Lancome Bienfait Multi-Vital SPF 30 Sunscreen

Lancome Bienfait Multi-Vital Sunscreen
SPF 30

At last, a sunscreen from the Sephora Sun Kit that I really like. I like the feel of it and the smell of it. It feels hydrating without the greasiness, and also very lightweight. But of course, it's never this perfect. My main issue with it is that it is packaged as a tub, which is a slight deal breaker with me. I prefer creams and lotions to be packed in bottles, and a pump would also be nice for cleanliness and minimal contamination. Of course, your hands are clean whenever you dip your fingers into this product since you just washed your face but it's not contaminate-free. Spatulas can be used but those are just a pain. And another deal breaker for me is that it contains methylparaben, an ingredient that I would like to avoid. At $46 for 1.7oz, I'm glad that I'm not in total love with it. I must move on from this fine product to find my perfect sunscreen.

Product Link:
Lancome
Sephora

Boscia Self-Defense Vital Antioxidant Moisture SPF 30

Boscia Self-Defense Vital Antioxidant Moisturizer
SPF 30 Broad Spectrum
Active Ingredients: Avobenzone 3%, Octinoxate 7.5%
What it is formulated WITHOUT:
Parabens, Sulfates, and Phthalates

Boscia advertises themselves as a preservative-free, botanically based skincare line. In general, I really like their line. I've tried many of their products and they are all pretty nice with the exception of their price tag. However, certain products such as the Clear Complexion Cleanser is worth it. But back to this moisturizer, which is another item I received from the Sephora Sun Kit. The 0.5 fl oz (15mL) sample looks exactly like the full size tube of 1.4 fl oz except the tip is not a pump. Overall, it absorbs pretty quickly and feels very light. It's definitely good for the summer but I'm not so sure for the dry winters. There is no artificial fragrance, but it does have a slight scent. It's not a floral or refreshing scent, it just smells like what lotions without additional scents should smell like. The full size 1.4 fl oz cost about $36, which is a little more than what I'm readily willing to pay for a daily moisturizing sunscreen.

Links

http://www.sephora.com/self-defense-vital-antioxidant-moisture-spf-30-P377650

http://www.boscia.com/newsite/product_detail.php?cPath=0&products_id=165&category=&dept_id=42

Sephora Age Defy Moisture Cream SPF 15

Sephora Age Defy Moisture Cream
SPF 15
Active Ingredients: Ensulizole, Octinoxate, Octisalate, Octocrylene, Oxybenzone, and Titanium Dioxide
What it is formulated WITHOUT:
Parabens

This is Sephora's own sunscreen that I received as part of the Sephora Sun Kit. It is available as 1 fl oz (30mL) and 1.69 fl oz. The prices are $15 and $30 respectively. However, the larger size is in a tub and not in a tube like the smaller size. For me, tub containers are not ideal. Another con for me is that this not a broad spectrum sunscreen and it protects only against UVB rays. In my previous post about sunscreen, I stressed the importance of broad spectrum sunscreens considering UVA also damages the skin. Other than that, the consistency reminds me of the whipped yogurt from Yoplait® but thicker. The smell is a pleasant, light, floral scent. But overall, this is not going to be my daily moisturizing sunscreen.

Link
http://www.sephora.com/age-defy-moisture-cream-spf-15-P276328?skuId=1259894

Ole Henriksen Protect the Truth™ SPF 50+ Sunscreen

Ole Henriksen Protect the Truth™
SPF 50+ broad spectrum
Active Ingredients: Avobenzone 3%, Homosalate 10%, Octisalate 5%, Octocrylene 2.7%, Oxybenzone 5%,
What it is formulated WITHOUT:
Parabens, Sulfates, Synthetic Fragrances, Synthetic Dyes, Petrochemicals, Phthalates, GMOs, and Triclosan

I got a trial size of 0.5 fl oz (15mL) from the Sephora Sun Kit. It smells similar to the Truth Serum® Vitamin C Collagen Booster, which I am in love with. And I love this brand in general. The good thing about this was that it did not feel grainy or greasy at all.  However, this does not moisturize. It does say in the directions section to put a moisturizer after applying the sunscreen. The full size tube is 1.7 fl. oz. and costing about $35. In the end, this is not for me, and my goal of looking for a daily moisturizer with SPF continues.

Links:

Sephora: http://www.sephora.com/protect-the-truth-vitamin-c-spf-50-sunscreen-P288109
Dermstore: http://www.dermstore.com/product_Protect+the+Truth+SPF+50_32894.htm

Josie Maran Argan Daily Moisturizer

Josie Maran Argan Daily Moisturizer

SPF 40+ board spectrum

Active Ingredients: Titanium Dioxide 9.5%, and Zinc Oxide 6%.
What it is formulated WITHOUT:
Parabens, Sulfates, Synthetic Fragrances, Synthetic Dyes, Phthalates, GMOs, and Triclosan

This 0.5 oz glass bottle was included in the Sephora Sun Kit and this is actually my 2nd bottle. I have previously bought a 0.5 oz bottle due to curiosity and since I really liked the Argan Oil. The small bottle costs about $14 if you buy it separately while the jumbo 4 oz bottle has a hefty price tag of $54. Besides the price tag, the first thing I noticed was the scent of the product. I am really not a big fan of the smell. Some people say they like the smell but I find it unpleasant. It wasn't a horribly disgusting smell, it was just a scent I'm not particularly fond of. It is very thin as I apply it on my face, but it also felt kind of grainy. I like how it is natural and formulated without a lot of chemicals. I do like the Argan Oil but not this. So I gave the 2nd bottle to a friend. 

Links:
Sephora mini 0.5 fl.oz.
Sephora jumbo 4 fl.oz.
QVC 2 fl.oz.
Josie Maran Jumbo 4 fl.oz.

Sunscreen

Summer is here so let's start talking about sunscreen. It's a long post but there's a lot of information that needs to be said about sunscreen.

Sunlight, UV radiation, UVA, UVB

While sunlight is important for improving moods and the synthesis of vitamin D in the body, it also causes sunburn, skin cancer and photoaging due to the ultraviolet (UV) radiation. There are 2 types of UV radiation: UVB and UVA. UVB is represents 5% of the UV that reaches the surface of the earth, while UVA represents 95%. UVA is further broken down into categories of short-wavelength (UVA2) and long-wavelength (UVA1). UVB is responsible for sunburn, hyperpigmentation and skin cancer, while UVA causes photoaging, hyperpigmentation and also possible skin cancer. So it is important to have a broad-spectrum sunscreen that blocks both UVA and UVB.

Types of Sunscreen

There are 17 different UV filters that are approved by the FDA in the US, and there are a few more available in other countries. Sunscreens are classified as organic (chemical) and inorganic (physical). Organic sunscreens absorb UV radiation and convert it to heat while inorganic sunscreens reflect and scatter the UV light.

Adapted from UptoDate 2013

Sunscreen Labeling

SPF stands for sun protection factor which measures the protection against UVB but it does not adequately measure the protection of UVA. However, by Dec 2013 all sunscreen manufacturers are required to follow the FDA's new labeling requirements to correct some the current false advertisement about sunscreen. In the not so distant future, sunscreen can only be labeled "broad-spectrum" if it passes the FDA's test for protection against UVA and UVB. You will probably also see very few SPF above 50 since the FDA recommended capping SPF at 50. And all SPF that greater than 50 will be labeled as SPF =50+. The SPF capping is due to the fact that SPF greater than 50 provides very little increase in protection against UV versus SPF 50 (ie. SPF 15 absorbs 93% of UVB radiation, SPF 30 absorbs 97% and SPF 50 absorbs 98%). You will also no longer see the words "sweat-proof" or "water-proof" only "water resistant" and "very water-resistant", since no actual sunscreen is ever "water-proof". And for the sunscreen to be labeled as "water resistant" or "very water-resistant", SPF must be maintained after 40-80 min in the water respectively. So yay for no more false advertisement.

Proper Use

The amount needed to cover the average-sized adult is about 1 ounce (30mL) shot glass. It need to be applied 15-30min before sun exposure and then reapplied at least every 2 hours. All sunscreens must be reapplied after water exposure (swimming) even sunscreens that labeled "water resistant" or "very water-resistant".

Source:

Baron, E. "Selection of sunscreen and sun-protective measures". UptoDate. 17 April 2013.
"Common Myths About Sun Protection". Merck&Co. Inc. 2013 http://www.merck.com/research/common-myths-sun-protection.html