Physicians Formula Natural Defense Protect Your Primer Oil, SPF 15
Works for
0 of 2 advertised claims delivered
Sun protectionSPF 15 · 4 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.
Anti-agingNo ingredient credited for this claimLimited support
“This miracle blurring formula features our 360° Total Defense Complex to defend against harmful sunrays (SPF), blue light (RPFTM), and pollution (PPFTM), helping to reduce the signs of aging, while minimizing the appearance of pores, and imperfections for smoother foundation application and longer makeup wear.”
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).
MoisturizingNot advertised by the brand · 6 ingredients credited for this claimGood support
This product can help soften the skin and reduce its moisture loss with emollients and occlusives: caprylic/capric triglyceride, c12-15 alkyl benzoate.
Keep in mind that this product does not contain effective ingredients to attract water to the upper layer of the skin. This is why an additional product with humectants like glycerin or hyaluronic acid can be helpful (apply it before this product for the best results).
Can it cause trouble?
Irritancy1 strong irritant: ParfumMedium 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.
Butyl methoxydibenzoylmethane3%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Avobenzone. An organic, or so-called "chemical" UV filter. Protects against both UVA and UVB rays. Needs to be combined with other filters in a formulation to be stable.
More about Butyl methoxydibenzoylmethaneEthylhexyl methoxycinnamate7.4%
- 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 methoxycinnamateEthylhexyl salicylate4%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Octisalate. A UV filter. It offers some protection against the sun rays that cause sunburn (UVB), but does not protect against the most aging sun rays (UVA). It loses its effectiveness quickly when exposed to sunlight. It is an organic, or so called "chemical" sunscreen
More about Ethylhexyl salicylateOctocrylene8%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
A weak sunscreen that protects against the sun rays that cause sunburn (UVB) and is somewhat effective against the UVA rays. It is quite stable and can help stabilize other, more vulnerable, sunscreen ingredients like Avobenzone. It is an organic, or so called "chemical" sunscreen
More about OctocryleneCaprylic/capric triglyceride~22–34%
- 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 triglycerideC12-15 alkyl benzoate~5.3–8%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Enhances the product texture and makes it more spreadable. Helps reduce water loss from the outer layer of skin. Extands the shelf life by preventing bacteria growth
More about C12-15 alkyl benzoateCyclopentasiloxane~4.5–6.7%
- 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 CyclopentasiloxaneBrassica campestris/aleurites fordi oil copolymer~4–5.9%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Tocopheryl acetate~2.7–4.1%
- 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 acetateParfum~1.7–2.6%
- Irritation risk
- High
An aromatic blend of unspecified and possibly irritating ingredients
More about ParfumBht~1.5–2.2%
Water~1.1–1.6%
Phenoxyethanol~0.5–1%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A preservative. It helps prevent bacterial growth in cosmetic products
More about PhenoxyethanolCaprylyl glycol~0.6–1.35%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Helps preserve products and creates a nice product texture
More about Caprylyl glycolEthylhexylglycerin~0.4–0.9%
Hexylene glycol~0.2–0.7%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Helps create a more spreadable product texture
More about Hexylene glycolLecithin~0.35–0.75%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Used mostly for creating emulsions - helping oil and water mix together. Helps soften the upper layer of the skin
More about LecithinPlankton extract~0.15–0.55%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
- Comedogenicity
- 3/5
Can help attract water to the upper layer of the skin
More about Plankton extractIngredient list view
Butyl methoxydibenzoylmethane, Ethylhexyl methoxycinnamate, Ethylhexyl salicylate, Octocrylene, Caprylic/capric triglyceride, C12-15 alkyl benzoate, Cyclopentasiloxane, Brassica campestris/aleurites fordi oil copolymer, Tocopheryl acetate, Parfum, Bht, Water, Phenoxyethanol, Caprylyl glycol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Hexylene glycol, Lecithin, Plankton extract
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Product summary
"Physicians Formula - Natural Defense Protect Your Primer Oil, SPF 15" 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 product is not high enough. 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 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. These are the sun protection ingredients in this sunscreen: avobenzone 3.00% (declared), octinoxate 7.40% (declared), octisalate 4.00% (declared) and octocrylene 8.00% (declared).
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 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 from 10.00$ up to 11.00$ in the United States.
For a detailed price comparison: click here.
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