Sunscreen test
This product:
- Does not contain harmful chemicals that I look for, namely BHT, parabens and Oxybenzone
- Is an SPF 30 product
- Contains a broadspectrum UVA and UVB filter
Therefore, this is a buy rating product, but I am not rushing out to buy it…Find out why here.
What damages do we want sunscreen to protect us against?
We want sunscreens to contain photostable and safe filters that protect against the deleterious effects of both UVA and UVB radiation. In a nutshell, we are seeking protection against the following:
This is an exceptionally odd product. The only filter it contains is 15% Titanium Dioxide. That’s it.
Titanium Dioxide is a broadspectrum filter that provides protection against both UVA and UVB radiation; it is extremely photostable (and therefore does not breakdown in UV radiation) and it is unreactive with skin.
It provides formidably excellent protection against UVB radiation but not so much either UVAI or UVA II. This is 15% Titanium Dioxide exposed to 1 MED of UV radiation
Most of UV radiation is in fact UVA I and having tapering photo-protection in this region is not great – its also not the end of the world. If you are seriously concerned about the PA rating on this product – then its certainly not PA+++ as that’s difficult to achieve with 15% Titanium Dioxide. At best, this product provides PA++ protection against UVA, which translates as “effective protection against UVA” and that’s not to be frowned upon. (see also What is PA++++?)
Closing remarks
This is priced at Rs 3,250 for 50 ml (as of 27 April 2020). The same formulation is available for sale on the US website of Kiehl’s for US$ 38 (or Rs 2,900), so not a drastic difference in price.
If I had INR 3,250 to buy one Kiehl’s sunscreen it would not be this product. It would be Kiehl’s Ultra Light Daily UV Defense SPF 50 PA++++ that does provide high protection against UVB and UVA (see my review of this product HERE).
Available at this LINK on Nykaa and the US website LINK
See also:
- Myths About Sunscreen
- Make-up products are not a replacement for good old sunscreen
- Top 5 sunscreen recommendations
- Why do I need to buy SPF 30?
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