Rare Beauty by Selena Gomez Positive Light Tinted Moisturizer Broad Spectrum SPF 20
Works for
1 of 4 advertised claims delivered
Sun protectionSPF 20 · 3 UV filters · Partial spectrumWeak protectionSPF under 30
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.
MoisturizingHelianthus annuus seed oil, Dimethicone + 8 moreGood evidence
“Positive Light Tinted Moisturizer Broad Spectrum SPF 20”
This product can help soften the skin and reduce its moisture loss with emollients and occlusives: dimethicone, helianthus annuus seed oil.
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).
Anti-agingTocopherol, Ascorbyl palmitateLimited evidence
“It instantly blurs and evens out skin tone while reducing the look of pores and fine lines.”
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).
Evens skin toneNo ingredient credited for this claimLimited evidence
“It instantly blurs and evens out skin tone while reducing the look of pores and fine lines.”
This product contains ingredients () that could help reduce hyperpigmentation (for example, post-acne marks or age spots) in theory, but there is not enough evidence that they actually work.
The biggest effect for evening out skin tone in this product comes from sun protection. Sun damage is the main factor causing age spots, darkening of post-acne marks and other discolorations. This is why sun protection is the best strategy for maintaining an even skin tone. We, however, do not recommend using this product as a sunscreen because the protection it offers is not strong enough).
Can it cause trouble?
Irritancy2 strong irritants: Gardenia florida fruit extract, Nelumbo nucifera flower extractMedium risk
ComedogenicClean of flagged comedogenic ingredientsNone flagged
User reviews
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Ingredients
Filter by role to see what each ingredient is doing.
Homosalate9%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
A weak sunscreen that offers some protection against the sun rays that cause sunburn (UVB), but does not offer meaningful protection against 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. When used in low concentrations, helps to stabilize the product formulation
More about HomosalateZinc oxide0.9%
- 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%
Dimethicone~6.9–8.4%
- 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 DimethiconeTalc~6.5–7.9%
C12-15 alkyl benzoate~5.2–6.3%
- 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 benzoateIsododecane~4.2–5.1%
- Irritation risk
- Low
An emollient that helps soften the skin and can decrease moisture loss. Helps create a nice product texture
More about IsododecaneCetyl peg/ppg-10/1 dimethicone~3.2–3.9%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A type of silicone that helps water and oil mix together. Can help to soften upper layer of the skin
More about Cetyl peg/ppg-10/1 dimethiconeIsopentyldiol~2.6–3.2%
Sorbitol~2.1–2.5%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps attract water to the upper layer of the skin and improves the product texture
More about SorbitolTocopheryl acetate~1.5–1.9%
- 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 acetatePhenoxyethanol~0.5–1%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A preservative. It helps prevent bacterial growth in cosmetic products
More about PhenoxyethanolSodium chloride~1.2–1.4%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Used to stabilize mixtures of oil and water, and create thicker, gel-like product textures
More about Sodium chlorideDimethicone/vinyl dimethicone crosspolymer~1–1.2%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Used to stabilize product formulations and create a nice product texture
More about Dimethicone/vinyl dimethicone crosspolymerMagnesium sulfate~1–1.2%
Sodium dehydroacetate~0.3–0.6%
Hydrogen dimethicone~1–1.2%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps the function of sunscreen and pigment ingredients in the formulation
More about Hydrogen dimethiconePotassium sorbate~0.3–0.6%
Disteardimonium hectorite~0.75–1.15%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A type of clay that is used to thicken the product consistency
More about Disteardimonium hectoriteLecithin~0.9–1.1%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Used mostly for creating emulsions - helping oil and water mix together. Helps soften the upper layer of the skin
More about LecithinBenzoic acid~0.25–0.5%
Aluminum hydroxide~0.65–1%
- 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 hydroxideAlumina~0.7–1%
- 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 AluminaDehydroacetic acid~0.3–0.6%
Propylene carbonate~0.6–0.85%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Is used to dissolve other ingredients and create nice product texture
More about Propylene carbonateHelianthus annuus seed oil~0.6–0.85%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A great emollient due to its high linoleic acid content. One of the most effective plant oils in helping skin hydration and repairing skin barrier function
More about Helianthus annuus seed oilTriethoxycaprylylsilane~0.5–0.8%
- 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 TriethoxycaprylylsilaneTocopherol~0.5–0.75%
- 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 TocopherolEthylhexylglycerin~0.45–0.65%
Ascorbyl palmitate~0.4–0.6%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Being a lipid soluble form of vitamin C, it is more stable and can penetrate the skin better than L-Ascorbic acid. It is effective in protecting the skin from free radicals, as well as evening the skin tone, but is less effective in stimulating collagen production compared to L-Ascorbic acid.
More about Ascorbyl palmitateCitric acid~0.3–0.6%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Can work as an exfoliant but is typically used to adjust the product pH
More about Citric acidGardenia florida fruit extract~0.25–0.5%
- Irritation risk
- High
Used as a fragrance. Can be irritating.
More about Gardenia florida fruit extractNelumbo nucifera flower extract~0.2–0.4%
Nymphaea odorata root extract~0.2–0.4%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Titanium dioxide1.8%
- 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 dioxideCi 77891~0.15–0.3%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Iron oxides~0.15–0.25%
- 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 oxidesIngredient list view
Homosalate, Zinc oxide, Water, Dimethicone, Talc, C12-15 alkyl benzoate, Isododecane, Cetyl peg/ppg-10/1 dimethicone, Isopentyldiol, Sorbitol, Tocopheryl acetate, Phenoxyethanol, Sodium chloride, Dimethicone/vinyl dimethicone crosspolymer, Magnesium sulfate, Sodium dehydroacetate, Hydrogen dimethicone, Potassium sorbate, Disteardimonium hectorite, Lecithin, Benzoic acid, Aluminum hydroxide, Alumina, Dehydroacetic acid, Propylene carbonate, Helianthus annuus seed oil, Triethoxycaprylylsilane, Tocopherol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Ascorbyl palmitate, Citric acid, Gardenia florida fruit extract, Nelumbo nucifera flower extract, Nymphaea odorata root extract, Titanium dioxide, Ci 77891, Iron oxides
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Product summary
We do not recommend "Rare Beauty by Selena Gomez - Positive Light Tinted Moisturizer Broad Spectrum SPF 20" because it does not provide good UVA protection. UVA sun rays don't burn the skin, but they still lead to photoaging and hyperpigmentation.
Because it includes good moisturizing ingredients, it can also work as a hydrating day cream.
Sunscreen filters
This sunscreen uses a mixture of both mineral and organic (so-called "chemical") UV filters. Here are the organic filters this product uses: homosalate. As for the mineral filters, this sunscreen uses titanium dioxide.
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 49.00A$ in Australia, for 275.00HK$ in Hong Kong and for 59.00NZ$ in New Zealand.
For a detailed price comparison: click here.
Sources cited in this review
Every concentration estimate and effectiveness label is anchored to one of these 19 studies and safety reviews.
- 1
- 2A review of inorganic UV filters zinc oxide and titanium dioxideonlinelibrary.wiley.com
- 3
- 4
- 5
- 6
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