#Garnier Anti Age Super UV SPF50

[letstalkbeautyuk]

Beauty Product Empties June 2023

Sharing the products I’ve used up in the past few weeks. It is always interesting, I think, to see what people completely use up. I hardly ever use up makeup items, simply because I don’t wear makeup on a daily basis, so these posts tend to be predominantly skincare. Diptyque Philoskos EDP I adore fig scented products and this Diptyque perfume is gorgeous. It is a fragrance with richness and…

[hcielh]

2021 First Quarter Sunscreen Round Up

NOTE: all non-Asian sunscreens mentioned are the versions sold in the EU/UK. if a brand sells a product with the same name in the US/Canada, the ingredients will be different! ALSO, the links are for your convenience/reference, I don’t make anything from them.

What's the most important step in your skincare routine? It'd be difficult to narrow this down to just one step, but it'd be easy to make an argument for it being sunscreen. Although I'm staunchly against 'sunscreen shaming' I tell everyone the same thing: there's no point using anti-aging or anti-oxidant products if you're not topping it off with a solid sunscreen. Many of the heavy hitting anti-acne ingredients (retinoids, AHAs) make your skin more sensitive to the sun as well, so if you use either of those it's even more important.

To make sure I get proper protection, I use 2 finger lengths of sunscreen for my face, and the same again for my neck + ears. I also reapply throughout the day (every two hours isn't realistic, but I generally do it at least twice). This means I get through SPF quickly; a 50ml tube lasts me ~2.5 weeks. With that out of the way, here’s the list in no particular order!

Skinnies Conquer SPF50+ PA++++

Filters: Uvinal A Plus, Bemotrizional, Octocrylene, Zinc oxide

✔️ No white cast*

✔️ No skin irritation

✔️ No eye irritation

Contains a fragrant EO (manuka oil)

(*although I sincerely doubt this would leave a white cast on anyone, it should be noted that I have pale-ass skin and zinc oxide is known for leaving a cast, which means it could be problematic for darker tones and it's just subtle enough that I didn't notice. proceed with caution)

Skinnies is a little controversial, because of their 'a little goes a long way' claim. I suggest watching this video from Lab Muffin Beauty Science (if you haven't already) to learn more about that. I experimented with using both a pea sized amount as suggested by the brand, and a normal amount for safety's sake.

It has a balm-like texture that you have to heat up in your hands to make spreadable, and because of its waterless formula it doesn't 'dry down' at all- so if you feel greasy putting it on at first, you'll pretty much stay greasy. I found it manageable, and if you want to trust the pea sized amount it works well at being moisturising without being too much. It may have clogged my pores, although that was definitely made worse by wearing a mask

For some reason, I really like skinnies, and if I'm wearing my normal 2 finger amount I feel very much protected because it's very water resistant - a double cleanse is entirely necessary with this one. I'm gonna wear this some more in the summer, and come back to it then

Verdict: TBD

Garnier Ambre Solaire sensitive face fluid SPF50 UVA★★★ 

Filters: Octisalate, Uvinal T 150, Tinosorb S, Avobenzone, Mexoryl XL, Mexoryl SX

✔️ No white cast

✔️ No skin irritation

✔️ No eye irritation

Unscented

I wanted to try this one because it was all over my instagram feed for a while, but it does NOT live up to the hype. Firstly, 40ml is tiny, and 3 stars for UVA isn't enough for me personally. I'd forgive this if it had a wonderful texture, but it felt strangely harsh on my skin (almost gritty... although there's nothing gritty in it), and left me looking dull, as if I didn't have a million layers of toner and serums on. But, still, props for being an affordable, white-cast free sunscreen that didn't sting my eyes.

Verdict: would not repurchase

Garnier Ambre Solaire Anti Age Super UV SPF50 UVA ★ ★ ★ ★  ★

Filters: Octocrylene, Avobenzone, Uvinal T 150, Mexoryl SX, Mexoryl XL

✔️ No white cast

❌ Minor skin irritation

❌ Stings my eyes

Unscented

I got this at the same time as the other Garnier one, kinda Just Because. This one is nicer to apply and it doesn't have that 'gritty' feeling to it. However, it irritates my skin (a tiny bit), stings my eyes after a while, and... it pills. a lot. My partner kept pointing out my neck, saying it looked like I had blobs of dead skin rolling around... not a choice look, honestly (and knowing the protection has been made patchy is even worse)

Verdict: would not repurchase

Ultrasun Extreme SPF50+ PA++++

Filters: tTnosorb M (nano), Titanium dioxide (nano), Octisalate, Tinosorb S, Uvinal A Plus, Uvinal T 150

❌ White cast ✔️ No skin irritation ❌ Eye irritation Fragrance free (but smells of sunscreen)

Sooooooooo, when it comes to cosmetic elegance, I expect less from 'extreme' sunscreens. If I'm at the beach, or running, or doing something else where getting burnt is a serious concern, I can manage a white cast or a sticky texture. But both of those, on top of stinging my eyes, and (I think) clogging my pores... nah. I don't want to say this is a bad sunscreen, I just don't think something like this is necessary in today's age. I did not feel comfortable applying the right amount of this. In a world where there are SPF50 products that won't hurt me, why settle for one that does? That's where I'm at with this

Verdict: would not repurchase

Avène Solaire Anti-Aging SPF50+

Filters: Iscotrizinol, Avobenzone, Tinosorb M, Tinosorb S

❌ Slight white cast (would be worse on dark skin)

✔️ No skin irritation

✔️ No eye irritation

Unscented

You know, when a sunscreen is just terrible, I can deal with that. It's to be expected. But when a sunscreen is this close to being flawless, the one or two minor things holding it back just sting even more. This is a wonderful sunscreen for sensitive skin, with a natural/skin-like finish that is neither drying nor greasy, is water resistant (!), and fantastic for acne - it's been my go-to for wearing under a mask for long periods. The filters used are also incredible, with the single exception of Tinosorb M, which is the cause of its fatal flaw...

It has a white cast. It isn't the worst I’ve seen, in fact on my pale skin tone it's almost unnoticeable. But it is there (of course it’d be worse on darker skin tones) and it's the only thing keeping this off of my 'favourite ever sunscreens' list, which is such. a. shame.

Verdict: may repurchase, begrudgingly

Evy Daily Defense Face Mousse SPF50+ PA++++

Filters: Octocrylene, Avobenzone, Uvinal A Plus, Tinosorb S

✔️ No white cast

✔️ No skin irritation

❌ Slight eye irritation (just be careful putting it on)

Unscented

I've been walking past Evy sunscreens for ages. something about the packaging made me assume it would be one of those nasty, sticky/pasty things. Evy, I'm so sorry! this applies like a dream, has a satin finish (i.e. neither dead- nor sweaty-looking), can be used in place of moisturiser, didn't break me out, and didn't irritate my skin. It's also sweat/water resistant. If it gets right in my eyes it stings, but it's easy enough to just avoid sticking my fingers in my eyeballs. If you're asking 'what's the catch?' well, if you're in Europe: there isn't one.

If you're in the US/Canada: it's hard af to get your hands on

If you're anywhere else: search to see if you can get it. Right now. Please!

Verdict: will repurchase, recommend to everyone, never shut up about, cry if it ever gets discontinued

Neogen Dermalogy Probiotics Sun Cream SPF50 PA++++

Filters: Octocrylene, Octinoxate, Octisalate, Avobenzone, Tinosorb S

✔️ No white cast

✔️ No skin irritation

❌ Irritated eyes

Strong, sweet fragrance

This is a decent, basic sunscreen. On the heavier/moisturising side, so only suitable for winter on my oilier skin. Made with probiotic ingredients (because what isn't nowadays), but nothing particularly stand-out (I'd rec probiotics in an earlier step such as an essence). Has a strong, sweet fragrance, which might be a pro if you hate 'sunscreen smell' or a con if you have sensitive skin. If you find this for cheap and want something for daily/mostly indoor use, this is totally worth a try- especially if you have dry skin. But for oily skin or the summer, I’d definitely say there are better ones out there.

For those who are concerned about Korean sunscreen ratings: this was NOT one which failed independent SPF testing. The ones that were, as far as I know, were all formulated by the same 2 companies. From my understanding, Neogen's products are formulated in-house, so there's no reason to avoid this one on that basis. In fact, I’d consider it a relatively trustworthy one

Verdict: would repurchase, on sale in the winter

No.7 Protect & Perfect Intense advanced SPF50+

Filters: Octocrylene, Avobenzone, Tinosorb M, Tinosorb S, Octisalate, Iscotrizinol

❌ Slight white cast (could be worse on darker skin tones)

✔️ No skin irritation

✔️ No eye irritation

Fragranced

There are a few things I like about this: it’s sold as part of a skincare line, rather than a whole like of suncare (i.e. Boots’ soltan), and it’s clearly intended for daily use. It even tells you that the 50ml pack contains 20 applications, to give users a better understanding of how much to apply (though I got through it in fewer because I also used it on my neck and hands). The texture isn’t bad—especially by western standards—it doesn’t pill, and it hasn’t irritated my eyes at all. It’s a little tacky to the touch, and leaves a slight cast that could be problematic for darker skin, but on my pale skin it disappears pretty quickly and just makes my skin look ‘glowy’ according to my partner. It’s on the shiny side, but not too much. Overall, a very ‘okay’ product that I’m not gonna run back to, but would be fine with using again

Verdict: would repurchase 

From the sunscreens I’ve tried so far this year, my favourites are the Evy Daily Defense Face Mousse and the No7 Protect & Perfect Intense Advanced Facial Sun Protection (even if it does have an unnecessarily long name). Weirdly, this list only has the one Korean sunscreen on it, when normally that’s what I use the most of! I think I’ve been influenced a little too much by what I’ve seen on IG, but going forward I’ll be sticking more to Asian sunscreens again

[charissekenion]

6 New (to me) Sunscreens

This week’s episode is all about SPF; if you know me, you’ll know I am one of those people who is very no-nonsense about SPF, as in, yes I wear it every day and in the house, even if I don’t plan on leaving the house. Lately I have been reading up a little more on the potential risks of certain types of SPF getting into our bloodstream, but that’s definitely a whole other episode so, for now, I am still all about reducing sun damage, which doesn’t mean wrinkles by the way; that tan of yours is actually also sun damage – and I’m definitely all about protecting my skin on the outside.

I actually see this as a follow-up to the two sunscreen focused episodes I released in 2021. I’ll share links to both, but between those two episodes, I would say my absolute faves were probably the best smelling SPF ever, which is Ultra Violette’s Queen Screen, as well as Garnier Ambre Solaire’s UV Water Transparent Protecting Spray, which, looking back on it, I am really missing right now – loved that one. I also shared my love for the brilliant Black Girl Sunscreen and one of my all-time favourite sunscreen La Roche Posay Anthelios Invisible Fluid – it’s like this perfect little bottle that you can easily take the gym or just about anywhere. 

So, in this follow-up, I’m sharing six different sunscreens that I have never used before and as always I’m all about real reviews and I will let you know if and when any of these products have been gifted to me.

Products mentioned:

Bondi Sands Daily Moisturising Sunscreen Lotion SPF50: https://www.superdrug.com/skin/sun-care/sun-protection-creams/bondi-sands-sunscreen-lotion-spf-50/p/788696

Garnier Ambre Solaire Anti Age Super UV Protection Cream: https://www.boots.com/ambre-solaire-super-uv-anti-10291969

Purito Daily Go-To Sunscreen SPF50: https://www.lookfantastic.com/purito-daily-go-to-sunscreen-60ml/13455612.html

UpCircle SPF25 Mineral Sunscreen: https://upcirclebeauty.com/products/mineral-spf-for-face

Fenty’s Hydra Vizor Invisible Moisturiser SPF30: https://www.boots.com/fenty-skin-hydra-vizor-invisible-moisturizer-spf30-10290216

Carbon Theory Day-Lite SPF50: https://www.boots.com/carbon-theory-day-lite-spf-50-plus-50ml-1030743