Review: Anessa – Perfect UV Sunscreen Skincare Milk SPF50+ PA++++

Where to purchase: Yesstyle: LINK (Discount Code: CVQFZA )

Stylevana: LINK (Code: SAHANNAH)

Price: £25.48

Volume: 60ml

Made in: Japan

What is it?: Both an Inorganic + Organic SPF (i.e. contains mixed filters), with technology that should help it be an effective sun protector (please watch the Youtube video down below as it explains the technology in more detail) As supposedly, the UV protective veil/barrier becomes stronger with sweat, water, or heat from the sun! This also has a non-sticky, matte finish.

Note: This product is in Shiseido’s category for those who ‘DO NOT’ want to suntan, show that should illustrate that this has strong protection.

Brand Description: A ”Super water-proof sunscreen that boasts a powerful UV protection of SPF 50+ and PA++++” The brand also state that this is easy to wash off (yes, my cleansers can remove this pretty easily). And this can also be used like a makeup primer.

Note: This is meant to be the strongest SPF Anessa make with the highest water-resistant affect.

Supposedly Good for: The company claim that this is for all skin types, including sensitive.

What I think: I think oily skins would prefer this matte, powdery finish compared to dry skins – and as long as you’re not sensitive to fragrance.

Sticky?: No (really dries down to a matte/powdery finish)

Stings the eyes?: Didn’t seem to sting mine! Even when sweating.

Packaging: Plastic bottle with a screw top and a thin tip to squeeze out product through. The thinness of this tip works because the liquid is so lightweight, it comes out easily.

The Screw-top lid ”clicks” into place when closing.

Back packaging:

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Directions: ”Since it is a 2-layer type, shake it well before use. Apply an appropriate amount to the face and neck at the end of morning skin care, and apply it evenly and gently. For the body, take a straight line from the container onto the skin and apply it in a circle with your palm evenly. If the amount used is small, sufficient UV protection effect cannot be obtained. Reapply if necessary after sweating or wiping with a towel. When removing, use your body towel to lather the cleaning agent you normally use, and rinse carefully.” – (From the Shiseido website)

Note: It does say ”Shake well before use” – which you will see what the texture looks like if the bottle isn’t shook before applying, in the Youtube video below! This can be used both on the face and the body (although using it on the body – this would run out quite quick as it’s only 60ml).

How I use it: As I would an SPF. I did use this for exercise (sometimes I avoid certain SPFs containing Zinc / Titanium as they do make me look like I’m sweating milk (like the Axis-y SPF), but this seemed to be ok! However, if I dabbed my face, there was white powder on my sleeve or my towel).

Key Ingredients:  Glycerin + Sodium Hyaluronate (Moisturiser + Humectant) Green Tea (Antioxidant). Glycyrrhizinic acid + Yellow Flower Extract (Conditioning).

Note: This contains Talc + Zea Mays (Corn) Starch – which helps provide that powdery/mattifying finish of this SPF. And I think for oily skins it helps absorb that extra oil on the T-Zone when this dries down/mattifies.

UV Filters: Zinc Oxide / Ethylhexyl Triazone / Diethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl Benzoate / Bis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine / Titanium Dioxide

Full Ingredients: Water, dimethicone, zinc oxide, ethylhexyl methoxycinnamate, cyclopentasiloxane, talc, methyl methacrylate crosspolymer, ethanol, diisopropyl sebacate, isododecane, octocrylene, PEG/PPG-9/2 dimethyl ether, corn starch, ethylhexyl salicylate, diethylaminohydroxy Hexyl benzoylbenzoate, titanium oxide, PEG-9 polydimethylsiloxyethyl dimethicone, glycerin, isopropyl myristate, sucrose tristearate tetrastearate, silica, polysilicone-15, trimethylsiloxysilicic acid, bisethylhexyloxyphenol methoxyphenyltriazine, Na chloride, PEG/PPG-14/7 dimethyl ether, glycyrrhizic acid 2K, tea extract, tormentilla root extract, sodium acetyl hyaluronate, water-soluble collagen, PPG-17, dextrin palmitate, isostearic acid, triethoxycaprylyl silane, diste Aldimonium hectorite, hydroxide Al, stearic acid, PEG-6, BHT, tocopherol, EDTA-3Na, BG, (vinyl dimethicone/methicone silsesquioxane) crosspolymer, sodium pyrosulfite, distearyldimonium chloride, edelweiss Extract, phenoxyethanol, fragrance

NOTE: The Incidecoder have a full ingredient breakdown HERE

The Technology: Thermo Booster Technology (the UV protection veil supposedly becomes stronger with heat due to the UV ”defense” ingredients improving the spread of the veil of sun protection over the skin when in contact with heat. and this is the same mechanism with the ”Aqua Booster Technology” i.e. the spread of the UV protective barrier improving when in contact with water. Also, the product is friction resistant (I think due to the corn starch and talc) which means that the powdery finish of this SPF makes the fingers glide over the skin rather than accidentally disturbing the physical layer by touching + rubbing the skin.

PEG/PPG-14/7 dimethyl ether, stearic acid, and PEG/PPG-9/2 dimethyl ether – are the ingredients used to help the UV-cut ingredients spread out evenly across the skin when coming into contact with sweat, water or heat.

Texture: This applies very oily, shiny and greasy. It almost feels like applying oil straight onto the skin. You rub it in and have to wait for this to mattify + become that powdery finish.

It does initially have a milky look to it then once drying down, the milky finish seems to disappear. It doesn’t brighten the skin but I think it possibly could make one look chalky/dusty due to the powdery finish. I should add that this isn’t thick. This is milky / lightweight.

When sweating / exercising: if you dab your face with a towel or with a black sleeve, you will see the powdery/chalkiness of the SPF on your sleeve.

The good thing about this however is I don’t look like I’m sweating milk when exercising in this (but my sister did say I look a little chalky overall, a little pale).

I have no issues spreading this. It’s just so greasy and oily at first that it’s kind of off-putting

NOTE: The brand also state that this is Sand Resistant (prevents sand from sticking to the skin) – I would agree with this as this has a powdery/matte finish, so it isn’t sticky, thereby sand shouldn’t stick to the skin!

Do you see how this has a milky-looking texture? It actually feels very greasy and oily initially when applying + spreading. Very quickly it becomes matte + powdery.

When spreading, it still is greasy and milky looking. But i hope you can see that THIS IS NOT THICK. This does not have a thick ”paste-like” texture.

The Finish:

You can see it’s a matte finish which looks like the product has disappeared. I will say the citrus-y fragrance is quite potent if you sniff your skin.

This has a powdery, matte finish and if you feel the skin – it has a powdery finish.

COMPARISON (Before + After) – You can see there is some shininess (but this doesn’t feel greasy or oily)

Personally I don’t see a real difference in terms of white cast. But my sister did tell me that for my olive skin tone (not hers as she is lighter than me and this looks absolutely fine on her) – she could see a hint of a white cast. So, be weary darker skins.

YOUTUBE VIDEO: EXPLAINING THE SPF TECHNOLGY + LIVE SWATCHING THE SKINCARE MILK AS WELL AS THE ANESSA SKINCARE GEL

Fragrance?: Yes – this contains Parfum. I’m not a fan of the smell as it has a citrus-like smell.

Good Under Makeup?: Yes this is fine – it has a powdery finish and can be used as a makeup primer as the brand state.

How long have I been using this?: I used this about 4 times before my sister told me I should stop using it because I looked a bit grey.

The Effect?: Sun-protected skin with a matte finish (no irritation). But for me, my sister said (olive-skin toned) that I looked a bit sick.

What I like:

• Love the inclusion of all 3 technologies to really try and improve the protective barrier of this SPF (I wish all 3 of these technologies were included in all SPFs)
• Lightweight
• Didn’t irritate my skin
• I can re-apply
• Good as a primer (due to the powdery finish)
• I like that it’s sweat, water and sand resistant
• Great for oily skins (due to the matte finish + it sort of absorbs excess oil)

What I don’t like:

• Powdery texture (it’s something you need to get used to)
• My sister said I look a bit sick when I wear it (so it does give me a bit of a white cast)
• Not a fan of the scent (I don’t like citrus-y scents) and the scent doesn’t really disappear
• Oily/greasy when applying (not that pleasant to apply)

Overall Rating and Conclusion: It’s hard to give this a score because I would give it a 4/5 due to the finish, the lightweight texture, I could wear it at the gym (no milk-looking sweat) and the technology that really makes me feel safe and protected when using). However I’m going to have to give it a 3/5 because it did make me look ashy/grey or a bit ill-looking, which made me unable to keep wearing it.

I do hope that Shiseido quickly make an SPF that replaces the zinc/titanium with transparent filters so those with mine and darker skin tones can use such a great technology-containing SPF.

I will say however, that I also wasn’t a fan of the smell of this (the fragrance is citrus-y), and this weird powdery texture + finish takes some getting used to.

Would I repurchase?: If I was pale (i.e. if this didn’t give me a slight sick-look), I would.

Dupe?: My favourite SPF is the Missha Aqua Sun Gel – AND it provides a matte finish AND is easy to spread. Review HERE

My Skin Type: I am acne prone and have slightly dehydrated combo skin. My skin is usually tight where the cheeks and eye area is and the outer parts of my face. My T zone is oily. My skin isn’t a fan of thick/heavy formulas so I opt for lightweight formulas to prevent it from clogging up. My skin doesn’t like essential oils either and I try to avoid fragrance when I can.

Disclaimer: I am a skincare enthusiast and not a skin expert. I am not qualified to give out dermatological advice. This type of advice should only be given by a medical practitioner. Upon trying / using any of the reviewed products on the blog, please follow the manufacturer’s instructions and warnings and please seek medical advice if needed.

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