Physicians Formula Super BB All-in-1 Beauty Balm Cream SPF 30, Light
Works for
2 of 2 advertised claims delivered
Sun protectionSPF 30 · 2 UV filtersBroad spectrum
This product offers a good level of protection against both UVB and UVA rays.
It is a mineral sunscreen. In other words, it contains non-organic UV filters. It will probably not sting your eyes but might leave a white cast.
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-agingButyrospermum parkii butter, Tetrahexyldecyl ascorbateStrong evidence
“COVERGIRL Smoothers Lightweight BB Cream, 810 Light to Medium, 1.35 fl oz, BB Cream with SPF, BB Cream Foundation, Improves Skin Elasticity, Blends Effortlessly with Skin Tone, Lightweight Formula”
This product can help prevent early signs of skin aging because it offers a good level of broad spectrum sun protection. Sun damage is the main cause of premature skin aging, and protecting your skin from the sun is the best anti-aging strategy.
Evens skin toneNot advertised by the brand · Tetrahexyldecyl ascorbateStrong evidence
This product offers broad spectrum sun protection. It means that it can prevent hyperpigmentation and help keep the skin tone even (sun damage is the main factor causing age spots, darkening of post-acne marks and other discolorations).
MoisturizingNot advertised by the brand · Caprylic/capric triglyceride, Glycerin + 12 moreGood evidence
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: caprylic/capric triglyceride, dimethicone.
Can it cause trouble?
Irritancy16 flagged ingredientsLow risk
Comedogenic3 ingredients rated 2 or more on the 0–5 pore-clogging scale3 flagged
User reviews
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Ingredients
Filter by role to see what each ingredient is doing.
Zinc oxide2.94%
- 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%
Cyclopentasiloxane~7.4–9%
- 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 CyclopentasiloxaneCaprylic/capric triglyceride~5.3–6.4%
- 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 triglycerideButylene glycol~3.1–3.8%
- 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 glycolBis-peg/ppg-14/14 dimethicone~2.3–2.8%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Helps water and oil mix together
More about Bis-peg/ppg-14/14 dimethiconeDimethicone~2–2.4%
- 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 DimethiconeC30-45 alkyl cetearyl dimethicone crosspolymer~1.7–2%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps to create a nice silky product texture
More about C30-45 alkyl cetearyl dimethicone crosspolymerPeg-10 dimethicone~1.5–1.9%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A silicone that works to soften the upper layer of the skin and reduce its water loss
More about Peg-10 dimethiconeCetearyl alcohol~1.3–1.6%
- 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 alcoholGlycerin~1.1–1.3%
- 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 GlycerinCalcium aluminum borosilicate~0.75–1.15%
Methyl methacrylate crosspolymer~0.65–0.95%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps thicken the product consistency
More about Methyl methacrylate crosspolymerSodium chloride~0.6–0.9%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Used to stabilize mixtures of oil and water, and create thicker, gel-like product textures
More about Sodium chlorideButyrospermum parkii butter~0.55–0.8%
- Irritation risk
- Low
- Comedogenicity
- 3/5
A great moisturising ingredient that softens the skin and reduces water loss from its upper layer. It also can be helpful in protecting skin from free radicals
More about Butyrospermum parkii butterFomes officinalis extract~0.45–0.7%
- Irritation risk
- High
A fungus extract that can help to create a temporary tightening feeling on the skin
More about Fomes officinalis extractAdipic acid/neopentyl glycol crosspolymer~0.5–0.75%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps optically blurr skin imperfections such as fine lines and pores
More about Adipic acid/neopentyl glycol crosspolymerVp/va copolymer~0.45–0.7%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Used to stabilize product formulation and create a nice product consistency
More about Vp/va copolymerTetrahexyldecyl ascorbate~0.45–0.65%
- 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 ascorbateTocopheryl acetate~0.35–0.65%
- 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 acetateAlumina~0.5–0.7%
- Irritation risk
- Low
The same compound that is used safely in dental implants and bone cements. In cosmetics, it is used to improve the consistency of products
More about AluminaAluminum chlorohydrate~0.3–0.55%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Used to help evenly disperse other ingredients (for example, pigment) in a formulation. Can create a temporary tightening effect on the skin
More about Aluminum chlorohydrateAmodimethicone~0.3–0.55%
Caprylyl glycol~0.3–0.5%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Helps preserve products and creates a nice product texture
More about Caprylyl glycolCastor oil phosphate~0.25–0.5%
Disodium edta~0.25–0.45%
Disteardimonium hectorite~0.25–0.5%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A type of clay that is used to thicken the product consistency
More about Disteardimonium hectoriteGlyceryl stearate se~0.25–0.5%
- Irritation risk
- Low
- Comedogenicity
- 2/5
Used to stabilize the product formulations and works as an emollient
More about Glyceryl stearate seHydroxypropyl methylcellulose~0.25–0.5%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Used to create a thicker product consistency and stabilize the formulation
More about Hydroxypropyl methylcelluloseLaureth-12~0.25–0.45%
Mica~0.25–0.45%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Creates an illusion of smoother and more radiant skin tone. Adds shimmer to the skin by reflecting light
More about MicaNeopentyl glycol diheptanoate~0.25–0.45%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps soften the upper layer of the skin and create a nice product consistency
More about Neopentyl glycol diheptanoatePeg/ppg-18/18 dimethicone~0.25–0.45%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A silicone that mixes with water creating nice light-weight product texture
More about Peg/ppg-18/18 dimethiconePeg-40 hydrogenated castor oil~0.25–0.45%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Helps oil and water mix together
More about Peg-40 hydrogenated castor oilPolysilicone-11~0.25–0.45%
- 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 60~0.25–0.45%
Propylene carbonate~0.25–0.45%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Is used to dissolve other ingredients and create nice product texture
More about Propylene carbonateSilica~0.3–0.6%
Sodium hydroxide~0.2–0.4%
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 TriethoxycaprylylsilaneXanthan gum~0.2–0.4%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Used to create a thicker product consistency
More about Xanthan gumChlorphenesin~0.1–0.2%
Ethylhexylglycerin~0.15–0.25%
Hexylene glycol~0.15–0.25%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Helps create a more spreadable product texture
More about Hexylene glycolPhenoxyethanol~0.15–0.3%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A preservative. It helps prevent bacterial growth in cosmetic products
More about PhenoxyethanolIron oxides~0.1–0.15%
- Irritation risk
- Low
An umbrella term for the following three colorants: CI 77491, CI 77492, CI 77499. They might be able to offer some protection against visible light, but the degree of the protection is not clear
More about Iron oxidesTitanium dioxide5.76%
- 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
Zinc oxide, Water, Cyclopentasiloxane, Caprylic/capric triglyceride, Butylene glycol, Bis-peg/ppg-14/14 dimethicone, Dimethicone, C30-45 alkyl cetearyl dimethicone crosspolymer, Peg-10 dimethicone, Cetearyl alcohol, Glycerin, Calcium aluminum borosilicate, Methyl methacrylate crosspolymer, Sodium chloride, Butyrospermum parkii butter, Fomes officinalis extract, Adipic acid/neopentyl glycol crosspolymer, Vp/va copolymer, Tetrahexyldecyl ascorbate, Tocopheryl acetate, Alumina, Aluminum chlorohydrate, Amodimethicone, Caprylyl glycol, Castor oil phosphate, Disodium edta, Disteardimonium hectorite, Glyceryl stearate se, Hydroxypropyl methylcellulose, Laureth-12, Mica, Neopentyl glycol diheptanoate, Peg/ppg-18/18 dimethicone, Peg-40 hydrogenated castor oil, Polysilicone-11, Polysorbate 60, Propylene carbonate, Silica, Sodium hydroxide, Triethoxycaprylylsilane, Xanthan gum, Chlorphenesin, Ethylhexylglycerin, Hexylene glycol, Phenoxyethanol, Iron oxides, Titanium dioxide
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Worth comparing, line by line.
Match % combines shared ingredients, the first five ingredients, shared actives and hero ingredients, irritancy (lower counts in the alternative's favour), texture and body area. Only products in the same routine step are compared.
| Physicians Formula Super BBAll-in-1 Beauty Balm Cream SPF 30, LightYOUR PRODUCT | Image skincarePREVENTION+ SPF32+ Daily Matte Moisturizer | |
|---|---|---|
| Match | — | 50% |
| Price | $15.99 | — |
| Shared key ingredients | — | 5 of 12 |
| Key difference | — | Panthenol |
| Irritancy | Low | Low |
| SPF | SPF 30 | SPF 32 |
| Drying alcohol | — | — |
| View product | Shop |
Product summary
We assess that "Physicians Formula Super BB - All-in-1 Beauty Balm Cream SPF 30, Light" can provide reliable sun protection based on the ingredient list. We love that it can protect from both UVA and UVB rays (not all sunscreens with SPF ratings give UVA protection. UVA rays do not cause sunburn, but still damage our skin and lead to early aging).
Because it includes good moisturizing ingredients, it can also work as a hydrating day cream. Like all broad-spectrum sunscreens, this product helps prevent early signs of aging.
Sunscreen filters
This moisturizer is a mineral sunscreen. It uses titanium dioxide and zinc oxide for sun protection. Both titanium dioxide and zinc oxide almost never irritate even the most sensitive skin and eyes, but can leave a white cast.
Irritation risk
This formulation includes some common irritants, including ingredients that do not provide a benefit for the skin. We assess the overall irritancy of this moisturizer to be medium. For a detailed overview of all potential irritants: click here
You can see the detailed formula review with the breakdown of all actives in the product and the full ingredient list with estimated concentrations in the tables below.
Price
The product retails for 49.95A$ in Australia and from 15.99$ up to 18.28$ 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 14 studies and safety reviews.
- 1A review of inorganic UV filters zinc oxide and titanium dioxideonlinelibrary.wiley.com
- 2
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- 4
- 5
- 6
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