SkinMedica Essential Defense Everyday Clear Broad Spectrum SPF 47

Name: SkinMedica - Essential Defense Everyday Clear Broad Spectrum SPF 47
Brand: SkinMedica

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SPF 47

Can it work? Irritants Ingredient concentrations Sources Similar products User reviews Q&A Where to buy

WORKS FOR

Anti-aging
Anti-oxidation
Moisturizing
Evens skin tone
Sun protection
+2 more

KEY INGREDIENTS

niacinamide
niacinamide
polygonum aviculare extract
camellia sinensis leaf extract
cyclopentasiloxane
dimethicone
glycerin
hyaluronic acid
octyldodecyl neopentanoate
sodium hyaluronate
tocopherol
zinc oxide
+9 more

PROMISES
FULFILLED

60 /100

IRRITANCY

LOW

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Where to buy?

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Formula review

WIMJ summary

This product uses a single UV filter (zinc oxide) in a relatively low concentration and might not be able to provide a reliable sun protection.

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.

Non-organic (mineral) filters

Ingredient	UVB	UVA I	UVA II	Stability
zinc oxide

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What does the product description say?

"The silky formula also works to improve skin’s tone and texture, to ensure the complexion appears youthful and radiant."

Lookfantastic US

WIMJ summary

This product can help reduce and prevent fine lines and wrinkles, improve skin elasticity and firmness because it contains niacinamide.

Keep in mind that it typically takes at least 6 weeks to notice any results because the changes that are needed to improve fine lines and elasticity happen in the deeper layers of the skin. No topical anti-aging product can “erase” wrinkles or fully reverse signs of aging.

Ingredient	Effectiveness	Concentration	Irritancy
niacinamide	HIGH
tocopherol	LOW
camellia sinensis leaf extract	LOW

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Promise

What does the product description say?

"Lightweight, sheer, and cosmetically elegant broad spectrum UVA/UVB protection for oily and combination skin, with age defying ingredients that improve the skin's texture and tone."

SkincareRX

WIMJ summary

This product can help reduce hypepigmentation and even out the skin tone because it contains the following effective ingredients: niacinamide

Keep in mind that you would need to apply any topical skincare targetted at hypigmentation consistently for a couple of months to get a result. No topical skincare product can help get rid of hyperpigmentation (including post-acne marks and age spots) instantly.

This product can also help with skin tone because it offers 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).

Ingredient	Effectiveness	Concentration	Irritancy
niacinamide	HIGH
camellia sinensis leaf extract	LOW

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WIMJ summary

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, hyaluronic acid.

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, octyldodecyl neopentanoate.

The following ingredients in this product are especially good for supporting the skin barrier and helping with the hydration level: niacinamide

Ingredient	Effectiveness	Concentration	Irritancy
sodium hyaluronate	HIGH
dimethicone	HIGH
glycerin	HIGH

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WIMJ summary

This product contains antioxidants (polygonum aviculare extract, tocopherol) that can help neutralize free radicals in skin. By doing so, they can lessen the damage the skin gets from the UV light (sun).

The following ingredients - camellia sinensis leaf extract also can have an antioxidant effect, but there is less evidence to confirm their effectiveness in skin.

Ingredient	Effectiveness	Concentration	Irritancy
tocopherol	HIGH
polygonum aviculare extract	HIGH
camellia sinensis leaf extract	MEDIUM

Potential irritants

IRRITANCY

LOW

Ingredient	Irritancy	Skin Benefit
oleth-3 phosphate
hydroxyethyl acrylate/sodium acryloyldimethyl taurate copolymer
polygonum aviculare extract

Ingredients by volume

Ingredient	Estimated concentration
dimethicone 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	22% - 33%
camellia sinensis leaf extract Can contain potent anti-oxidant compounds (abbreviated ECG, GCG, EGC, and EGCG) that might help protect the skin from free radicals. Can help calm down inflammation and has some anti-bacterial properties. Unfortunately, these antioxidants are unstable and lose their effectiveness very quickly in products. The concentration of the antioxidant compounds in the extract also tends to be low to be effective in topical formulation	5.2% - 7.8%
hyaluronic acid One of the best moisturizing ingredients. Attracts water into the upper layer of the skin. Naturally present in skin. Typically has large molecule size unless advertised otherwise on the product label. Helps support skin's barrier function and may help to reduce inflammation	5% - 7.4%
niacinamide Is proven to be effective in reducing blemishes, evening out skin tone and helping to improve lines and wrinkles. It helps the skin to repair sun damage, calm down inflammation and keep maintain good levels of moisture	4% - 6%
tocopherol 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	2.8% - 4.1%
zinc oxide 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	3% - 4.5%
water Plain old water	1.7% - 2.6%
cyclopentasiloxane A silicone that helps improve the product texture and spreadability. Can absord oil creating a short-term mattifying effect on the skin	1.5% - 2.3%
niacinamide Is proven to be effective in reducing blemishes, evening out skin tone and helping to improve lines and wrinkles. It helps the skin to repair sun damage, calm down inflammation and keep maintain good levels of moisture	1.2% - 1.8%
oleth-3 phosphate Helps water and oil mix together	0.95% - 1.45%
octyldodecyl neopentanoate An emollient that helps soften the skin. Often used to stabilize other ingredients, for example, sunscreen	0.9% - 1.3%
hydroxyethyl acrylate/sodium acryloyldimethyl taurate copolymer A gelling agent that thickens the product consistency and leaves the skin with a velvety finish	0.5% - 1.2%
glycerin One of the best moisturizing ingredients. Naturally present in skin. It attracts water to the upper layer of the skin working as a humectant	0.5% - 1.15%
camellia sinensis leaf extract Can contain potent anti-oxidant compounds (abbreviated ECG, GCG, EGC, and EGCG) that might help protect the skin from free radicals. Can help calm down inflammation and has some anti-bacterial properties. Unfortunately, these antioxidants are unstable and lose their effectiveness very quickly in products. The concentration of the antioxidant compounds in the extract also tends to be low to be effective in topical formulation	0.45% - 1%
polygonum aviculare extract A plant extract that contains a flavanol Juglanin. It can help neutralize free radicals in skin and reduce inflammation	0.45% - 1.1%
tocopheryl acetate 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.	0.4% - 0.95%
sodium hyaluronate One of the best moisturizing ingredients. Attracts water into the upper layer of the skin	0.4% - 0.9%
polyglyceryl-3 polydimethylsiloxyethyl dimethicone	0.4% - 0.9%
triethoxysilylethyl polydimethylsiloxyethyl hexyl dimethicone	0.35% - 0.8%
triethoxycaprylylsilane A type of silicone that helps oil and water mix well together. Helps to disperse other ingredients, e.g. pigments, evenly in a formulation	0.35% - 0.75%
polyisobutene Used to improve the product consistency	0.35% - 0.85%
peg-7 trimethylolpropane coconut ether	0.3% - 0.75%
butylene glycol 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	0.2% - 0.75%
disodium edta Stabilizes the product formulation	0.2% - 0.75%
sodium hydroxide Used to adjust the product's pH	0.15% - 0.7%
citric acid Can work as an exfoliant but is typically used to adjust the product pH	0.15% - 0.65%
caprylyl glycol Helps preserve products and creates a nice product texture	0.2% - 0.75%
sorbic acid A preservative	0.15% - 0.55%
phenoxyethanol A preservative. It helps prevent bacterial growth in cosmetic products	0.15% - 0.55%
ethylhexylglycerin A preservative	0.1% - 0.45%
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