This sunscreen is available in India. It’s what my mother is using at the moment, because she likes the coverage. If you think, my mother listens to a damn thing I say, well let’s just say you are not Indian. Much work is necessary, young padwan for you to reach the status of Indian daughter.
Anywho.
The product I am testing is apparently all of these things:
- SPF 50+ PA+++
- Water/Sweat Resistant (no sunscreen is 100% water resistant. Fact)
- Protects against UVA/UVB, High Energy Visible and Infra-Red: to which I say, High Energy Visible Light is Blue Light. SHOW ME THE DATA supporting Blue Light and IR light claims.
Damage caused by UVA radiation
The reason why I strongly advocate use of sunscreen, is not because of the risk of cancer (caused by both UVA and UVB radiation). It is primarily as a mechanism to hinder photoaging.
Happy Skin Day’s sunscreen test
The harmful chemicals I look for are: Oxybenzone (or Benzophenone-3), BHT and formaldehyde releasing preservatives. Oxybenzone is present, and I’d reject it on that basis. (See this blog: Chemicals to avoid Oxybenzone) for more information.
Read also this article on the presence of Benzophenone-3 in breast milk that was published as far back as 2008.
The product is an SPF 30, does have UVA and UVB filters, but I’m absolutely not rushing out to buy this product.
Reasons why I will not repurchase this product.
Reason one: this is a photo of the ingredient list on the back of the sunscreen. Note how two items are absent: water and fragrance. Without doubt I can smell a strong fragrance and such formulations cannot be made without water. As a consumer you should know that it is a legal requirement to list out ALL ingredients on a product in order of descending quantity upto 1%.
Incomplete labels do not fill me with confidence.
Reason two: is that this product blends in without white cast and this is only possible here if Zinc Oxide and Titanium Dioxide are present in a nano form. A nano-particle is a small particle that ranges between 1nm to 100nm in size. Nano/Micronised forms of Zinc Oxide/Titanium Dioxide offer little/no protection against Blue light (or High Energy Visible Light)
Reason three: is the combination of filters. This sunscreen has Avobenzone, which must be stabilised. Stability is provided by Oxybenzone and Octocrylene, but then the formulation is unbalanced because of Octinoxate. Octinoxate makes the Avobenzone unstable.
Look and feel of the sunscreen
- The sunscreen is tinted, but its not particularly clunky or chunky to begin with.
- Blends in easily with no whitecast
- Can easily act as a blurring primer
Will I use this sunscreen or buy it again?
I will not be repurchasing this again. There are two products I use more than anything: sunscreen and face masks. I am constantly reapplying sunscreen and therefore what is inside my product is EXTREMELY important. Its just not about how a product looks. Also, as a consumer its 100% my right to expect brands to fully disclose their ingredient list. Why should I settle for less??
Available to purchase in India.
See also