Sunscreen talk

[yuuri]

Has anyone tried Hera Sun mate daily? Apparently it has won numerous awards in Korea...

Hera is by amore pacific of the mid end range I believe..

[dianesy24]

Hi everyone
can i just ask which one you would recommend? these are the ss that i read from previous post that i think would suit me but am not so sure yet which one to get.

Biotherma laser/spot spf 50,
LRP fluid extreme spf 50 or
Biotherma spray spf 50

for face sunblock that i can use for body as well when i go to the beach (2x a year)?

Im trying to minimize/prevent freckles and whiten my skin. Do you put sunscreen before moisturizer or the other way around? Also what's the difference between the Biotherma spray family and the normal one? I have combination skin and don't always use makeup btw.

thank you so much :D

Chiaberry can i get ur opinion as well if you have time? thank you!! :D

[chuku2]

Water based sunscreen from Specialist Skin Clinic in Orchard rd.
It's physical sunscreen, titanium dioxide.
It's also tinted so If I want, I can just skip the foundation.
I can't use chemical sunscreens because they will irritate my skin.

I put sunscreen after the moisturizer.

[chocosweet.55]

anyone experience burning sensation when putting thr RoC soleil protexion for sensitive skin?

chiaberry, I tried the RoC today. first I applied on the cheek, but my face felt burned (i have acne treatment under the ss). It didnt sting my eyes though.
I directly washed away the ss, and the burning was still on for a few moment.
Then I rewashed my face properly, put a hydrating mist, then applied again on the chin area (without any acne treatment under ss), I still felt it burnt my skin, but it is tolerable than the one on the cheek, and it went away faster.
then, i put it again on the same cheek with acne treatment under it, it did burn but then, must bear, my face DID NOT turn red while feeling burnt. FYI, i just apply a tiny tiny amount and burnt like mad, so today I didnt put 1,25mls.

after wearing it all day, my face does not turn oily until this 6pm which is great as i have combination oily skin. but just wondering if the ss is suitable for me.

perhaps i will try to put it on again for next 2 weeks.

[chiaberry]

Hi everyone
can i just ask which one you would recommend? these are the ss that i read from previous post that i think would suit me but am not so sure yet which one to get.

Biotherma laser/spot spf 50,
LRP fluid extreme spf 50 or
Biotherma spray spf 50

for face sunblock that i can use for body as well when i go to the beach (2x a year)?

Im trying to minimize/prevent freckles and whiten my skin. Do you put sunscreen before moisturizer or the other way around? Also what's the difference between the Biotherma spray family and the normal one? I have combination skin and don't always use makeup btw.

thank you so much :D

Chiaberry can i get ur opinion as well if you have time? thank you!! :D

Bioderma spray SPF50 if you want it for body use as well. The other 2 are too expensive for body use. The spray ss has a lighter texture (watery) than the non-spray ones. That is to make it easier to spray out.

[qqqqtttt]

Hi chiaberry and all,

Oops abit of background: I walk in the morning sun around 20 mins a day and have skin that gets very very easily tanned. On weekends I also get about 40 mins of sun walking, jogging, shopping, etc. My work requires me to be surrounded by 3/4 huge computer monitors and blasted under florescent light and aircon. I have literally felt the effects of aging and slightly drying of skin and lines around the eyes and decided its time I took some strong measures against those nasty UVA/ UVB rays...

After reading alot of reviews on sunscreens I decided to test out LRP anthelios spf 50 range ones from local healthstores. I have sampled the LRP kids (lait) spf 50 and LRP fluid extreme tinted spf 50. I tested it on my hands which agreed to the texture of both. The tinted ones seem to have a funky smell but maybe not so apparent after few minutes. Also tried the LRP melt -in sunscreen samples and it felt 'gritty' and suffocating.
1. I was wondering if anyone could share the difference in compositions between the LRP kids and LRP fluid extreme and whether if I have sensitive, combination skin the LRP kids would be better? It claims to have 'reduced chemical filters' and I was guessing that they would eliminate some 'risky' ingredients to be complaint to EU sunscreen requirements while still providing high PPD and SPF in the LRP kids formula? The 'lait' texture that it has seems comfortably mosturising without looking shiny on my hands but haven't tested it on my face.

I cant remember whether these both had senna alata in them. Any reason that would make a kids oriented formula not suitable or strong enough for adults?

Another question: If I decide to use a compact powder over this sunscreen, what ingredients should I avoid in the compact to prevent breakdown of certain chemicals? Is avene spf based compacts compatible with this or would you recommend any others? I dont use makeup except for 5/6 special days in a year.

[chiaberry]

qqqqtttt:

Based on ingredients, the Kid's version of LRP is most suitable for sensitive skin as it has higher content of physical filter (titanium dioxide). It seems to be more moisturizing than the others (has glycerin high on the ingredients list). Just because it is not shiny on your hand doesn't mean it won't be shiny on your face. There's no substitute for testing. You would have to apply it to bare skin one day and walk around for the day to see how it fares under "real" conditions. If you are not thick-skinned enough to use the tester in the store for this, you would have to purchase a tube to test. This Kid's version has as good protection as the adult one - no worries about that.

You have to avoid the ingredient octinoxate (also known as ethylhexyl methoxycinnamate) in the make up. There are few powders that don't have it. From my memory, I think Revlon Colorstay pressed powder, Bourjois pressed powder do not have it. MAC Blot powder is also OK.

[qqqqtttt]

Thanks chiaberry for your advice!
Guess I will have to test abit on my face before I decide to buy it. I wouldnt mind abit of moisturising element to it as long as I dont look oily and shiny...I feel a slight moisturised glow looks better than a dried up super matte look I get from those with high alcohol content also in the sense that it will be more drying in the long run and under aircon. I will be heading to the shops to test the LRP kids suncreen then..cross my fingers and hope I dont wake up with pimple breakouts the next day
I will remember your advice when buying my compact powders as well. Thanks..

[whitesky.blue]

Hi, I have been following this thread for a few months already. being motivated, I would like to share my experience on different sunscreens tried and my knowledge on sunscreens to everyone here.

Background & Skin Type

I am 22 yo guy with normal and resilient skin. I used to be a avid sun worshiper and ever since enlistment, I have seen the worst skin damages due to UV exposure. I do not use any makeup.
I have tried many drugstore brands of sunscreens over the past 1 yr. Here's a list of facial sunscreens -

Nivea (unstable body formula in 20, 30, 50, Collagen Protect 30/50 fluid), Garnier (UV Protect Beige), Loreal UV Perfect (Transparent/ Even toned/ 50, Matte/Icy Protector 30), Neutrogena (Pure Screen 50+), Sunplay super block 130, Biore (blue bottle) 50+,

Vichy UV Pro Secure 40 (tinted, transparent for combi/oily skin), LRP Anthelios XL Melt in Cream 50/ Tinted 50/ Fluide Extreme 30), Avene VHPE (new), Avene Tinted Cream, Bioderma Max Fluide, Uriage Hyseac 50,

Biotherm Homme 50+, Channel White Essential 30, Clarins UV Plus tinted 40, Lancome Men Neuroshield 50, Clinique Super Age Defense (dry skin) 25, Kiehls' 50, Missha Sun Milk 50+

For body - Vichy Captial Soleil 50+, Neutrogena Spray 30, Badger 30+, Kabanna Green Screen 20, Solait 30 (Kids)/ 50+, Nivea Protect and Bronze 20.

Only never tried RoC, Olay, Aqua Label, Bio essence (excluding weird taiwan/korean unknown brands) for drug stores.

My biggest gripe with sunscreens is the white cast. I can tolerate shine (blot with tissue), fragrance, texture (i have normal skin, can also take creamy textures), BUT NOT THE CAST.
I also like to look darker so I prefer a sunscreen with a tint to make my skin appear darker.

Best Facial Sunscreen.
- Vichy UV Secure Pro 40 for combi/oily skin
On my normal skin, Vichy's formula is excellent. I applied the full sample size of 3ml on my face and neck and there isnt any visible shine/white cast. very wearable. (compatible with SPF makeup)

- Anthelios Tinted Fluide Extreme
THIS IS MY HG. Fast drying, nice tint, high PPD, thin texture, very water resistant.

(tested water resistancy by adding few drops of sunscreens I have used into a cup of water and mix the solution. other than the jap based sunscreens, the oil based ones (like badger), this is the only other one that remain very water resistant in my test conducted. as for the rest of all i listed above, "melted" and became chalky/cloudy)

The only downside is that color may smug abit if i sweat too much. And I prefer tinosorb M for my UV filter.

- Avene Tinted Cream (new)
Tried this because I prefer tinosorb M as UV filter (7th on ingredient list). I like it alot cause i never breakout with it. usually use 5-6 pumps but nowadays 4 cause the color looks weird. tried mixing 2 pumps + 2 pumps of AVHPE (new) but i looked horrible with it.

My only gripe is the thick texture due to the Singapore weather and I have to apply in front of a fan as weekday mornings are rush for me. Also not as water resistant as LRP FE (T) based on my experiment. However i still love it

So for everyday wear + sports, LRP FE (T) is my HG. high substantivity but i appreciate it.

for home wear, i like loreal uv perfect/garnier. i usually will blot the dewy look away with tissue.

Body
For everyday wear, Solait 50+ is really good. Non sticky, matte finish after waiting for 30 min. No signature sunscreen smell. uses Tinosorb M on 7th ingredient list. Alcohol doesnt bother me. I appreciate fast drying sunscreens.

For sports, I actually prefer Bioderma Minerale 50+ PPD22 (apparently out of so many bioderma stores, i only saw this at NSC. OOS currently). This is because I prefer mineral sunscreens applied over a large body surface area. When it comes to sports, substantivity is my top consideration as mineral based sunscreen adheres VERY well to the skin. I tried a sample of it at NSC 2 mths back. When i got home and wash my hands I still can feel the film on my skin! It is not sticky at all when compared to sunscreens like badger which is another plus point. Cons - very white

I dont bother about sprays as I am budget conscious for body sunscreens (sprays for avene cost min $40 but my 200ml solait is only $15.90!)

My last thoughts
1) I prefer Tinosorb M the most as it is the most effective UV filter, even in low concentrations. It is also the most efficient filter at 380 - 400mm. My other favourite UV filters include Uvinul A Plus (strong antioxidant UV filter, outstanding photostability and anti inflammatory effects) and Ethylhexyl triazone (highest UV absorbing capability for UVB rays based on monographs)

2) Octinoxate/ Ethylhexyl methoxycinnamate / Octyl methoxycinnamate, when combined with Avobenzone/ butyl methoxydibenzoylmethane
- degrades the stability of sunscreen by 36% within the first hour of application.
- generate free radicals on the face at a higher rate than stable sunscreens.

http://www.fda.gov/ohrms/dockets/dai...tachment_F.pdf

3) Octinoxate/ Ethylhexyl methoxycinnamate / Octyl methoxycinnamate by itself is not stable. Tinosorb M increases its stability.

"TINOSORB® M has a stabilizing effect
on other UV filters. The experiment with
Octyl Methoxycinnamate (OMC) shows
the positive effect of TINOSORB® M.
After irradiation with 10 MED, 27% of
the OMC alone is lost. In the presence of
TINOSORB® M this loss is only 8%."

(google for tinosorb m brochure)

4) I recommend using antioxidant serums beneath sunscreens, especially a blend of antioxidant (for eg A/C/E rather than C alone) to help to combat free radicals formation under intense UV exposure. This helps to ensure "recyclability" of antioxidants.

"In addition, it has been shown that biological antioxidants are recyclable, so that when Vitamins C or E disarm a free radical, the oxidized “sacrificed” vitamins are converted to their original active state. Vitamin C can recycle the “sacrificed” Vitamin E and convert it back into its active state, leaving Vitamin C oxidized. Vitamin C can then be recycled by reacting with glutathione or another antioxidant-like alpha-lipoic acid"

Natural Astaxanthin - Free radicals and antioxidants - A l g a t e c h

Journal of Investigative Dermatology - Ferulic Acid Stabilizes a Solution of Vitamins C and E and Doubles its Photoprotection of Skin

alternatively, choose EUKARION-134 as a form of antioxidant.

EUKARION-134, A new, noble AntiOxidant - LONGECITY

Last but not least, remember that even the best sunscreen only blocks 55% of UVA induced free-radical damage.
Antioxidant does help and I always see it as a "sunscreen booster". LOL

[JadeLin]

Have been reading the thread so many days, seem that every one have different recommend for sunscreen. I am new to the sunscreen ( never use before) I would like to ask Which sunscreen is best for dry and sensitive skin?

[Stern]

Hi Chiaberry,

I got my sister to get me the RoC SS. She got the normal one instead of the sensitive one and I tried it for a day. It left my face pale, white cast, shiny, and the smell is extremely strong. Applied on 8am still can smell it on 6pm.

The thing is, I washed it away with DHC deep cleansing oil, then follow up by Avene cleanser and the same night, I noticed 3 new tiny tiny red bump below my eye area.
The next day, I didn't use it and this morning, I woke up with new whitehead that itch slighty and pus isnt that big on the side of my face.

Could this be the DHC oil or RoC?

So frustrating

[Stern]

Hey Chocosweet.55, I also noticed a slight burning sensation on my chin when I applied it!

Are you also acne prone? What other SS you find that doesn't clog your pores?

Thanks

[chiaberry]

Hi Chiaberry,

I got my sister to get me the RoC SS. She got the normal one instead of the sensitive one and I tried it for a day. It left my face pale, white cast, shiny, and the smell is extremely strong. Applied on 8am still can smell it on 6pm.

The thing is, I washed it away with DHC deep cleansing oil, then follow up by Avene cleanser and the same night, I noticed 3 new tiny tiny red bump below my eye area.
The next day, I didn't use it and this morning, I woke up with new whitehead that itch slighty and pus isnt that big on the side of my face.

Could this be the DHC oil or RoC?

So frustrating

Sigh....already told you specifically to go for the SENSITIVE skin one. Already warned you about the smell. You have no excuse and the smell is your penalty for not heeding.

Unfortunately I think the white cast is a deal-breaker for you esp being a guy......Stop using fthe ss for the time being until your skin settles down. Go and find a tester and see if La Roche Posay Fluide Extreme TINTED cream is suitable for you. See above post. It was a guy recommending it.

Your skin is super unstable.....I think you will have a hard time dealing with it.........you just have to continue trial and error but not changing too many things at a time. Your bumps and whiteheads may not be due to the sunscreen. I gather you have been changing your skincare around. Not just the sunscreen. It could be any of the changes you made in your skin care regime that led to the bumps and whiteheads.

[pipes]

for girls using prescription acne creams like differin, i would say it's normal to feel a burning sensation when you use chemical sunblocks. i used to use roc and other chemical sunblocks like avene vhpe, vichy etc and i would experience a burning sensation while applying them. i told my dermatologist at nsc about it and he simply said to switch to a physical sunblock if i'm uncomfortable about it. the burning sensation did go away when i tried physical sunblocks like fancl's and even biore (which contains high alcohol content lol) but i continued to use chemical sunblocks cause i thought they offer more stable protection which i need, to fight off post-inflammatory pigmentation.

i like roc fairly enough for it's matte texture, but it always leaves a dreadful white cast on me

[Stern]

Hi Chiaberry,

just to confirm again is it this?

ANTHELIOS XL SPF 50+ Extreme Tinted Fluid, Anthelios by La Roche-Posay

I don't want to get the wrong one anymore.

Thanks again!!