–1.5%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Pancratium maritimum extract~0.95–1.15%
- Irritation risk
- High
A plant extract that might help neutralize free radicals in skin. It might help reduce hyperpigmentation
More about Pancratium maritimum extractBht~0.65–0.95%
Peg-80 hydrogenated castor oil~0.55–0.85%
Sodium acrylate/acrolein copolymer~0.5–0.75%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Acrylates/c10-30 alkyl acrylate crosspolymer~0.45–0.7%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Maintains the texture of skincare products. Allows the product to spread evenly. Helps oil and water mix together
More about Acrylates/c10-30 alkyl acrylate crosspolymerIsohexadecane~0.55–0.8%
- 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 IsohexadecaneSorbitan oleate~0.45–0.7%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
- Comedogenicity
- 2/5
Helps oil and water mix together
More about Sorbitan oleateDimethicone~0.45–0.7%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A silicone that helps to reduce water loss from the surface of the skin. Can temporarily "fill in" lines and wrinkles, absorb oil, and create a nice product finish
More about DimethiconeCetearyl alcohol~0.45–0.65%
- 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 alcoholTriceteareth-4 phosphate~0.35–0.6%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Helps oil and water mix together
More about Triceteareth-4 phosphateBehenyl alcohol~0.35–0.6%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Non-drying alcohol that helps water and oil mix together. Also serves as an emollient
More about Behenyl alcoholPolysorbate 80~0.25–0.5%
Petrolatum~0.3–0.5%
- Irritation risk
- Low
One of the most effective and the most studied occlusive ingredients that creates a protective layer on top of the skin preventing moisture loss
More about PetrolatumSodium hydroxide~0.2–0.4%
Hydrogenated rapeseed oil~0.25–0.45%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Phenoxyethanol~0.15–0.3%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A preservative. It helps prevent bacterial growth in cosmetic products
More about PhenoxyethanolParfum~0.1–0.2%
- Irritation risk
- High
An aromatic blend of unspecified and possibly irritating ingredients
More about ParfumMica~0.1–0.2%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Creates an illusion of smoother and more radiant skin tone. Adds shimmer to the skin by reflecting light
More about MicaTitanium dioxide~0.1–0.15%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Works as a UV filter when used in high concentrations. It is photostable and is effective mostly against the UVB light, with some protection in the UVA range. In small concentrations, used for its ability to improve the color of cosmetic products. Is usually well tolerated by the skin
More about Titanium dioxideIngredient list view
Water, Butylene glycol, Glycerin, Ethylhexyl methoxycinnamate, Triethylhexanoin, Alcohol, Argania spinosa kernel oil, Olea europaea fruit oil, Sphacelaria scoparia extract, Pancratium maritimum extract, Bht, Peg-80 hydrogenated castor oil, Sodium acrylate/acrolein copolymer, Acrylates/c10-30 alkyl acrylate crosspolymer, Isohexadecane, Sorbitan oleate, Dimethicone, Cetearyl alcohol, Triceteareth-4 phosphate, Behenyl alcohol, Polysorbate 80, Petrolatum, Sodium hydroxide, Hydrogenated rapeseed oil, Unknown, Phenoxyethanol, Parfum, Mica, Titanium dioxide
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Product summary
We do not recommend "Paul & Joe - Suntan Body Primer SPF 6" because it does not provide good UVA protection. UVA sun rays don't burn the skin, but they still lead to photoaging and hyperpigmentation.
Its formula is also hydrating, so you might not need an additional moistruizer during the day.
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. The UV filters in this sunscreen are: octinoxate 3.90% - 4.70%.
Irritation risk
There are some common irritants in this product, including ingredients that do not have benefits 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.
Price
The product retails for 55.80$ 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 8 studies and safety reviews.
- 1
- 2
- 3
- 4Use of “natural” oils for moisturization: Review of olive, coconut, and sunflower seed oilonlinelibrary.wiley.com
- 5
- 6Surfactants and experimental irritant contact dermatitisncbi.nlm.nih.gov
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