Where to purchase: Cult Beauty: HERE / Adore Beauty: HERE / Beauty Bay: HERE
Price: £36
Volume: 50ml
Made in: Australia
What makes this Different?: This High-Protection SPF aims to bring Dew + Luminosity to the skin (hence why it’s called a ”Serum”). It’s meant to work with Makeup as it helps brighten the skin and make it ”glowy” without balling up or pilling. If you like the Scent of Rose then you’d like this too.
Supposedly Good for: Normal-Dry Skin.
What I think: I would agree! I do think Combination Skins could get away with this (If you like a Dewy Finish!). I would not recommend to those sensitive to Fragrance and/or Essential Oils.
Vegan?: Yes
Cruelty Free?: Yes
How long does it last after opening?: 12 Months
Packaging: Glass Bottle with a Dropper Applicator. This also comes with that small plastic bit at the end which prevents the dropper + application being too messy.
Directions: Apply on the face – Three Full-Droppers worth of Product (Don’t forget the ears).
How I use it: I apply in the AM before working out / Going out or under makeup application. IT’s not messy or difficult to apply this product, however it is quite tricky to pick up three full-droppers worth of product, so it takes a while for me to get as much as I need up and out.
Sunscreen Filters: Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate (10%) – Octinoxate: Chemical/Organic Filter. Ethylhexyl Salicylate (5%) – Octyl Salicylate: Chemical/Organic Filter. Bis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine (4%) – Tinosorb S: Chemical/Organic Filter. Methylene Bis-Benzotriazolyl Tetramethylbutylphenol (2%) – Tinosorb M: Half Mineral + Half Chemical – So this leaves a white cast on the skin. Titanium Dioxide – Physical/Inorganic Filter.
White Cast?: Yes, this makes me slightly grey/ashy-looking (my sister was the one who pointed it out to me first). It’s due to the inclusion of Titanium Dioxide and Tinosorb M. I do not recommend this SPF to those who have darker skin tones.
Key Ingredients: Terminalia Ferdinandiana Fruit Extract = Skin Brightening Antioxidant. L-Carnosine = A Peptide that provides antioxidant benefits.
Full Ingredients: AQUA/WATER/EAU, CYCLOPENTASILOXANE, ETHYLHEXYL METHOXYCINNAMATE, CYCLOHEXASILOXANE, ISOSTEARYL NEOPENTANOATE, ETHYLHEXYL SALICYLATE, BIS-ETHYLHEXYLOXYPHENOL METHOXYPHENYL TRIAZINE, GLYCERIN, LAURYL PEG/PPG-18/18 METHICONE, SILICA, METHYLENE BIS-BENZOTRIAZOLYL TETRAMETHYLBUTYLPHENOL, CETYL PEG/PPG-10/1 DIMETHICONE, CETYL DIMETHICONE, HYDROXYACETOPHENONE, POLYMETHYL METHACRYLATE, SACCHARIDE ISOMERATE, BENZYL ALCOHOL, PHENOXYETHANOL, MICA, FRAGRANCE/PARFUM, DECYL GLUCOSIDE, SODIUM LAURETH SULFATE, AMINOMETHYL PROPANOL, TITANIUM DIOXIDE, TERMINALIA FERDINANDIANA FRUIT EXTRACT, PROPYLENE GLYCOL, XANTHAN GUM, CITRIC ACID, SODIUM CHLORIDE, GERANIOL, CITRONELLOL, LINALOOL, EUGENOL, CI 77491, CI 77492, CI 77499 (IRON OXIDES)
NOTE: The Incidecoder have a full ingredient breakdown HERE
Texture: As you can see this has a milky texture It feels almost oily and greasy, so it’s very moisturising. It’s similar in texture to the Garnier Ambre Solaire Fluid SPF HOWEVER this feels less gritty and the Garnier feels slightly less oily. Definitely not Sticky or Tacky.
As you can see, this is a white fluid that sheers out when rubbing in. It’s liquid-y but definitely clings to the skin.
The Finish: This definitely provides a brightening + Glowy boost to the skin. The finish is Definitely Moisturising – This product sticks to the skin once dried down/absorbed and doesn’t budge. I do think Oily Skins or those living in Hot + Humid weathers would find this doesn’t provide any oil control or mattifying effects.
Stings the Eyes?: No. Not even upon re-application.
Dewy Finish?: This contains Mica which is a pigment that gives a pearl-like quality to the skin (used a lot in makeup), and Titanium Dioxide as well as multiple Iron Oxides. Giving the finish of this product a luminescent glow. There are small bits of glitter and shimmer in this product which I hope you can notice in the Video swatch and in the final product, which helps give that brightening effect.
Does this Sting if the Skin has been Irritated / Sensitised by Shaving/Heavy Retinol Use?: Yes.
Summer or Winter?: For my Oily-Combination Skin, this works better in the Winter. Dry Skins would appreciate this all-year round.
Layerable?: Yes (doesn’t ball up).
Video Swatch:
(I hope you can see the glitter)
Fragrance?: YES. This contains Fragrance, Geraniol, Citronellol, Linalool and Eugenol. I’m not a fan. Also, this scent is quite potent. I would prefer it smelling of regular Sunblock.
Good Under Makeup?: Yes (but not if you have oily Skin as this doesn’t mattify).
Will I use until Completion?: Yes (The texture and feel of this and of course high-protection will keep me using this BUT I’m not happy with the slightly grey/ashy look it gives me).
How Long will that take?:
How long have I been using this?:
The Effect?: Moisturised Skin that looks more luminous/glowy and dewy. Yes it gives me a bit of a white cast. Didn’t sting or irritate my skin however.
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What I like:
- Lightweight
- Doesn’t ball up
- Sits under makeup fine
- High SPF Protection
- Cruelty-Free
- Moisturising
- Does not budge once absorbed
- Provides a Glowy/Brightening effect to the skin
What I don’t like:
- Inclusion of Fragrance + Essential Oils
- The Scent (I’m not a fan)
- Slight White Cast (Sister said I looked a bit grey)
- The dropper mechanism is finnicky i.e. this doesn’t pick up a lot of product so I have to spend a while trying to get the right amount of product out in order to be well protected.
Overall Rating and Conclusion: 3.9 /5 – Great under makeup and a good makeup primer. I don’t like the Ashy/Grey look this gives me, I don’t like the smell of it BUT I like the texture, I like that this feels moisturising, I like the high protection and I even don’t mind the shimmer/glitter and overall glowy finish. But the difficult in using the dropper to pick up a good amount of product and fast, wastes time for me. I do think those who like a dewy finish, normal-dry skins and especially, those with lighter skin tones, would enjoy this product.
NOTE: If you would like to read my other Ultra Violette SPF Reviews then LINK. I highly recommend their SPF Lip Glosses (Review) and their Body SPF (Review).
Would I repurchase?: Due to the fact that this gives me a a bit of an Ashy/Grey look, I wouldn’t. If it didn’t do that, then I would.
Dupe?: If you want a Sunblock that doesn’t give the skin a white cast and is fluid with a mild dewy finish, then the Garnier Ambre Solaire SPF 50 Sun Fluid is a good dupe! (Review HERE) / The Youtube Video Swatch + Review HERE. Or just as good: the Vichy Sun Fluid (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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My Skincare Regime 