Where to purchase: Harrods (Where I purchased mine): LINK / John Lewis: LINK
Price: £58
Volume: 30ml
Made in: France
What is it?: An SPF that is supposed to shield/protect the skin from environmental aggressors through antioxidants, and a texture and barrier function that’s supposed to spot them getting to the skin and breaking down collagen/ worsening the skin’s condition etc. This is also supposed to provide 8-hour protection and also give the skin an immediate ”Glow” (However I would recommend re-applying SPF every 2 hours).
Aims to: Keep the skin looking and feeling fresh. Adding a glow, and protecting the skin from pollution and free radicals.
Supposedly Good for: All Skin Type (Particularly those who want glowy skin)
What I think: This would suit Normal-Dry Skins better. I don’t think oily skins will enjoy the lingering cream texture left on the skin.
Eunwoo Recommended this Sunblock so I really want to try it out!
The Box
Vegan?: No.
Cruelty Free?: Still sells in China.
How long does it last after opening?: 12 Months.
Packaging: Plastic Tube that you screw and unscrew; the cap clicks so you know when it’s closed. It’s easy to squeeze product out.
Directions: Apply as you would a typical SPF (i.e. the face and neck, avoiding the eye contour area). Shake well before use!
How I use it: I apply this in the AM before working out (I apply it on the eye skin however, and this does not sting my eyes, even if I sweat). However, this gets streaky (especially around the hairline). So, I need to spend extra time rubbing this in to make sure I have blended this out the to best of my ability.
SPF Filters: Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate (Octinoxate – An old-school UVB Filter. There are updated UVB filters out there), Methylene Bis-Benzotriazolyl Tetramethylbutylphenol (Tinosorb M – UVA/UVB Filter. However: This is a half-physical, half-chemical Filter, SO; this can give the skin a slight white cast (not as much as zinc oxide + titanium dioxide), but there is a slight, white film added to the skin), Bis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine (Tinosorb S – UVA/UVB Filter), Diethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl Benzoate (Uvinul A Plus – UVA Filter).
Other Key Ingredients: Vitamin E + Tocopheryl Acetate (Antioxidants), Skullcap Root Extract (Chinese Medicinal herb: Antioxidant + Soothing + Antibacterial), Ergothioneine (Antioxidant). Hyaluronic Acid (Hydrating). Plankton Extract (Conditioning).
Note: This contains Ci 14700 which is a colourant.
Full Ingredients: Water/Aqua, Butylene Glycol Dicaprylate/ Dicaprate, Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate, Methylene Bis-Benzotriazolyl Tetramethylbutylphenol, Glycerin, Dicaprylyl Carbonate, Dimethicone, Butylene Glycol, Bis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine, Diethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl Benzoate, Cetyl Alcohol, Potassium Cetyl Phosphate, Silica, Phenoxyethanol, Decyl Glucoside, Dimethicone/ Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Phenyl Trimethicone, Caprylyl Glycol, Ophiopogon Japonicus Root Extract, Parfum, Xanthan Gum, Sodium Hyaluronate, Tetrasodium Edta, Tocopheryl Acetate, Hibiscus Sabdariffa Flower Extract, Acrylates/ C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Moringa Pterygosperma Seed Extract, Propylene Glycol, Sodium Hydroxide, Disodium Phosphate, Citric Acid, Butylphenyl Methylpropional, Bht, Limonene, Ethylhexylglycerin, Alpha-Isomethyl Ionone, Geraniol, Sodium Chloride, Tocopherol, Citronellol, Scutellaria Baicalensis Root Extract, Plankton Extract, Ci 14700, Ergothioneine, Potassium Chloride, Potassium Phosphate
NOTE: The Incidecoder have a full ingredient breakdown HERE
Texture: A smooth, silky texture (thanks to the inclusion of silicone). It feels creamy and moisturising. This feels lightweight (the skin can breathe). Due to the Tinosorb M this has just a slight bit of chalkiness to it (from the physical side of this SPF filter) which you can see in the pictures down below. So I do think Lighter Skin tones would prefer this > Darker skin tones.
Sticky?: This isn’t sticky BUT it has a slight tackiness when first applying this and letting it absorb for a few moments and settle. It doesn’t totally disappear into the skin and therefore works as a good makeup primer (the foundation can stick on quite well). But I wouldn’t say this is un-wearably sticky.
Greasy?: ALMOST. The initial shine + creaminess of this product makes you think it wont dry down/absorb fully and will remain sticky/creamy, but it doesn’t. It eventually dries down.
Balls up?: No.
- As you can see this is a white, cream when applying.
Rubbing some more, it feels and seems very similar to a physical SPF which worried me! I didn’t think this white would go away, and that it would feel sticky.
As you can see, this is why I said you can see the streaks when rubbing this in, and if you haven’t rubbed this in properly, you will see some slight streaks. You’ve just got to keep massaging in!
- Also the smell while rubbing in is very potent! If you like a lemon-y scent then you’ll enjoy rubbing this in.
Once Fully Rubbed in (But not fully Absorbed):
I hope you can see: This doesn’t have a POTENT white cast.
Once Absorbed:
You can see the slight glow the skin has due to this SPF.
Comparison: No Product (Left) VS Product (Right)
Does this Sting if the Skin has been Irritated / Sensitised by Shaving/Heavy Retinol Use?: Yes.
Summer or Winter?: For Normal-Dry Skins: Both. Oily Skins could use this in the Cold, Dry Winter.
Layerable?: Yes.
White Cast?: I have Light-Medium Golden Undertone Skin. This doesn’t make me look like a ghost, but I think there’s a slight, light layer of white on top of my skin that I think means medium skin tones would be fine, but anything darker might find their skin looks sallow.
Video Swatch:
Fragrance?: Yes, this contains Fragrance and Geraniol and Citronellol and Limonene. So this smells lemon-y. It actually smells very similar to the Face Republic SPF (Review HERE).
Good Under Makeup?: Yes – as it has that slight tackiness that works well as a primer to make foundations stick to the skin (and also because this is smooth).
How long have I been using this?: 2 Months.
Will I use until Completion?: Yes (especially because it was expensive).
How Long will that take?: About another 2 Months (This is only 30ml)
The Effect?: Moisturised skin. Initially, a Glow too. A slight, mild, thin white/grey-ish tint to the skin (due to the Tinosorb M).
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What I like:
- Good as a Makeup Primer (Helps foundation adhere)
- Smooth texture
- High SPF Protection
- Sturdy Packaging
- Smooth texture
- Moisturising
- Didn’t irritate my skin
- Lightweight
What I don’t like:
- Gives me a slight white cast (removes my golden tone and makes it more dull)
- You can see streaks around the hairline (I have to spend longer rubbing this in to remove streaks)
- The scent isn’t that nice to me (would prefer unscented)
- EXPENSIVE
- ONLY 30ML
Overall Rating and Conclusion: 3.8 (nearly 3.9) / 5 – A totally fine Sunblock. It feels smooth on the skin. It’s lightweight and doesn’t make my skin feel too hot and clogged up. I don’t appreciate the Tinosorb M in here which gives my skin a slight (slight) white cast (I don’t recommend to darker skin tones), and also it makes this slightly streaky at the hair line and I have to spend longer rubbing this in because of it. I’m also not a fan of the potent fragrant smell. This is moisturising so I think Normal-Dry Skins would appreciate it (and lighter skin tones), but this is too pricey for what it is, and I think I’ve found better SPFs suited for my skin at a lower price.
Would I repurchase?: No. I would prefer Unscented SPFs (or at least very mild scents) and also, this is 30ML for almost £60! And there’s nothing about this SPF that screams SO GOOD IT’S WORTH IT, to me.
Dupes: A LUXURY Dupe – Estee Lauder UV Double Cut Gel SPF50 (Review HERE); no white cast. Same Texture Dupes: The Isntree Hyaluronic Acid Watery Sun Gel (Review HERE) – this is a Chemical SPF (No White Cast) OR The Garnier Ambre Solaire SPF: LINK For Dry Skins: The Missha Aqua Sun Gel SPF50 (New Formula)
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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