Perricone MD Photo Plasma Anti-Aging Broad Spectrum SPF 30 Cream
Works for
1 of 2 advertised claims delivered
Sun protectionSPF 30 · 1 UV filter · Partial spectrumWeak protectionLow filter dose
This product does not offer good protection against UVA rays.
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-aging3 ingredients credited for this claimModerate support
“Photo Plasma Anti-Aging Broad Spectrum SPF 30 Cream”
This product contains astaxanthin. This ingredient might be able to help reduce and prevent fine lines and wrinkles, improve skin elasticity and firmness, but there is not enough evidence that it actually works. 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).
Anti-oxidationNot advertised by the brand · 4 ingredients credited for this claimStrong support
This product contains antioxidants (astaxanthin, thioctic acid) that can help neutralize free radicals in skin. By doing so, they can lessen the damage the skin gets from the UV light (sun).
MoisturizingNot advertised by the brand · 8 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: dimethicone, cyclopentasiloxane.
Can it cause trouble?
Irritancy12 flagged ingredientsLow risk
ComedogenicClean of flagged comedogenic ingredientsNone flagged
User reviews
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Ingredients
Filter by role to see what each ingredient is doing.
Water~40–60%
Glycerin~4.1–6.1%
- 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 GlycerinCyclopentasiloxane~3.7–5.5%
- 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 CyclopentasiloxaneDimethicone~2.7–4.1%
- 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 DimethiconePentylene glycol~2.1–3.1%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Used to preserve products, dissolve other ingredients and create a nice product texture
More about Pentylene glycolTitanium dioxide~2.1–3.1%
- 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 dioxideEthylhexyl methoxycrylene~1.4–2.1%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Helps improve stability of sunscreen filters and boost their effectiveness
More about Ethylhexyl methoxycrylenePolyester-8~1.3–1.9%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Used to stabilize product formulations and individual ingredients (for example, sunscreens). Can be an allergen
More about Polyester-8Polyglyceryl-3 polydimethylsiloxyethyl dimethicone~1–1.5%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Hydroxyethyl acrylate/sodium acryloyldimethyl taurate copolymer~0.8–1.25%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
A gelling agent that thickens the product consistency and leaves the skin with a velvety finish
More about Hydroxyethyl acrylate/sodium acryloyldimethyl taurate copolymerBenzyl alcohol~0.45–1%
- Irritation risk
- High
A preservative. Can be used to mask unpleasant smell. Can be irritating
More about Benzyl alcoholAluminum hydroxide~0.45–1.1%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Is used to add opaque (non-transparent) appearance to formulations. Can be used to coat other ingredients for even dispersion. This is a different ingredient compared to the ones used in antipersperants (aluminium chloride and aluminium chlorohydrate)
More about Aluminum hydroxideStearic acid~0.45–1.05%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps oil and water mix together and works as an emollient
More about Stearic acidDiethylhexyl syringylidenemalonate~0.35–0.8%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Used to stabilize the product formulation
More about Diethylhexyl syringylidenemalonateHydrogenated lecithin~0.3–0.75%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps to retain moisture by creating a protective barrier on the skin. Rich in fatty acids. Improves product texture and helps with the penetration of other ingredients.
More about Hydrogenated lecithinIsohexadecane~0.4–0.9%
- 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 IsohexadecaneBisabolol~0.15–0.7%
- Irritation risk
- Low
An active component of chamomile plant that historically has been used to calm down irritated skin. A recent study shows that bisabolol indeed can have some anti-inflammatory effect on skin, even though conclusive data is lacking. Bisabolol has a sweet floral scent and can be added to products for its aromatic properties
More about BisabololTetrahexyldecyl ascorbate~0.15–0.7%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Being a lipid soluble form of vitamin C, it is more stable than ascorbic acid, but still degrades quickly and needs to be stabilized in a formulation with another ingredient. It is claimed to penetrate skin better than pure vitamin C and have the the similar benefits, but solid studies of its effectiveness are lacking. Is likely to require a higher concentration in a product than pure vitamin C to be effective. It might be able to help reduce pore clogging.
More about Tetrahexyldecyl ascorbatePhenoxyethanol~0.15–0.55%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A preservative. It helps prevent bacterial growth in cosmetic products
More about PhenoxyethanolPolysilicone-11~0.15–0.55%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A silicone that forms a light film on the skin surface helping to bind water and temporarily absorb oils creating a matt and powdery feel
More about Polysilicone-11Polysorbate 60~0.15–0.5%
Caprylic/capric triglyceride~0.15–0.55%
- 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 triglycerideSodium benzoate~0.05–0.3%
Potassium sorbate~0.05–0.25%
Xanthan gum~0.05–0.25%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Used to create a thicker product consistency
More about Xanthan gumHydrogenated phosphatidylcholine~0.05–0.2%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Helps oil and water mix together
More about Hydrogenated phosphatidylcholineThioctic acid~0.05–0.15%
Astaxanthin~0.05–0.1%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Helps neutralize free radicals in skin and might help to calm down inflammation
More about AstaxanthinIngredient list view
Water, Glycerin, Cyclopentasiloxane, Dimethicone, Pentylene glycol, Titanium dioxide, Ethylhexyl methoxycrylene, Polyester-8, Polyglyceryl-3 polydimethylsiloxyethyl dimethicone, Hydroxyethyl acrylate/sodium acryloyldimethyl taurate copolymer, Benzyl alcohol, Aluminum hydroxide, Stearic acid, Diethylhexyl syringylidenemalonate, Hydrogenated lecithin, Isohexadecane, Bisabolol, Tetrahexyldecyl ascorbate, Phenoxyethanol, Polysilicone-11, Polysorbate 60, Caprylic/capric triglyceride, Sodium benzoate, Potassium sorbate, Xanthan gum, Hydrogenated phosphatidylcholine, Thioctic acid, Astaxanthin
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Product summary
We do not recommend "Perricone MD - Photo Plasma Anti-Aging Broad Spectrum SPF 30 Cream" because it does not provide good UVA protection. UVA sun rays don't burn the skin, but they still lead to photoaging and hyperpigmentation.
It also works as a moisturizer, so you do not have to use an additional hydrating product.
Sunscreen filters
This moisturizer is a mineral sunscreen. It uses titanium dioxide for sun protection. Titanium dioxide almost never irritates the skin or stings eyes, but it can leave a white cast.
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 moisturizer to be low. 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 "Perricone MD" is cruelty free and so is its parent company.
Sources cited in this review
Every concentration estimate and effectiveness label is anchored to one of these 11 studies and safety reviews.
- 1
- 2
- 3Final Report on the Safety Assessment of Dimethicone Copolyoljournals.sagepub.com
- 4
- 5
- 6
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