Hello all!
In this video, wanted to share with you some of my absolute top fav sunscreens with NO WHITE CAST and are lightweight and suitable even for Oily-Combination Skins!
We’ll explore: 1. Their ingredients 2. Their unique qualities, 3. What other skin types they suit, 4. What skin concerns they address and 5. If there are any potential dupes.
Watch the Video Here:
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Table of Contents:
- Why wear sunblock?
- Garnier Ambre Solaire – Anti-Dark Spot Super UV Face Fluid
- Garnier Ambre Solaire – Invisible Serum
- L’Oreal – Bright Reveal Dark Spot UV Fluid
- Comparison
- Conclusion
Why wear sunblock?
UV rays are the leading cause of the formation of fine lines, wrinkles and dark spots. Therefore, daily UV protection is important. Sunblocks help prevent signs of ageing as well as help to reduce post-acne marks, hormonal spots, sunspots and age spots.
- In order for a sunblock to be effective, it needs to provide both UVA and UVB protection through sunscreen filters. UVA protection helps protect the skin from UVA (ageing) rays that lead to fine line and wrinkle formation (due to the breakdown of collagen in the skin).
- UVB protection helps prevent the skin from being burnt (UV-burning rays) and helps stop the exacerbation of Rosacea and Acne.
Overall: Sunblock helps to prevent sunburn, skin cancer and premature ageing when used regularly.
Disclaimer: [Over-exposure to the sun is dangerous. Do not stay too long in the sun because it does not provide 100% protection].
Thank you Farmer Sunblocks Review:
Garnier Ambre Solaire – Anti-Dark Spot Super UV Face Fluid
Available at: Look Fantastic: LINK / Ocado: LINK
First up is the: Garnier Ambre Solaire Anti-Dark Spots and Anti-Pollution, Super UV Face Fluid.
-This has a a high sun protection rating of: SPPF50+ (Has UVA, UVB and long UVA protection).
Price: £13 (On Sale= ~£8.71) for 40ml.
Fragrance + EO Free?: Yes
Contains Alcohol?: Yes
Cruelty-Free: Yes
Vegan: No
EU-Allergen-Free?: Yes
Fungal-Acne Suitable?: No
This is a Chemical / Organic Sunblock, and so, it does not create a white cast on darker skin tones.
Sunscreen Filters: Octisalate (UVB), Uvinul T 150 (UVB), Tinosorb S (UVA + UVB), Avobenzone (UVA). Mexoryl XL (UVA + UVB), Mexoryl SX (UVA).
Packaging: This is a recyclable [for plastic] plastic bottle with a screw-top cap. The nib is thin, but it’s easy to squeeze out product. (You need to shake this bottle before dispensing).
[Directions: Shake well. Apply this sunscreen just before sun exposure. Re-apply frequently and generously to maintain protection, especially after swimming, perspiring, or drying off with a towel].
Key Ingredients: There isn’t a huge array of added skin beneficial ingredients, however, this does include Hyaluronic acid and Glycerin which are hydrating and moisturising. Some emollients are added, which help to moisturise and soften the skin.
Emollients: Diisopropyl Sebacate, Isopropyl Myristate, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Caprylyl Glycol.
Texture: (For pictures, Check out the Full review HERE). This is a fluid sunblock that slides down the skin when applied. The brand states that this is an ultra-light sun fluid that should quickly absorb, and I would agree!
– I find this moisturising enough as well as lightweight and comfortable enough for my Oily-Combination Skin [i.e. my skin can breathe].
-It may look dewy when first applying onto the skin, but that dissipates once absorbed [Due to its Netlock Technology, this has a protection that stays in place].
[This contains alcohol, which is how this can absorbed quickly into the skin and remain lightweight].
- This does NOT provide a white cast on my Warm-Golden toned skin.
- Is not sticky or tacky.
Note: To prevent the product shifting, try massaging this into the skin relatively quickly as it’s harder to shift and shouldn’t be shifted once it has settled. [If you need to spread it out slightly then tap the product into and around the skin].
[As this is a fluid, you can measure the appropriate amount of sunblock using a measuring spoon. Or, you can apply two layers of sunscreen to help ensure appropriate coverage].
- Furthermore, this does not sting the eyes or turn milky when sweating and sits fine under makeup.
Skin Type: This suits Oily, Oily-Combination, Combination and Normal Skin Types.
- Dry Skins [and Dry-Combination skins + dehydration-prone skin] may find this not hydrating enough [and potentially slightly drying]. But of course, you can apply a moisturiser underneath before applying your SPF.
I love this sunblock and its affordability [not the smoothest texture/just slightly grainy], but if you would like a sunblock with a smoother more elegant texture and finish, then I’d recommend the La Roche Posay Anthelios Sunblock (Swatches + Review HERE)
Available at: Cult Beauty: LINK / Adore Beauty: LINK / Look Fantastic: LINK / Stylevana: LINK
Nivea Sunblocks! Swatches + Review:
Garnier Ambre Solaire – Invisible Serum
Available at: Look Fantastic: LINK / Boots: LINK / Superdrug: LINK
Full Swatches + Review HERE
Next up is another sunblock from Garnier which I really like. It is the Ambre Solaire Super UV Invisible Face Serum. This is a Daily-Use Fluid sunblock with a high UV sun protection of SPF50+ [UVA + UVB protection].
Price: ~£14 (On sale = ~10) for 30ml
Fungal-Acne suitable: No
Cruelty-Free: Yes
Vegan: Vegan friendly (not certified vegan)
Eu-Allergen Free?: Yes
Packaging: This comes in a glass bottle [made of 40% Recycled Glass] with a pump mechanism for application.
Like the previous Sunblock, this is a Chemical / Organic Sunscreen that provides no white cast on darker skin tones.
Sunscreen Filters: Octisalate (UVB) / Tinosorb S (UVA + UVB) (one of the best sunscreen options available today) / Octyltriazone (UVB) / Avobenzone (UVA) / Ensulizole (UVB) / Mexoryl XL (UVA + UVB).
In terms of key ingredients: This contains Vitamin E (an Antioxidant) / Glycerin (which is moisturising) and Ceramide NP (moisturising + provides instant skin barrier function protection) / Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice (soothing).
Texture: this starts off an opaque liquid that runs down the hand. This is the thickest out of all three sunblocks and feels the most like a liquid cream. This also feels the most moisturising because of it. It can feel greasy initially while rubbing in, but this does start to absorb, settle and form a protective barrier on top of the skin, and yet it is still very comfortable and breathable (for my Oily-Combination Skin).
- This does not feel greasy or sticky and sits fine under makeup and once again, does not give a white cast.
One thing that is inconvenient about this sunblock is that the product tends to ball up at the nozzle and form a congealed ball, which I have to keep wiping off before pumping out product. But other than that, I really enjoy this sunblock, it suits Oily-Combination skins and even normal to dry or combination skins (in the summer) as it is tentatively moisturising.
In terms of a dupe: the Vichy Sun Fluid also comes in a pump bottle and is moisturising, but is even thinner in texture. (Full Swatches + Review HERE).
Available at: Look Fantastic: LINK / Look Fantastic: LINK / Boots: LINK / Superdrug: LINK
L’Oreal – Bright Reveal Dark Spot UV Fluid
Available at: Look Fantastic: LINK / Target: LINK / Ulta: LINK
Full Swatches + Review HERE
Last but not least, is the L’Oréal Paris Bright Reveal Dark Spot UV Fluid
-This is a daily use sunblock with a high sun protection of SPF 50+ (UVA + UVB).
Price: £20 (On sale= ~£15.99) for 50ml
Fungal-Acne suitable?: No
Cruelty-Free?: No
Vegan?: No
Eu-Allergen-free?: Yes
Main selling point: Helps protect the skin from pigmentation and dark spots. Of course, sunblocks are supposed to do this with their sunscreen filters; but this sunblock also contains LHA and Niacinamide to help brighten the skin and further help restrict dark spot and pigmentation formation.
[Directions: Shake well before application. Every morning, apply evenly as a moisturiser or after your skincare routine and before makeup. Can be applied on the eyelids and around the eyes].
Packaging: this comes in an easy to squeeze bottle with a nozzle and a cap that clicks into place.
Key Ingredients: What is LHA? It is Capryloyl Salicylic Acid, which is an exfoliant. It sloughs off dead skin cells to reveal brighter skin underneath, but does not make the skin sensitive to the sun.
–Niacinamide helps brighten dark spots and pigmentation, so this duo work together to brighten the skin.
LHA + Niacinamide = reduce dark spots and pigmentation and brighten the skin.
Other key ingredients: Matrixyl 3000 (a Peptide duo which is well-ageing, helping to reduce fine lines and wrinkles) / Hyaluronic acid + Glycerin (Moisturising / Hydrating).
Texture: this fluid sunblock slides down the hand and is lightweight. It’s not as lightweight as the Garnier Super UV fluid, but it’s close. Like the others, as you rub, you can feel this start to set and form a protective barrier on top of the skin. It is moisturising, not as moisturising as the Invisible serum, but also close.
This formula leaves no white cast, so it’s suitable for all skin tones. Initially it does have a dewy finish and may look shiny but the more it absorbs and settles, the less shiny it looks.
- This is non-sticky, is fine under makeup and comfortable on my oily-combination skin.
In terms of a dupe: L’Oreal also offer the Revitalift Clinical Vitamin C Daily Invisible Fluid [SPF50 +] which focuses on Vitamin C (Swatches + Review HERE).
Available at: Look Fantastic: LINK / Boots: LINK / Superdrug: LINK
Missha Aqua Sun Gel SPF50+ PA++++ Old VS New Formula – Which is best?:
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Comparison
From Thinnest to Thickest, I would rank them: Thinnest = Garnier UV Face Fluid –> L’Oreal Brightening Fluid –> Thickest = Garnier Invisible Sun Serum
Volume and Price comparison:
| Garnier Invisible Face serum | Garnier Super UV Face Fluid | L’Oreal Bright Reveal |
| ~£14 (On sale for ~£10) | ~£13 (On sale for ~£8.71) | ~£20 for ~£15.99 |
| 30ml | 40ml | 50ml |
| Thickest texture | Thinnest Texture | Middling Texture |
| Combination / Normal + Dry Skins | Oily + Oily-Combination Skins | All Skin Types (Especially Normal + Combination Skins) |
| Not as dewy as the Bright Reveal | The mattest finish | Dewiest (Still not very dewy) |
Note: The Bright Reveal Sunblock has the most added skin-beneficial ingredients out of all three and that’s reflected in the price.
Conclusion
Overall, I really like all of these sunblocks!
None of them ball up, and they all sit fine under makeup.
They are 1. Lightweight, 2. Give high sun protection and 3. Do NOT provide a white cast.
Yes they contain alcohol, but it is important for the fast-absorbing and very lightweight nature and texture of these products. I would recommend them all.
My only wish is that they would sell thee in 100ml bottles instead!
None of these sunblocks mattify throughout the day ([These do not control oil throughout the day, so if you have VERY oily skin or are sweating a lot i.e. working out, these will not control that shine. HOWEVER, in order to re-mattify the skin: Re-applying the sunblock throughout the day, should help to semi-mattify the skin and help remove excess oil.
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.
My Skincare Regime 