This is a product review of a new sunscreen on the Indian market. Its priced at INR 1,020 (or US$ 13) for 50ml so it is cheap as chips. Or chips might be more expensive…
But BEFORE that a reminder…
What damages are we trying to protect against when we use sunscreen?
Sunscreens contain UV filters.
I like the EU definition which is, ‘UV-filters’ means, “substances which are exclusively or mainly intended to protect the skin against certain UV radiation by absorbing, reflecting or scattering UV radiation.”
Happy Skin Days’ sunscreen test
I apply this very basic test to all sunscreens that I test on this blog
1) Are harmful chemicals present?
The harmful chemicals that I look for are specifically BHT, Oxybenzone, Formaldehyde releasing preservatives and parabens. This sunscreen has none of these.
2) This product is at least a SPF 30
3) What are the UVA and UVB filters present in this product?
The UVB filters present are:
- Octocrylene
- Octyl Methoxycinnamate
- Octyl Salicylate
The combination of Octocrylene, Octyl Methoxycinnamate, Octyl Salicylate clearly makes this product an SPF 50. There is no doubt in my mind.
The protection against UVA filters is being provided by:
- MBBT (Methylene bis-benzotriazolyl tetramethylbutylphenol)
- DHHB (Diethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl Benzoate)
MBBT and DHHB are new style filters: photostable and provide broadspectrum protection. Neither need to be present in large quantities to provide effective protection.
The quantities of both MBBT and DHHB in this formulation are definitely less than 1%. The product claims to be a PA+++ product. To remind you, the PPD (persistent pigment darkening) is a method of measuring against sunburn protection, originally developed in Japan. PPD measures UVA protection.
I am fairly confident that the product provides PA++. It is a stretch that it provides PA+++ but honestly, that can only be definitely tested in a lab.
Both Zinc Oxide and Titanium Dioxide are also on the ingredient list: these appear to be colour agents and not filters.
Look and feel of the product
The product completely blends in without any white cast, indicating that the sunscreen filters are in nano form. In India, there is no legal requirement to disclose the nano status of ingredients in products – I wish there were.
The sunscreen is drying and does not lend itself to re-application for this reason. If you wear a moisturiser underneath, I am sure it would be ok (it wasn’t for me).
This would suit individuals with oily skin but not if you have normal, combination or dry skin.
Would I buy this sunscreen again?
This product is not for me anyway, its too drying and I reapply sunscreen so this would not work for me.
It comes beautifully packaged in a proper cardboard container, has gold foiling absolutely everywhere, the container itself is beautiful, has a matte finish….and if I sound as if I am drooling, I am.
From my experience of reviewing hundreds of sunscreen now, I am weary of beautifully packaged sunscreens that cost next to nothing. Be in no doubt INR 1,020 for a 50ml sunscreen is next to nothing.
My primary concern about this product is its too cheap: I am sceptical that it claims to contain MBBT and DHHB in the ratio necessary to be a PA+++ product, because frankly, that requires the product to be more expensive, especially with the packaging.
What am I missing here?