Hi. My name is Michelle, and I am a tan-aholic.
I love being tanned. I think the issue stems from the fact
that summer, when I have a glow and some colour, is the only time I ever
receive a compliment (get out the tiny violins). My tan is something people
envied and aimed to achieve (mostly resulting in my boyfriend looking like a
lobster).
The issue with this is that the sun is BAD, but the more
compliments I got, the darker I wanted to be.
Sadly, this has caught up with me now I am hitting 30.
Whilst I have always been able to use any body spf (I have
tried many but always go back to the Boots Soltan range, as there are very few
highstreet suncreams that have 5 star UVA protection as well as stable
photofilters (believe it or not, some chemical filters can actually degrade on
exposure to sunlight, so what started as an SPF 30 can rapidly become an SPF 0).
Similarly, the range works well for my heat rash prone skin, and is generally hypoallergenic.
I also love the different formulations including the “once”
range. I do however take this with a pinch of salt and always reapply every few
hours because even if you do not towel down after swimming, you are probably moving
around on your towel, or resting your book somewhere and rubbing off the
protection.
My face however is a different matter. I HATE putting
suncream on my face. I can put up with the texture because, as a product
obsessive I am used to perpetually being slightly sticky. What I cannot deal
with is the eruption of bumps and spots that occur just a day after using it.
Thus it has become my mission to find a facial sunscreen
that does not do this.
As I mentioned in my “wait that line wasn’t there yesterday”
post my research showed that physical filters were the way to go.
- The formulations in which they are placed are generally designed for the face (because most people’s bodies can tolerate chemical filters/less elegant preparations) and therefore less likely to cause issues
- They provide superior UVA and UVB resistance, they are photo stable and they cause absolutely no irritation to the skin because they are made of minerals.
- Most people are turning to physical filters because the standard SPF’s are causing skin issues – heat rash, sensitivity, acne, eczema etc
So my next quest was finding a good one.
I have tried, compared and taken photographs of 5 mineral based SPF’s and documented it for you. The photographs are
EXTREMELY honest, taken in various lighting situations (including glaring sun,
soz for squinting), with no photo editing so you can see exactly what they look
like, because the issue with mineral filters is…they are very white when
applied. This is fine if you are just in your back garden, or in fact very
pale, but in order to be placed under make up, or not look like a ghost on the
beach, this white cast needs to be minimal
ELTAMD: UV Clear
Facial Sunscreen SPF 46 - For Skin Types Prone To Acne, Rosacea &
Hyperpigmentation – Tinted
Initial application
Great. Really smooth. Surprisingly so. I imagine there is
some silicone in here which makes it go on much nicer than any mineral
sunscreen I have ever used.
No white cast at all. Tint is nice, the pigment
concentration is low so is just enough to take away the white-ness of the mineral
sunscreen but not enough to cover anything.
Sun exposure
No burning, no irritation
Water resistance not great – I went for a run in this and
most had disappeared from my sweaty top lip before I got home. It does not
claim to be water resistant so this is fine
Otherwise, gives a matte appearance to the skin
Reapplication
Reapplies very easily. No pilling, no build up. On my
roaccutane ravaged skin however, it did get a bit dry by the end of the day so
I would need a good moisturiser underneath.
Removal
Easy. No need to discuss further
Skin reaction
Absolutely none. No clogging, no spots.
Verdict
8/10 – tint could be a bit darker, would prefer it was pure
mineral filter vs physical and chemical, but the chemical filter does not seem
to cause me an issue at all
ELTAMD UV Pure
Water-Resistant Face & Body Physical Sunscreen SPF 47
Initial application
Exceptionally smooth going on. Can barely feel it after a
few minutes. Goes on very white but it disappears fast and just gives a
slightly dulled down/mattified appearance to the skin
Sun exposure
No burning, no irritation
Water resistance very good. I have not swum in this but even
if I did, I would reapply afterwards. No movement on sweating either.
Reapplication
Reapplies very easily. No pilling, no build up. No increase
white cast
Removal
Easy. No need to discuss further
Skin reaction
Absolutely none. No clogging, no spots.
Verdict
9.5/10 – This is as close to perfect as I could find. It is just
slightly drying but I am happy with this because the alternative is an overly
moisturising oily formula which will lead to breakouts.
SkinCeuticals
Protect Sheer Mineral UV Defense SPF 50
Initial application
White. White white white. This does dry down slightly after
10 minutes but will still look white. If you are pale then that’s fine but
anything darker than Snow White will cause an issue.
Sun exposure
No burning, no irritation
Water resistance poor. Unfortunately as you sweat the white
pigment rolls away with it. Also, if you swim, wipe your face then reapply, it
will leave a white build up around the eyes where you haven’t quite removed it
before reapplying.
Reapplication
Reapplies easily but you get more white cast as you go
Removal
Still easier to remove than chemical sunscreen but not as
easy as the EltaMD. I had to use an oil cleanser just to be sure.
Skin reaction
Absolutely none. No clogging, no spots.
Verdict
6/10 – No breakouts and no burning but you do look like a
ghost. Fine for in the garden, not so much for anything else. Make up does
apply nicely over it as it leaves a smooth base but it may affect the colour of
your foundation.
 |
| Immediately after application - inside |
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| Immediately after application - sunlight view |
Avene Tinted
Mineral Fluid SPF50+
https://www.escentual.com/avene/avene0131/
This is about a high of an SPF that you can buy in the UK. Due
to EU regulations our products cannot be labelled as more than an SPF of 50 even
if they may provide more. This is because, theoretically, the difference in sun
protection between a 50 and a 70 is so minimal that it may appear like false
advertising.
Initial application
Great! Not as smooth as the eltaMD products so I had to use
a little more than normal. Tint is great, it is undetectable in fact even on my
skin with a slight tan, it just looks a bit more matte.
Sun exposure
No burning, no irritation
Water resistance seems OK but would definitely need reapplication
on serious sweating
Reapplication
Reapplies easily
Removal
Seems easy enough to remove
Skin reaction
Absolutely none. No clogging, no spots.
Verdict
8/10 – No breakouts and no burning but not as nice to apply
or reapply as the EltaMD. Tint is good and slightly more pigmented than the EltaMD
Bioderma Photoderm
Mineral Spray SPF50+
Initial application
Very smooth but VERY white. Whiter than any of the other
mineral SPF’s I have ever used. You could definitely use less but then are you
getting the proper coverage?
Sun exposure
No irritation
Water resistance is great
Reapplication
You will look like actual Casper the ghost. Far worse than
the SkinCeuticals. So comical in fact I didn’t bother taking a photo
Removal
Pain in the arse. Had to do a double oil cleanse and then my
regular Cereve with my Foreo
Skin reaction
This feels so lovely and silky on the skin but would definitely
cause spots and clogged pores on me as it is a much heavier, stickier
formulation. This would be lovely for a drier skin as it goes on super smooth.
No fragrance and no nasties, but not oil free
Verdict
3/10 – Will break me out, hard to get off and BEYOND white. It is also worth noting, this made my fringe feel DISGUSTING, unlike all the other mineral sunscreens which actually act a bit like dry shampoo!
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