Anyone who’s read my site long enough will know I’m a firm advocate of L’oreal UV Perfect SPF50 as THE BEST sunscreen for me. About a month ago, I picked up a newly launched product from Guardian pharmacy that effectively dethrones the L’oreal UV Perfect as the perfect sunscreen for me, and has placed itself high on my must-have list – Eucerin White Solution Whitening Extra Treatment Fluid SPF40.
The Eucerin White Solution Whitening Extra Treatment Fluid with SPF40 is a mouthful. I’ll just call it Eucerin White Solution Fluid throughout this review. White Solution is Eucerin’s “whitening” range of skincare products and they have had body lotions and facial washes for a while. The Whitening Extra Treatment Fluid is actually a moisturiser with SPF40. The active ingredients for sunscreening and sunblocking are Tinosorb S (chemical) and Titanium Dioxide (physical). For me, SPF40 is good enough for our tropical weather.
The product comes in a 50ml pump bottle and promises that it :-
- repairs accumulated dark spots, dull & damaged skin inside and outside
- strengthens sensitive skin with cell-protecting Vitamin E
- is fragrance free
I quizzed the Eucerin promoter who seemed to know what she was talking about, and she told me that the White Solution fluid is firstly a moisturiser but as it contains SPF40 is good enough to use as sunscreen too. Now, I’m as sceptical of such lofty claims as they come, so I decided to test out the sunscreening properties.
I based my experience on how warm my face feels after being out in the sun and how tan I become from the sun rays. I sometimes am running around or driving around in the heat of the afternoon and it has been a very hot month of June indeed. During this test period, I used the Eucerin White Solution fluid exclusively in the day as moisturiser and sunscreen, under my normal makeup.
As a Moisturiser
The texture of the Eucerin White Solution fluid is light and absorbs quickly. It is formulated for sensitive skins and is dermatologically tested. Being fragrance free is a boon because fragrance is usually one of the top irritants of sensitive skin.
I have combination skin (with the usual oilier T-zone and slightly drier cheeks) and I found that the Eucerin White Solution Fluid was sufficient for me as a day moisturiser. My skin felt moisturised the whole day and there were no signs of it drying out. My skin did not get oily nor did it break out and in fact I thought it was looking great! I’d say it serves it duty well as a day moisturiser. However if you have dry skin or prefer to use creams, then I’m not sure if it will be sufficient for you as it is very light. If you have oily skin then this might work well because it is light and a fluid.
As a Sunscreen
I’m no expert in sunscreens but I have been using a multitude of sunscreen brands over the year. A common problem faced when using sunscreen is that you have to apply it over your moisturiser thereby adding another layer of cream on the skin, and that it feels oily. Well, Eucerin White Solution Fluid doesn’t feel oily. Unlike L’oreal UV Perfect, this sunscreen did not feel oily on the skin at all. It absorbs well and doesn’t leave a shiny cast to the skin. That said, there is a slight whitish cast to the skin, which isn’t all that noticable. I attribute this to the Titanium Dioxide content but as I said, its not all that noticable.
I paid special attention to how my face felt after I was out in the sun and I noticed that I did not feel the slight burning sensation that one sometimes feels after being out in the sun. Even after I was out the whole day for a photography session under the noon day sun (not recommended!) my face did not feel warm nor burnt nor was it even much redder than normal.
As for skin darkening, there was no perceptible tanning of my skin during this time which is great. Again, I have to say that I’m pretty fair as they come, so I cannot quite say if there was any further “whitening”. Any pigmentation I have remained status quo – no darker and also not that much lighter. However, my skin has been looking even and not red nor blotchy so I’d say that the Eucerin White Solution Fluid is doing its sunscreening and sunblocking job pretty well.
Eucerin White Solution Fluid vs L’oreal UV Perfect Fluid
Comparing these 2 products side by side, I’d say that for me, the Eucerin White Solution Fluid is superior to L’oreal UV Perfect. At the end of the day, Eucerin does not leave me oily (even without makeup on) and it cuts down my skincare regime in the day. Being untrained in chemicals, I can’t tell if Tinosorb S is any better than Mexoryl in screening UVA and UVB rays, but I can safely say that Eucerin White Solution Fluid is doing a pretty good job keeping my skin safe from the damaging rays based on my experience with it.
Costwise, Eucerin White Solution Fluid costs about RM66+ for 50ml while L’oreal UV Perfect costs about RM30 for 30ml. That makes L’oreal UV Perfect cheaper. However, I’d still go for Eucerin White Solution Fluid because I can use it as both moisturiser and sunscreen, thereby cutting out one step in my day skincare and cutting out the cost of a day moisturiser. I did not feel that L’oreal UV Perfect was sufficient for me as a moisturiser on its own.
On an overall basis, I’d pick Eucerin White Solution Fluid over L’oreal UV Perfect from now on. My remaining stock of UV Perfect is going to be used for screening my neck from the sun!
I cannot find the Eucerin White Solution Fluid on Eucerin’s website, except on its Thai site, which I cannot read nor understand. It looks like the Eucerin White Solution Fluid might only be available in Asia at this time.
Eucerin is an under-rated drugstore/pharmacy brand and I don’t quite understand why they aren’t marketing themselves as aggressively as other major brands, when their products are as good as, and in many cases, better than the more mainstream skincare brands. Eucerin is very good for people with sensitive skin besides being fragrance-free; and their body wash is excellent especially if you have dry skin. So, really, Eucerin should do something about their branding because it is so easily overlooked! (end of rant 😛 )
Pros: Light, absorbs quickly, no white cast, good day moisturiser, good sunscreening and sunblocking, Pump is hygienic
Cons: Can be considered slightly expensive
[rating:5/5]
Ingredients: Aqua, Butylene Glycol Dicaprylate/Dicaprate, Glycerin, C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate, Diethylhexyl Butamido Traizone, Alcohol Denat., Titanium Dioxide, Bis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine, Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane, Cyclomethicone, Ceteryl Alcohol, Cetyl Alcohol, C18-36 Acid Triglyceride, Tocopheryl Acetate, Glyceryl Stearate SE, Hydrogenated Coco-Glycerides, VP/Hexadecene Copolymer, Ethylhexylglycerin, Xanthan Gum, PEG-40 Castor Oil, Trisodium EDTA, Sodium Cetearyl Sulfate, Trimethoxycaprylylsilane, Phenoxyethanol, Methyparaben, Propylparaben
We don’t have Eucerin sold in malls but I saw them somewhere in specialty stores..those stores I think who’s got contacts in HK that ship it here and they sell it as high..above the high rise building! I have read so much good reviews on Eucerin brand and I’ve read good stuffs about their body lotion as well. The sunscreen post you did triggers my interest. when you say it’s better than L’oreal…that means L’oreal is considered a good one right? And it comes out first against L’oreal? I have to check this out…I’ve got a whole list of stuffs to check out when i go to HK! LOL Call me ready..well..I AM!
hmmm…I’ll definitely have to give this a try sometime, since I did come back rather tanned after the break. And oh the burn! 🙂
Ahh this is going into my shopping list when I’m back in Malaysia 😀
Nikki: Wow I’m sorry that Eucerin is so marked up in PH. Over here, its expensive for pharmacy but at least its not super over priced. Maybe they’ll bring in Eucerin there soon. Yes I liked the L’oreal sunscreen but this pips L’oreal for 1st place!
Beetrice: I’d slather on the aloe vera for now but you had a fabulous trip so what’s a little tan?!
Tine: But you already have so many great brands in Oz!
Now I’m feeling like going down to guardian to check it out.
I still have like 2 bottles of the loreal uv perfect. My friends and relatives just dumped it to me.
Hahaha. But they are the newer ones that they have reformulated. It feels less oily than the old one I tried.
Eucerin less oily?!?!? I wanna try!
I am in the midst of getting a good moisturiser with SPF and have had shortlisted the Garnier UV Protect SPF50 Sunscreen with Mexoryl. With this review, looks like I will need to do another research. Thanks anyway.
Eucerin does advertise quite aggressively in Singapore, but only for certain products. Here, ads for their new anti-wrinkle cream made the full front pages for some daily papers. I guess Eucerin is just rather strategic about their marketing policy.
I’m almost tempted to get their anti-wrinkle cream, even if I don’t have wrinkles. It is probably the cheapest super power moisturiser. haha.
Ms. Blacklace: Yep I definitely preferred Eucerin and I’m using my nearly new bottle of L’oreal for my neck area haha…
Celine: I tested the Garnier one only at the counter. For me, I did not think it a moisturiser-sunscreen but more of just sunscreen. But test it and see how you like it.
Miks: I was told by the promoter that the anti-wrinkle with hyaluron is good, but she also said that since I did not have any wrinkles I did not need it! haha… so yeah, if you don’t have wrinkles, you don’t need it!
i went to the guardian you told me but there was none. perhaps i walked the wrong isles? i am mad as i really wanted to try this as Eucerin is THE brand i use for my face/body wash. it’s so good that i’d like to streamline my ss too. please tell me this is sold everywhere, not something very hard to find.
thanks for the review. i’d been waiting for it.
hey, i have lots of cancer council australia’s ultra ss tubes waiting to be used… but i still want to get my hands on this!
Cool beans, I’m still on a search for a sunscreen that doesn’t make me totally greasy by mid day. Will give this a try and see if it works! Thanks for the review.
Hey PB, I’ve been on the hunt for a replacement for my current Neutrogena sunscreen with SPF 30, which i have used for a while, but feel it’s not great as it makes my skin kinda greasy.
Thanks for a great, great post. Very indepth too, even if you didn’t go into the chemical bits. It’s good enough for us! =)
I’ll definitely try out Eucerin White Solution Whitening Extra Treatment Fluid with SPF40 next. Gosh, it IS a mouthful. Hehe..
Jojoba: I bought mine at Guardian Pharmacy in Bangsar and I’ve definitely seen it in Guardian in MidValley Megamall where there’s a proper Eucerin counter. Its not placed with the sunscreens but with the Eucerin skincare products. Eucerin really should do something about their product placements and visibility!
Monstro: Hope this one will do it for you!
Syen: I don’t know enough about chemistry do talk about the chemicals lol… Its been working great for me and I hope it does for you!
This sounds interesting! Might make me give up my Biore Face Milk which I quite like at the moment. Hehehe.
Good review! You’re the staunch supporter of L’oreal UV Perfect all this while, I m surprised to learn that you ve changed your favourite..This must be really good product then. 2 in 1? Moisturiser + sunscreen + sunblock…a pretty good combination. I do agree that it’s a fuss to apply both separately on face especially in time of hurry. (plus make-up base,foundation,..etc) And I like the fact that it’s a pump–plus point that you’ve mentioned. Thanks for recommendation 🙂
OooOo…does not leave skin greasy??? I will definitely check it out
thanks a lot for the review !!! i am in the midst of looking for a moisturiser and sunblock combo and ur review come at the very right time.. !! since it has whitening properties, i hope that it can reduce my acne scars on the cheek… *cross fingers*
Rinnah: I remember seeing Biore milk but I did not try it. Somehow the Japanese brands don’t work for me.
Natallie: Thanks and I love this because of the convenience and because it works for me. I didn’t think I’d find anything better than L’oreal UV Perfect for me, but Eucerin did it!
S-kay: Mine didn’t feel greasy at all! The formula’s pretty light.
Finaz: I hope you like it as much as I did!
aww another product for me to try!! i’ve been using clinique city block and still loving it until now.. but i’m so keen to try this one! esp. when i read that this eucerin didnt leave the skin greasy..!! thx for the revieww…!! now, i always check on this blog before i buy skincare/make up stuff.. 😉
Maria: Its good when you know a product works for you. Do test it at the counter and see how you like Eucerin – its cheaper than Clinique right? 😉 and thank you for your support!
i heard neutrogena’s ultra sheer sunblock offers very good protection. mind reviewing it? thanks