UPDATE: This one no longer works for me. Please read my update. However, this post was written when it did work and maybe it’ll help you.
I used to use L’oreal’s UV Perfect sunscreen on a daily basis and in fact, used to stock it up in case I ran out. I liked that it was SPF50 and was easy to carry around. Then, a dear friend suggested I try Sunsense Daily Face instead. I resisted for a while, while I finished off my L’oreal, but during the recent Guardian sale, I decided to see what all the hype was about.
We get one that’s SPF60 here so I bought it. It comes in a 75g tube which is quite handy, and is lightly tinted. However, there’s no need for concern over the tint as it disappears on your skin. The great thing about this sunscreen is that it leaves a matt finish on your skin. This mattifying effect also serves as a great makeup base as you don’t have to be afraid of your foundation slipping off your skin. I found that happening a lot with the L’oreal UV Perfect, which left my skin feeling a bit oily.
When I apply this sunscreen on my face, it immediately sinks in but my skin doesn’t feel like there’s a layer on it. Anyone who avoids putting on sunscreen because they don’t like the greasy feeling should give this one a shot. Remember, sunscreen is probably the best anti-aging product you can have in your skincare regime – prevention is better than cure!
The SPF rating on mine is 60 which cannot be found on the website. I’m told this is because in Australia they don’t rate anything higher than SPF30 as there is no evidence that anything higher will screen more effectively. I do find that even out in the sun, my skin doesn’t feel like its burning, which is a good thing as it means that the UV rays are being screened out.
The information on the official website states that Sunsense Daily Face is ideal for use as a protective daily moisturiser, all year round. The oil free base also makes it suitable for acne prone skin. Blocks UV-A and UV-B rays. Screens infrared and visible light. Does not contain PABA, PABA derivatives or lanolin to reduce the risk of sensitivity reactions to those people who are already sensitive to these ingredients.
It retails for about RM39.90 for 75g which is an excellant deal, and can be found at Guardian or Watsons or other pharmacies. L’oreal UV Perfect is about RM30 for 30ml only. I can see myself stocking up on Sunsense Daily Face from now!
Sunsense has a whole range of other Sunscreen products for the body which are worth checking out. They are an Australian brand and I trust the Australians best when it comes to making sunscreen, due to the high incidence of skin cancer there possibly because of the hole in the ozone layer which lies just over Australia.
Sunsense recommends that you:-
- Use SUNSENSE everyday, particularly on your face and the backs of you hands to help prevent dry, leathery skin, wrinkles, mottling and other premature ageing as well as more serious problems such as skin cancer.
- When out in the sun apply SUNSENSE to all exposed areas of the skin, wear a broad rimmed hat and a t-shirt of closely woven material.
- SUNSENSE should be applied to clean, dry skin, 15 minutes before exposure to the sun. This allows the sunscreen to bond to the skin.
- Sunscreens wear off the skin with normal usage, so re-apply SUNSENSE at least every 2 hours and after swimming, exercise, heavy perspiration and towelling dry.
- Apply SUNSENSE even when sitting in the shade, surfaces such as sand, water, snow and concrete can reflect the sun’s rays onto your skin even though you are in the shade.
- Apply SUNSENSE on overcast days. The sun’s rays can damage you skin on cloudy days too.
- Don’t just wear SUNSENSE in summer. The sun shines all year round and can damage your skin even during winter.
- A broad-spectrum sunscreening preparation of SPF 20 or greater. Can aid in the prevention of skin cancer, solar keratoses, sunspots, premature skin ageing.
This applies for any brand of sunscreen, not just Sunsense.
Its Ingredients are (for those who understand chemical terms):
Butyl methoxydibenzoylmethane 2.0%
Oxybenzone 2.0%
Octyl triazone 1.0%
Titanium dioxide 2.6%
Methyl hydroxybenzoate 0.25%
Propyl hydroxybenzoate 0.15%
Iodopropynyl butylcarbamate 0.02%
Phenoxyethanol 1.0%
Pros: Matt, screens UV rays, Makes a good makeup base
Cons: Tube can be bulky
Disclaimer: This review is purely my opinion based on my own experience with the products reviewed. I do not vouch for the ingredients in the products nor do I hold myself out as an expert. I’m just another consumer like you. As with all skincare and cosmetics, do check ingredients or test for allergies and reactions.
[rating:5/5]
Like you, I don’t like sunscreens which feels oily or greasy on the face. After reading your review, am quite tempted to try this out. But I noticed the Sunscreen recommends that the sunscreen be re-applied every 2 hours.
In your experience using the product, do you need to do this? Cos it would not be practically convenient, especially when we have applied foundation and reapplying may be too inconvenient. Thanks!
Yvonne: I use this sunscreen as a makeup base as well so no, I don’t reapply during the day. Its not practical as you say. Also, I don’t go out in the sun a lot during the day as I”m usually in the office. Hope that helps!
i have been using sunsense sunsreen and felt that because it is Austrailian i too trusted it most. I have read in Bella magazine july 17 07 that research has found that 3 of the most commonly used ingredients – octylmethoxycinnamate,octocrylene and oxybenzone- could harm skin in a similar way to the sun! i see that oxybenzone (someone has written) is in sunsense. so what is the best thing to do now? what to use? do we believe?
PB says: At the end of the day, its all chemicals. I don’t quite know what to believe anymore but since L’oreal UV Perfect works for me, I’m sticking with it. I’d just stick with whatever works for your skin.
Thanks Paris, I do think like that too i guess. Are there any top dermatologists reading this? maybe from Austrailia, who know the latest research on ingredients in sunscreens?
PB says: I agree. If someone can enlighten us it would be great!