Trinny London BFF SPF 30 CREAM
Works for
2 of 2 advertised claims delivered
Sun protectionSPF 30 · 6 UV filtersBroad spectrum
This product offers a good level of protection against both UVB and UVA rays.
This sunscreen uses organic (so-called "chemical") sunscreen filters. Organic, or "chemical" filters usually provide reliable sun protection and rarely leave a white cast. Sunscreens with organic filters can sting eyes.
Evens skin toneNo ingredient credited for this claimStrong support
“Microencapsulated pigments even out your skin tone creating a flawless glow Enriched with the precious extract of antioxidant Porcelain Flower Boosts glow and tones down redness Instantly hydrates and wakes up tired-looking skin SPF 30 protects skin from everyday exposure to UV”
This product offers broad spectrum sun protection. It means that it can prevent hyperpigmentation and help keep the skin tone even (sun damage is the main factor causing age spots, darkening of post-acne marks and other discolorations).
Anti-oxidationNot advertised by the brand · 2 ingredients credited for this claimStrong support
This product contains antioxidants (arginine pca) that can help neutralize free radicals in skin. By doing so, they can lessen the damage the skin gets from the UV light (sun).
Anti-agingNot advertised by the brand · 2 ingredients credited for this claimStrong support
This product can help prevent early signs of skin aging because it offers a good level of broad spectrum sun protection. Sun damage is the main cause of premature skin aging, and protecting your skin from the sun is the best anti-aging strategy.
MoisturizingNot advertised by the brand · 11 ingredients credited for this claimGood support
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:
arginine pca, galactoarabinan.
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, c12-15 alkyl benzoate.
Can it cause trouble?
Irritancy2 strong irritants: Benzophenone-3, ParfumMedium risk
Comedogenic2 ingredients rated 2 or more on the 0–5 pore-clogging scale2 flagged
User reviews
Ingredients
Filter by role to see what each ingredient is doing.
Water~45–55%
Ethylhexyl methoxycinnamate~5.2–6.3%
- 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 methoxycinnamateBenzophenone-3~4.8–5.8%
- Irritation risk
- High
Same as oxybenzone. Protects in the UVB and short UVA range. In small concentrations, used to stabilize product formulation. Can be irritating. Is shown to be harmful to coral reefs - consider avoiding bathing in coral reef areas when wearing a product with this ingredient. It can penetrate the skin and get absorbed into bloodstream faster than other popular filters available in the US. The study that produced this finding did not address any potential health effects of the absorption
More about Benzophenone-3Ethylhexyl salicylate~3.7–4.5%
- 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 salicylateOctocrylene~3.3–4.1%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
A weak sunscreen that protects against the sun rays that cause sunburn (UVB) and is somewhat effective against the UVA rays. It is quite stable and can help stabilize other, more vulnerable, sunscreen ingredients like Avobenzone. It is an organic, or so called "chemical" sunscreen
More about OctocryleneBis-ethylhexyloxyphenol methoxyphenyl triazine~2.6–3.1%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Tinosorb S. One of the most effective broad spectrum sunscreen ingredients. Protects from both UVA and UVB rays. It is photostable. Unfortunately, not approved by FDA (US) yet.
More about Bis-ethylhexyloxyphenol methoxyphenyl triazineGlycerin~1.8–2.2%
- Irritation risk
- Low
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 GlycerinC12-15 alkyl benzoate~1.5–1.8%
- 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 benzoateCetyl alcohol~1.3–1.6%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A non-drying alcohol that works to soften the skin and stabilize product formulations helping oil and water mix together
More about Cetyl alcoholDimethicone~1–1.3%
- 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 DimethiconeMagnesium aluminum silicate~0.75–1.15%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Might be helpful in restoring skin barrier function and, when combined with zinc carbonate and malonic acid, reducing fine lines and wrinkles by stimulating elastin production. Also helps stabilize the product formulation
More about Magnesium aluminum silicatePhenoxyethanol~0.6–0.85%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A preservative. It helps prevent bacterial growth in cosmetic products
More about PhenoxyethanolBenzyl alcohol~0.5–0.7%
- Irritation risk
- High
A preservative. Can be used to mask unpleasant smell. Can be irritating
More about Benzyl alcoholBoron nitride~0.55–0.8%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps to absord oil and evenly disperse other ingredients (for example, pigment) in product formulation
More about Boron nitrideHexylglycerin~0.45–0.7%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Acrylates/ammonium methacrylate copolymer~0.45–0.7%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Xanthan gum~0.45–0.65%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Used to create a thicker product consistency
More about Xanthan gumSodium lauryl glucose carboxylate~0.55–0.85%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Helps water and oil mix together and works as a cleansing agent
More about Sodium lauryl glucose carboxylateCetearyl isononanoate~0.35–0.6%
- Irritation risk
- Low
An emollient that softens the skin and helps prevent moisture loss.
More about Cetearyl isononanoateTriethyl citrate~0.3–0.5%
Tocopheryl acetate~0.3–0.55%
- 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 acetateParfum~0.25–0.5%
- Irritation risk
- High
An aromatic blend of unspecified and possibly irritating ingredients
More about ParfumLauryl glucoside~0.45–0.7%
Ceteareth-20~0.45–0.65%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
- Comedogenicity
- 2/5
Helps oil and water mix together. Has some emollient properties
More about Ceteareth-20Cetearyl alcohol~0.3–0.55%
- 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 alcoholGlyceryl stearate~0.3–0.6%
- Irritation risk
- Low
An emollient that softens the skin and forms a protective layer on its surface. Helps water and oil mix together
More about Glyceryl stearateBht~0.25–0.5%
Disodium edta~0.25–0.5%
Caprylic/capric triglyceride~0.3–0.6%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
A good mix of fatty acids that forms a protective layer on the skin. Improves the shelf life of products. Derived from coconut and glycerin
More about Caprylic/capric triglycerideDehydroacetic acid~0.25–0.5%
Citric acid~0.25–0.5%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Can work as an exfoliant but is typically used to adjust the product pH
More about Citric acidHydrolyzed eruca sativa leaf~0.3–0.55%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Galactoarabinan~0.3–0.5%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Helps attract water to the upper layer of the skin
More about GalactoarabinanCeteareth-12~0.25–0.5%
Cetyl palmitate~0.3–0.55%
- Irritation risk
- Low
An emollient that helps soften the skin and is used to improve product texture and stability
More about Cetyl palmitateSodium hyaluronate~0.25–0.5%
- Irritation risk
- Low
One of the best moisturizing ingredients. Attracts water into the upper layer of the skin
More about Sodium hyaluronateArginine pca~0.25–0.45%
- Irritation risk
- Low
An amino-acid. Helps attract water to the upper layer of the skin and can help neutralize free radicals in skin
More about Arginine pcaHoya lacunosa flower extract~0.25–0.45%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Sodium benzoate~0.25–0.45%
Potassium sorbate~0.25–0.45%
Phaeodactylum tricornutum extract~0.2–0.4%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Ci 77891~0.2–0.4%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Titanium dioxide~0.3–0.55%
- 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 77491~0.2–0.35%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A red colorant made of iron oxide. Typically is not irritating
More about Ci 77491Iron oxides~0.15–0.3%
- 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 oxidesCi 77492~0.15–0.3%
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 oxidesCi 77499~0.1–0.2%
Iron oxides~0.1–0.2%
- 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
Water, Ethylhexyl methoxycinnamate, Benzophenone-3, Ethylhexyl salicylate, Octocrylene, Bis-ethylhexyloxyphenol methoxyphenyl triazine, Glycerin, C12-15 alkyl benzoate, Cetyl alcohol, Dimethicone, Magnesium aluminum silicate, Phenoxyethanol, Benzyl alcohol, Boron nitride, Hexylglycerin, Acrylates/ammonium methacrylate copolymer, Xanthan gum, Sodium lauryl glucose carboxylate, Cetearyl isononanoate, Triethyl citrate, Tocopheryl acetate, Parfum, Lauryl glucoside, Ceteareth-20, Cetearyl alcohol, Glyceryl stearate, Bht, Disodium edta, Caprylic/capric triglyceride, Dehydroacetic acid, Citric acid, Hydrolyzed eruca sativa leaf, Galactoarabinan, Ceteareth-12, Cetyl palmitate, Sodium hyaluronate, Arginine pca, Hoya lacunosa flower extract, Sodium benzoate, Potassium sorbate, Phaeodactylum tricornutum extract, Ci 77891, Titanium dioxide, Ci 77491, Iron oxides, Ci 77492, Iron oxides, Ci 77499, Iron oxides
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Product summary
The ingredient list suggests that "Trinny London - BFF SPF 30 CREAM" can provide reliable sun protection. We love that it can protect from both UVA and UVB rays (not all sunscreens with SPF ratings give UVA protection. UVA rays do not cause sunburn, but still damage our skin and lead to early aging).
Its formula is also hydrating, so you might not need an additional moistruizer during the day. Like all broad-spectrum sunscreens, this product helps prevent early signs of aging.
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: oxybenzone 4.80% - 5.80%, tinosorb s 2.60% - 3.10%, octinoxate 5.20% - 6.30%, octisalate 3.70% - 4.50% and octocrylene 3.30% - 4.10%.
Irritation risk
There are some common irritants in this product, including ingredients that do not have benefits 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.
What our users say
Based on 3 reviews 67% recommend this product- When it comes to comedogenicity, two out of two reviewers say that the product does not clog pores.
- As for the white cast, it didn't leave a white cast for the two of the reviewers, but the whitish residue was noticeable for one user.
- When it comes to using this sunscreen under makeup, two out of two reviewers report that the product does not pill under makeup.
- As for using this sunscreen in the eye area, two out of two reviewers say that it doesn't sting eyes.
Sources cited in this review
Every concentration estimate and effectiveness label is anchored to one of these 13 studies and safety reviews.
- 1
- 2
- 3On Photostability of Oxybenzonecore.ac.uk
- 4
- 5
- 6Final Report on the Safety Assessment of Dimethicone Copolyoljournals.sagepub.com
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