Best Sunscreen

[BonesAndOil]

Neutrogena Ultra Sheer SPF 100



neutrogena.com

 

[KamenKutak]

SPF 100?? never heard about it, any recommendations?

 

[Cristina777]

SPF 100?? never heard about it, any recommendations?

Yes, don't bother with it. Here's the explanation: http://www.drbaileyskincare.com/blog/how-high-of-an-spf-does-your-sunscreen-need-to-have/.


My face sunscreens are almost gone and I am finally gonna try something new. I haven’t decided which I will buy next. I’ve been reading a lot of reviews…but sometimes they don’t tell me what I want to known, are vague, make me raise a few questions about the product or I cannot find reviews about something that I am interested in. So, is anyone here in the forum able to answer some of these questions?

- Heliocare gel spf 50 – Some people complained that this pills up after it “sets”. Can you re-apply this?
- Heliocare silk gel spf 30 – I can’t find a decent review for this one (I confess that I am really tempted by this product). Does this come in a yellowish tint like other Heliocare sunscreens? Does this make your face oily?
- Isdin extrem spf 50+ fusion fluid non-tinted and tinted – people seem to love this stuff…but apart from “saying” that they like it they don’t “say” much more else. Does the non-tinted version leaves a white cast? Is the tinted version too dark for someone pale?
- Galénic fluide non-gras spf 30, spf 20 – I am almost sure that I read somewhere that at least one of their face sunscreens comes in a pinkish tint. Does this come also in a pinkish tint?
- Eclisun (gel) – derms seem to recommend these quite often, but I cannot find a decent review about them. As anyone tried their sunscreens?
- Papulex spf 30 (the name is horrible) and Cumlaude Sunlaude Mat fluide spf 30, 50 – Has anyone tried any of these?


I am also tempted in getting some Asian sunscreens. Bloggers always rave about their lightweight texture…But I have no idea what to get! I don’t know how to match my skin type to the sunscreen. I don’t know if they are comedogenic or not and for which skin type they are recommended (oily, combination, dry). What would you suggest (PA+++) to someone that has acne-prone skin and does not plan wearing make up on top? (I am also a bit scarred of sunscreens that have alcohol as the 2nd ingredient in the ingredient list and Bioré’s “citrus mix”)

Sorry for the boring and long questionnaire, but I am determined to find a SPF that I “like”.

 

[daniellat]

I have no idea what to buy, I haven't come across someone who said you SHOULD buy this, it's the best sunscreen outthere.

I want something for everyday use. I'm not in the sun that much but I'm getting odd tan lines. Also I have normal to oily skin and all sc I've used made me break out and just have a plain oily face all day.

Anybody knows a true and tested light enough sc to wear under make up that's not oily? I'll be grateful for life.

 

[Cristina777]

I have no idea what to buy, I haven't come across someone who said you SHOULD buy this, it's the best sunscreen outthere.

I want something for everyday use. I'm not in the sun that much but I'm getting odd tan lines. Also I have normal to oily skin and all sc I've used made me break out and just have a plain oily face all day.

Anybody knows a true and tested light enough sc to wear under make up that's not oily? I'll be grateful for life.

Which sunscreens have you tried?
I also have oily and acne prone skin, so far the less oilier that I found was LRP Anthelios ac spf 30...but ain't no miracle, I am still trying to find my HG (this leaves a slight white film on my skin)...I never broke out with it, I even think that my pores look smaller and acne scars look less red in the days that I wear this. Eucerin is horrible for oily skin and Bioderma, Avene sunscreens feel heavy...

I actually have come across people that said this (I am not talking about the anthelios anymore) is the best sunscreen out there for acne prone skin, is great for people that does not want a shiny white film on their face, the best that I ever tried (and I tried tons), my derm recommended this and is the best, Isdin puts LRP to shame...bla, bla, bla...They always sound too good to be true.

 

[alonsoJonathan]

guys i have a question,when you go bed tanning,can u used regular sunscreen protector?

 

[JillianS]

guys i have a question,when you go bed tanning,can u used regular sunscreen protector?

doesn't that defeat the purposes of both?
Sunscreen is supposed to protect you from harmful radiation and prevent the stimulation of melanin.
Tanning beds are designed to effect the melanin in your skin, so that you tan.

I prefer Shiseido for sunblock as I tend to have an allergic reaction to most. :/
It's ridiculously expensive, though. So, I may have to make a switch.

 

[JillianS]

The only sunscreens I can use without getting a allergic reaction is Cliniderm, I´ve tried sooooo many brands but I always end up getting red bumps all over my face and body. I absolutely love the Cliniderm City Protection Sun Gel Cream SPF25 for face. It keeps my face matte and is really lightweight and inexpensive.

Do they have a website? I did a google search, but couldn't find anything.

 

[rayoflight]

I have no idea what to buy, I haven't come across someone who said you SHOULD buy this, it's the best sunscreen outthere.

I want something for everyday use. I'm not in the sun that much but I'm getting odd tan lines. Also I have normal to oily skin and all sc I've used made me break out and just have a plain oily face all day.

Anybody knows a true and tested light enough sc to wear under make up that's not oily? I'll be grateful for life.

Lancome makes a very light and non-oily fluid. Shiseido sunscreens are great as well, both the blue tubes and the Anessa bottles.

But I'm kinda liking Burnout sunscreens at the moment, it's physical sunscreen (zinc oxide), but isn't greasy/shiny or too drying. It can be a bit white, but under makeup it's not visible at all. They are cheaper than Shiseido anyway, like $18 on their homepage for a large tube.

http://www.burnoutsun.com/

guys i have a question,when you go bed tanning,can u used regular sunscreen protector?

Totally agree with JillianS, that's pointless. Sunscreens aren't meant to fully protect skin or extend the time spend under UV rays, real or fake, they are designed to serve as additional layer of protection for exposed body parts that can't be covered by sunglasses and clothing. People sometimes seem to think that wearing a sunscreen allows to sit in sunny spots (like a beach) for hours with no consequences at all. Wrong.

 

[Cristina777]

Rayoflight, which Anessa sunscreens do you recommend? All? Have you (or anyone else here in the forum) tried the Allie's sunscreens newest versions? If so, are they good?

 

[Melisande]

I've been a Lancome sunscreen person for years. But since it's not available in France (all about "bronzage" here ), I'm looking at Shiseido.
Any thoughts about the one in the white tube? I think it's called Urban Environment or something...part of The Skincare line maybe.

I hear Anessa is more for the beach. I want something with high SPF but that can double as a primer to wear under makeup.

 

[JillianS]

But I'm kinda liking Burnout sunscreens at the moment, it's physical sunscreen (zinc oxide), but isn't greasy/shiny or too drying. It can be a bit white, but under makeup it's not visible at all. They are cheaper than Shiseido anyway, like $18 on their homepage for a large tube.

My derm-doctor says that physical sunblock is the best way to go. I'll have to check this brand out.

 

[JillianS]

I've been a Lancome sunscreen person for years. But since it's not available in France (all about "bronzage" here ), I'm looking at Shiseido.
Any thoughts about the one in the white tube? I think it's called Urban Environment or something...part of The Skincare line maybe.

I hear Anessa is more for the beach. I want something with high SPF but that can double as a primer to wear under makeup.

I use this one under my make-up and it holds up just fine. Not greasy at all.
http://www.sephora.com/browse/product.jhtml?id=P257703&categoryId=C16011

 

[imonabhaute]

I use this one under my make-up and it holds up just fine. Not greasy at all.
http://www.sephora.com/browse/product.jhtml?id=P257703&categoryId=C16011

I use a similar one under makeup daily:

http://www.sephora.com/browse/product.jhtml?id=P173670&shouldPaginate=true&categoryId=5337

 

[rayoflight]

Rayoflight, which Anessa sunscreens do you recommend? All? Have you (or anyone else here in the forum) tried the Allie's sunscreens newest versions? If so, are they good?

I've been a Lancome sunscreen person for years. But since it's not available in France (all about "bronzage" here ), I'm looking at Shiseido.
Any thoughts about the one in the white tube? I think it's called Urban Environment or something...part of The Skincare line maybe.

I hear Anessa is more for the beach. I want something with high SPF but that can double as a primer to wear under makeup.

I tried a couple before they reformulated (they do that like once a year), those UV Perfect and Perfect Smooth sunscreens (or something similar, they all had 'perfect' in the name and a metallic bottle ), they are really nice, almost like a make up primer, which can be heavy, but the SPF 50/PA+++ versions are meant for beach mostly, so they are quite water-resistant and need a good cleanser to get them off completely (like an oil cleanser or double cleansing, both popular in Asia). I don't think either of them are good for dry skin, could be way too dry and uncomfortable. I think they have a white bottle with a sunscreen more suited for daily use which was either SPF 36 or 46 or some odd number.
Anyhow the thing about the white Shiseido Urban suncreens was that they had Avobenzone listed as only UVA filter and I don't like that one particularity, the Tinosorbs and Uvinuls in Anessa and zinc in the blue Shiseido bottles/tubes are more reliable (meaning they don't get in-activated by UV rays like Avobenzone does).
They are kinda expensive though, and only seem to come in small 60 ml bottles, same as the Lancome fluid which is like 50 ml, so the cost runs quite high with daily use. In that regard the full zinc sunscreen like the Burnout is cheaper 'cause it comes in twice as large tube and costs ~50% less.

My derm-doctor says that physical sunblock is the best way to go. I'll have to check this brand out.

Yea, they are great, but not always perfect. Things that suck about them are that the high zinc % tends to be a bit drying and they look white-ish on skin in one way or another (worst is when they a just slightly blue-ish, makes skin look a bit dead) because they form a physical layer between skin and UV rays. Some of them cause skin to itch/sting as well it's the mineral particle that do that.

It's always some gripe with those sunscreens in one aspect or another.

Two more sunscreens that are quite good, both have zinc in them:
http://www.chanel.com/en_US/fragrance-beauty/Skincare-Daily-Essentials-UV-ESSENTIEL-89583
https://www2.devita.net/store/home.php?cat=290 (sometimes people say they get tan with Devita, so could be that it's not suited for places with higher UV intensity)

In the end it boils down to finding one sunscreen that works for individual skin. Some people rave about Badger or Purple Prairie sunscreens because they are natural and all, but I find they are incredibly oily and make skin look blue/white. Absolutely ghastly. Like bad clown makeup. Another fail for me was Marie Veronique Face Screens that are like a foundation, but suck every bit of moisture from skin, to the point where I got lines from dehydration and they turned out to be irritating due to all the oils and 500 plant extracts and essential oils in there - major zit producers. So just because it's made from organic/natural stuff and is better for environment doesn't mean it's even remotely skin compatible.

 

[JillianS]

In the end it boils down to finding one sunscreen that works for individual skin.

So true!
I also have different sunscreens for different occasions. If it's just daily use, I use a sunscreen that is more agreeable with my make-up and such.
If I know I'm going to be outdoors all day long, I forgo my vanity and use the heavy duty zinc sunblock. And of course, wear a big hat. I live in a climate that my genetic background didn't account for. I should be somewhere much farther north...with lots of cloudy days

Thank you so much for all of the information. Your trial and error will be very useful when I'm shopping for my sun-protection arsenal this summer.

 

[Melisande]

Thanks rayoflight and Jillian, karma! Today I looked at the blue Anessa one and Urban sunscreen at Printemps Beauté...unfortunately the blue one was clearly too drying for my skin and leaves a very white matte cast...sort of like gesso for the skin and felt dry and puckered upon application...the urban one seemed moist though, will wait to get samples.

 

[rayoflight]

You have to try some 20 different sunscreens to find a couple decent ones...

Maybe La Roche Posay Melt-in cream works better for you? La Roche have finally come to senses and formulated a sunscreen using Tinosorb S and have finally left out octocrylene (and couple other 3rd tier filters) and lowered the avobenzone %, so it's their most effective sunscreen to date, as far as UVA protection goes and lacks most of the unstable and potentially estrogen mimicking chemical filters. (I'm keeping fingers crossed they upgrade Extreme Fluid range soon as well, as it still sucks )

This one, comes in 3 versions, scented, unscented and tinted: Anthelios XL SPF 50+ Melt-in Cream by La Roche Posay

Skinceuticals are very decent as well Imo, lightweight, non-sticky and non-greasy (somewhat matte even), don't stain clothes or look like full-on clown/geisha makeup, but they are a bit white on skin. A bit less than Shiseido Very High Protection, but Skinceuticals are harder to obtain, at least where I live.

Skinceuticals | Physical Fusion UV Defense SPF 50 (is a mystery one that I haven't tried yet, I have no idea how they get the SPF and PPD so high with those filters... )

Skinceuticals | Ultimate UV Defense SPF 30

Skinceuticals | Physical UV Defense SPF 30

The Physical and Ultimate Defense ones don't appeal to everyone though, since they are filled with silicones, waxes and parabens, but at least Skinceuticals is honest about the kinds of filters they use and they specify theirs are encapsulated which is always a huge plus.

As said, finding a perfect sunscreen is huge pain in the bum, but so worth the hassle.

 

[Melisande]

I know, it's so worth the hassle!!

Thanks so much rayoflight, your wealth of knowlege is greatly appreciated.

The La Roche Posay is great, and exactly what I've been using on a daily basis when I don't wear much makeup. It's moisturising, doesn't break me out or dry me out, safe, not too white, inexpensive. Except that it's too greasy under makeup and I still seem to get a little tan...

If I'm not hallucinating I think I've seen Skinceuticals around so I'll definitely go check it out. Thanks!

I remember liking a Korres one my sister had a few years ago too, but don't remember much. I should try it again.

 

[candeo]

Skinceuticals | Physical Fusion UV Defense SPF 50 (is a mystery one that I haven't tried yet, I have no idea how they get the SPF and PPD so high with those filters... )

I've been put off trying this as it's got a PPD of 21, but the high SPF (over what you'd expect from the Zinc & TiDi) must be boosted from the artermia extract which looks like a rather nice ingredient. Allegedly, according to the original research, "an extract from the plankton, Artemia salina protects DNA from UV damage and decreases the UV-induced inflammatory cytokines, suggesting a way to help sunscreens protect skin from UV damage".

Some more info:

http://translate.googleusercontent....47.php&usg=ALkJrhiDX-Fuz08F0CSm_f09wzS5qOnb8Q

...and it's the link with Artemia extract boosting HSP70 which supposedly makes this such an interesting ingredient in protecting skin from UV damage whilst on retinoids (Retin-A, retinol etc) as retinoid therapy apparently depletes this which is one of the reasons skin becomes so sun-sensitive whilst on it (mmm, can't post that link, unfortunately)...

Still, I need a higher PDD and that's that B)

As well as a UV booster, artemia extract is used as an all-round anti-aging ingredient by La Mer, Lancome, Murad...