Sunscreen Review: Coppertone Sensitive Skin Face Lotion SPF 50 Sunscreen

Claims: Hypo-allergenic, fragrance free, won't clog or cause breakouts and water-resistant for 80 minutes.

Ratings: Broad Spectrum SPF 50.

Cost/Value: $11 (2 fl oz) / Cheap sunscreen.

It is a Combination Sunscreen. Its active ingredients are 7.5% Octinoxate, 5% Octisalate and 14.5% Zinc Oxide.

It DOES smell. It has a bit of classic sunscreen smell.

It did NOT sting my eyes.

It DOES gather in my undereye wrinkles.

It DOES leave a white cast on my skin. You can spread this out pretty evenly, so the white cast is relatively inoffensive.

It did NOT dry down in 20 minutes or less. It dries down within 30 minutes and sheers out somewhat. It never sets, it stays soft and it transfers off of your skin very easily. It is very easy to accidentally wipe this off.

It did NOT wear well under make-up. This slides around too much. Unless you apply an absolutely absurd amount of it and perhaps even if you do, you'll end up with uneven and probably inadequate coverage. If you do try to wear it under make up, it will mix with your foundation as you apply it and whiten it considerably.

If you don't touch it, this will stay throughout the day. However, any little touch or accidental scratch of your nose, holding your phone to your ears, wiping away a strand of hair; anything, can easily remove this from your face. 

This is not good or bad for any particular skin type. I just would NOT recommend this to anyone because it's very mediocre. Even for $11, there are simply more attractive better wearing options out there. At least it did not sting my eyes which is more than I can say for many of the sunscreens that I've tested.

In conclusion, I wouldn't recommend this sunscreen  to anyone because it is just so mediocre. But I don't think it is a bad choice if you are bringing the entire family to the beach and you just want something that doesn’t sting anyone's eyes and doesn't cost any money. In a situation like that, this is actually a pretty good choice. 

Sunscreen Review: NOV UV Shield EX SPF 50+ PA++++

Claims: Appropriate for sensitive skin.

Ingredients (Good): Glycerine, Vitamin E and Hyaluronic Acid. 

Ingredients (Bad): Has many types of silicones.

Ratings: SPF 50+ PA++++

Cost/Value: $27-51 (1fl oz) in Ebay / Very expensive sunscreen.

It is a 100% Physical Sunscreen. Its active ingredients are Titanium Dioxide and Zinc Oxide.

It did NOT smell.

It did NOT sting my eyes.

It DOES gather in my undereye wrinkles.

It DOES leaves a white cast on my skin. It does sheer out a bit as it sets, but leaves a strong white cast.

It DOES dry down in 20 minutes or less. It sets to a very slightly sticky finish in between 20-25 minutes. 

It DOES look good under make-up. It doesn't do your skin any favours but it doesn't create any texture either.

It DOES stick around throughout the day. 

It is best suited for sensitive skin, as claimed. 

In conclusion, I would recommend this sunscreen. I would rank this sunscreen somewhere between just okay to pretty good. There is nothing outstanding going on here. Because it is middling sunscreen, the price comes into play for me. I absolutely would not spend $50 on this or even $27 is a bit of stretch. However, if you are super sensitive and you truly can only wear mineral sunscreens, give it a go and see if it works for you.

Sunscreen Review: Skin Aqua UV Super Moisture Milk SPF 50+ PA++++

Claims: Micro-Encapsulation Technology (which help sunscreen filters distribute themselves more evenly on skin, creating a more impermeable sunscreen film), appropriate for outdoor exercise and fragrance free sunscreen.

Ingredients (Good): 2 types of Hyaluronic Acid, Hydrolysed Collagen, Glycerine and Arginine (Amino Acids). These all serve as moisturising and conditioning agents.

It also features a patented technology that supposed to stabilized UV filters protect skin from oxidative stress and reduce inflammation.

Ratings: SPF 50+ PA++++

Cost/Value: $10-14 (1.3 fl oz) depending on where you buy it / Good value.

It is a Combination Sunscreen. Its active ingredients are Zinc Oxide, Octinoxate and Uvinul A Plus.

It did NOT sting my eyes.

It DOES smell. It has a very slight chemical sunscreen smell and it doesn't linger . There is no fragrance and no masking fragrance in this sunscreen.

It did NOT gather in my undereye wrinkles. 

It did NOT leave a white cast on my skin. When first applied, it appears to have a soft white cast, but even really a large amount becomes completely sheer in fewer than 20 minutes.

It DOES set in 20 minutes or less. 25 minutes or so after application, the finish is transfer resistant and very shiny. Within 35 minutes that shine fades immensely. A sheen does remain but it is more of a natural skin like finish. Once it's set, this sunscreen is completely sheer and it is not at all sweaty or shimmery looking.

It DOES look fine under make-up. It seems to require the use of a bit more foundation than I would typically apply over just a primer or a moisturiser in the evening when I'm not concerned about sun care. It didn't have a noticeable effect on the colour, texture or other attributes of my make-up.

It DOES stick throughout the day. Its claims of being water-resistant are absolutely true. Actually, I accidentally spilled a quite a bit of water on myself while wearing this and was able to lightly pat it off without disturbing the sunscreen film, which I thought was amazing. 

I honestly believe that this is auniversally useful and attractive sunscreen. It looks so natural on the skin. It honestly looks like you are not wearing anything at all. This is perfect for people who don't wear make-up, people of colour, people whose number one concern is absolute invisibility of their sunscreen. It is really undetectable on the skin. 

Texture and consistency: You have to shake this one up, it is quite runny and it looks white at first. Initially, it has the slightest white cast. After 20 minutes, the sunscreen is completely invisible. Not just in terms of being totally sheer, which it is; but it also in terms of finish, unlike most sheer chemical or combination sunscreen. It is not shiny at all. It looks like I have nothing on my skin. 

I cannot recommend this highly enough. I have already repurchased a back-up. It doesn’t have the most list of skin care ingredients in the world but its finish is incredible. It didn't irritate me in the slightest and the price is so low. This is a fantastic sunscreen and I already know that it is going to be in my top 10, if not my top 5 sunscreens of 2017. I would highly recommend it to anybody.

Sunscreen Review: Shiseido Anessa Perfect UV Sunscreen Aqua Booster Mild SPF 50+ PA++++

Ingredients: Japanese Angelica Root Extract (Anti-oxidant),  Thymus Serpillum extract (Antiseptic), Chestnut Rose extract (Anti-Oxidant), Vitamin E and Hyaluronic Acid.

Claims: gentle formula appropriate for hyper sensitive skin and babies, features 2 branded Shiseido Technology (Aqua Booster Technology and Light Stamina Attack Technology).

What is Aqua Booster Technology : it's supposed to be triggered by sweat. When this sunscreen interacts with the minerals in human sweat. It is supposed to chemically react to form a more uniform and impenetrable sunscreen film that renewed film is supposed to immediately boost the sun protection factor on your face by 20%.

What is Light Stamina Technology: is supposed to help this sunscreen release energy absorbed from UV light as heat for more-long lasting  stable protection.

Ratings: SPF 50+ PA++++ 

Cost/Value: $25-38 depending on where you buy it / if you can get this sunscreen at the lower range, it is a good value.

It is a Combination Sunscreen. Its active ingredients are Zinc Oxide, Titanium Dioxide, Uvinul T-150, Uvinul A Plus and Tinosorb S.

It did NOT sting my eyes. 

It DOES smell. It has very classic chemical sunscreen odour but it is really not noticeable in the first place, and it doesn't linger for long.

It DOES gather in my undereye wrinkles.

It DOES leave a white cast on my skin. It sheers out somewhat as it sets but depending on how much you applied, this can have a strong white cast.

It did NOT dry down in 20 minutes or less. It sets in 30 minutes to a very soft, very easily transferable  finish.

It DOES look beautiful under make up. It does move a bit and mixes a bit with make-up. You are not guaranteed and absolutely uniform in sunscreen film.

Once it is set with powder either by itself or under make-up, it is a bit better. But it remains very soft and very easily transfers off your face throughout the course of the day. I highly recommend touching up this sunscreen.

This is very suitable for sensitive skin and also for dry skin. It has no alcohol and that slightly oily very moisturising soft consistency.

You have to shake it before using, it has a quite runny texture. Apply it evenly, it starts out with soft white cast and sort of oily texture. After 30 minutes, it is still shiny, oily and it transfers off very easily

In conclusion, I would recommend this sunscreen for very dry and sensitive skin types. 

Sunscreen Review: Nivea Sun Creme Care UV Cream SPF 50+ PA++++

Claims: Moisturising, Completely sheer and blurring effect

Ingredients: Jojoba Seed oil, Squalene and Vitamin E

Ratings: SPF 50+ PA++++ 

Cost/Value: $11-16 (50 grams) depending on where you buy it / Cheap sunscreen

It is a Combination Sunscreen. Its active ingredients are Octinoxtate, Zinc Oxide, Uvinul T-150, Tinosorb S and Uvinul A Plus.

It DOES sting my eyes. I wouldn't call it stinging exactly but it made my eyes look and feel  tired throughout the day.

It DOES smell. It has a very slight fragrance that I would actually describe as herbal rather than chemical.  It fades very quickly and it wasn't a problem to me.

It did NOT gather in my wrinkles.

It did NOT leave a white cast on my skin. This is completely sheer. It is perfect for anybody who doesn't want to wear any sort of make-up or powder over their sunscreen. 

It DOES dry down in 20 minutes or less. It sets very quickly (in around just 5 minutes) to a soft, flexible, slightly tacky finish.

It DOES look lovely under make up. It truly does have a blurry priming effect that glosses over your skin texture, large pores, or dry patches 

It DOES stay throughout the day. 

This sunscreen has a thicker consistency and more comforting feel, it is best suited for dry, normal, or normal to dry skin types. It can work on normal to oily skin as well but I feel it would be particularly moisturising and beneficial to people with dry skin.

This is truly an invisible sunscreen, not only in terms of being sheer but also the finish. It's perfect for people who don’t want to look like they're wearing any product at all. If you don’t want to look oily, shiny and dewy you can still use this sunscreen in copious amounts. 

I would absolutely highly recommend this sunscreen to pretty much anybody. It is a fantastic price for truly undetectable sunscreen.

Tinted Sunscreen Review: Kiehl's Actively Correcting & Beautifying BB Cream SPF 50 PA+++ in Fair

Claims: Visibly correct the appearance of skin tone irregularities.

Ingredients (Good): Glycerine, Adenosine and Tribehenin (exclusive fatty acid and ascorbic glucoside, a highly stable water-soluble vitamin C derivative).

Ingrediens (Bad): Alcohol Denat,  Phenoxyethanol, and Salt Sodium Chloride (as viscosity agent-can cause drying and irritation on skin).

Ratings: Broad Spectrum SPF 50 PA+++

Cost/Value: $26-28 (1 fl oz) in UK and $38 (1.35 fl oz) in US / Reasonably priced BB cream

It is a Combination Sunscreen which is heavy in chemical filters. Its active ingredients are 10% Homosalate, 5% Octisalate, 5% Octocrylene and 1.63% Titanium Dioxide (which is very low).

It DOES sting my eyes. It migrated into my eyes within an hour of application. There was no tearing and swelling, but there was redness and it was annoying. It was still bothering me about 4 hours later, after which the irritation faded.

It DOES smell. This has a strong chemical smell, that has been poorly masked by sweet floral fragrance.

It DOES gather in my wrinkles. But it is easy to smooth it out with the pad of my finger without disturbing the sunscreen film. 

I have the lightest shade of BB cream, the shade fair. I would describe it as a strong light peach. You can see that it is a really a good match for quite pale skin tones. It's actually the best matched BB cream to my complexion that I've found to date.

It did NOT dry down in 20 minutes or less. This has more of a make-up consistency, so it doesn't dry down. It sets a bit in 10 minutes or so but the finish remains sticky and transfers off easily. When worn in a sufficient amount to form an even sunscreen film, it looks streaky and patchy. Within a couple hours, it separates, creases and cracks. When worn like a make-up product applied with a brush or sponge, it still has a thick consistency with streakiness that needs to be actively mitigated, and a very shiny finish. 

How does it look under make up: This is really not good by itself, unless you are not applying enough of it to achieve the SPF rating on the tube. In order to wear enough product to get the promised sunscreen protection, I tried it both under make up in a way that I would typically use my sunscreen, and also tried it as make-up over another SPF 50 sunscreen as a base. 

Under make up, this did not work well for me. It made my face very warm, very sensitive and very reactive. It dried my make-up out over the course of the day and gave me a very scaly look. Even when powdered, it transferred easily off my skin . 

It actually looks best as make-up over another sunscreen. Because this is a chemical sunscreen rather than physical sunscreen, it doesn't make sense to wear it over a primer. It needs to sink in to the skin to do its job. So if you are using it as makeup, it needs to be applied over another chemical sunscreen underneath. However, it will look shiny and sweaty, like you have been working out for an hour. It will look better once you powder it, but it still it doesn't truly substitute for foundation unless you already have pretty clear skin. The most coverage you can achieve with this product is light to medium coverage. 

In this video, I am wearing concealer under my eyes that I didn't apply in other places because I wanted you to see how much coverage this BB cream provides. I think you can see pretty clearly along my chin, I have a very visible blemish and on my cheeks my freckles are clearly showing through. I will call them, 60-70% visible.

Cosmetically, it is very well suited to fair-skin. It's hands-down the best colour match I've gotten far best from a BB cream with a high sun protection factor. Unfortunately, this is really not good for sensitive skin. It's drying, stinging, smells like poison and I can't recommend this for sensitive skin. 

I would not recommend this BB cream and I would not repurchase it. First, because even apart from stinging my eyes it creates texture issues. It's difficult to work with and it is not very flattering. Secondly, because if I want a beautiful BB cream to wear over a sunscreen, I'll buy one. There is no point in buying a BB or CC cream solely for its high SPF. 

Sunscreen Review: MISSHA All Around Safe Block Velvet Finish Sun Milk SPF 50+ PA++++

Claims: Sweat resistant and to serve as beautiful make up primer.

Ingredients (Good): Immortal extract, Vitamin E, Apple extract and Ageing rose extract (anti-oxidants), Guajava extract (rich in Vitamin A, B and C), Rhodiola extract (anti-ageing herb and increases circulation to the skin), Aloe leaf extract (soothing), Cinchona Bark extract and Myrciaria Dubia Fruit Extract (for fragrance).

Ratings: SPF 50+ PA++++

Cost/Value: $13-24 depending on where you buy it / Good value

It is a Combination sunscreen. Its active ingredients are Zinc Oxide, Octinoxate, Titanium Dioxide, Tinosorb S and Uvinul A Plus (2017 ingredient version)

It did NOT sting my eyes.

It DOES smell. It has a strong girly perfumey smell that lingers. Synthetic fragrance is only a little bit further than half way down the ingredients list which indicates a lot of fragrance.

It DOES settle in my wrinkles.

It DOES leave a white cast on my skin. This is a slightly tinted light greyish peach shade, but it is not a tinted sunscreen. It sheers out somewhat as it dries down but it still has a very strong white cast.

It did NOT dry down in 20 minutes or less. It takes more like 30 minutes to set to a not entirely transfer proof but pretty dry soft finish.

It DOES wear well under make up. This is absolutely stunning under make-up. They are not exaggerating when they call it as an excellent make-up primer. This is better than the majority of primers and moisturisers I have ever used under make up. It somehow magically glosses over pores in finer texture on skin. It works beautifully under many different textures of foundations including sheer BB creams and dewy foundations. I don't think I have ever seen a sunscreen look as good as this does under foundation, it is really beautiful. 

I would not recommend this sunscreen for extremely dry flaky skin. I personally didn't have any problems with it but simple alcohol is way too high in the ingredient list for me to feel comfortable recommending this to somebody with a compromised skin barrier. 

I also would not recommend this for anybody opposed to smelling like a perfumed flowery teenage girl. The scent of this is strong sweet and girly and it lingers for quite a while.

I would recommend this for anybody who wears foundation every single day and is looking for the perfect sunscreen to wear under their foundation. This is truly,  I believe the most beautiful sunscreen I've ever worn under foundation. Specifically within that category of people who wear make-up over sunscreen every day, I would strongly recommend this sunscreen to those of you with aging skin or texture issues. Something about the finish of this is just magical. 

Texture and consistency: You have to shake it, it is a bit runny and has light peach shade. 20 minutes after application, it dried to a semi matte corpse-like shade but I promise you, it does look good under make up. 

Sunscreen Review: Make P:rem Blue Ray Sun Gel SPF 50+ PA++++

Claim: Parabens free, induce the heat caused by infrared radiation which is now known also contributes to ageing.

Ingredients: Niacinamide, Chia seed extract, Indian pennywort, Chamelion plant, various Polysaccharide, Adenosine, 1,2-Hexanediol (Proctor and gamble patented humectant), Virgin extract, Arctic Raspberry extract. Various skin benefiting derivatives from wheats  including Xylitylglucoside (encourages Hyaluronic Acid production within skin), Sodium Palmitoyl Proline (Amino Acid, which intended to reduce inflammation), Anhydroxylitol (serves as humectant), White Water Lily extract, glycerin, Chamaecyparis Obtusa Leaf Extract, Thermus Thermophilus Ferment (bacteria that lives in deep sea vents and hot springs and produces an antioxidant enzyme that is activated by heat), Phytosterols (which encourage collagen production), Sodium Ascorbyl Phosphate (which is salt and a derivative of vitamin C in sort of weak yet stable derivative so an anti-oxidant), Seaweed extract, Hyaluronic acid, and Leuconostoc/Radish Root Ferment Filtrate. 

Ratings: SPF 50+ PA++++

Cost/Value: $32 (2.5 fl oz) / extremely reasonable price

It is a 100% Chemical sunscreen. Its active ingredients are Octinoxate, Homosalate, Octislate and Uvinul A Plus.

It DOES smell. It has a weird smell and synthetic fragrance is in the top quarter of the ingredients lists 

It DOES sting my eyes. It stung my eyes pretty badly and migrated to my eyes within first 20 minutes. They were stinging and tearing very badly for the first hour badly enough that I had to close them and lie down. After that the pain dissipated, but it did cause stinging and tearing on and off throughout the day, over about 8 hours.

It did NOT gather in my undereye wrinkles.

It did NOT leave a white cast on my skin. It is completely sheer. 

It DOES set in 20 minutes in extremely shiny soft finish. That is a little bit stiff but not at all transfer proof. Alcohol is about two-third down the ingredients list which is not a really good sign. With all of those humectants, I suspect it was difficult to find something to dry this down in reasonable way.

It DOES look beautiful under make up. The make-up did not move around too much and it did not have any effect on the texture or colour of my foundation.

It DOES stick around throughout the day. However, is it an all chemical sunscreen, and 100% chemical sunscreens like this should be reapplied regularly, even if it feels like it is still there.

This brand is recommended for all skin types but particularly combination and oily skin types. I think it is just a preference thing, whether you have oily or dry skin, some people prefer creams and others gel textures. Despite alcohol being so high up in the ingredients list, its not mattifying in any way. So, if you have combination or oily skin and you are looking for mattifying sunscreen, this is not it. I absolutely do not recommend it for sensitive skin. Even if you can tolerate every single one  of the chemical sunscreen filters used in this sunscreen, it still has a ton of fragrance and ton of alcohol. I can’t see this working for somebody with sensitive or damaged skin.

In conclusion, despite of all the excellent skin care ingredients in this, in my opinion, none of them make up for the fact that it made my eyes water. I would only recommend this to you, if you have never reacted  to a sunscreen. If you've ever experienced stinging eyes or burning skin from a sunscreen, skip this one. Otherwise, you might love it. 

Sunscreen Review: Skinceuticals Sheer Physical UV Defense SPF 50

Claims: Mattefying for normal, oily and combination skin types. Appropriate for sensitive skin. 

Apart from sunscreen filters, it lacks of additional skin care ingredients almost entirely. There is a touch of Vitamin E and smidge of salicylic acid.

Ratings: Broad Spectrum SPF 50

Cost/Value: $34 (1.7 fl oz) and $64 (4.2 fl oz) / Cheap price relative to the other offerings at high end shops.

It is a 100% Physical sunscreen. Its active ingredients are 6% Titanium Dioxide and 5% Zinc Oxide.

It did NOT sting my eyes.

It did NOT smell.

It DOES gather in my wrinkles.

It DOES leave a white cast on my skin. If you apply a sufficient amount of this sunscreen to form a protective sunscreen film on your face, it will give you a strong white cast. Its claims of being transparent are completely unfounded. Anybody who is familiar with the things that make sunscreen opaque can look at the ingredient list and know that with 6% Titanium Dioxide, it is highly unlikely this sunscreen will be transparent.

It did NOT dry down in 20 minutes or less. It sets a bit in about 40 minutes. Even for 2 hours, this sunscreen is still super soft, super fluid, very shiny and very easily transferable off of skin.

It did NOT look good under make-up. It moves all over the place. It mixes with the make-up. It whitens the make-up and it makes any foundation, even a thick matte foundation, very streaky.

For as long as you don't accidentally move it off around your face, it will stick around (7 or 8 hours). 

This does not have any particular benefit for combination and oily skin as advertised. It does not have any mattefying effects. If you are looking at it because you have very oily skin, do not bother. I actually do not like it for sensitive skin, it is true it does not have chemical filters which is good, but it has no skin care ingredients to speak of. There is nothing soothing, cooling moisturising, protecting and comforting in here. It also has some ingredients that a lot of people are sensitive to. There are many kind of silicone in here, totally unnecessarily for physical sunscreen. Alcohol figures prominently in this ingredient list as well as talc and aluminium, why? 

Texture and consistency: You have to shake it before using, it has runny texture. After 20 minutes of application, it did not change at all. It is still shiny and soft and transferrable off skin. 

In conclusion, this is fine sunscreen but I would not recommend it because I don't think it is great value. Nowadays, there are better sunscreen in terms of cosmetical and skin care. 

Sunscreen Review: Murad City Skin Age Defense Broad Spectrum SPF 50+ PA++++

Claims: Ultra-lightweight, protects not only from UVB and UVA rays but also from pollution, blue rays from devices (computer, phone and tablet), and infrared radiation, engineered with a physical structure that inhibits the adhesion of toxins to skin.

Ingredients (Good): Argan Oil, Vitamin E, Oat seed extract, Retinyl, Vitamin C, Jojoba Oil, Urea, Amino Acids, Taurine, Betaine and Glycerin.

Ratings: SPF 50+ PA++++ 

Cost/Value: $65 (1.7 fl oz) / quite expensive

It is a 100% Physical Sunscreen. Its active ingredients are 2.7% Titanium Dioxide and 10% Zinc Oxide.

It did NOT smell.

It did NOT sting my eyes.

It DOES leave a slight white cast on skin. This is actually the first tinted high SPF sunscreen I have ever encountered that actually is wearable for me by itself, shade-wise. It is not a substitute for make-up. It has absolutely no coverage, it does not cover any flaws or blemishes. It has less coverage than the lightest coverage tinted moisturizer you have. 

It DOES gather in my under eye wrinkles.

It did NOT dry down in 20 minutes or less. It sets in 30 minutes and maintains a sticky tacky finish after. 

It did NOT look good under make up. It moves very easily and you can tell it is mixing with the make-up and you are destroying the sunscreen film as you apply your foundation, even with the lightest touch or softest brush. It also has really strange quality where it soaks up a lot of make-up. Applying liquid foundation over this, I applied easily five or six times the amount of foundation I would typically apply if I were going out in the evening and just wearing it over moisturiser.

It DOES wear well throughout the day, but keeps that sticky feeling and also transfers off skin very easily.

The only skin type it wouldn't be appropriate for is very dry skin. It already cracks and creases within the first hour of wear, and clings to and highlights dry patches  and flakes. It already doesn’t look great by itself, it looks worse under make-up and I think it will look especially bad on somebody with a lot of dry patches or peeling.

It has a thin and runny texture, and a very light peach colour which works on pale skin. 35 minutes post application, it had dried a bit but was still light peach, patchy, shiny and almost still wet, and transfers off easily. Once this sunscreen is set quite a while later, when you make facial expressions it creases and flakes off, and you end up with visible cracks in your sunscreen film. The other thing this does is sort of patch up and separate slowly over the course of the day. 

Final thought: I am torn! As I said, it is the only tinted sunscreen I have ever encountered that I can wear that it is not completely wrong colour for me. It's got some great ingredients in it, I love that it has a PA rating. However, for $65 for this tiny bottle, I want it to substitute for a tinted moisturiser or foundation, to have that level of coverage and finish. Or at the very least, I'd like it to look great under make up.

If budget isn't a concern for you, you are quite pale and your have been looking for 100% physical sunscreen that you can wear outside, exercising or to the gym or outdoor activities, maybe this is right for you.