Balanced Beauty Stabilizing Moisturiser

Name: Spa Find - Balanced Beauty Stabilizing Moisturiser
Brand: Spa Find

SPF 23Efficacy 75/100·High irritancy ·2 UV filters· In 3 routines

Efficacy measures how well the formula delivers the claims the brand advertises · 1 of 2 advertised claims delivered

We do not recommend "Spa Find - Balanced Beauty Stabilizing Moisturiser" because it does not provide good UVA protection.

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Product summary

We do not recommend "Spa Find - Balanced Beauty Stabilizing Moisturiser" 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 contains good moisturizing ingredients and can double as a hydrating day cream.

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. Here are the exact UV filters in this sunscreen: octinoxate 4.40% - 5.40% and ensulizole 2.60% - 3.20%.

Irritation risk

There are quite a few common irritants in this product, including ingredients without particular skin benefits. We would not recommend it for sensitive skin. We assess the overall irritancy of this moisturizer to be high. 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.

Sun protection

This product does not offer good protection against UVA rays.

UV spectrum

UVB290 nmUVA II320 nmUVA I340 nmVisible400 nm+

Octinoxate

Ensulizole

FilterCoverageWhat it doesEst. amount

OctinoxateEthylhexyl MethoxycinnamateUVBOctinoxate. 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~4.4–5.4%

EnsulizolePhenylbenzimidazole Sulfonic AcidUVB Photo-stable Ensulizole. A UV filter that is effective against UVB rays. Does not protect against UVA light. It is photostable and can be used to help stabilize other sunscreen ingredients. It is water-soluble meaning that it can help create lighter sunscreen formulations~2.6–3.2%

~ marks concentrations estimated from label position and typical use levels

Product claims breakdown

Moisturizing

10 ingredients contribute at the levels below

Strong 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, glucose.

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, cocos nucifera oil.

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

LACTIC ACIDRole: Under-dosedAn exfoliating and moisturizing alpha-hydroxy acid (AHA). Typically causes less irritation than other AHAs, for example, glycolic acid. At high concentrations (about 15%), lactic acid can help reduce lines and wrinkles. Recent studies show that lactic acid can support the "good" bacteria living on skin's surface (healthy skin microbiome)~0.3–0.55%

PANTHENOLRole: Key activeHelps attract water to the upper layer of the skin and can help improve skin barrier function~0.3–0.55%

CAPRYLIC/CAPRIC TRIGLYCERIDERole: Key activeA good mix of fatty acids that forms a protective layer on the skin. Improves the shelf life of products. Derived from coconut and glycerin~1.5–1.9%

COCOS NUCIFERA OILRole: Key activeAn emollient. Found to be as effective as a moisturizer for dry skin as mineral oil. Could be comedogenic~0.3–0.55%

DIMETHICONERole: Key activeA 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~0.45–0.65%

GLYCERINRole: Key activeOne of the best moisturizing ingredients. Naturally present in skin. It attracts water to the upper layer of the skin working as a humectant~0.5–0.8%

SQUALANERole: Key activeAn oil naturally present in skin. Works as an emollient to soften the skin and form a protective layer on its surface without a greasy feeling.~0.75–1.15%

ALLANTOINRole: Under-dosedHelps calm down inflammation in skin and can help reduce itching. Helps to repair the skin barrier and keep skin hydrated~0.3–0.5%

TOCOPHEROLRole: Key activePure 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~0.35–0.65%

ALTHAEA OFFICINALIS ROOT EXTRACTRole: Key activeA plant extract that can help attract water to the upper layer of the skin and might help to reduce inflammation~0.3–0.55%

Irritancy

27 flagged ingredients — patch-test recommended

High risk

We flagged 27 ingredients with irritancy potential. Severity depends on your sensitivity threshold; the table lists the worst offenders first.

IngredientFunctionIrritationEst. amount

Ethylhexyl methoxycinnamateOctinoxate. 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 irritatingHigh~4.4–5.4%est.

Propylene glycolHelps oil and water mix together and can enhance the penetration of other ingredients into the skin. It can be irritatingHigh~3–3.7%est.

4-methylbenzylidene camphorA UV filterHigh~2.2–2.7%est.

Chamomilla recutita flower extractPlant extract that can have healing and anti-inflammatory properties. It is a potential allergen and can be irritatingHigh~0.3–0.55%est.

Achillea millefolium extractPlant extract that can help neutralize free radicals in skin. Can be used as a fragrance. Can be irritatingHigh~0.35–0.65%est.

Rosmarinus officinalis leaf extractCan be helpful in reducing inflammation in skin, including inflamed acne. It can be irritatingHigh~0.3–0.5%est.

Thymus vulgaris extract—High~0.25–0.5%est.

Salvia officinalis leaf extractSage leaf extract. It can be irritatingHigh~0.35–0.65%est.

Melissa officinalis leaf extractA plant extract that is added for its fragrance. Can be irritatingHigh~0.3–0.55%est.

Equisetum arvense extractA plant extract that might have anti-oxidant properties. Can be irritatingHigh~0.35–0.65%est.

Althaea officinalis root extractA plant extract that can help attract water to the upper layer of the skin and might help to reduce inflammationHigh~0.3–0.55%est.

Hamamelis virginiana leaf water—High~0.3–0.55%est.

ParfumAn aromatic blend of unspecified and possibly irritating ingredientsHigh~0.3–0.5%est.

Maris salUsed to thicken the product formulation and might help to add minerals to the surface of the skin. It is used in scrubs as a physical exfoliant. Can increase sensitivity to other ingredients if left on the skin or used in high concentrationLow~4.4–5.4%est.

Phenylbenzimidazole sulfonic acidEnsulizole. A UV filter that is effective against UVB rays. Does not protect against UVA light. It is photostable and can be used to help stabilize other sunscreen ingredients. It is water-soluble meaning that it can help create lighter sunscreen formulationsLow~2.6–3.2%est.

Caprylic/capric triglycerideA good mix of fatty acids that forms a protective layer on the skin. Improves the shelf life of products. Derived from coconut and glycerinLow~1.5–1.9%est.

TriethanolamineUsed to adjust pH of the product and can help improve the product's smellLow~0.55–0.85%est.

Potassium cetyl phosphateHelps oil and water mix togetherLow~0.55–0.8%est.

EthylhexylglycerinA preservativeLow~0.45–0.7%est.

Tocopheryl acetateA 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.Low~0.4–0.65%est.

Sea saltUsed to thicken the product formulation and might help to add minerals to the surface of the skin. It is used in scrubs as a physical exfoliant. Can increase sensitivity to other ingredients if left on the skin or used in high concentrationLow~0.3–0.55%est.

EthoxydiglycolHelps to improve the product consistencyLow~0.3–0.5%est.

Lactic acidAn exfoliating and moisturizing alpha-hydroxy acid (AHA). Typically causes less irritation than other AHAs, for example, glycolic acid. At high concentrations (about 15%), lactic acid can help reduce lines and wrinkles. Recent studies show that lactic acid can support the "good" bacteria living on skin's surface (healthy skin microbiome)Low~0.3–0.55%est.

Disodium edtaStabilizes the product formulationLow~0.3–0.55%est.

BhtA preservativeLow~0.3–0.55%est.

Olea europaea fruit oilAn emollient that helps soften the skin but is not effective for restoring its barrier function. Might be helpful to calm down inflammationLow~0.3–0.55%est.

Comedogenic

Cocos nucifera oil ~0.3–0.55% — rinse-off or low %

Some risk

These ingredients have a comedogenic rating ≥ 2. In leave-on products at higher concentrations they can clog pores for acne-prone skin types.

IngredientFunctionRatingEst. amount

Cocos nucifera oilAn emollient. Found to be as effective as a moisturizer for dry skin as mineral oil. Could be comedogenicHigh~0.3–0.55%est.

~ marks concentrations estimated from label position and typical use levels

Ingredients

Filter by role to see what each ingredient is doing.