TAN-LUXE Instant Hero Illuminating Skin Perfector

TAN-LUXE Instant Hero Illuminating Skin Perfector

Efficacy100/100IrritancyHigh

Works for

Moisturizing
Panthenol, Glycerin + 4 more
Works well
What the product description says
“Infused with a nourishing blend of Vitamin B, C, & E, Aloe Vera and Caffeine, the hydrating formulation instantly tans, tones and blurs imperfections by reducing the appearance of redness, cellulite, and spider veins.”
Source: Ulta

This product contains good ingredients to attract water to the upper layer of the skin. These ingredients are called "humectants": glycerin, propylene glycol.

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. If the air is dry, humectants can speed up the moisture loss from the skin. This is why it is a good idea to use another product on top of this one to help "seal in" the moisture (look for ingredients like dimethicone, squalane, oils and butters).

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

PanthenolHero· HumectantEffect: HighHelps attract water to the upper layer of the skin and can help improve skin barrier function~1.3–1.6%
GlycerinKey active· HumectantEffect: HighOne of the best moisturizing ingredients. Naturally present in skin. It attracts water to the upper layer of the skin working as a humectant~5.5–6.7%
Propylene glycol· HumectantEffect: LowHelps oil and water mix together and can enhance the penetration of other ingredients into the skin. It can be irritating~3.3–4%
C13-14 isoparaffin· EmollientEffect: LowHelps soften the upper layer of the skin, dissolve other ingredients and create a thicker product consistency~1.8–2.2%
Aloe barbadensis leaf juiceEffect: Low, below effective doseTraditionally used to treat sunburns, dermatitis and inflammation, but evidence for its effectiveness is lacking. The extract can contain humectants that help attract water into the skin~0.7–1.1%
LecithinEffect: Low, below effective doseUsed mostly for creating emulsions - helping oil and water mix together. Helps soften the upper layer of the skin~0.6–0.85%
Anti-oxidation
Not advertised by the brand · Rubus idaeus seed oil, Tocopheryl acetate + 2 more
May help

This product contains antioxidants (rubus idaeus seed oil) that might be able to help neutralize free radicals in skin to lessen the damage it gets from the UV light (sun). There is not enough evidence to confirm their effectiveness in skin though.

Rubus idaeus seed oilKey activeEffect: MediumA plant oil that might be able to help neutralize free radicals in skin~1–1.3%
Tocopheryl acetateEffect: LowA 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.~1.5–1.8%
CaffeineEffect: LowMight be helpful in neutralizing free radicals. Can have a dehydration effect that might somewhat decrease the look of puffy eyes~0.5–0.75%
Ascorbic acidUnder-dosedThe most well-researched antioxidant that works in skin. Helps neutralize free radicals supporting collagen production, helping to even out the skin tone and preventing early signs of aging~0.45–0.7%

Can it cause trouble?

Irritancy
7 strong irritants: Alcohol denat., Parfum + 5 more — patch-test recommended
High risk
We flagged 20 ingredients with irritancy potential. Severity depends on your sensitivity threshold; the table lists the worst offenders first.
IngredientFunctionIrritationEst. amount
Alcohol denat.Produces temporary toning effect. Can help dissolve other ingredients or preserve productsHigh~4.8–5.8%est.
Propylene glycolHelps oil and water mix together and can enhance the penetration of other ingredients into the skin. It can be irritatingHigh~3.3–4%est.
Ascorbic acidThe most well-researched antioxidant that works in skin. Helps neutralize free radicals supporting collagen production, helping to even out the skin tone and preventing early signs of agingHigh~0.45–0.7%est.
ParfumAn aromatic blend of unspecified and possibly irritating ingredientsHigh~0.45–0.65%est.
LimoneneA common frangrance that can easily irritate skin, especially if exposed to air, light or heatHigh~0.35–0.6%est.
GeraniolA fragrance. Can be irritatingHigh~0.3–0.6%est.
Hexyl cinnamalA fragrance with jasmine smell. A likely irritantHigh~0.3–0.55%est.
Benzyl salicylateA fragrance. Is a likely irritantHigh~0.25–0.5%est.
Butylphenyl methylpropionalA fragrance. Can trigger allergic reactions and be irritatingHigh~0.25–0.5%est.
Ci 19140A yellow dyeHigh~0.2–0.35%est.
Ci 15985A colorantHigh~0.15–0.3%est.
PolyacrylamideUsed to improve product texture and help oil and water mix togetherMedium~2.1–2.6%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.Medium~1.5–1.8%est.
Rubus idaeus seed oilA plant oil that might be able to help neutralize free radicals in skinMedium~1–1.3%est.
Aloe barbadensis leaf juiceTraditionally used to treat sunburns, dermatitis and inflammation, but evidence for its effectiveness is lacking. The extract can contain humectants that help attract water into the skinMedium~0.7–1.1%est.
CaffeineMight be helpful in neutralizing free radicals. Can have a dehydration effect that might somewhat decrease the look of puffy eyesMedium~0.5–0.75%est.
Laureth-7Helps oil and water mix togetherMedium~0.5–0.7%est.
Ci 17200A red colorantMedium~0.15–0.3%est.
Ci 42090A colorant (dye)Medium~0.1–0.25%est.
Ci 14700A colorantMedium~0.1–0.2%est.
Comedogenic
Clean of flagged comedogenic ingredients
None flagged

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Ingredients

Filter by role to see what each ingredient is doing.

Water~45–55%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low

Plain old water

More about Water
Glycerin~5.5–6.7%
Key active
Irritation risk
Low
Works for
Moisturizing

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 Glycerin
Alcohol denat.~4.8–5.8%
Irritant · high
Irritation risk
High

Produces temporary toning effect. Can help dissolve other ingredients or preserve products

More about Alcohol denat.
Propylene glycol~3.3–4%
Irritant · high
Irritation risk
High
Works for
Moisturizing

Helps oil and water mix together and can enhance the penetration of other ingredients into the skin. It can be irritating

More about Propylene glycol
Titanium dioxide~3.5–4.2%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low
Works for
Sun protection

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 dioxide
Polyacrylamide~2.1–2.6%
Irritant · medium
Irritation risk
Medium

Used to improve product texture and help oil and water mix together

More about Polyacrylamide
C13-14 isoparaffin~1.8–2.2%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low
Works for
Moisturizing

Helps soften the upper layer of the skin, dissolve other ingredients and create a thicker product consistency

More about C13-14 isoparaffin
Tocopheryl acetate~1.5–1.8%
Irritant · medium
Irritation risk
Medium
Works for
Anti-oxidation

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 acetate
Panthenol~1.3–1.6%
Hero · Moisturizing
Irritation risk
Low
Works for
Reduces rednessMoisturizingReduces irritation

Helps attract water to the upper layer of the skin and can help improve skin barrier function

More about Panthenol
Rubus idaeus seed oil~1–1.3%
Key activeIrritant · medium
Irritation risk
Medium
Works for
Anti-oxidation

A plant oil that might be able to help neutralize free radicals in skin

More about Rubus idaeus seed oil
Aloe barbadensis leaf juice~0.7–1.1%
Irritant · medium
Irritation risk
Medium
Works for
MoisturizingReduces rednessReduces irritationAntibacterialAnti-inflammatoryAnti-blemishAnti-aging

Traditionally used to treat sunburns, dermatitis and inflammation, but evidence for its effectiveness is lacking. The extract can contain humectants that help attract water into the skin

More about Aloe barbadensis leaf juice
Palmitoyl carnitine~0.6–0.9%
Formula
Lecithin~0.6–0.85%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low
Works for
CleansingMoisturizing

Used mostly for creating emulsions - helping oil and water mix together. Helps soften the upper layer of the skin

More about Lecithin
Caffeine~0.5–0.75%
Irritant · medium
Irritation risk
Medium
Works for
De-puffingAnti-oxidation

Might be helpful in neutralizing free radicals. Can have a dehydration effect that might somewhat decrease the look of puffy eyes

More about Caffeine
Ascorbic acid~0.45–0.7%
Under-dosedIrritant · high
Irritation risk
High
Works for
Evens skin toneAnti-agingAnti-oxidation

The most well-researched antioxidant that works in skin. Helps neutralize free radicals supporting collagen production, helping to even out the skin tone and preventing early signs of aging

More about Ascorbic acid
Laureth-7~0.5–0.7%
Irritant · medium
Irritation risk
Medium
Works for
Cleansing

Helps oil and water mix together

More about Laureth-7
Parfum~0.45–0.65%
Irritant · high
Irritation risk
High

An aromatic blend of unspecified and possibly irritating ingredients

More about Parfum
Limonene~0.35–0.6%
Irritant · high
Irritation risk
High

A common frangrance that can easily irritate skin, especially if exposed to air, light or heat

More about Limonene
Geraniol~0.3–0.6%
Irritant · high
Irritation risk
High

A fragrance. Can be irritating

More about Geraniol
Hexyl cinnamal~0.3–0.55%
Irritant · high
Irritation risk
High

A fragrance with jasmine smell. A likely irritant

More about Hexyl cinnamal
Benzyl salicylate~0.25–0.5%
Irritant · high
Irritation risk
High

A fragrance. Is a likely irritant

More about Benzyl salicylate
Butylphenyl methylpropional~0.25–0.5%
Irritant · high
Irritation risk
High

A fragrance. Can trigger allergic reactions and be irritating

More about Butylphenyl methylpropional
Phenoxyethanol~0.25–0.5%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low

A preservative. It helps prevent bacterial growth in cosmetic products

More about Phenoxyethanol
Triethylene glycol~0.25–0.45%
Formula
Mica~0.25–0.5%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low

Creates an illusion of smoother and more radiant skin tone. Adds shimmer to the skin by reflecting light

More about Mica
Ci 19140~0.2–0.35%
Irritant · high
Irritation risk
High

A yellow dye

More about Ci 19140
Ci 15985~0.15–0.3%
Irritant · high
Irritation risk
High

A colorant

More about Ci 15985
Ci 17200~0.15–0.3%
Irritant · medium
Irritation risk
Medium

A red colorant

More about Ci 17200
Ci 42090~0.1–0.25%
Irritant · medium
Irritation risk
Medium

A colorant (dye)

More about Ci 42090
Ci 14700~0.1–0.2%
Irritant · medium
Irritation risk
Medium

A colorant

More about Ci 14700
Ingredient list view

Water, Glycerin, Alcohol denat., Propylene glycol, Titanium dioxide, Polyacrylamide, C13-14 isoparaffin, Tocopheryl acetate, Panthenol, Rubus idaeus seed oil, Aloe barbadensis leaf juice, Palmitoyl carnitine, Lecithin, Caffeine, Ascorbic acid, Laureth-7, Parfum, Limonene, Geraniol, Hexyl cinnamal, Benzyl salicylate, Butylphenyl methylpropional, Phenoxyethanol, Triethylene glycol, Mica, Ci 19140, Ci 15985, Ci 17200, Ci 42090, Ci 14700

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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.

Side-by-side comparison of this product against its closest alternatives
TAN-LUXEInstant Hero Illuminating Skin PerfectorYOUR PRODUCTTanologistGradual Tan LotionRodan and FieldsSOOTHE Sensitive Skin TreatmentBiobareVitamin C, B, E & Ferulic Serum
Match—83%78%77%
Price—$10.66$85.00$58.00
Shared key ingredients—2 of 63 of 63 of 6
Key difference—Benzophenone-4Linoleic AcidFerulic Acid
Irritancy High High Medium Medium
Drying alcohol Contains drying alcohol ———
View product Shop Shop Shop

More alternatives: Dr Brenner Vitamin C Serum 20% Pure L-Ascorbic Acid, Ferulic Acid, Vitamin E and Hyaluronic AcidNourishMax VITAMIN C + B + E + FERULIC & RETINOL SERUM

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As an Amazon Associate, WIMJ earns from qualifying purchases.