Bioderma 'Photoderm MAX Tinted Cream SPF 50+'

Along with the Vichy 'Capital Sun SPF 50 Mattifying Face Fluid Dry Touch' I bought, I decided that I would buy this product as well. I went sun protection crazy, you might say.
I have only ever tried one tinted moisturiser, and that was the Clinique 'Super City Block' SPF 40. Since I have long run out of that product and haven't repurchased, and don't fancy sticking foundation on my spotty skin right now, I decided to go for another tinted moisturiser, and I thought I might as well give this one a go.

Here is what the Bioderma website says about it's product;
• The maximum anti-UVB efficacy and unmatched "extreme anti-UVA" performance of Photoderm MAX Tinted Cream safely protect against sunburn, prevent sun intolerance reactions and combat premature cutaneous ageing.
• A major advance against risks of cell damage, its exclusive patented Cellular BIOprotection® complex* provides optimum protection for the skin cells.
• Photoderm MAX Tinted Cream minimises skin imperfections and unifies the complexion.
• The melting texture of Photoderm MAX Tinted Cream leaves the skin feeling comfortable and extremely soft. Photoderm MAX Tinted Cream spreads very easily, leaving no oily film.
• Non-comedogenic, Photoderm MAX Tinted Cream is water-resistant and photostable.
• Photoderm MAX Tinted Cream is fragrance-free and ensures excellent tolerance.

The thing about this that I love is that it's a suncream with tint. I have never seen tinted moisturisers with a SPF higher than the 30/40 mark, so this is the perfect product for me. I don't like applying foundation, since I have not found one that I get on with, so I prefer not wearing it at all or wearing an all-in-one product, like a tinted moisturiser!
It doesn't have much of a smell, like most suncream would. There is a scent, but it's very delicate and not overpowering in the slightest. It doesn't contain any fragrances (as mentioned above), so it is actually quite cool that it smells this good without any added fragrances!
My only gripe with this product is that the tint is far too dark for me. The tint is described as 'golden', and I am nothing of the sort. Pale as paper sums my shade of skin up quite nicely. As you can tell by the photo of my hand above, it comes out on me very orangey. Considering my face is paler than my hands, it just looks obvious and totally un-natural, and I looked like I was related to an oompa-loompa (which isn't cool at any stretch of the imagination). This really disapointed me, because everything else about the product was fantastic and lovely, and yet I can't wear it, because it is just too dark for me!
As with any suncream/sun-protection, you do need to re-apply. I know it's not quite as relevant since it is pouring down with rain right now, but you never know when the sun will peek his cheeky little face out behind the clouds! Unfortunately, re-applying it was just a bad experience, only because of the dark tint of the product. Orange face, pale neck/arms. I looked orange and disgusting and I wanted to cry.
I looked on the Bioderma website, and it didn't say whether this product was available in any different tints, which I thought was a bit silly. When I bought this product from the Cocooncentre.co.uk, I wasn't able to specify what tint I wanted, which makes me think that there is only one tint available. However, after reading the reviews on MakeupAlley, people have read that they have it in the 'natural' colour. I can't find it for purchase anywhere though (crey crey), but I love this suncream and will keep on looking!
Despite this, it offered good coverage (my spots were kinda camouflaged - not as much as they would be if I had a layer of foundation on though). It is quite a thick formulation, which doesn't really bother me, because it just means you don't need as much of the product. It sank into the skin really well, leaving it feeling moisturised and nourished. Some suncreams just sit on the surface of the skin, and can actually leave my skin feeling quite dry, so it's nice to have a suncream which has a nice moisturising effect. The finish isn't matte, and leaves the skin with a healthy glow. I totally agree with the fact that it doesn't leave an oily film.
In terms of packaging, it's pretty standard. You do have to be careful, in terms of how much of the product you actually squeeze out of the tube, you can easily squeeze too much out and that is bad. Also, because the cap is at the bottom, quite a lot of the product collects on the rim and on the cap, which is never cool.
It set me back £9.36 for 40 ml of the product, which I think is really good value, especially because you only need a small amount for applying it to your face.

So overall, I like everything about this product APART from the tint, which ruined the whole experience of the product for me. I do hope I can find the 'natural' colour soon, because I'm sure I would love it, since I loved everything else about the product!

Vichy 'Capital Sun SPF 50 Mattifying Face Fluid Dry Touch.'

I have found it. This is my sunscreen HG. I love this product so much, and if you have oily skin like me, and want a sunscreen that offers you maximum protection (SPF 50) without looking like a greaseball, look no further. I have found the answers.



I have never tried anything by Vichy before, so when I was trawling through the interent trying to find a suncream I haven't tried (I have tried ones by Heliocare, Soltan, La Roche Posay, Bioderma, and reviewed sunscreams by Ultrasun and Kiehls) I came across this one.

This is what the blurb on the box tells me:
"It's anti-shine ultra light texture, particularly adapted to combination and oily skins in humid climates. Optimal protection thanks to a formula enriched with Mexoryl XL and Minarals which help protect against sun damage, brown spots and sun-induced premature ageing."
This broad spectrum (protects against UVA and UVB rays) suncream comes out of the tube as a white cream, however it doesn't leave a white cast on the skin at all, which is fantastic.
It sinks in like an absolute dream, and if you leave it five minutes, leaves no trace on the skin. It leaves your skin completely matte, and I suffer from horrendous oily skin, so this cream is a dream in a tube! For such a high SPF to do this is mind-boggling. I have never (EVER) tried a sunscreen to leave absolutely no trace of stickiness or oiliness on the skin. This makes this product the perfect base on which to apply additional products i.e. foundation (I use a mixture of Illamasqua's Skin Base and Vichy's Dermablend foundation).

This suncream also smells really quite nice, quite floral. It doesn't smell like a typical suncream would, which makes it perfect for day-to-day use, which is what I intend on using it for for the rest of my life! I always think it is important to look after your skin, and an SPF containing cream at 30 or higher are ones to look out for.

As with any other suncream, it is one to be re-applied every two hours or so generously. However, I can't imagine this being a problem, since it's matte you won't end up extremely shiny or greasy like you would with other suncreams.

It only cost 12.90 euros (£10.43) for a 50ml tube from the Cocooncentre.co.uk, which I thought (and still think) is a really good price, since you don't need a lot - a little bit of this product goes a long way!
This website is French and specialises in French skincare brands (like the Bioderma water everyone is going batty over!).

Overall, I love this suncream, and I never hope they stop making it. It is hands-down the best suncream have ever used, and I will wear it constantly.
It is worth every penny of it's cost, and it is such a fantastic product I urge everyone to get a tube! It is such a versatile suncream, and one you don't have to save for your hols, you could wear it every day, come rain, wind or shine.

Kiehls 'UV Protect' SPF 50.

One thing you should know about me is that I'm completely batty about SPF. It's the one skincare thing I am massively enthusiastic about, and I will talk to you for hours about sun-cream and why I love high SPFs and why it's good for your skin and why you should wear one everyday and don't you know the sun is dangerous, blah blah blah.
I won't get on my soapbox regarding sun-damage (I'll let these guys do it for me) but I know that sun-protection is a vital part of my skincare routine every day, and it should be part of yours. And if it isn't, then why the hell not?! Especially now the sun is finally showing it's face and it's the time of year for not wearing very much.

Now, I got this back in February, so this post has been a long time a'comin! Before, I had had my eye on the Kiehls 'Ultra Light Daily Moisturiser' SPF 50 for ages, and was just waiting for the email announcing 'free shipping' before I could buy it online.
However, I was in Cardiff for the 14th and 15th of this month for Craig's interview at Cardiff University (fingers crossed he gets in), and whilst wandering around the city I found myself in John Lewis', and spotted a Kiehls counter. Just imagine my glee!
So after a wee bit of browsing the counter I found the cream I had my eye on, and I also found another suncream, which was the Kiehls 'UV Protect' SPF 50. The 60ml tube of the 'Ultra Light Daily Moisturiser' cost £30 (I'm not sure why it says £31 on the Kiehls' website, because the girl confidently told me it was £30), and a 160ml tube of the 'UV Protect' cost £19.

Now, as far as I'm aware, the only difference is the fact that the latter is marketed as a sun cream rather than a regular facial cream, whereas the former is marketed more as a daily face moisturiser rather than as a suncream.
The woman behind the counter did say that the 'UV Protect' is a little heavier on the skin, and may not be suitable for oilier skins. However, since I haven't got a money tree growing in my back garden, I opted for the 'UV Protect', thinking it would be fine.

I am really disappointed to be honest. I won't blame the product at all because it's not marketed as a face cream you can use day to day, and this is how I used it. It is marketed as a suncream to wear when you're in the sun in Jamiaca. Not England for pottering around town.

It is a heavy suncream, and when applied in the morning, by midday I was looking shiny and greasy and felt very sticky. Not a good look on anyone. It also leaves a sort of white cast over the skin, which made me look a little paler than I naturally am. Again, it would be fine if I was in Jamaica (if I say it enough it will happen!) and was lying around in the sun all day, but it wasn't really appropriate for wearing on my face as of February!
It did cost more than I would normally spend on a suncream, and I didn't really notice anything different. It wasn't spectacularly different from brands like Soltan, La Roche Posay, Ultrasun etc. However, I did like the fact it was more of a moisturising sunscreen, and with my sometimes peeling skin, I felt this would be a benefit. However, if anything it just made the suncream a lot heavier, which outweighed the positive of it being moisturising!

Overall, I am not a fan of this. It is too heavy and sticky upon the skin to be used daily on the face. Again, on holiday it would be great, but not for the rare sunshine that England experiences.

The search for the best suncream ever continues...

Ultrasun "Ultra Sensitive 50+".

The search of the perfect suncream has led me high and low. I dread to actually calculate the amount of money I have spent trying all sorts of sunprotection: from the expensive to the cheap, I feel I have tried most suncreams.

I can't remember where I first heard of the brand Ultrasun, but I remember seeing it on a website, and contemplating buying it for weeks and then finally caving in and buying it, and I'm truly glad I did!

If you want to know the full blab about why I need to wear a suncream: you can click here and read the essay, but in short: my medication makes my skin fall off, and the new skin underneath that gets exposed is really sensitive to light and gets easily damaged, hence why I need to wear suncream. Also, I think it's a little bit psychological, I have convinved myself the sun is 'bad', and Summer really freaks me out (yes I know I have issues). This may explain why most of the time I am 'glowing' or look more shiny than the other 99.9% of the population.

I have to say, "Ultra Sensitive 50+" has been one of the best suncreams I have ever used. And believe me, I have used A LOT.
Obviously, the first thing I like about it is that it offers me amaxing protection ("UVA 99% and UVB SPF50+" to be exact). It protects against UVA and UVB rays, which is nice, because so many skincare products either don't have SPF, or just protect from UVA or UVB rays, and not both. It's reassuring that both types of nasty sun rays won't be able to get through!

What I also like about it is that it's single use, which means one application in the morning and I'm done and protected for the day. It also saves me looking like a fool, and after 4 hours of whatever having to rush to the toilet to re-apply suncream. And plus, I don't really want to go into details of my peeling skin when people ask me why I'm applying suncream when it's not Summer.

Another thing I like is the pump. Just look at it. Such an ingenious bit of technology. It is such a neat, simple, non-messy way from bottle to hand. It is also hygienic, after that little plate closes, no germs/bugs/fluff can get into the bottle.

With some suncreams, all they do is create a barrier on top of the skin, without providing any moisturising benefit and sometimes leaving my skin quite dry. However, this suncream moisturises my skin as well as protects, and leaves my skin feeling quite soft afterwards!

I also like the fact that the Ultrasun make sure that their products "are free from oils, emulsifiers and perfume reducing the risk of allergy and making them especially suitable for children and sensitive skins".My skin can be sensitive at times when I'm using my medication, so it's nice to know that even when my skin is at it's worst, it won't sting. Having red skin that needs to be protected from the sun, but finding suncream stings like hell is the worst experience ever. Also, having acne, I like the fact that this product doesn't have any oils or emulsifiers in it, which may irritate or cause my skin to clog up.
This suncream contains Provitamin B5 and Vitamin E, which have been known for their moisturising properties. There is also a free radical scavenger in the mix (the company call it 'SOD'), which is great. If you haven't heard of free radicals, Google them because I could write an essay on the bloody things which won't be interesting at all. But all you need to know is that something that neutralises free radicals is something great to have in a cream.

100ml of the product costs me £19.95, which I think is great value. Of course, you can buy cheaper suncreams, but this product feels better quality than the suncreams you can buy from drugstores or pharmacies. Plus, 100ml is a practical size, and will keep you going for a long time without having to repurchase every month because you've run out!

This product is the best once-application suncream I would say I have ever used. I know I can look a little shiny/greasy, but no matter what suncream I use I think I will always find that. I mean, the flash in the photos above won't really help (I'm sure anyone would look shiny in front of a flash!), but it doesn't look as greasy as other ones I've tried.

In terms of how it fits into my routine and how I use it: in the morning, I apply a really thick layer onto clean skin, and then go and get dressed/have breakfast/bide my time, and then after fifteen-twenty minutes of letting it soak into my skin as much as it wants to, I take a tissue and just blot my skin to remove the excess.

Overall, I really like this suncream and it's really got on with my skin.
I will definitely repurchase because it works, it offers amazing protection, the price is fantastic, it lasts for ages, it moisturises as well as protects, it doesn't sting, it doesn't contain any nasties, and I know it doesn't make me as shiny as other suncreams. Well done Ultrasun, I'm sticking with you!