Where to purchase: Boots: LINK
Price: £5
Volume: 50ml
Made in: The UK.
What is it and what does it do and what makes it different?: A high-protection SPF (UVA and UVB) that aims to provide 8 hour sun protection to the skin (please re-apply your SPF appropriately). This has the highest UVA rating sun protection in the EU (Five stars). And this also uses Hyaluronic Acid to help hydrate the skin (and plump it). This also is water resistant (not water proof).
Supposedly Good for: All Skin Types.
What I think: Dry Skins > Oily Skins and in particular Dehydrated Skins may like this. Combination Skins could enjoy this in the Winter as this feels like a hydrating moisturising cream and provides a glow.
Vegan?: Yes.
Cruelty Free?: Yes.
How long does it last after opening?: 12 Months.
Packaging: Plastic tube in a pump mechanism (and a cap). Note: The tube is made from a minimum of 50% recycled plastic,
Directions: ”Apply this 15 minutes before heading out into the sun. Apply 1 teaspoon full of product for the face and neck and rub. One application allows for up to 8 hours sun exposure and 40 minutes water exposure (but reapply if you spend more time in the water). This product is designed for normal wear but should be reapplied after towelling dry or other abrasive contact (bathing or showering will remove the product). One tube contains 10 applications. Avoid contact with fabrics.” (From the Boots Website).
How I use it: I apply this in the Morning before working out. I can apply it before working out as this doesn’t turn milky when I sweat or sting the eyes. However I do look very dewy and shiny when wearing this so I now currently use it as an SPF for my neck, back of neck and ears.
Sunscreen Filters: Avobenzone (UVA), Octocrylene (UVB), Octisalate (UVB), Tinosorb S (UVA + UVB), Tinosorb M (UVA + UVB) Note: This is a Hybrid Sunscreen filter (half chemical half physical, which means it’s slightly reflective. But the majority formula of this SPF consists of Chemical filters and this is only partly physical and is not (I think) a high % so I wouldn’t classify this as a physical spf), Uvasorb HEB (UVB + UVA II).
Key Ingredients: Sdium Ascorbyl Phosphate (Antioxidant + Anti-Blemish) / Ginseng Root Extract (Antioxidant) / Grape Seed Oil (Moisturising + Antioxidant) / Shea Butter (Emollient) / Hyaluronic Acid (Hydrating).
Full Ingredients: Aqua (Water), C12-15 Alkyl benzoate, Butyl methoxydibenzoylmethane, Octocrylene, Butylene glycol, Ethylhexyl salicylate, Bis-ethylhexyloxyphenol methoxyphenyl triazine, Polyglyceryl-3 methylglucose distearate, Adipic acid/diglycol crosspolymer, VP/eicosene copolymer, Dimethicone, Methylene bis-benzotriazolyl tetramethylbutylphenol [nano], Tribehenin, Phenoxyethanol, Diethylhexyl butamido triazone, Butyrospermum parkii (Shea) butter, Ammonium acryloyldimethyltaurate/VP copolymer, Panthenol, Glycerin, Potassium cetyl phosphate, Dimethiconol, Parfum (Fragrance), Caprylyl glycol, Methylparaben, Decyl glucoside, Ethylparaben, Ethylhexylglycerin, Sodium hyaluronate, Tocopheryl acetate, Vitis vinifera (Grape) seed oil, Tetrasodium EDTA, Citric acid, Panax ginseng root extract, Propylene glycol, Sodium ascorbyl phosphate, Xanthan gum, Tocopherol.
Texture: This has a lightweight, creamy texture (feels like a moisturising cream). It’s lightweight and spreadable.
Sticky?: No.
Greasy?: Sort of. I wouldn’t call this oily, but this has a shiny and reflective and hydrating/moisturising finish (like a cream). This doesn’t feel heavily like silicone. So it has a slight creamy finish to this, but I wouldn’t say this feels like applying oil on the skin (there is absorption). But I do think Dehydrated skins would appreciate this over oily skins nonetheless (unless you like a dewy finish).
Balls up?: No. (You’d have to scratch the skin or rub hard to get that effect, but my clothes / mask doesn’t make this ball up).
- As you can see, this is an opaque cream sunblock. It is lightweight and you can see so the more I spread this out (see swatch video below).
Swatch Comparison: No Product (Left) Vs Product (Right)
- Hopefully you can see that shiny / dewy finish this product provides! It’s not a white cast (I don’t look dull or grey), but this is very reflective (shiny), so at the gym, I already look shiny before I’ve started working out.
Stings the eyes?: No.
White Cast?: No. I don’t look grey or dull (Golden Warm Skin Tone), but I do look shiny / reflective.
Note: Tinosorb M is a hybrid SPF filter (i.e. half chemical half physical) and it partly reflects the sun because of it. However as this product doesn’t give me a white cast (this is just a shiny product) and I don’t look grey or dull when wearing, I consider this a no-white cast SPF.
Does this Sting if the Skin has been Irritated / Sensitised by Shaving/Heavy Retinol Use?: Yes.
Summer or Winter?: Dry Skins could enjoy this all year round (even in the summer). Combination Skins may prefer this in the Winter. If oily skins like a shiny finish then the winter may suit you too. Dehydrated skins could enjoy this all year.
Layerable?: Yes.
Video Swatch:
- As you can see, this is a creamy and lightweight SPF. It doesn’t look sticky or tacky. It definitely gives a glow to the skin, but does not give a white cast.
Fragrance?: This contains Fragrance (Parfum) – This smells like a typical SPF in the beach.
Good Under Makeup?: Yes (If you don’t mind a slight glowy/dewy look underneath).
How long have I been using this?: 3 Months.
Will I use until Completion?: Yes (however due to the dewy finish, I use this on the neck / ears + back of neck).
How Long will that take?: I am almost done (maybe 3 more uses).
The Effect?: Hydrated skin and no white cast. However I look quite shiny/dewy. The skin can breathe as this isn’t heavy. No balling up effect.
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What I like:
- Lightweight
- Breathable
- Fine under makeup
- Moisturising / Hydrating
- Easy-to-use packaging
- Additional skin-beneficial ingredients
- No white cast
- Didn’t ball up
- Not sticky or tacky
What I don’t like:
- Fragrance
- Quite Dewy / Shiny look (no oil control). I look shiny at the gym before I’ve started sweating
- I’ve run out quite quickly
Overall Rating and Conclusion: 4 (almost a 3.9) /5 – I like this SPF a lot in terms of the texture and hydrating it is and easy to spread on the skin it is. I appreciated that it didn’t ball up and wasn’t sticky or tacky. However I don’t like the dewy / shiny look this gives me (no oil control), so I look way too shiny (for me) during my daily routine (I have oily-combo skin). This is a little too reflective for me. However Dry skins and Dehydrated skins may prefer this SPF for its dewy look and also because it’s a creamy finish (not powdery or mattifying). I don’t think it’s a failed product, it’s just not for me.
Would I repurchase?: No. I’m not a fan of the shiny look. I would repurchase this just to apply it on my neck and back of the neck and ears however.
Dupe?: The Beauty of Joseon SPF50+ Rice + Prebiotics Sunblock is very similar in finish and texture (Swatches + Review: HERE)
- The Isntree Hyaluronic Acid Watery Sun Gel is also relatively similar (Swatches + Review HERE) although it is slightly more suitable to combination skins.
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 