theBalm BalmShelter Tinted Moisturizer After Dark
Works for
1 of 3 advertised claims delivered
Sun protectionSPF 18 · 4 UV filters · Broad spectrumWeak protectionSPF under 30
This product offers broad spectrum sun protection, but it is weak. We recommend to use a broad spectrum sunscreen with at least SPF 30.
Moisturizing6 ingredients credited for this claimGood support
“BalmShelter Tinted Moisturizer After Dark”
This product can help soften the skin and reduce its moisture loss with emollients and occlusives: dimethicone, cetyl dimethicone.
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-agingNo ingredient credited for this claimLimited support
“Weightless, silky-smooth formula Improves the look of skin tone and texture UVA and UVB sun protection SPF 18 A superior formulation that provides long lasting moisture, complete with SPF 18, BalmShelter Tinted Moisturizer gives you the perfect polished look while leaving your skin feeling silky.”
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).
Can it cause trouble?
Irritancy1 strong irritant: Sorbitan sesquioleateMedium risk
Comedogenic2 ingredients rated 2 or more on the 0–5 pore-clogging scale2 flagged
User reviews
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Ingredients
Filter by role to see what each ingredient is doing.
Ethylhexyl methoxycinnamate~22–33%
- Irritation risk
- High
Octinoxate. 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
More about Ethylhexyl methoxycinnamateButyl methoxydibenzoylmethane7.5%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Avobenzone. An organic, or so-called "chemical" UV filter. Protects against both UVA and UVB rays. Needs to be combined with other filters in a formulation to be stable.
More about Butyl methoxydibenzoylmethaneEthylhexyl salicylate3%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Octisalate. A UV filter. It offers some protection against the sun rays that cause sunburn (UVB), but does not 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
More about Ethylhexyl salicylateWater~9.3–14%
Cetearyl alcohol~2.9–4.4%
- 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 alcoholIsopropyl myristate~3.6–5.4%
- Irritation risk
- Low
- Comedogenicity
- 3/5
An emollient that helps soften the skin. Could be comedogenic
More about Isopropyl myristateCetyl dimethicone~2.6–3.9%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A type of silicone. Helps soften the upper layer of the skin and creates a nice, light product texture
More about Cetyl dimethiconeDimethicone~2.1–3.2%
- 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 DimethiconeHexyl laurate~1.6–2.4%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Helps soften the upper layer of the skin and create a nice product consistency
More about Hexyl lauratePotassium cetyl phosphate~1.1–1.7%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Helps oil and water mix together
More about Potassium cetyl phosphateStyrene/dvb crosspolymer~1.1–1.6%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Sorbitan sesquioleate~0.5–1.15%
- Irritation risk
- High
Used to help oil and water mix together. Can be irritating
More about Sorbitan sesquioleatePhenoxyethanol~0.4–0.9%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A preservative. It helps prevent bacterial growth in cosmetic products
More about PhenoxyethanolCaprylyl glycol~0.45–1.05%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Helps preserve products and creates a nice product texture
More about Caprylyl glycolEthylhexylglycerin~0.15–0.7%
Hexylene glycol~0.1–0.45%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Helps create a more spreadable product texture
More about Hexylene glycolSodium dehydroacetate~0.1–0.4%
Titanium dioxide~0.1–0.35%
- 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 77891~0.1–0.3%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Iron oxides~0.05–0.3%
- 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
Ethylhexyl methoxycinnamate, Butyl methoxydibenzoylmethane, Ethylhexyl salicylate, Water, Cetearyl alcohol, Isopropyl myristate, Cetyl dimethicone, Dimethicone, Hexyl laurate, Potassium cetyl phosphate, Styrene/dvb crosspolymer, Sorbitan sesquioleate, Phenoxyethanol, Caprylyl glycol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Hexylene glycol, Sodium dehydroacetate, Titanium dioxide, Ci 77891, Iron oxides
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Product summary
"theBalm - BalmShelter Tinted Moisturizer After Dark" offers broad spectrum protection. It means that it protects from both UVA and UVB rays (you can remember UVB as "burning" sunlight - they cause sunburn. You can remember UVA rays as "aging" - they do not lead to sunburn, but they cause photodamage and contribute to early signs of skin aging and hyperpigmentation). On the negative side, the SPF of this moisturizer is not high enough. We recommend to use a sunscreen with at least SPF 30 daily.
Because it includes good moisturizing ingredients, it can also work as a hydrating day cream.
Sunscreen filters
This is a "mixed" sunscreen in the sense that it uses both mineral and organic (so-called "chemical") sun filters. Here are the organic filters this product uses: avobenzone, octinoxate and octisalate. As for the mineral filters, this sunscreen uses titanium dioxide.
Irritation risk
There are actives in this product that can be irritating. 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.
About the brand
According to Cruelty-Free Kitty "theBalm" is cruelty free and so is its parent company.
Price
The product retails for 25.00$ 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 4 studies and safety reviews.
- 1
- 2Final Report on the Safety Assessment of Dimethicone Copolyoljournals.sagepub.com
- 3
- 4
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